Gorillas and Chimpanzees Safari
5 Days 4 Nights From $2020 per person
Rates are per person (pp) and based on 2 people sharing 1 room
Excluding international flights (from/to your home country)
Overview
5 Days Gorillas and Chimpanzees Safari to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest national Park and Kibale National Park. This is a great opportunity to combine Gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (home to half of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas) with Chimpanzee trekking or Habituation experience in Kibale National Park. Kibale National Park has been declared as the best place to view habituated wild Chimpanzees. This all inclusive tour will start and end in Entebbe or Kampala and includes return Airport transfers.
Highlights
- You’ll visit to Uganda
- This tour starts and ends in Entebbe (Uganda)
- You’ll visit Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Kibale Forest National Park
- Activities: Gorilla tracking, Chimpanzee tracking
- Getting around: Open-sided 4×4 vehicle and pop-up roof 4×4 vehicle
- A transfer from and back to the airport (or hotel) is included
- Additional accommodation before the tour departs and on the last day can be arranged for extra cost
Things To Note
- Accommodation is Inclusive
- Tour Can Depart any day
- Tour can be customized
- Solo travelers can join this tour
- Age Limit: 15 years and above for Gorilla Trekking
- Age Limit:12 Years and above for chimpanzee trekking
Detailed Itinerary
Arrival
- You’ll be picked up from the airport (or hotel)
- Accommodation before the tour departs can be arranged for extra cost
DAY 1: Transfer from Kampala/Entebbe to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
- Morning/Travel: At 7am, your driver guide will pick from your Hotel in Entebbe/Kampala you will drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Your guide will make stopovers at the Equator crossing in Kayabwe for photography, a brief talk and some experiments
- Afternoon/Lunch: You will proceed to Mbarara town for lunch en-route at a local restaurant You will then drive past beautiful banana plantations, farms and the amazing Hills of Kigezi.
- Evening: You will arrive in the evening and check-in at the lodge for relaxation and overnight
Accommodation;
Budget: Rushaga Havens Lodge/Bakiga Lodge/Ride 4 A Woman
Mid Range: 4 Gorillas Lodge/Gorilla Leisure Lodge
Luxury: Gorilla Heights Lodge/Buhoma Lodge/Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge/Kiho Lodge
Main Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Forest
Meals: Lunch & Dinner (Breakfast Not Included)
Drinks: Drinking Water
DAY 2: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi National Park
- Morning/ Briefing: After your early morning breakfast, your guide will drive you to the Park Headquarters for briefing and joining others for briefing before heading into the forest for your gorilla trek. This trek can last for between 30 minutes to 7 hours depending on the location of mountain gorilla family on that particular day.
- Trek/Observation: Once you find the gorillas, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them while observing their behaviour, taking photographs before you return to the Park Headquarters for your certificate that confirms that you have tracked gorillas in Uganda.
- Afternoon: You will later have your packed Lunch before returning back to the Pak Headquarters
- Evening: You will spend the evening relaxing at the Hotel, Later have dinner and overnight
Main Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Forest
Accommodation;
Budget: Rushaga Havens Lodge/Bakiga Lodge/Ride 4 A Woman
Mid Range: 4 Gorillas Lodge/Gorilla Leisure Lodge
Luxury: Gorilla Heights Lodge/Buhoma Lodge/Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge/Kiho Lodge
Meals: All Meals Included
Drinks: Drinking Water
DAY 3: Drive from Bwindi to Kibale National Park
- Morning/Transfer: After breakfast we will drive to Kibale National Park for overnight at Chimpanzee Forest Guest House. This journey will take you through Queen Elizabeth National Park where you will have chances of spotting some wild game as we drive through this Savannah dominated national park.
- Afternoon/Lunch: You will also have another chance to cross the Equator at Kikolongo. You will also cross several Rivers that originate from Mountain Rwenzori as you go through Kasese district to Fort Portal. You will have a stop in Fort Portal town for lunch before proceeding.
- Evening: Arrive at the Hotel in Kibale and check-in at Chimpanzee Forest Guest House, you will relax and Later have dinner and overnight.
Main Destination: Kibale Forest National Park
Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge/Isunga Lodge
Mid Range: Turaco Tree Tops Lodge
Luxury: Primate Lodge/Tabebuia Spa and safari Resort/ Ndali Lodge
Meals: All Meals Included
Drinks: Drinking Water
DAY 4: Chimp Trekking in Kibale and Bigodi Wetland Walk
- Morning/Briefing: After breakfast, you will drive to Kibale National Park Headquarters for briefing on the Dos and Don’ts of Chimpanzee trekking. You will be divided into small groups of six people headed by one guide who will then move with you into the forest to find one of the Chimpanzee families. Chimpanzees live in communities of between 50-250 individuals but usually breakup into small parties during the day to reduce competition on food. They will then recollect in the evening to build their nests.
- Trekking and Observation: Once you find the Chimps, you will be allowed to spend one hour with the Chimps before returning to the lodge for lunch.
- Afternoon: After lunch, you head out for wetland walk in the nearby Bigodi Village. Kibale National Park is popular for 13 recorded primates species and several bird species.
- Evening: You will then return to the Hotel, relax, have dinner and overnight to end your day.
Main Destination: Kibale Forest National Park
Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge/Isunga Lodge
Mid Range: Turaco Tree Tops Lodge
Luxury: Primate Lodge/Tabebuia Spa and safari Resort/ Ndali Lodge
Meals: All Meals Included
Drinks: Drinking Water
DAY 5: To Kampala/Entebbe or Airport
- Morning/Drive back: After breakfast, you will drive to Kampala/Entebbe. The drive is very scenic as you will be using a different route from the one that took you to Bwindi
- Afternoon/Lunch En-route: You will proceed and have a lunch stopover in Mubende at a Local Restaurant.
- Evening: You will arrive in Entebbe/Kampala in the evening and proceed to your post- tour accommodation (not included) or to Entebbe International Airport for your international departure flight to end the trip
Main Destination: Entebbe
Accommodation: End of Tour, No accommodation
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Drinks: Mineral Water
End of Tour
COST PER PERSON SHARING
| Persons | Date | Price per person |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Person | Any date | USD2670.00 |
| 2 Persons | Any date | USD2020.00 |
| 3 Persons | Any date | USD1990.00 |
| 4 Persons | Any date | USD1970.00 |
| 5 Persons | Any date | USD1940.00 |
| 6 Persons | Any date | USD1900.00 |
- Gorilla and Chimpanzee permits: We encourage you to book gorilla and chimpanzee permits in advance so that we secure your trekking spot. Gorilla and chimpanzee permits are served on first come first serve at Uganda wildlife Authority. Please contact us so that we book them for you.
- Cost of the gorilla permit: The gorilla permits in Uganda cost USD800 for Non-Foreign residents, USD700 for East African Foreign Residents, USD500 for Rest of Africa Residents and UGX300,000 for East African Citizens, cost applies for trekking in Both Bwindi impentrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park
- Cost of Chimpanzee Permit: The chimpanzee permits in Kibale National Park cost USD250 for Non-Foreign residents, USD200 for East African Foreign Residents, and UGX150,000 for East African Citizens,
- Chimpanzee trekking Regions: Kibale National Park has 2 sections for trekking namely;Kanyanchu and Buraiga. Both sections have two trekking sessions i:e morning and afternoon
- Physical Fitness: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi can be physically demanding, a certain level of fitness will be required, please ensure you are in good health and have a certain level of fitness before you leave your country. Whereas chimpanzee trekking does not require alot of Hiking, Kibale being a lowland area.
- Packing List: Please ensure you have comfortable walking/ hiking shoes that can handle the terrain, a rain Jacket, gloves, Camera, Binoculars,
- Age Limit: The Minimum age for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is 12 years and above, and Gorilla trekking age limit is 15years and above. please ensure all travelers are above mentioned age.
- Accommodation Options: Please choose the accommodation that suits your budget, Kibale and Bwindi have all options of Budget, Midrange and Luxury.
- Means of Transport: You can opt to fly or drive to Bwindi or Kibale, Flights take 1-2 hours to Kisoro and Kihihi Airstrip for Bwindi and Kasese Airstrip for Kibale, For budget clients, we recommend use of safari vans, then others can opt for Safari Landcruisers. All vehicles are comfortable with enough leg room, AC and are driven by our professional driver guides.
- Best time to visit: Bwindi and Kibale National Parks can be visited all year round for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking, The most preferred time is June to September, December to February because they are the drier months of the year.
- Gorilla trekking Regulations: Uganda Wildlife Authority has rules and regulations to adhere while on your gorilla trek, See regulations here.
- Chances to see the Gorillas and chimpanzees: The chances of seeing gorillas and chimpanzees are 98% because there are trackers who follow the movement of gorillas/Chimps on a daily basis, they communicate to the Park guides and you walk in the direction they are.
- Choose a gorilla family: You can choose your preferred gorilla family of the day of the trek, if you prefer a close/ easy trek due to your fitness level, please request it and communicate to your guide.
- Gorilla and chimpanzee Habituation experience: Bwindi and Kibale National Parks have an option of spending 4 hours with the gorillas and chimps respectively, this is only possible when you book a gorilla permit that costs USD1500 for Non- foreign residents, USD1000 for East African Residents, and UGX750,000 for East African Citizens as well as Chimpanzee Habituation permit that costs USD300 for Non foreign residents.
- Other activities: There are several activities you can do in Bwindi and Kibale namely Birding, Batwa cutural experience, Nature walks, Community visits. All these can suppliment your 5 Day uganda gorilla and chimpanzee safari
- Trip cost estimate: The cost of the trip Includes gorilla permit, accommodation, Meals, transport, and all services. request a quote
- About Bwindi: Bwindi impenetrable National Park is a UNESCO world heritage site, with half of the worlds gorilla population, it has more than 20 Habituated gorilla famillies in regions of Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija and Nkuringo.
- About Kibale National Park: Kibale forest National Park is located in western Uganda about 5-6 hours drive from Entebbe/Kampala/Bwindi. This low land tropical rain forest is considered to be one of the few pristine rain forest remaining on continent Africa. Kibale National Park has the largest chimpanzee population standing at approximately 1500 individuals and is the best place to trek habituated wild chimpanzees in the whole of Africa.
STANDARD: 4X4 SAFARI VAN
Our standard mode of transport is by road and we use 4×4 Safari Vans customized for game viewing and photography. Each safari van comes with a professionally trained driver guide and fuel for the whole safari. Our Safari vans have viewing hatches and each client is entitled to a window seat. Our Vans can take up to eight people. We also have 4×4 Super Customs very comfortable and stable on the road. These carry up to 5 people with their luggage. We also have 4×4 RAV 4 for a group of two people
UPGRADE: 4X4 LUXURY SAFARI LANDCRUISER
We have luxury latest Land cruisers each driven by professionally trained driver guides and fuel. They have pop-up roofs for proper game viewing and photography. They come with a small fridge for cooling your drinking water while on safari (which is always included while IN THE VEHICLE). They have inverters for charging small gadgets such as your smartphones and cameras. They can seat five to a maximum of seven people and each client is guaranteed of a window seat.
