Overview
This 5 Days Gorilla habituation and chimp trekking safari is good for those who want to spend more time with the world’s great primates in the names of mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. This trip takes you to the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the Rushaga region for gorilla habituation experience and then to Kibale National Park “The Primate capital of the world” for chimpanzee trekking experience. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the only park in the whole world offering gorilla habituation experience and as such, you will have an opportunity to spend four hours with mountain gorillas compared to one work of gorilla trekking. From Bwindi National Park, you will drive to Kibale National Park and do chimpanzee trekking experience. Enjoy and compare these two experiences while in Uganda
Summary of our 5 Day gorilla habituation and chimp trekking safari
- Day 01: Our 5 day gorilla habituation and chimp trekking safari starts from Entebbe to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
- Day 02: Spend 4 hours with gorillas during your gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Day 03: Drive back to Kibale Forest National Park for overnight.
- Day Four: Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park
- Day Five: Drive back to Entebbe International Airport marking the end of your 5 Day Gorilla habituation and chimp trekking safari
Highlights
- You’ll go to Uganda
- This tour starts and ends in Entebbe (Uganda)
- You’ll visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Kibale Forest National Park
- Activities: gorilla habituation experience, chimpanzee trekking experience
- Getting around: open-sided 4×4 vehicle & 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 Consider
- 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 Habituation
- 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: Pick up and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Morning/Transfer
You will be picked at the hotel or Airport by Encounter Africa safaris Professional driver guide to start your 5 day gorilla habituation and chimp trekking safari to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You will depart for Bwindi impenetrable National park with stops at the Equator crossing for photography
- Afternoon
You will Have a stop for lunch break in Mbarara city You will then proceed to the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park because this is where gorilla habituation experience takes place. This journey is very scenic as you have an opportunity to see the Kigezi rolling hills and valleys as you travel to Kisoro southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
- Evening
You will arrive at the lodge in the evening and welcomed by the lodge staff, followed by relaxation then Dinner and Overnight.
Drivetime: 8-9 hours
Meal plan: Lunch and Dinner
Accommodations
Budget: Rushaga Havens Lodge
Mid Range: 4 Gorillas Lodge/Gorilla Leisure Lodge/Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
Luxury: Gorilla Heights Lodge/Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
DAY 2: Gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Morning/Briefing
You will wake up early in the morning and head to the park headquarters to join other clients for briefing about dos and don’ts while with mountain gorillas on your habituation experience.
- Trek/Observation
After briefing, you will start your trek into the forest guided by researchers and guides. During your trek, you may encounter several birds, other animals and primates in the forest and once you have found the gorillas you will spend four hours with them and return back to the Lodge. You will have an opportunity to listen and observe researchers doing their work of habituating gorillas and if possible you will be called upon to participate by collecting samples, naming of group members, making calls and so much more.
- Evening
You will transfer to the lodge for relaxation followed by dinner and overnight
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Packed Lunch and Dinner
Accommodations
Budget: Rushaga Havens Lodge
Mid Range: 4 Gorillas Lodge/Gorilla Leisure Lodge/Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
Luxury: Gorilla Heights Lodge/Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
DAY 3: 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 the lodge, you will relax and Later have dinner and overnight.
Drive time: Approximately 6-7 hours
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodations
Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge/Isunga Lodge
Mid Range: Turaco Tree Tops Lodge
Luxury: Primate Lodge/Tabebuia Spa and safari Resort/ Ndali Lodge
DAY 4: Chimp trekking in Kibale National Park
- 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.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Packed Lunch and Dinner
Accommodations
Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge/Isunga Lodge
Mid Range: Turaco Tree Tops Lodge
Luxury: Primate Lodge/Tabebuia Spa and safari Resort/ Ndali Lodge
DAY 5: End of your 5 day gorilla habituation and chimp trekking safari
- Morning
After breakfast and depending on your departure flight details, you will drive 5-6 hours to Kampala/Entebbe marking the end of your 5 day gorilla habituation and chimp trekking safari in Uganda.
Cost Includes
- Airport transfers on first and last day,
- Transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle
- Services of an English speaking driver guide
- Fuel for the whole trip
- Accommodation and meal plan as per the itinerary
- All park entrance fees
- Drinking water while in the vehicle
Cost excludes
- Gorilla Habituation permit at USD1500.00 per person(we book it for you)
- Pre and post -tour accommodation in Entebbe or Kampala
- International airfares
- Uganda Visa (USD50 to be applied online)
- Items of personal nature such as tips, drinks, and laundry
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.
