A Chimpanzee and Gorilla Trekking Excursion in Uganda

10 Days
From $0
Activity Level
Light
Transport
4X4 Land Cruiser
Comfort Level
Luxury

Trip Overview

Day 1: You will be picked up in Kampala and taken to Murchison Falls, with a stop at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary along the way.

Day 2: You will go on a game drive, take a boat cruise, and go white water rafting in Murchison Falls National Park.

Day 3: You will travel by road to Kibale Forest National Park.

Day 4: You will go chimpanzee tracking and go on a primate walk in Kibale Forest National Park.

Day 5: You will go on a game drive and boat ride in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Day 6: You will travel by road to Bwindi Impenetrable Game Park.

Day 7: You will go gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Game Park.

Day 8: You will travel by road from Bwindi Impenetrable Game Park to Lake Bunyonyi.

Day 9: You will travel by road to Lake Mburo.

Day 10: You will travel by road back to Kampala.

Itinerary

Days 1-2: Pickup in Kampala, Tour of Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, and Visit to Murchison Falls National Park

On this 10-day tour, you will be welcomed to Uganda by a AA Safaris guide and driven through Entebbe town, where you can view the shores of Lake Victoria. Your first stop will be at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, where you can track rhinos in their natural habitat and learn about the efforts to protect them from poachers. You will then continue on to Murchison Falls National Game Park, where you can go on a hike to the top of the falls and see the Nile River flow into the Mediterranean Sea.

On an early morning game drive, you will have the chance to see a variety of animals as they wake up and start their day, including lions, elephants, buffalos, and hyenas. You can also go on a boat ride on the Nile River and observe animals such as hippos, elephants, waterbucks, and crocodiles as they drink and bathe along the shores. If you would like, you can also go white water rafting on the Nile. Overall, this tour offers a unique and immersive experience in the natural beauty and wildlife of Uganda.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge
Day 3: Road trip to Kibale Forest National Park

After breakfast, you will begin your drive to Kibale Forest National Park, known for its high density of primates. As you walk through the tropical rainforest, you may encounter a variety of primate species, including chimpanzees, I’Hoest’s monkeys, and the endangered red colobus monkey. The park is also home to a number of other mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and over 325 species of birds, including several native to the Albertine Rift region. When you arrive at your hotel, you can relax and rest up for the adventures ahead.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Kyaninga Lodge
Days 4-5: Chimpanzee Tracking and Primate Walk, Game Drive and Boat Ride in Queen Elizabeth National Park

On day 4, you will wake up early for a fast drive to the park headquarters, where you will attend a briefing and be assigned a guide for your chimpanzee trekking adventure. You will spend the morning walking through the dense forest trails, observing the chimpanzees as they go about their daily lives in their natural habitat. After lunch, you will continue on to Queen Elizabeth National Park.

On day 5, you will go on an early morning game drive to see the wild animals as they start their day. The drive will take you along 200 kilometers of well-maintained game viewing tracks, where you may spot lions, elephants, kobs, waterbucks, and leopards, as well as a variety of bird species. In the afternoon, you will go on a boat ride on the Kazinga Channel, where you may see hippos, crocodiles, and elephants on the shores or in the shallow waters. You will also have the chance to watch as various bird species rest on the water’s surface as your boat floats by.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge
Days 6-7: Road Trip to Bwindi Impenetrable Game Park, Gorilla Trekking Adventure

On day 6, you will begin your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Game Park, stopping along the way at the Albertine Rift Valley to take photos and enjoy the unique geographical features. When you arrive at the park, you will check into your accommodation for the night.

On day 7, you will wake up early for a briefing at the park headquarters, where you will be assigned a guide for your gorilla trekking adventure. You will be guided through the dense forest trails, following a particular gorilla family as they go about their day. This experience can last anywhere from 1-6 hours, or even longer. You will have the opportunity to observe the gorillas as they play, hunt for food, and interact with each other. Remember to remain silent and keep your distance while you observe these beautiful creatures, and avoid using flash photography or mimicking their sounds.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Volcano Lodge
Day 8: Road Trip from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to Lake Bunyonyi

On day 8, you will embark on a road trip to Lake Bunyonyi, known for its unique water activities and 29 islands. You will enjoy a leisurely canoe ride, observing the various bird species that call the lake home. There are over 200 species of birds at Lake Bunyonyi, and you can watch them without interruption from animals as there are no hippos in the lake. You can also take a swim in the lake, although it is recommended that only experienced swimmers do so, as Lake Bunyonyi is the second deepest lake in Africa.

As you explore the lake, you can take part in a nature walk on one of the islands or visit the Batwa pygmies community to learn about their way of life. You may also choose to go on a boat ride to Nyombi swamp.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Arcadia Cottages
Day 9: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park

On day 9, you will begin your journey to Lake Mburo National Park after an early breakfast. During the road trip to the park, you will be able to enjoy the beautiful green vegetation along the way, a refreshing change from the noise and traffic of the capital city. When you arrive at Lake Mburo National Park, you will be able to go on an afternoon game drive, where you may see giraffes, leopards, impalas, topis, and elands.

In the evening, you can relax on a boat ride on Lake Mburo, where you will have the opportunity to observe hippos and crocodiles along the lake shore. You may also see a variety of bird species, including hammerkops with their enormous nests and kingfishers.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Mihingo Lodge
Day 10: Road trip back to Kampala

On the final day of your tour, you will have the chance to go on an early morning hike around Lake Mburo, where you may see a variety of wild animals at the lake shores as they come to drink water. After breakfast, you will begin your journey back to Kampala. Along the way, you will make a stop at the Equator, where you can take photos and do some souvenir shopping. When you arrive in Kampala, you will be dropped off at your desired location.a.

Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodation: No accmmodation

Expectations

This Uganda Chimpanzee and Gorilla Trekking Excursion offers the chance to see chimpanzees and gorillas up close in their natural habitats. First, you will go chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura gorge and have the opportunity to observe these intelligent and social animals as they interact with each other and their environment. Next, you will visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to over 360 mountain gorillas, and spend a morning tracking one of the 13 gorilla families, watching them go about their daily activities such as hunting, feeding, and resting. This excursion is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see these majestic animals in person and create unforgettable memories.

Accomodations

Paraa Safari Lodge
Kyaninga Lodge
Mweya Safari Lodge
Volcano Lodge
Arcadia Cottages
Mihingo Lodge

Availability and Prices

Apr 4, 2020 - Jan 31, 2021
Double Occupancy
$ 0
Per Person
Single Occupancy
$ 0
Per Person
Apr 4, 2020 - Jan 31, 2021
Double Occupancy
$ 0
Per Person
Single Occupancy
$ 0
Per Person
Included
  • Transfers upon arrival and departure
  • Accommodation as indicated in the itinerary
  • Meals as indicated in the itinerary
  • Daily activities and excursions as indicated in the itinerary
Excluded
  • All gratuities
  • Airfare to and from destination
  • Trip cancellation insurance or any other travel insurance
  • Visas
  • Alcoholic beverages