The 5 days gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari is an interesting safari that starts and ends in Kampala. The safari will take you to the two most visited national parks in Uganda that is Kibale forest national park where you will have a face to face interaction with the chimpanzees and the misty forests of Bwindi impenetrable national park where you will be able to spend one hour with the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
Highlights of the 5 days gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari
Day 1: Pick up and transfer to Kibale forest national park
Day 2: Chimpanzee trekking and Bigodi swamp walk
Day 3: Transfer to Bwindi impenetrable national park
Day 4: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Day 5: Departure to Kampala
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Pick up and transfer to Kibale forest national park
Depending on your location on the first day of the 5 days gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari, you will be welcomed by our driver guide who will brief you about the safari and then start the journey to Kibale forest national park. The journey takes about 5 to 6 hours’ drive an on the way you will have en-route lunch in Fort Portal and enjoy stunning views of the crater lakes, tea and banana plantations, Rwenzori peaks among others. Upon arrival in the park, you will continue to check into the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Chimpanzee trekking and Bigodi swamp walk
After an early breakfast on the second day of the 5 days gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari, your driver guide will pick you up from the lodge and transfer to Kanyachu visitors Centre for a briefing about the rules and regulation to follow during trekking. After the briefing, you will start trekking in the forest with an experienced park guide in search of the chimpanzees. During chimpanzee trekking which takes about 30 minutes to 4 hours, you will be able to view different bird specie, plants, view other primate species among others. Once the chimpanzees are located, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat which gives you an opportunity learn more about their habits, behaviors, watch them feed, breastfeed, play, hunt, rest, take photos and record the beautiful moments. After the one hour with the chimpanzees, you will trek back to the starting point where you will meet up with your driver guide and drive back to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Bigodi swamp walk
After lunch you will relax at the lodge and later go for an interesting nature walk in Bigodi swamp where you will be able to view different primate species, birds, mammals, view plant and tree species, enjoy the cool breeze, listen to sweet sounds of bird species singing in tree branches among others. After the swamp walk you will return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Transfer to Bwindi impenetrable national park
On the third day of the 5 days gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari, you will have breakfast, check out of the lodge and meet up with your driver guide to transfer to Bwindi impenetrable national park. On the way you will have en-route lunch and enjoy great views of the terraced farmlands, Kigezi hills, traditional homesteads among others. Upon arrival in Bwindi impenetrable national park, you will check into the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park
After an early breakfast on the fourth day of the 5 days gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari, you will carry packed lunch and meet up with your driver guide to go for a gorilla trekking briefing at the park headquarters. After the briefing you will be allocated a habituated gorilla family to trek and a park guide who is well conversant with the trekking trails. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park takes about 30 minutes to 6 hours depending on where the gorillas are located. During trekking you will be able to view other primates species, different birds, plant and tree species among others. Once the gorillas are found, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat which gives you an opportunity to learn about their behaviors, watch them carry out their daily activities, take photos and record the videos. After the one hour with the mountain gorillas, you will trek back to the starting point where you will be allocated a certificate for participating in gorilla trekking, meet up with your driver guide and return to the lodge for an evening relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Departure to Kampala
On the last day of the 5 days gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari, you will enjoy a relaxed breakfast, check out of the lodge and meet up with your driver guide to transfer to Kampala. On the way you will have en-route lunch in Mbarara town and a stopover at the Equator to take photos and buy souvenirs. From the equator you will proceed to Kampala arriving early evening and upon arrival your driver guide will drop you off at Entebbe international airport for your departure flight or drop you off at any place of convenience. End of 5 days gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari.
Tour includes
- Gorilla trekking permit
- Chimpanzee trekking permit
- Fulltime English speaking driver guide
- Full board accommodation
- Pick up and drop off
- Vehicle and fuel
- Bottled water
Tour excludes
- Air flight tickets
- Visas
- Optional activities not included on the itinerary
- Personal expenses like buying souvenirs, crafts, drinks, laundry services, tips among others.
