7 Days Chimp and Gorilla Safari Uganda
During this Chimp and Gorilla Safari Uganda for 7 days, you will visit Kibale National Park, for chimpanzee tracking and nature walk in Bigodi Swamp plus Queen Elizabeth National park for game drive and boat cruise on Kazinga Channel. Conclude the chimps and gorilla safari with a tour to Bwindi Impenetrable forest the home of Mountain gorillas in Uganda for gorilla trekking tour.
Detailed Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer from Kampala to Kibale National Park
In the morning, you depart from Kampala to Kibale National Park. Kibale National Park is a well-known habitat for chimpanzees which are believed to be the closest relatives of man. Overnight at Kibale Forest Camp, Primates Lodge Kibale, Chimps Nest, Crater Safari Lodge and Ndali Safari Lodge.
Day 2: Chimpanzee Trekking and Nature Walk in Bigodi Swamp
Enjoy breakfast and transfer to Kibale National Park headquarters for briefing before heading through the forest to seek out for chimpanzees. You will come close to chimps and other primates like the red tailed monkeys, colobus monkeys and many more. The trek will give you an opportunity to see a quite a number of primates, Birds and Butterflies through an arrangement of forest-sheltered trail. After good times with chimps, return to the lodge, have lunch and in the afternoon you will go for a nature march in the Bigodi marshland.
Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary situated in Magombe swamp is an appealing area to visit. The area is known for a wide range of biodiversity including many species of primates such as red colobus monkey, black and white L’Hoest monkey, colobus monkey, grey cheeked, vervet monkey, mangabey, red tailed monkey, blue monkey and baboon. Mammals like Sitatunga, bush pigs, bush bucks, otters, mongooses and chimpanzees also visit the swamp from Kibale National Park. Bigodi Wetland is a paradise for bird watchers. So far, 138 bird species have been identified in the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. One of the main bird species found in the sanctuary is the great blue turaco. In the evening, retire for overnight at Kibale Forest Camp, Primates Lodge Kibale, Chimps Nest, Crater Safari Lodge and Ndali Safari Lodge.
Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park, do a Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel
In the morning after breakfast, drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the most outstanding treasures of Uganda and named after UK’s Queen Elizabeth II when she visited Uganda in 1954. Over 95 species of mammals and 600 species of birds have been recorded at this vast park. Arrive early afternoon, check in the lodge and later take lunch. After lunch, head for an amazing launch cruise on the Kazinga Channel.
Kazinga channel found in Queen Elizabeth National Park is a 40 km water channel that joins Lakes George and Edward. Any tourist to this park cannot fail to be awed by the Channel’s shocking variety. At this channel, many buffalos rest in the water while big herds of elephants and different bird species can be seen enjoying themselves along the channel shores. A majority of visitors who participate in the 2 hour launch cruise along the channel regard it as the highlight of their African safari. There are also
concentrations of hippos and birds. In short, this water cruise offers an excellent platform for clear photography, extensive bird-watching and an all-embracing game viewing. Retire in the evening Enganzi Game Lodge, Mweya Safari Lodge, Twin Safari Lake or Bush Lodge (Full board)
Day 4: Enjoy a Game Drive and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
On this day, you will wake up early enough, take your breakfast and then set off for a morning game drive, during which you will have an opportunity to spot hippos, elephants, spotted hyenas, lions, leopards, stripped jackals, bush bucks, water bucks and warthogs and many wild animals. Retreat from the game drive late morning and go back to the lodge to check-out and drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, the renowned home of the Mountain Gorillas. Overnight at Wagtail Eco Safari Camp, Buhoma Community Bandas, Gorilla Mist and Gorilla Resort (Full Board)
Day 5: Gorilla Trekking Safari in Bwindi Forest
Get breakfast and go to the park offices for briefing by a local guide followed by the commencement of the long-awaited mountain gorilla adventure in the forest with your packed lunch in possession. The time taken is between 1- 8 hours depending on the movement of the gorillas. Coming face to face with these mountain gorillas is one of the most electrifying experiences you can ever have. You will have an opportunity to observe and take pictures and you will enjoy them from a close range observing adults feeding, grooming and resting as the youngsters play and move backward and forward in a pleasantly comical demonstration.
With time allowing, you may use the evening enjoying guided village walk to nearby communities to observe and familiarize yourselves with the different aspects of Ugandan lives, cultures and lifestyles or else, you will take rest. Overnight at Wagtail Eco Safari Camp, Buhoma Community Bandas, Gorilla Mist and Gorilla Resort (Full Board)
Day 6: Transfer Back to Kampala
In the morning, enjoy breakfast and then checkout to start your journey to Kampala. Lunch enroute (Mbarara or Masaka Town). After lunch, proceed with journey to Kampala but stop at the Uganda Equator, this is where there an imaginary line that divides the globe into two sections (North and South Hemisphere). Take photos at the Uganda equator and visit the craft and souvenir shops at this site, spending about 40 minutes and then proceed to Kampala. Overnight at Cassia Lodge, Holiday Express Hotel or Grand Imperial Hotel. End of the Uganda gorilla and wildlife tours. 