5 Days Uganda Gorilla & Chimpanzee Trekking Safari
5 Days Uganda Gorilla & Chimpanzee Trekking Safari: It is no secret that Uganda is the primate capital of the world with many tourists flying in to track its rare mountain gorillas and chimpanzees which have been habituated long enough to be comfortable around humans. Booking this 5 Days Uganda Gorilla & Chimpanzee Trekking Safari will allow you to embark on a lifetime experience of gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable national park. You will also get to do chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park which will be the climax of your 5 days primate safari in Uganda.
Highlights for 5 Days Uganda Gorilla & Chimpanzee Trekking Safari.
- Day 1: Arrival and Transfer to Bwindi National Park.
- Day 2: Gorilla Trekking & Batwa Trail Experience.
- Day 3: Transfer to Kibale National Park.
- Day 4: Chimpanzee Trekking & Bigodi Swamp Walk.
- Day 5: Transfer Back to Kampala & Departure.
Detailed Itinerary for 5 Days Uganda Gorilla & Chimpanzee Trekking Safari.
Day 1: Arrival and Transfer to Bwindi National Park.
Arrival and Transfer to Bwindi: Depending on your preferred pickup location, meet up with your guide/driver and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable national park. The drive to Bwindi national park is quite long taking about 8 to 10 hours on the road. However, the long road trip is worthwhile as it is filled with stunning views of Uganda’s countryside. You will have a stopover at the Equator monuments at Kayabwe for a few pictures. Also, don’t hesitate to stop-by the craft shops in the area and grab yourself and loved ones some souvenirs. Proceed to Igongo Cultural Center for your lunch and an optional tour of its museum. There, you will have an opportunity to learn more about the unique culture of the Ankole dynasty and its people.
Continue with your journey to Bwindi where upon your arrival in the park, you will check into your lodge for dinner and accommodation.
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking & Batwa Trail Experience.
Gorilla Trekking: Have breakfast very early at you lodge as your guide will pick you up at 6am. You will embark on a short journey to the Parks headquarters in Buhoma or the southern part of the park depending on which gorilla group you are going to track. You are supposed to be at Buhoma at exactly 7am for a briefing by the park’s head ranger which will begin at 8am and then you will be put in groups of 8 individuals per group depending on the gorilla group you are going to track. Tracking begins at exactly 8:30 am hence endeavor to always keep time. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi national park can take about 1- 8 hours or more depending how easily and quick the gorillas are spotted. Once you have located a gorilla group, you will be given exactly an hour with them. After your gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi Forest, you will be given time to have your packed lunch in case your carried some from your lodge.
Batwa Trail Experience: The Batwa trail experience is one of the most interesting and adventurous activities that are conducted in the park. This hiking experience is conducted by local Batwa guides in Bwindi impenetrable forest. You will get to learn a lot including how to hunt using tradition hunting tools and methods, how to use herbs to medicinal purposes and so much more. You will have an opportunity to interact with some of the Batwa local, who are also referred to as Pygmies.
Head back to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 3: Transfer to Kibale National Park.
Transfer to Kibale: Wake up in the morning and have breakfast at you lodge. Meet up with your guide and transfer to Kibale Forest National Park which is about a 5 to 10 hours’ drive from Bwindi, depending on which sector of the park you are travelling from. Stopover in Fort Portal city for lunch.
Visit Amabere Ganyamwiru (Optional): After having your lunch, you can opt to embark on a cultural tour to the renowned Amabere Ganyamwiru caves. These caves are located about 8km from Fort Portal town, which is about 18 minutes away. Although the caves were formed as a result of stalagmites and stalactites, they have a rich cultural history attached to them, especially to the people of the Toro Kingdom. Proceed with your transfer to Kibale Forest National Park.
Check into your lodge for dinner and accommodation.
Day 4: Chimpanzee Trekking & Bigodi Swamp Walk.
Chimpanzee Trekking: Wake up early in the morning and head out to Kanyanchu Visitor’s Center, where your chimpanzee trekking activity will commence. You will be expected to report to the park by 7am for a briefing from the head ranger at the park. Actual trekking begins at 8am after you have been placed into trekking groups that consist of not more than 6 members per group. Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale forest national park can take between 2-5 hours, depending on the location of the chimpanzees. You will be given an hour to spend with the chimpanzees once they have been located. Head back to the park headquarters in Kanyanchu for your chimpanzee trekking certificate and drive back to your hotel/lodge for lunch in case you didn’t not pack any.
Bigodi Swamp Walk: Later in the Afternoon, you will proceed to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary which is just adjacent to the national park. Here, you will embark on a guided nature walk in the Swamp; where you will get to sight a number of bird species like; the Yellow-spotted Barbet, Hairy-breasted Barbet, Superb Sunbird, Black Bishop bird and the rare Shoe Bill Stock to mention but a few. There are about 138 bird species in Bigodi Swamp alone. Later head back to your lodge for dinner and accommodation.
Day 5: Transfer Back to Kampala & Departure.
Transfer Back to Kampala & Departure: Wake up at leisure and have relaxed breakfast at your lodge. Meet up with your guide and transfer back to Kampala. Upon your arrival in Kampala, you can have your guide take you on a short tour of the city and later drop you off at your preferred hotel. Alternatively, you can choose to be dropped off at Entebbe Airport where you will await to board your flight back home.
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