5 Days Gorilla Habituation and Chimpanzee Trekking Safari
Have a magical encounter with Africa’s remarkable primates – mountain gorillas and chimpanzees on this 5 Days Gorilla Habituation and Chimpanzee Trekking Safari. This Uganda safari takes you to the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Rushaga region for gorilla habituation experience. Then head to Kibale Forest National Park – The Primate Capital of the World for chimpanzee trekking experience.
Highlights of 5 Days Gorilla Habituation and Chimpanzee Trekking Safari
Day 1: Pick up and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 2: Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi Forest
Day 3: Drive to Kibale Forest National Park
Day 4: Chimpanzee Trekking Experience in Kibale Forest
Day 5: Departure
Detailed Itinerary of 5 Days Gorilla Habituation and Chimpanzee Trekking Safari
Day 1: Pick up and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
On arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our driver who will brief you about the safari and embark on a journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with stops in Kayabwe for pictures and another stop in Mbarara for lunch.
Continue with the journey to the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park through the scenic rolling hills of Kigezi as you head to Kisoro. Arrive in the park in the evening, check in at your lodge and spend the rest of day at rest. Later enjoy dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation: Rushaga Haven Lodge
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi Forest
You will wake up early for breakfast and head to the park for a gorilla habituation experience, join other trekkers at the park headquarters for briefing about gorilla habituation experience. In groups of 4 people, head into the forest searching for a semi habituated gorilla family led by a group of rangers and accompanied by scientists and researchers.
The trek through the misty forests takes approximately 2 to 4 hours depending on the movement of the gorilla troop and when you locate the troop, you will spend 4 hours and take part in collecting samples of the gorillas, listen and observe researchers doing their work of habituating gorillas and if possible you will be called upon to take part in naming of group members, making calls and so much more.
Later trek back to the starting point, meet your driver, and return to your lodge for an evening of rest, dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation: Rushaga Haven Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Drive to Kibale Forest National Park
After breakfast, bid farewell to your lodge and drive to Kibale Forest National Park through Queen Elizabeth National Park where you will have chances of spotting some wild game such as elephants, zebras, tree climbing lions among others as we drive through the savannah plains.
You will enjoy lunch at Kikolongo and continue with the journey to Kibale with a stop in Fort Portal Town for views of Rwenzori Mountains. Arrive at the lodge in the evening, check in at your lodge, enjoy dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation: Isunga Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Chimpanzee Trekking Experience in Kibale Forest
After breakfast, you will drive to Kibale National Park for chimpanzee trekking. Join other visitors at the Park Headquarters where a senior ranger guide will take you through the Dos and Don’ts of chimpanzee trekking. In groups of 6 people you will be assigned a chimpanzee troop and head into the forest led by rangers and guides.
Chimpanzees live in communities of between 50 – 250 individuals but usually breakup into small troops during the day to reduce competition on food. Normally they re-group in the evening to build the nests which they sleep in.
Once you find the chimpanzees, you will be allowed to spend one hour with the chimpanzees as you observe their way life in the forest, watch them feed and groom among others before returning to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, you head out for a guided walk in the Bigodi Swamp where you will see several primates such as black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons and several bird species. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation: Isunga Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Departure
After breakfast, bid farewell to Kibale Forest National Park and embark on your journey back to Entebbe with en-route lunch along the way. You will be dropped off at Entebbe International Airport for your flight back home.
End of 5 Days Gorilla Habituation and Chimpanzee Trekking Safari
Cost Includes
- Airport transfers on the 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
- Gorilla Habituation permit at USD1500.00 per person per trek
- Chimp trekking permit at USD250.00 per person per trek
Cost excludes
- Pre and post tour accommodation in Entebbe or Kampala
- International airfares
- Uganda Visa (USD50 can be acquired online)
- Items of a personal nature, such as tips, drinks, and laundry
