Tour overview:
The safari will take you chimpanzee tracking inside Kibale National Park which is home to the largest diversity and profusion of primates in the whole of East Africa. It is a large National Park, sheltering a large chunk of a rain-forest which offers one of the unique chances to trek chimpanzees and even watch birds on a primate safari in Uganda. The neighboring local community plays a significant role in park’s overall conservation. It is as well perfect for a nature walks since the Bigodi wetland sanctuary a habitat to a variety of bird types like the great blue turacco in addition to a diversity aquatic life within this wetland. The highlight of this safari will be tracking mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park. Actually, Mountain gorillas are among of the world’s most endangered species disappearance from the planet with more than half of its population living in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest of Uganda.
Tour Highlights
Day 1: Drive to Kibale National Park, Nature Walk.
Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking and Nature walk in Bigodi Wetland.
Day 3: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
Day 4: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Gorilla Tracking.
Day 5: Return to Kampala.
Detailed Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Travel to Kibale Chimpanzee Forest National Park:=
Following early breakfast, you will drive westward using the Mityana to Fort Portal road, though the lavish countryside, past traditional homesteads and cattle farms. drive through Fort Portal found in the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountain and eventually reach Kibale National Park. Dine and overnight rest at a comfortable lodge.
Luxury: Ndali Lodge or Kyaninga lodge
Mid-range: Primates Lodge
Basic: Chimpanzee guesthouse
Meal Plan: Full Board
Travel time: Approximately 7 Hours
Day 2: Chimpanzee Tracking, Bird watching, Nature Walk
In the early morning tou will go to the park headquarters where you will be briefed by the park rangers about the chimp tracking activity. This activity begins at 8.00 am, and may take half of the day as you search for chimps plus other monkeys such as phoestes, grey cheeked Mangabeys, Red-Colobuses, Red-tailed and the Blue tailed swinging in the impenetrable forest. You will as well spot various bird species, butterflies as well as small insects. The park ranger will offer you detailed explanations about the primates, as well as the other plants and animals here, which will make this walk very enjoyable and also informative. After lunch, you will explore the Bigodi wetland an eco-tourism site where you will see a profusion of wildlife particularly that associated with water.
Accommodation
Luxury: Ndali Lodge or Kyaninga lodge
Mid-range: Primates Lodge
Basic: Chimpanzee guesthouse
Meal Plan: Full Board
DAY 3: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
In the early morning you will have breakfast drive from Kibale forest National Park to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park having lunch along the way.
Accommodation:
- Luxury Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge / Mahogany Springs
- Mid- range Gorilla Mist Camp / Silver Back Lodge
- Basic Wagtail Eco Lodge / Buhoma Community Bandas
- Meal Plan: Full Board
- Travel Time: Approximately 5 Hours
DAY 4: Gorilla tracking and Cultural Entertainment
In the morning you will have an early breakfast and then go to the park headquarters where you will be briefed by the guides before you begin search the Bwindi forest for the giant gorillas. Bwindi National Park is renowned for its impressive mountain gorillas, although it is unpredictable for how long you will track before finding them since it all depends on their movement. Though the time spent to track down these Gorillas is unpredictable, the thrill of spending time and observing these gentle giant gorillas is a rare, moving, awesome and exciting adventure that will leave you with long lasting memories of a truly unique experience. The gorillas are shy and peaceful animals and it is an unforgettable experience to watch and photograph them as they play and interact.
You will set out with a packed lunch and enough drinking water, and you are advised to wear strong comfortable boots plus a light rain-jacket since the weather in Bwindi Impenetrable forest is highly unpredictable. You will be availed with Walking sticks by the park rangers. Also visitors are allowed to spend only one hour with the gorillas for the purpose of conservation. The ranger guide will brief you on how to conduct yourself while in the presence of the gentle giants. In the evening, proceed to the village for a cultural walk to interact with the local people. Participate in captivating traditional performances presented by Women’s groups or orphan children groups. Note that the fees you pay for these performances go directly to improve the welfare of families around the park.
Accommodation:
Luxury: Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
Mid-range: Lake Mutanda Chameleon Hill Lodge
Basic: Wagtail Eco Lodge or Buhoma Community Bandas
Meal Plan: Full Board
Trekking Time: Irregular
DAY 5: Travel back to Kampala
After an early breakfast, you will have begin the drive back to the capital having lunch along the way driving through the beautiful countryside.
Meal Plan: Breakfast plus Lunch
Travel time: Approximately 7 to 9 hours
The Safari Package Covers:
- Chimpanzee Permit
- Park Entrance Fees
- Cultural-Site Entrance Fee
- Nature Walks and Community Visit
- Game drives
- Fees for the Park Ranger
- Necessary Government taxes
- Full Board Accommodation (four nights) and meals along the as indicated in your itinerary
- Full time English speaking Guide-Driver
- Ground Transportation by a 4WD safari vehicle
- Transfers to the Airport only if your flight is on the very day the safari ends.
Safari Exclusions:
- Air Fares
Visa Fees - Personal expenditures of any nature including personal insurance, telephone, accommodation, drinks, cigarettes, tips, laundry, plus meals not mentioned in your itinerary as well as all activities indicated as optional.
