4 Days Gorillas and Chimps Trekking Safari

Overview

This 4 day Gorillas and Chimps Trekking Safari takes you exploring the Kibale Forest National Park jungle, “the primate capital of the world”, to trek the wild but habituated chimpanzees and to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, the home of the more than half the population of the World’s remaining 1004 Mountain Gorillas, to trek the gentle apes that share more than 90% of their genes with humans.

In between these two Gorillas and Chimps, Trekking Safari highlights will be a nature walk in the Bigodi swamp to see other primates, colorful birds, rare plants, and insects; and to view the picturesque lakes and landscapes in the crater lakes region around the National Park.

For more information, read A Guide to Gorilla Trekking in Uganda & Rwanda and Chimpanzee habituation experience in Uganda great articles to give you post-safari data.

Safari Highlights

The unforgettable experience of trekking Mountain Gorillas and Chimpanzees in their natural habitats and observing them closely as they go about their daily routines
Discovering Africa’s other primates and wildlife, colorful birds, rare plants, and beautiful insects
Enjoying scenic views of the awesome volcanic landscapes and picturesque crater lakes
Meeting the local people to learn about their traditional activities and lifestyles.
Standing in two hemispheres at the same time at the Equator line

Activity Schedule

Day 1: Travelling to Kibale Forest National Park, nature walk/sightseeing

Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest and nature walk in Bigodi swamp and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Day 3: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest & Batwa cultural experience

Day 4: Return Journey to Kampala

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Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Travel to Kibale Forest National Park

You will be met by our trusted Gorillas and Chimps Trekking Safari guide that will drive you and your party westwards to Fort Portal town. The drive will take about 4 -5 hours. Have lunch in Fort Portal and continue to Kibale. In the afternoon we visit a nearby forest swamp that is excellent for viewing primates and other forest animals. At the eastern edge of the Kibale forest is the bigodi wetland sanctuary which is maintained by the local community. You will expect birds like the great blue turaco, blue monkeys baboons otters mongoose, bushbucks, bush pigs, and among others. For bird-watching enthusiasts, check out this article Birding and birding sites in Uganda

Dinner and overnight will be at your reserved lodge.

Luxury: Ndali Lodge/Primate Lodge/Kibale Forest Lodge/Kyaninga Lodge
Moderate: Mountains of the moon
Budget: Rwenzori Travelers/Kibale Forest Camp/Chimpanzee Forest Guest House
Meal plan: Full Board Basis

Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking over 12 primates in Kibale Nation Park

After a big Gorillas and Chimps Trekking Safari breakfast, report at the Kanyanchu Tourist Centre (Park Headquarters) at 08.00 am for a briefing on the rules for tracking the chimpanzees. Kibale Forest National Park has the greatest variety and highest concentration of primates in East Africa. The most famous of its 13 species is the Chimpanzee known to be a delightful ape. The trek takes 2-3 hours and it will provide you with the opportunity to also see a variety of other primates & animals as well as birds. You will return to the lodge for lunch and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park arriving late in the afternoon.

Dinner and overnight will be at the lodge of your booking.

Budget: Buhoma community Rest camp / Ruhija Gorilla Friends Camp / Travellers Rest Hotel Kisolo / Gorilla Valley Lodge
Moderate: Gorilla Resort Bwindi /Gorilla Safari Lodge / Silver Back Lodge / Lake Kitandara Camp / Chameleon Hill Lodge / Lake Mutanda Resort.
Up market: Mahogany Springs Lodge / Buhoma Lodge / Rushanga Gorilla Satari Lodge
Meal plan: Full Board Basis

Day 3: Gorilla trekking (Bwindi Impenetrable NP), Tracking the mountain Gorillas.

Today enjoy gorilla tracking in Bwindi. After breakfast, proceed for the morning briefing before the highlighting of the trip. Gorilla trekking, which may last the entire day.

We trek the gorillas through the rain forest and bamboo-covered slopes, accompanied by a guide and trackers, in search of a mountain gorilla family, the walking can sometimes be tough and long, but when you catch a glimpse of the magnificent silverback, any discomforts will be quickly forgotten.

When the gorillas are sighted, visitors will be guided to within 6 meters of the gorillas, and sit around them for a whole hour while gazing into their big round eyes. Gorilla trekking is unpredictable. It’s difficult to foresee how many hours you will hike. The gorilla excursion can take from 2 to 8 hours.

Expect to walk long distances in steep and muddy conditions, sometimes with rain overhead, before you encounter any gorillas. A good physical condition is recommended. For conservation purposes, time spent with gorillas is limited to one hour. A ranger will brief you on how to behave with the gorillas.

Overnight will be at your Gorillas and Chimps Trekking Safari lodge of booking.

Day 4: Transfer to Kampala

You will have breakfast and drive to Kampala arriving in time for a transfer to the airport for your departure flight or for dinner and overnight at the hotel of your booking.

End of the Gorillas and Chimps Trekking Safari

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Requirements for this Safari:

A Visa – you can apply for the visa online or very easily get one at the point of entry into the country (airport)
Chimpanzee and Gorilla trekking permits – You can apply and secure these online but experience has shown that it is better coordinated when you send money to the tour firm to handle it for you at no extra cost to the standard fee (USD800)
Travel & Health insurance – This should be arranged by you in your home country before you travel.
Physical fitness

The Safari package includes:

Full board accommodation as per the itinerary
4WD open-roof safari vehicle
Bottled drinking water
Chimpanzee trekking permit
Game drives
Boat trips
Gorilla trekking permit
Services of an English Speaking Driver/guide.
Community visit fees
Guided nature walks
Return airport transfers.

The Safari package excludes expenses of a personal nature such as:

Other drinks apart from bottled water
Laundry
Tips to local guides
Telephone expenses
Porter fees while trekking Gorillas and chimpanzees
Personal Insurance
Cigarettes

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Important Information

The Permits

Gorilla permits a very tricky to acquire during high seasons, so we recommend you make your bookings very early on your planning days (months before) so that we can be sure to get them for you. Your Uganda gorilla permit will cost you $800 per person and your chimp permit $200 but we include both in the price of the package.

The Entry Visa

https://visas.immigration.go.ug/

Getting Around

Bwindi’s various trailheads can be reached by vehicle. However, there are no roads within the park itself, which is explored on foot. Bwindi has aptly named the ‘impenetrable forest’; paths pass through dense vegetation and can be steep. Take advantage of walking sticks offered at the start of a walk.

Though Kibale’s trailheads at Sebitoli and Kanyanchu can both be reached by vehicle, the Gorillas and Chimps Trekking Safari tourists will explore the park on foot. Trails are generally well-maintained and the terrain, though undulating, is not difficult.

What to Bring on the Gorillas and Chimps Trekking Safari

Hiking boots are ideal for forest walks although stout walking shoes are adequate. Lightweight raincoats are advisable. Altitude and the forest environment make evenings cool and a light jacket is also recommended. If you choose to bring a camera, be aware that the dark-haired chimpanzees in typically dim conditions present challenging subjects.

Good walking boots if attempting any hikes or climbs, wet weather clothing, and warm layers for the evenings – it gets cold and damp at this altitude. The sun is still fierce during the day – even when overcast – so be sure to still wear sunscreen and a sun hat. You may also want to bring waterproof bags to protect cameras and other equipment when hiking.

Water and snacks are also recommended, as well as a packed lunch for full-day tours.

When to Visit

The 4 Day Gorillas and Chimps Trekking Safari is available for booking all year long, but the best times to go are from June to August and December to February. At these times the forest trails are drier and therefore less slippery.

It is chilly in the morning and at night with average temperatures ranging from 7⁰C – 20⁰C. The coldest period is June and July, while the wet seasons are March-May and September-November with a total annual rainfall of up to 2390mm. Rains in March-May are short. They are heavier in September-November but can just be long hours of soft drizzle.

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