5 Days Gorillas and Chimps Safari-Uganda

Bwindi Impenetrable NP is a Unesco World Heritage Site and it is the best place in Uganda to track mountain gorillas. The park protects around 40% of the world’s mountain gorilla population and has several habituated groups. The forest is also a bird-watcher’s paradise with 350 species recorded, including many Albertine Rift endemics.

Day 1: Fly to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Fly from the Entebbe International Airport to Kihihi in the north of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Bwindi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the most biologically diverse areas in the world. Upon reaching Kihihi, our guide will transfer you to the lodge. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to relax or explore the local communities that live adjacent to the forest. After dinner, retire for the night, lulled to sleep by the sounds of one of Africa’s most incredible natural environments.
Overnight:
– Buhoma Gorilla Haven (Budget) / Mahogany Springs Lodge in Northern Bwindi

Day 2: Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Forest

Go for mountain gorilla trekking, one of the most exciting wildlife safari experiences in the world. The Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi are part of a worldwide population of just 700 individuals. The gorillas we are allowed to track belong to either one of three habituated family groups. For up to five years each, these groups have undergone an extremely delicate process that has gradually brought them to tolerate the presence of humans for a brief period every day and allowed a few privileged visitors to interact with them in the wild.

The gorillas are by no means tame, and are completely wild animals. However, experienced guides will accompany us on our tracking, many of who have been involved in the habituation process themselves. The guides will use their knowledge of the gorillas’ habits and information from the previous day to locate the group’s whereabouts.

Because of this, the time taken to track the gorillas varies enormously, from as little as half an hour to as much as 8 hours before one returns to camp. Once the gorillas are located, our group will be allowed a maximum of one hour with them. This is one of the world’s truly memorable experiences – a look into one of these magnificent creatures’ eyes brings home the bond that exists between them and us. It also brings home the poignant fact that they are on the edge of extinction, and that our presence here contributes to ensuring their continued survival. Tracking the mountain gorillas is an awe inspiring experience and as you come across them in their forest surroundings all thought of fatigue disappear! The hour is often over all too quickly, and we slowly make our way back to camp to recount the day’s adventures.
Overnight: Gorilla Forest Camp (F/B)

Day 3: Travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park, a rich bio diverse area in Uganda. Today we will stay in the Ishasha Sector, a place known for hosting the tree climbing lions. Ishasha sector is dominated by acacia woodland and scrubland and features the meandering Ishasha River, banked by a riparian forest. Have an evening game drive to catch with the late grazers that normally feed in the evening. Try to look out for the tree climbing lions that hang within the fig trees as they always shelter from the hot sun. Overnight at Ishasha Jungle Lodge (Midrange) / Ishasha Wilderness Camp (Luxury)

Day 4: Game Drive in Queen Elizabeth NP

Go for a morning game drive in the Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park as we travel to Mweya. Have lunch at Mweya. Look out for interesting wildlife that include elephants, buffaloes, hyena etc. The Ishasha sector is dominated by acacia woodland and scrubland and features the meandering Ishasha River, banked by a riparian forest.

After picnic lunch, drive to Mweya. Enroute, you are likely to meet grazing hippos, elephants, lions, spotted hyenas and leopards, bushbuck, waterbuck and stripped jackal and of-course the several warthogs. Overnight at Park View safari Lodge or Buffalo Safari Lodge (Midrange) / Mweya Safari Lodge (Luxury)

Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking in Queen Elizabeth NP

Early breakfast. Go for chimpanzee tracking in the Kyambura Gorge, a renowned place that host the wild chimpanzees. After lunch, go for a 2 Hour Boat Cruise along the Kazinga water channel, a water channel that connects Lake Edward to Lake George. You are likely to meet grazing hippos, elephants,, bushbuck, waterbuck and stripped jackal and of-course the several warthogs. The evening will be at leisure. Dinner and overnight. Relax at the lodge. Overnight at Buffalo Safari Lodge (Midrange) / Mweya Safari Lodge (Luxury)

Day 6: Fly Back to Entebbe

This morning you will carry out a game drive looking for wildlife including elephants, leopard, hyena, and many more that inhabit this park. After game drive, transfer to the Mweya Airstrip from where you will catch a flight back to Entebbe. The return flight from Mweya is another highlight of this trip. The huge vistas that open up on our one-and-a-half-hour journey belie Uganda’s small size. Drop off at the hotel in Entebbe.

End of the Tour