6 Days Explore Uganda Safari

safari overview

This 6 day Uganda Chimpanzee and Gorilla Trekking Safari adventures into the rain forest jungle of Kibale Forest National Park, “the primate capital of the world”, to trek the wild but habituated chimpanzees and drives through the beautiful western Uganda valleys and hills 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. You will definitely enjoy the nature walk in the Bigodi swamp and go sightseeing in the crater lakes region near Kibale Forest on this African jungle safari.

Safari Highlights

• The thrill of searching and meeting a family of Mountain Gorillasin their natural habitat
• Trekking and watching the delightful Chimpanzees as they communicate with each other and make acrobatic maneuvers in the tree branches
• Discovering other primates, colourful birds, rare plants and insects
• Interacting with the local people to learn about their activities and lifestyles
• Sightseeing of the awesome volcanic landscapes and picturesque crater lakes
• Opportunity to stand in two hemispheres at the same time at Equator line and take memorable photography

Safari Outline

Day 1: Travel to Kibale Forest National Park

Day 2: Chimp tracking and nature walk in Kibale Forest

Day 3: Game drive and boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Day 4: Game Drive in Ishasha Sector then transfer to Bwindi 

Day 5: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest & Batwa Experience

Day 6: Transfer Back to Kampala

Detailed Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Travel to Kibale Forest National Park

Depart Kampala after breakfast and head westwards to Fort Portal town. This Uganda Chimpanzee and Gorilla Trekking Safari drive will take about 4-5 hours with a stopover for lunch in Fort Portal Town. You will continue to Kibale Forest National Park where you will check in at the lodge of your booking for a short rest before setting off for either a community walk in the Bigodi wetland or a visit to the beautiful Crater lakes region for a picturesque view of the breathtaking scenery. Dinner and overnight will be at your reserved lodge.

Accommodation options

Moderate: Isunga Lodge/Kibale Forest Cottages

Meal plan: Breakfast

Day 2: Chimp tracking and nature walk in Kibale Forest

After breakfast you will 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 your booked Uganda Chimpanzee and Gorilla Trekking Safari lodge for lunch and a short rest after which you will go for a guided nature walk in the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary or visit the beautiful Crater lakes region for a picturesque view of the breathtaking scenery. The sanctuary offers great birding opportunities and nature walks. Bigodi is also a rich cultural heritage site where you can mix with the local people to learn about their traditional activities and lifestyles.

You’ll be transferred to Queen Elizabeth National Park arriving late in the evening and checking into your booked lodge.

Accommodation options

Mid-range: Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge/Ihamba Safari Lodge/Parkview Safari Lodge/Twin Lakes Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board Basis

Day 3: Game drive and boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park

After your morning breakfast, you will have an early morning Safari Game drive where you will see the lion, leopard, giant forest hog, Cape buffalo, elephant, defassa waterbuck, Uganda Kob, topi and bushbuck among others. You will return to your lodge for lunch and in the afternoon go for a 2-hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel.

It is a 42kms channel that joins Lake Edward and Lake George. This trip passes through possibly the highest concentration of hippos and offers an excellent platform for photography, bird watching and game viewing. The prolific bird life is colorful, with well over 550 resident species. Dinner and overnight will be spent at your reserved lodge.

Accommodation options

Mid-range: Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge/Ihamba Safari Lodge/Parkview Safari Lodge/Twin Lakes Safari Lodge

Meal Plan: Full Board Basis

Day 4: Game Drive in Ishasha Sector then transfer to Bwindi 

You will after breakfast move to the Ishasha sector of the Queen Elizabeth National Park famous for the tree climbing lions lounging in the tree branches while keeping a close eye on herds of Uganda kob, their favorite prey. It is also home to many buffaloes, elephants as well as the rare shoebill.

You will have lunch at one of the Best of Uganda Wildlife Safari lodges in this part of the park and drive south to Bwindi impenetrable forest National Park. En-route you will see a great country-side, bamboo forest and have great views of the scenic landscape characteristic of the western rift valley. You will arrive in the late afternoon and retire to your booked lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation options

Midrange: Gorilla Mist Camp/ Mutanda Lake Resort/Rushaga Gorilla Camp/Gorilla Valley Lodge/Engagi Lodge

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner

Day 5: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest & Batwa Experience

You will have an early morning Uganda Chimpanzee and Gorilla Trekking Safari breakfast and move to the Park headquarters to join other trackers in a briefing about the gorilla trekking rules at 7:45 am. You will there after start the trek through thick creepers and undergrowth with your guides to find the Gorillas, which may take 1-8 hours. The steeply forested landscape is incredibly dense but crisscrossed by numerous animal trails allowing access by tourists. Once sighted, you will spend one hour with the Gorillas observing at close range as they feed, play, communicate and bond with their young.

Go for a guided community walk to experience the livelihoods of the local communities on the Batwa trail in Bwindi. You will visit a traditional herbalist to see how he prepares native medicine to treat a wide array of human sicknesses, see a black smith manufacturing local tools used in everyday life and see how local beer is brewed using local methods. You will also be entertained by the traditional dances offered by the community. Dinner and overnight will be at your gorilla safari lodge of your booking.

Accommodation options

Midrange: Gorilla Mist Camp/ Mutanda Lake Resort/Rushaga Gorilla Camp/Gorilla Valley Lodge/Engagi Lodge

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 6: Transfer Back to Kampala

Set off for Kampala with a stopover at the Equator where you will have an opportunity to stand in two hemispheres at the same time and take some photos.

You will arrive in Kampala in the late afternoon and either be transferred to the airport for your departure flight or to the hotel of your booking. End of Uganda Chimpanzee and Gorilla Trekking Safari

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 trekking permit
• Gorilla Trekking permit
• Travel &Health insurance – This should be arranged by you in your home country before you travel.
• Physical fitness

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.

Safari package excludes:

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