5 Days Chimpanzee and Gorilla Habituation
5 Days Chimpanzee and Gorilla Habituation
5 Days chimpanzee trekking and gorilla habituation experience safari will start and end in Kampala. The safari will take you to Bwindi impenetrable national park in southwestern Uganda where you will get involved in a breathtaking gorilla habituation experience which allows you to spend four hours with the gorillas under the habituation process in their natural environment. From Bwindi’s impenetrable national park, you will connect to Kibale National Park for chimpanzee trekking, the second-best activity in Uganda after gorilla trekking.
Highlights
- Arrival and transfer to Bwindi impenetrable national park
- Gorilla habituation experience
- Transfer to Kibale National Park
- Chimpanzee trekking and Bigodi swamp walk
- Departure to Kampala
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and transfer to Bwindi impenetrable national park
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport on the first day of the 5 days chimpanzee trekking and gorilla habituation experience our driver guide will pick you up, brief you about the safari, and then start the journey to Bwindi impenetrable national park in southwestern Uganda. Bwindi forest is the most visited gorilla destination in Africa because it harbors the highest number of mountain gorillas and it’s the only national park that offers gorilla habituation experience. It’s a whole day journey to Bwindi forest and on the way you will have a stopover at Igongo Cultural Center for lunch, after lunch you will proceed with the journey to the park, and upon arrival, you will check into the lodge, have dinner, and overnight.
Lodging: Silverback Safari lodge /Buhoma Haven lodge/Buhoma Community Rest camp
Meal plan: Half board
Day 2: Gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi impenetrable national park
After an early breakfast, you will carry a packed lunch from the lodge and meet up with your driver guide. Transfer to the park headquarters for the briefing about the rules and regulations of gorilla habituation. Gorilla habituation experience in the park is only carried out in the Rushaga sector. This breathtaking activity only allows a maximum of 4 people each day. After the briefing, you will start trekking in the jungle with a team of park guides, researchers, and gorilla doctors among others.
During trekking, you will have great views of primates like l’hoest monkeys, vervet monkeys, chimpanzees, animals like bush pigs, forest elephants, buffaloes, plant and tree species, bird species like a strange weaver, Rwenzori batis, Chapin’s flycatcher, handsome francolin among others. Once the gorillas under habituation are found you will be allowed to spend four hours with them in their natural habitat which allows you to learn more about their behaviors, and habits, name every gorilla, take photos, and record the moments to show people back home. After the amazing moment with the mountain gorillas, you will trek back to the park headquarters where you will meet up with your driver guide to transfer back to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Lodging: Silverback Safari lodge /Buhoma Haven lodge/Buhoma Community Rest camp
Meal plan: Full board
Day 3: Transfer to Kibale National Park
After breakfast, you will check out of the lodge and meet up with your driver guide. Thereafter, transfer to Kibale National Park which is also known as the primate capital. On the way, you will pass via the Ishasha sector in the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Here, you will view the tree-climbing lions which will be lying up in acacia/ fig tree branches.
Tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector climb trees for various reasons. Such as to escape ground heat, run away from biting insects such as tsetse flies, to have a clear view of their prey among others. After the game drive in the Ishasha sector, you will have an en-route lunch and great views of the Rwenzori Mountains. Also, view crater lakes, and tea plantations among others as you continue to Kibale National Park. Upon arrival in the park, you will check into the lodge, have dinner, and overnight.
Lodging: Chimpundu Lodge/Turaco Treetops/Chimpanzee Forest Lodge
Meal plan: Full board
Day 4: Chimpanzee trekking and Bigodi swamp walk
After an early breakfast, you will meet with your driver guide to transfer to Kanyachu Park headquarters for a briefing about chimpanzee trekking. Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park is done in groups of 6 people. Each group will be allocated a chimpanzee family to trek with and a park guide who is well-conversant with trails in the forest. After the briefing, you will start trekking in the forest which takes about 30 minutes to 4 hours. This depends on where the chimpanzees are located.
During trekking, you will have spectacular views of different bird species, and other primates like grey-cheeked mangabey, black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, olive baboons, and tree and plant species among others. After finding them, spend one hour with them. During the one hour, you will be able to learn more about their lifestyle, behaviors, and habits, watch them feed, breastfeed, hunt, play, rest, take photos, and record videos. After the one-hour encounter with the chimpanzees, you will trek back to the park headquarters. Meet with your driver guide, and return to the lodge for lunch.
Bigodi swamp walk
After lunch you will go for a guided nature walk in Bigodi swamp which takes about 3 hours walk. During the guided nature walk you will pass through lush vegetation, forest boardwalks, pathways, and a top tree house in the canopy Here, you will be able to view various bird species. For example, the great blue turaco, hornbills, kingfishers, primate species like red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, blue monkeys, grey checked mangabey, some animals like bushbucks, otters among others. After the nature walk you will meet up with your driver guide. Transfer back to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Lodging: Chimpundu Lodge/Turaco Treetops/Chimpanzee Forest Lodge
Meal plan: Full board
Day 5: Departure to Kampala
On the last day, you will have a relaxed breakfast. Check out of the lodge, and meet up with your driver guide to start the journey to Kampala. On the way, you will have an en-route in Mbarara town and a stopover at the Equator. Here, you will buy some souvenirs, take photos, and proceed with the journey. You will reach Kampala early evening.
Upon arrival, your driver’s guide will drop you off at any place of convenience. Or drop you off at Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight.
Tour includes
- Gorilla habituation permit
- Chimpanzee trekking permit
- Park entrance fee
- An English-speaking driver guide
- Park entrance fee
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Vehicle and fuel
- Bottled water
Tour excludes
- International air flight tickets
- Visas
- Optional activities not included on the itinerary
- Personal expenses include buying souvenirs, crafts, drinks, laundry services, porter hiring, and tips.
Safari Vacations and Travel Services is a Local tour operator based in Uganda with its head offices in Entebbe. Moreover, Safari Vacations and Travel Services is a business for Ugandan natives. We specialize in life-changing experiences, sustainable tours, and holidays for all East African countries. Also, we are members of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators and with registration from the Uganda Tourism Board. We have a good and long working relationship with the Uganda Wildlife Authority. We are making booking your gorilla permits and gorilla trekking safari easy. Safari Vacations and Travel Services is also high in Trip Advisor reviews.
