Gorilla Chimpanzee Tracking Safari – 5 Days

A five Days wildlife and Gorilla Chimpanzee Tracking Safari 

This 5 days Gorilla Chimpanzee Tracking Safari gives you a chance to explore Queen Elizabeth National Park found in western Uganda at the backdrop of the Rwenzori Mountains offers a medley of wonders including over 95 species of mammals as well as over 600 species of birds. This biodiversity hotspot was gazetted in 1952 as Kazinga National Park and presently extends for an area of 1978 square kilometers.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Located in south-western side of Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the most popular gorilla trekking destinations sheltering more than half the World’s surviving population of mountain gorillas with more than 40 families, 20 of which are habituated for trekking. Bwindi Forest was gazetted into a National Park in 1991 and was later declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.

Proposed Itinerary for 5 Gorilla Chimpanzee Tracking  Safari

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth

After an early breakfast, you will be picked up by our professional guide to kick off your journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park via the Kampala-Masaka highway. The 6-7 hours’ journey involves two stopovers and the first one is at the Uganda Equator crossing in Kayabwe here you will spend at least 30 minutes taking photos of this remarkable landmark and experimenting with how water drains (clockwise or anti-clockwise) when placed in the northern and southern hemispheres.  You will continue with the journey until Igongo Cultural Center and Country Hotel for your mouth-watering local/traditional and international dishes as well as an optional tour of the local Museum known as “Erijukiro” Museum to have a view on some of the original artifacts of the Ankole people. You will then continue through Mbarara the land of milk and honey, Bushenyi where the cool air and lush vegetation will leave you open-mouthed, yet your arrival at Queen Elizabeth National Park will introduce you to real Paradise.

Location: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Meal plan: half board

Accommodation Option:

• Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge | Elephant Plains Game Lodge
• Mid-Range: Irungu Forest Safari Lodge | Elephant Hub Lodge
• Budget: Pumba Safari Cottages | Bush Lodge

Day 2: Game viewing and Launch trip

Get up early for breakfast and start the game drive by 6:30 am for a chance to encounter the lions and leopards returning from their hunt. The Queen’s mile as well as Kasenyi tracks within the vast savannah plains reward tourists with the opportunity of sighting numerous wildlife species including side-striped jackals, elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, warthogs, bushbucks, waterbucks, Topis, and elands. A game drive doesn’t mean that your options will be limited to wildlife but also introduces you to the numerous bird species like Chapin’s flycatcher, martial eagles, black bee-eaters and many others. Return to the Lodge to freshen-up, lunch and relaxation.

In the afternoon, you will head for the launch trip along the Kazinga Channel, lasting about 2 hours and will be filled with surprises like spotting huge Nile crocodiles and hippos lazing on the banks of the channel as well as Uganda kobs, elephants and buffaloes drinking or cooling their bodies during the hot sunshine. Birds in large numbers will also be spotted during the cruise and the must-see species are the African fish eagles, pink-backed pelicans, African skimmer and Martial eagles among others. Continue to the Lodge for a quick snack and have a brief evening game drive to spot the nocturnal mammals such as leopards, spotted hyenas, and lions.

Location: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Meal plan: full board

Accommodation Option:

• Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge | Elephant Plains Game Lodge
• Mid-Range: Irungu Forest Safari Lodge | Elephant Hub Lodge
• Budget: Pumba Safari Cottages | Bush Lodge

Day 3: Ishasha Game drive and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After your early breakfast. You will start your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park through Ishasha sector, on the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Passing through Ishasha sector guarantees you of encountering the mysterious tree-climbing lions resting on fig tree branches and other animals especially Uganda kobs as well as buffaloes grazing within the vast savanna plains. You will have your lunch in Kihihi towards Buhoma sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National park and check in at your lodge. Freshen up and relax.

Location: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Meal plan: full board

Accommodation option:

• Luxury: Buhoma Lodge | Gorilla Safari Lodge
• Midrange: Silverback Lodge | Gorilla Mist Camp
• Budget: Bakiga Lodge | Ride 4 A Woman Uganda

Day 4 Gorilla trekking in Bwindi and evening cultural visit

Breakfast will be served early so that you can find your fellow gorilla trekkers at the Park Headquarters at 7:00 am for briefing. Be briefed on how to behave when in the presence of Mountain gorillas and your expectations of the activity. Be assigned to the gorilla family and move or be driven to the trailhead to start the 2-4 hours’ trek in the thick jungles to search for the allocated gorilla family. The trek is usually challenging and involves going through muddy trails, scratching and misty vegetation but the face to face encounter with the mountain gorillas and spending one hour with them is a rewarding experience. After spending quality time with them, descend to the trailhead and back to the Lodge for lunch.

After enjoying your lunch and relaxing, head for a relaxed evening walk to the nearby Batwa community to have an insight on how they lived in the forest before eviction. You will see their traditional houses, see some of the plants used for medicinal purposes, see how they use sticks to make fire and be entertained in their traditional dances.

Location: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Meal plan: full board

Accommodation option:

• Luxury: Buhoma Lodge | Gorilla Safari Lodge
• Midrange: Silverback Lodge | Gorilla Mist Camp
• Budget: Bakiga Lodge | Ride 4 A Woman Uganda

Day 5: transfer Back to Kampala/ Entebbe for your flight

Start the most important meal of the day from the Lodge earlier before checking-out and leaving for Kampala or Entebbe. This 8-9 hours’ journey involves one stopover in Mbarara Town for lunch and continuing straight to Kampala or Entebbe International Airport for your return flight (if it’s at 21:00hours and beyond). Alternatively, if your flight is earlier, you can depart through Kigali International Airport which is 3-4 hours’ away. The End of 5 Gorilla Chimpanzee Tracking Safari.

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