7 DAYS GORILLA CHIMPANZEE TREKKING AND CULTURE SAFARI
Itinerary
The 7 days Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari is a phenomenal way of exploring some of Uganda’s top tourist sites including Kibaale Forest National Park. This is a chance to track the chimpanzees and undertake a nature walk through the Bigodi wetland sanctuary. The exquisite tour to Queen Elizabeth National Park with a magnificent view of the rift valley floor that occupies Lake Edward and George, the game viewing and the refreshing Boat cruise at the Kazinga channel. With this, we move to the south-western side of the country to Bwindi impenetrable national park where you will carry out gorilla tracking.
Proposed itinerary 7 days Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari.
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DAY 1 |
Transfer to Kibaale forest National park and crater lakes exploration |
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DAY 2 |
Chimpanzee trekking, Bigodi swamp walk and community experience |
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DAY 3 |
Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park and evening game drive |
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DAY 4 |
Lake Katwe salt mines and Kazinga Channel Launch Trip |
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DAY 5 |
Travel to Bwindi National Via Ishasha sector |
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DAY 6 |
Gorilla Trekking and Batwa Culture Experience |
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DAY 7 |
Departure to Kampala |
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Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Kibaale national park and Crater Lake exploration
Early in the morning after breakfast, our guide will pick you up from the hotel at 7:00am. You will then embark on your journey to the primate capital, Kibaale national park. Kibaale national park is a tropical rainforest and this forest is 1100 -1600m above sea level and it contains both montane and lowland forests with 13 primate species including the chimpanzees and monkeys including the red Colubus monkeys as well as the rare L’Hoest’s monkeys. The park was gazetted in 1932 and established in 1993 to protect the then increasing number of animals and vegetation. The other animal species found in the park include; 250 tree species, 325 bird species, 13 primate species, 60 mammal species, and 14 wild fields. You will briefly stop at the terraced tea plantations as we approach Fortportal for photo moments after which you will continue to Fortportal town where you shall have your lunch. After lunch, you will visit the scenic crater lakes region and later on, proceed to the lodge to relax for the evening.
Location: Kibaale Forest National Park
Meals Plan: half board
Accommodation Option
Day 2: Chimpanzee trekking and Bigodi wetland visit
Start your day with breakfast at the lodge and prepare for the chimpanzee trekking. You will be driven to the park headquarters where you will be briefed about chimpanzee trekking. With this done, you will then start your search for the chimpanzees within the park. These primates are the closest relatives to humans and they share 98% of their DNA with that of the humans. Kibaale forest national park has about 13 primate species and while on the trek for chimpanzees, you will be able to see the different types of monkeys like the L’Hoest’s monkey, red Colubus monkey and many others. This trek will take 3-4 hours in the forest through the guidance of an experienced tour guide.
After the trek, you will then proceed for your lunch after which you will visit Bigodi swamp. Here you will have a walk where you will spot some monkeys and different bird species. This takes you through the grasslands to the small communities that are enthusiastic to interact with you and you’re able to see how they run their daily lives. You will then return to the lodge.
Location: Kibaale Forest National Park
Meals Plan: full board
Accommodation Option
Day 3: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park and game drive
Today after breakfast, you will set off to Queen Elizabeth national park. During the drive you will have a view of various crater lakes and a wild life experience in the plains of Kasenyi. You will also have a view of the mystical Rwenzori Mountain ranges Enroute. This drive will take 2-3 hours. On arrival at Queen Elizabeth national park, you will have lunch and check in. After lunch, you will head to Katwe salt mines where you will be taken through the art of salt mining and all stages of production. From the mines you will proceed to your lodge for dinner, refreshment and overnight stay.
Location: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Meals plan: full board
Accommodation Options
Day 4: Morning game drive and a launch trip
After an early breakfast in the morning, proceed to the park to engage in an early morning game drive to view the early morning risers in Kasenyi track, get chance to view many animals including; lions, elephants, solitary leopard if lucky, buffaloes, kobs, antelopes and among others. These animals can be viewed at a closer range during the game drive. You shall then return to the lodge for lunch as you prepare to enjoy the launch trip along the Kazinga channel, were your eyes will be fed with variety of water animals and birds. The wildlife species include; the Nile crocodiles, hippos, buffaloes, pink beaked pelicans, saddle billed stork, the malachite kingfishers. After, return to the lodge for sunset viewing in the late hours of the day, dinner and overnight stay.
Location: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Meals plan: full board
Accommodation Option:
Day 5: Transfer to Bwindi for a gorilla trekking
Early in the morning after breakfast, drive to towards the south of the park through the great shinning Savannah vegetation and transfer to Bwindi impenetrable national Park via the Ishasha sector which is famous for the tree climbing lions. You will also have a great view of the Kigezi highlands while we approach the park. We shall have lunch on our way or at the lodge depending on the time of arrival. Check in and freshen up.
Location: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Meal plan: full board
Accommodation Options:
Day 6: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest
Have an early morning breakfast, and after which you will proceed to the park headquarters to have a briefing about the dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking in Bwindi. Here you a divided in to groups and assigned a gorilla family to track. The rangers will then accompany you to the rainforest to start your search for the gentle giants. This walk can sometimes be tough and it needs someone so strong. Trekkers are always advised to carry their rain coats and boots because the weather there is always unpredictable. There are also some potters who always help with the carrying of the luggage on behalf of the visitors but at a small cost. On sighting the gorillas, the rangers will guide you on handle them, especially by giving them a 6 meter distance as you enjoy them play around. It’s always not easy to predict how long gorilla tracking will take and this also depends on the location of some families since some of them are far from the park headquarters.
However, it always takes 2 to 8 hours to come into contact with them and the rangers will always be there to guide you. Trackers are also advisable to be physically fit before going for tracking. After your trek, return to the lodge for your lunch and in the afternoon, you may opt to visit the Batwa community to enjoy some cultural performances before retiring at your lodge.
Location: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Meal plan: full board
Accommodation Option:
Day 7: Transfer Back to Kampala or Entebbe for your flight
Breakfast in the morning and after start your journey back to Kampala, you will have a stopover at the equator for some photos while having an equator experience. You will have your lunch at Igongo cultural center and you might also opt to visit the museum here after. You shall then proceed to Kampala. End of 7 days Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari.
THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING CALSAAR SAFARIS UGANDA, WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN.
