Trip Info
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Suitable for solo travelers and groups
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This tour begins and ends in Entebbe The above package offers the following:
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Pop-up roof minivan, boat & hiking/walking
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Pre- and post-tour accommodation can be arranged at a supplementmbH
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Can start any day
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Mid-range, private tour
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English
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All meals included
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15
Overview
Embark on a 7-day adventure in Uganda, featuring unforgettable gorilla trekking, thrilling chimpanzee tracking, and incredible wildlife safaris across the country’s most iconic national parks.
This Uganda gorilla and wildlife safari will lead you to Kibale National Park where you will find the chimpanzees and other primates. You will also go for mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impentrable National park and have the opportunity to explore Queen Elizabeth and Lake Mburo National Parks with many game drives and a boat ride. This also adds a gorilla permit per person at $800 within the final cost for the trip.
Highlights
- Can start any day
- Private tour
- Mid-range tour
- Can be customized
- Suitable for solo travelers
- Minimum age of 15 years
- A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Itinerary
Toady, you will drive south towards the spectacular Kibale forests commonly known as the primate paradise where thirteen species of primates are located. You will have lunch on the way either during the journey or towards the end of the event. After the tiring drive, there are options of resting at the lodge or going out for a group walk within the community.
Main Destination:
Kibale National Park (Chimps)
Facts rapidly observedThe best time is in January to February and June to July because chimp trekking is easy.
High SeasonJune to September (Peak time for Uganda)
Best WeatherJanuary to February and June to July (Least rain)
Wildlife in Kibale NP
Chimpanzee, Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, Leopard, Hippo, Giraffe, White Rhino, Black Rhino, Cheetah, Zebra, Wildebeest
Accommodation:
Turaco Treetops Lodge
- Camp in Uganda to view the Chimps without the fences in Kibale National Park
Meals & Drinks:
- Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included)
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Wake up early in the morning and take some breakfast and go for the briefing on the chimpanzee tracking exercise. Chimpanzees are the closest relatives of man even though they are one of the most endangered primate species. Other primates that can be viewed include the black and whites Colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys, bush babies and pottos. The Yellow-spotted nicator, rumped tinker bird, little greenbul, green breasted pitta, crowned eagle and the black-bee-eater are also found in this area. You may also see animals such as elephants during this walk. Subsequently, you will be taken to Queen Elizabeth National Park for Lunch and check in.
Main Destination:
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Best Time To VisitJanuary to February and June to July (Dry seasons)
High SeasonJune to September (Peak time for Uganda)
Best WeatherJune to July and January to February (Less rainfall)
Wildlife in Queen Elizabeth NP
Chimpanzee, Elephant, Lion, Buffalo, Hippo, Leopard, Giraffe, White Rhino, Black Rhino, Cheetah, Zebra, Wildebeest, Wild Dog
Accommodation:
Elephant Hab Lodge
- A moderate level of accommodation found in Kibale, near the famous Kyambura Gorge or the chimps.
Meals & Drinks:
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
You will then go on an early morning game drive in the northern region of the park at Kasenyi track to view lions, elephants or solitary buffaloes. It is during this time that one can catch the cats active tracking their favorite prey- the Uganda Kobs. Here, we will have a good opportunity to watch almost all these animals at a very close range. Later then, we will go back to the lodge for a well deserved breakfast before taking a boat trip to Kazinga Channel. This will offer you a close look at wildlife since hippos huff and chase the boat and almost bump into it and buffalos are seen grazing on the shores. Birds on the shores of the channel include pink backed pelican, pied kingfisher, malachite kingfisher, saddle billed stork, among others.
Main Destination:
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation:
Elephant Hab Lodge
- A moderate level of accommodation found in Kibale, near the famous Kyambura Gorge or the chimps.
Meals & Drinks:
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
From here, you will have breakfast and then proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This journey is so fascinating because one is privileged to view different aspects of the highlands of the great Kigezi region. In the evening you will be transferred to the lodge where you will spend the night and have dinner too.
Main Destination:
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)
Recommend to visitJune to August and December to February (Gorilla trekking is easiest)
Rainy Season: March to May and Low Season: December to February (Gorilla permits are limited)
Best WeatherJune to July and December to February (Less rainfall)
Wildlife in Bwindi Impenetrable NP
Gorilla, Chimpanzee, Elephant, White Rhino, Black Rhino, Lion, Giraffe, Leopard, Cheetah, Buffalo, Zebra, Wildebeest, Hippo
Accommodation:
Bweza Gorilla Lodge
- Moderate: This accommodation option is a lodge found near the outskirts of the Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas).
Meals & Drinks:
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
After breakfast the next day with a heavy packed lunch head to the park head quarters for briefing on the dos and don’ts while on the gorilla tracking activity in Bwindi. The rangers will then take you to the thick rainforest region where you begin the search for the gentle giants. The weather in the region is also very unpredictable and trekkers are advised to carry with them their raincoats and boots at all times. There are also some potters who assist in the transportation of the visitors’ luggage for a fee. Still, it is difficult to tell how long it will take to conduct the tracking and this mostly depends on the location of some families as some of them are far away from the headquarters of the park. But it will take 2-7 hours to meet them and the rangers will always be there to accompany you. Able-bodied individuals should also be in good health prior to engaging in tracking activities. In the end, return to the lodge for a late lunch(or packed lunch) after the long walk.
Main Destination:
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)
Accommodation:
Bweza Gorilla Lodge
- A moderately sized lodge on the outskirts of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which houses the gorillas.
Meals & Drinks:
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
The road to the park is characterized by stunning views including that of plantations and farming estates. Tour a Cultural Museum — focused on displaying the lives of the indigenous people of the place. Stop for lunch/picnic to a restaurant along the way. Get into the park in the evening and go for a game drive in the evening.
Main Destination:
Lake Mburo National Park
Best Time To VisitJanuary to February and June to August (Dry seasons)
High SeasonJune to September (Peak time for Uganda)
Best WeatherJune to August and January to February (Little rainfall)
Wildlife in Lake Mburo NP
Giraffe, Buffalo, Zebra, Hippo, Leopard, Hyena, Elephant, White Rhino, Black Rhino, Lion, Cheetah, Wildebeest, Wild Dog
Accommodation:
Rwakobo Rock Lodge
- Semi-upmarket lodging – The lodge is situated adjacent to the acacia jungles and is only two kilometers from the entrance to the Lake Mburo National Park.
Meals & Drinks:
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
After taking an early breakfast, we will go for a safari walk in the Lake Mburo National Park. We will then proceed to Entebbe but will first drive to the Equator line. Make sure to have lunch and head straight to the airport to arrive in the afternoon.
Main Destination:
Entebbe (City)
Accommodation:
No accommodation (End of tour)
Meals & Drinks:
- Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
End of tour
- Extra bookings are also available at a relatively higher cost.
- You will then be transferred to the airport.
Includes/Excludes
Cost Includes
- • Park fees (For non-residents)
- • Gorilla permits (One per person, non-resident)
- • Chimp permits (One per person, non-resident)
- • All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
- • All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
- • A professional driver/guide
- • All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
- • All Taxes/VAT
- • Roundtrip airport transfer
- • Food (As enumerated under the day-by-day section)
- • Drinking water (On all days)
Cost Excludes
- • International flights (From/to home)
- • Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- • Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
- • Tangible goods (Antiquities, magnets, souvenirs, insurance, visa, etc.)
- • Changes in the fiscal policies where the government has raised taxes ad or the fees charged on national parks
FAQs
There is an option in Uganda where you can get to view the chimpanzees, gorillas and other wildlife within just 7 days. You will be able to meet the endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, chimps in Kibale National Park, and do game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park where lions, elephants, buffaloes, and various antelopes are //you will be able to meet the endangered species like mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National park, track the chimpanzees in Kibale National Park, go for game viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park where you can spot lions, elephants, buffaloes, and a number of sorts of antelopes. This tour also features a boat ride in Lake Mburo National Park to view zebra, hippo and crocodile among other animals.
The physical adventure in Bwindi impenetrable forest can be arduous because the park involves a trek through thick forest, steep slopes and at times, slippery ground. The duration can take anywhere from 2-6 hours depending with the different locations of the Gorilla families. Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park perhaps a little easier compared to those in other parks but as well it is moderate exercise since one spends about 2-4 hours trekking in the forest. Both activities are conducted by guides who will make sure that the visitors are safe and okay throughout the event.
The most recommended time for the 7-Day Gorilla, Chimpanzee, and Wildlife Tour in Uganda is during the dry seasons between June- September and December- February. These months are characterized by fewer mud hence making it easier to trek the trails. It is also ideal for wildlife viewing since animals are easily spotted when they come to water sources. But, Uganda’s national parks are always open for visitors, and people who prefer fewer visitors and green vegetation prefer the two rainy seasons that include March – May and October – November.
For the 7-Day Gorilla, Chimpanzee, and Wildlife Tour in Uganda, you will require a gorilla trekking permit for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and chimpanzee trekking permit for Kibale National Park. Gorilla permits are relatively expensive costing foreign non-resident individuals 700 USD while the chimpanzee permits cost 200 USD. These permits should be procured early through a tour operator or directly from the Uganda Wildlife Authority since they are scarce and get sold out easily.
Regarding the accommodation, the highly recommended 7-Day Gorilla, Chimpanzee, and Wildlife Tour in Uganda has various levels of lodges; from budget, mid-range to luxurious. While in Kibale national park, you will have the opportunity to spend your night in the countrySide lodges that are near the forest to enable easy access for the chimp trekking. The national park has several accommodation services with incredible views of the savannah and wildlife. Several lodges are found close to the areas from where the trekking begins and this should be considered when choosing a place to stay. Accommodation in the Lake Mburo area is generally of high quality and many places offer an excellent view of the lake as well as options for night game drives.
For the 7-Day Gorilla, Chimpanzee, and Wildlife Tour in Uganda, it is recommended the following: light and breathable clothing for the trek, long sleeves and long trousers to avoid insect bites, and a rain jacket. When trekking the gorillas and the chimpanzees good hiking shoes are very necessary. Reminder, the essentials to bring are sunblock, bug spray, a hat, sunglasses, and a water bottle to be refilled. Carrying binoculars will improve the experience in wildlife especially during the day while an extra battery for the camera should also be carried.
