Are you looking for an exclusive primate safari in Africa? This 5 Days Gorillas and Chimps Trekking safari in Uganda is the best fit for the travel thirst to meet these primates. 
The primate tour offers utmost adventure in the tropical forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park when trekking for gorillas and Kibale Forest National Park when tracking the chimpanzees. Both safari destinations have the respective primates in abundance and tourists are almost guaranteed of meeting these amazing attractions. The itinerary is designed for all traveler types ranging from budget to luxury. The package can also include a visit to the Uganda’s deepest lake and 2nd deepest in Africa lake Bunyonyi for the exciting canoe ride experience.
Highlights of the trip
- Day 1: Transfer to Kibale National Park
- Day 2: Chimp tracking in Kibale forest
- Day 3: Transfer to Bwindi National Park
- Day 4: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
- Day 5: Canoeing on Lake Bunyonyi and transfer to Kampala/Entebbe
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Kampala or Entebbe to Kibale Forest National Park
Meet our safari guide on arrival at the airport or he picks you up from the hotel after breakfast and start the journey to the western part of Uganda to our first destination, Kibale Forest National Park. Enjoy the relaxed drive of about 5 hours through the Volcanic land form views in Mubende, the flourishing tea plantations of Kabarole to Fort Portal town where you rest for lunch, stretch and rejuvenate with the cool weather here. Continue to Kibale Forest National Park which is located just about 22km southeast of Fort Portal town. Check in at the earlier on booked lodge.
Lodge options: Primates lodge (luxury) Turaco Treetops (midrange) Chimpanzee Guesthouse (budget)
Meal plan: lunch and dinner
Day 2: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale Forest
Have an early breakfast and transfer to Kanyanchu Visitors Centre where briefing about the activity is done just before heading into the forest with the ranger guide to trek forthe little cousins. Since Kibale forest has over 1000 chimps, the activity may take half a day due to the high chances of spotting the chimps. The most exciting moment of the trek is the one hour tourists spend with the apes, watching them show their mood of the day of which they are often playful. Other wildlife expected during the trek include L’Hoest monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, red colobus monkeys and baboons among others.
The forest is also home to a variety of birds and other mammals like elephants, buffaloes and forest hogs which you may come across.
After the trek, get back to the lodge for lunch and rest. When the sun gets cooler in the evening, head out for a guided nature walk around Bigodi swamp. This is a great site for birding with over 130 bird species including the Great Blue Turaco, Papyrus gonolek and a number of hornbills and flycatchers among others. Bird enthusiasts get a good experience here as well as butterfly lovers as the place has notable butterflies. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 3: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
Wake up and get your property packed, take breakfast and set off for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the world’s prime gorilla trekking destination. Driving from Fort Portal through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, travelers enjoy the views of the Rwenzori ranges and the Savannah plains of the park. After about 7 hours of travel with en route lunch, you arrive in Bwindi and check in at your preferred lodge.
Lodge options: Chameleon Hill lodge, Mahogany Springs, Buhoma lodge (luxury) Gorilla Mist Camp, Ichumbi Lodge (midrange) Trekkers Tavern, Rushaga Gorilla Havens lodge (budget)
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi and Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
Very early morning, raise up and have breakfast. Take up your packed lunch and drinking water for a transfer to the park headquarters where the trek starts. Before entering the forest, it is always important to get to know the rules and regulations of the park regarding the trek and this takes place here as early as 8:00am.
Follow the ranger guide into the tropical rain forest that offers tourists with an impressive trek due to the steep terrain of the landscape. Trekkers never get bored along the way as sounds of forest birds are always tuned in. You may also come cross other primates especially monkeys and other rare mammals that live around the forest.
When the gorillas are finally found, you are allowed to spend an hour with them before exiting the forest to the headquarters for a certificate that indicates participation in gorilla trekking. With this certificate, you confirm to have contributed to the conservation of these endangered gorillas.
Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi in the afternoon. This is one of the most beautiful places in Uganda where you view the numerous islands on the lake and the highlands around the region.
Lodge options: Arcadia Cottages, Birdnest Resort (luxury), Bunyonyi Rock Resort (mid-range), Bunyonyi Overland Camp, Crater Bay Cottages (budget)
Meal plan: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 5: Canoeing on Lake Bunyonyi and Transfer to Kampala
After having a delicious breakfast,go out to the lake, enjoy the breathtaking views of the lake, islands, hills and the sunrise.Enjoy the canoe ride to places where you are able to incredible picturesque places. Canoeing offers an opportunity to watch the Virunga volcanoes though they may not be very clear due to fog. After canoeing, start the journey back to Kampala.
NB: Travelers who intend to fly on this very days don’t go for canoeing but rather use day 4 after the transfer from Bwindi to enjoy the views of areas around Lake Bunyonyi.
The package includes; Transport from and back to the hotel in Kampala or Entebbe, Gorilla and Chimp permits, professional safari guide, 4X4 safari van, bottled drinking water, accommodation and meals per itinerary.