Fly to chimps and gorillas Flying safari for Chimps & Gorillas
- Information
- Tour Plan
- Gallery
- Similar Safaris
- Notes & Packing
What's included
- 1 Gorilla tracking permit per person
- Accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary
- Bottled drinking water throughout the safari
- English-speaking driver/guide
- Ground transportation in 4WD safari car
- Meals indicated in the itinerary
- Park / Activity Fees
- International flights
- Personal expenses
- Personal travel insurance
- Services not specifically stated in the itinerary
- Tips and gratuities
- Visa fees
Uganda Primates Flying Safari
Quick Overview
This 5-day Uganda primates flying safari takes you on a wonderful journey to meet our close animal cousins – the chimpanzees and gorillas, in the forests where they live free.
This is a flying safari where you will use domestic flights to cover large portions of the distance in a short period. You will fly from Entebbe to Kasese where you will then be driven to Kibale for chimpanzees, and back.
From Kasese, you will flight to either Kihihi or Kisoro where you will again be transferred to your lodge in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. In Bwindi, you will get to see gorillas and spend 1 hour with them before leaving the forest.
After Bwindi, your guide will drive you back to the airports where you will fly back to Entebbe for your onward international flight.
This safari is ideal for people who would find long road trips exhausting and would rather cover the biggest distances as quickly as possible. Like the all our trips, this one can be customized to further suit the safari to your wishes.
Highlights
Destinations: Entebbe, Kasese, Kibale National Park, Kisoro/Kihihi, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Activities: Chimpanzee tracking, Hiking, Gorilla trekking
- Day 1:
- Day 2:
- Day 3:
- Day 4:
- Day 5:
Fly from Entebbe to Kasese, Transfer to Kibale NP
On your first day, you will be picked from your accommodation/residence and transferred to Entebbe International Airport by one of our company representatives.
At the Airport, you will get on a domestic flight from Entebbe to Kasese Airstrip where you will be met by our Safari guide. Our Safari guide will welcome you and transfer you to the nearby Kibale National Park. The drive will take around 1.5 hours.
From Fort Portal will continue to Kibale which is very popular as the primate capital of the world - especially due to chimpanzees. Kibale has the biggest concentration of Chimps in the whole world - and is, therefore, the best place for research and tourism of Chimpanzees.
You will reach Kibale around lunch time and afterwords, you may relax at the hotel or try some nearby activities like short hikes or bird watching. You will rest for the night and prepare for your morning adventure into the deep forest to look for Chimpanzees and all the other animals that live in Kibale National Park.
Accommodation
- Midrange: Primate Lodge
- Luxury: Papaya Lake Lodge
Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale, Bigodi Wetland
After breakfast, you will go for a chimp tracking briefing by the park officials and then proceed to start your search for chimpanzees in the forest.
The tracking is led by an experienced ranger who will provide detailed information about the chimps, other primates and the entire ecosystem of the forests - making your walk enjoyable and insightful.
Upon meeting the chimpanzees, you will spend about 1 hour with them before heading back to the starting point of your hike. The whole experience takes about 3 to 4 hours depending on the pace of the group and the movement of the chimps.
In the afternoon you will visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary to see smaller mammals and primates - such as the rare red colobus monkey and the sitatunga. The guide circular trail offers great opportunities to see up to 6 primate species and many birds in a short period.
Accommodation
- Midrange: Primate Lodge
- Luxury: Papaya Lake Lodge
Kibale to Kasese, Fly to Bwindi Impenetrable
After your morning breakfast, you will leave Kibale and head to Kasese Airstrip for your flight to Bwindi. The drive to Kasese will take around 1.5hours.
In Kasese, you will board your domestic flight to Kisoro Airstrip - which is just near Bwindi and Mgahinga - the two national parks where you can see gorillas.
From Kisoro or Kihihi, our safari guide will pick you up for transfer to the lodge where you will stay for the night.
Depending on the time you arrive, you might have some hours in the evening where you get to explore the surrounding areas. Finally, you will rest for the night as you prepare for your gorilla tracking experience in the morning.
Accommodation
- Midrange: Engagi Lodge
- Luxury: Mahogany Springs Lodge
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable N.P
After an early breakfast, you will be transferred to the park offices for a briefing about gorilla trekking. After the briefing, you will be assigned the gorilla family and experienced ranger guide to lead your gorilla tracking experience.
The rangers are experienced and know the forest very well and will lead your hike to see the gorillas. Your hike goes through dense untamed rain forest, steep slopes and simple trails and it can take 2-8 hours depending on how the gorillas move around.
During your gorilla trek, the rangers will share a lot of information and insights about the gorillas and the forest. You can ask any questions you have and they will answer you.
Upon meeting the gorillas, you will spend 1 hour with them, watching them play, eat, groom and go about their day. You will ask more questions, get to take pictures and take in the moment of peace among the gorillas.
After your time with gorillas, you will hike back to the starting point for your gorilla trekking certificate.
You will go back to the lodge to refresh and relax for the rest of the day.
Accommodation
- Midrange: Engagi Lodge
- Luxury: Mahogany Springs Lodge
Bwindi to Kihihi or Kisoro, Fly to Entebbe
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Kihihi airstrip to catch your flight back to Entebbe Airport. In Entebbe, you will check in for your departure flight, and this will mark the end of your safari.
Accommodation
- (X) - Last day
Notes of Chimp & Gorilla Trekking
Here are some important things to know about tracking gorillas or chimps in Uganda and Rwanda.
- Minimum age allowed to track chimps is 12 years old.
- Minimum age allowed to track gorillas is 15 years old.
- Tracking gorillas is quite strenuous and one should be physically fit to best enjoy the experience.
- Anyone with signs of communicable diseases will not be allowed to track chimps or gorillas.
- Maximum time allowed with the gorillas or chimps is 1 hour.
Packing Recommendation
Here are some general safari packing recommendations to consider. Your agreed itinerary will have recommendations based on your trip and schedule.
- Lightweight rain poncho
- Long sleeve shirt
- Sturdy hiking shoes
- Waterproof trousers
- gardening-type gloves
- Sunscreen
- Wide brim hat
- Insect repellent
- Camera with extra batteries and cards
- Your regular medication
- Phone/gadget chargers
Visas for Uganda or Rwanda
Both Rwanda and Uganda have simple to use online visa self-service portals where you can apply and get your visa in a few days. Here are the full articles to guide you about visas.
- Uganda visa requirements and processes for tourist
- Rwanda visa requirements and processes for tourist
Best time to visit Uganda or Rwanda
For most people, it is more pleasant and enjoyable to visit Uganda or Rwanda during the dry season months (June to September and December to February). The general climate is warm and sunny all year round, and you can visit at any time of the year.
If you don't enjoy crowds, the shoulder seasons are ideal since the tourist numbers are lower and the attractions are more intimate to explore.
Safety. Is its safe to visit?
Both Uganda and Rwanda are very safe countries to visit and live in. They are some of Africa's most visited countries and hailed for the friendly locals and warm welcoming smiles.
If you have any safety concerns or specifics your are worried about, simply reach out to us and we'll do everything to help you.
Why Choose Exclusive African Safaris
We are a full service Destination Management Company started and operating in Uganda since 2008. In more than 15 years, we have served guests from all parts of the world and helped them to enjoy wonderful experiences of the wild places, cultures and people in Uganda and Rwanda.
Choosing Exclusive African Safaris, is choosing to go with a trusted company whose wide network, experienced guides and staff will make sure that your safari experience is all that you wanted - and more.
Customizing your safari experience
All our safari packages can be customized and personalized to fit your budget, preferences and schedule. You can start the process through an already existing safari which is speaking to you - but not quite fully, and we shall tailor that trip to your wishes.
You can also directly reach out for us and request for a custom safari, and we shall work closely with you, start from scratch and build a safari that is 100% you.
