Week-long Primate Adventure Chimps, Gorillas, Elephants, Hippos & Lions
- Information
- Tour Plan
- Gallery
- Similar Safaris
- Notes & Packing
What's included
- 1 Chimp tracking permit per person
- 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
7 Days Going Ape Gorilla and Chimp Safari
Quick Overview
This 7 day Gorilla and chimp safari takes you to Uganda’s wild places where you will see chimps, monkeys and gorillas – along with some Savannah wild animals like elephants, hippos and lions.
Starting in Kampala/Entebbe you will go to Kibale National Park which is re-known for having the biggest population of chimps in the whole world. Here you will see chimps and around 10 other species of primates before continuing to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Queen Elizabeth is a Savannah park where you will go on game drives and a boat cruise for many animals including hippos, elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, crocodiles and more. You will then ascend the Kigezi highlands and visit Bwindi Impenetrable NP for your own close encounter with the endangered mountain gorillas.
From Bwindi you will return to Kampala, having seen gorillas, chimps, Savannah wildlife and met so many warm and welcoming faces along your way. This safari is ideal for both solo travelers and small groups who want to see primates in their natural environments.
Highlights
Destinations: Kampala, Fort Portal, Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Activities: Swamp walk, Chimpanzee tracking, boat cruise, safari game drives, gorilla trekking
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Drive to Kibale National Park.
In the morning, your safari guide will meet you at your residence/accommodation to start the safari by driving to Kibale National Park.
Along the way, you will pass many small towns, farms and tea plantations that define this beautiful part of Uganda. You will stop in Fort Portal Town for lunch and then continue to the nearby Kibale National Park.
In the evening, you will visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary to start off your tour with some mammals, birds, and 12 primate species. Bigodi is a community-led eco-tourism project that protects the swamp's ecosystem through sustainable tourism.
Bigodi is an astounding example of what can be done towards conserving fragile ecosystems - especially when communities come together for one goal.
Accommodation
- Budget: Kibale Forest Camp
- Midrange: Primate Lodge
- Luxury: Papaya Lake Lodge
Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park
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.
You will have the rest of the day to spend at leisure or exploring the nearby areas - especially the crater lakes.
Accommodation
- Budget: Kibale Forest Camp
- Midrange: Primate Lodge
- Luxury: Papaya Lake Lodge
Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park
In the morning, you will leave Kibale and drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, 2 hours away.
You will reach Queen Elizabeth in time for a game drive in the park and lunch.
Proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park, following the mystical Rwenzori Mountain range for much of the journey. A game drive en-route may be rewarded with views of lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo, hyena, and a variety of antelope species.
In the evening, you will go for a relaxing 2-hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel - and into Lake Edward. This will take you through possibly the highest concentration of hippos and many animals will be seen drinking at the water's edge. The launch cruise offers an excellent platform for photography, bird watching and game viewing.
Accommodation
- Budget: Simba Safari Camp
- Midrange: Marafiki Lodge
- Luxury: Mweya Lodge
Morning & Evening safari game drives
Today, you will get to explore the parks by enjoying two game drives. Queen Elizabeth National Park's diverse eco-systems of grassy plains, tropical forests, rivers, swamps, lakes, and volcanic craters, home to an incredible abundance of wildlife.
Game drives in this park provide an excellent opportunity to see lions, leopards, giant forest hogs, buffalo, elephants, waterbucks, Uganda kobs, hyenas, and hippos.
These two game drives are a great of discovering the abundant wildlife, birds and stunning landscapes in Uganda's most popular safari park.
Accommodation
- Budget: Simba Safari Camp
- Midrange: Marafiki Lodge
- Luxury: Mweya Lodge
Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Today, you will leave Queen Elizabeth and drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Driving from the hot rift valley floor to the high altitude Kigezi highlands is quite the experience. From the steep (and yet cultivated) hills with winding roads, you will attest to why many people refer to Kigezi as the 'Switzerland of Africa'.
In Bwindi, the temperatures will be much cooler (even cold) and you will check into your accommodation. You can relax around the lodge or take a leisurely visit to the nearby communities to meet the locals and interact.
You will rest for the night as you have to wake up early the next day for gorilla tracking.
Accommodation
- Budget: Buhoma Rest Camp
- 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
- Budget: Buhoma Rest Camp
- Midrange: Engagi Lodge
- Luxury: Mahogany Springs Lodge
Drive Back to Entebbe, Departure
You will leave Bwindi and drive back to Kampala, with some stopovers and lunch in Mbarara. You will also have enough time to stop over at the Equator for some pictures and buying of souvenirs.
Your guide will take you to your residence/accommodation or to the airport if you have a flight back on the same day.
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.
