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5 Day Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari

Overview

Embark on a 5 day Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari, exploring the majestic Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and the rich biodiversity of Kibale National Park. This unique opportunity allows you to track the endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi, home to half of the world’s remaining population, and experience the thrill of chimpanzee trekking or habituation in Kibale, known as the premier destination for viewing wild chimpanzees. This all-inclusive tour starts and ends in Entebbe or Kampala, featuring round-trip airport transfers.

Highlights

Destination: Uganda
Starting and Ending Point: Entebbe (Uganda)
Visiting Locations: Lake Bunyonyi, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Kibale Forest National Park
Activities: Gorilla tracking, Chimpanzee tracking
Transportation: Open-sided 4×4 vehicle and pop-up roof 4×4 vehicle
Transfers: Included from and back to the airport (or hotel)
Additional Accommodation: Can be arranged before the tour departs and on the last day at extra cost

Things to Note

Inclusive Accommodation: Lodging during the safari is included.
Guided by Post-Lockdown SOPs: Safari follows new normal safety protocols.
Small Group Safari: Maximum of 6 people per group to ensure a personalized experience.
Flexible Departures: The tour can start any day.
Customizable Tour: Itineraries can be tailored to fit your preferences.
Solo Traveler Friendly: Individual travelers are welcome to join.
Age Limit: Participants must be 15 years and above.

TRIP ITINERARY

Tour Plan

Arrival

Arrival and Transfer to Entebbe

Upon your arrival, our Trek Africa Expeditions guide will meet you and transfer you to your guest house or hotel for an overnight stay. Depending on your arrival time, you may opt for an additional activity such as a boat excursion to Ngamba Island, a visit to the Entebbe Botanic Gardens, or a tour of the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre. These activities are optional and not included in the main itinerary.

Meal Plan: Bed and breakfast
Accommodation: Secrets Guest House

Day 1

Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

After breakfast, embark on a drive to Lake Bunyonyi, located on the eastern side of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Your guide will make a stop at the Equator crossing in Kayabwe for photography, a brief talk, and some experiments. Continue to Mbarara town for lunch. The drive will then take you through beautiful banana plantations, farms, and the stunning Hills of Kigezi. Arrive in the evening and check in at Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge or Trekkers Tervan Lodge in Western Uganda.

Main Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge or Trekkers Tervan Lodge
Meals: Lunch and Dinner (Breakfast not included)

Day 2

Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Start your day with an early morning breakfast, then head to Ruhija Park Headquarters for a briefing. Join others for an orientation session before venturing into the forest for your gorilla trek. The trek duration can vary from 30 minutes to 7 hours, depending on the location of the mountain gorilla family that day. Once you locate the gorillas, you will spend one hour observing their behavior and taking photographs. Afterwards, return to the Park Headquarters to receive a certificate confirming your participation in the gorilla trek in Uganda.

Main Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge or Trekkers Tervan Lodge
Meals: All meals included

Day 3

Transfer to Kibale National Park

After breakfast, drive to Kibale National Park for an overnight stay at Chimpanzee Forest Guest House. The journey will take you through Queen Elizabeth National Park, offering opportunities to spot some wild game as you drive through.

Main Destination: Kibale National Park
Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest Guest House
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included

Day 4

Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale and Bigodi Wetland Walk

After breakfast, you will drive to Kibale National Park Headquarters for a briefing on the dos and don'ts of chimpanzee trekking. You will be divided into small groups of six people, each led by a guide, to track a chimpanzee family. Chimpanzees live in communities of 50-250 individuals but typically split into smaller parties during the day to reduce competition for food, regrouping in the evening to build nests. Once you find the chimpanzees, you will spend one hour observing them before returning to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, head out for a wetland walk in the nearby Bigodi Village. Kibale National Park is renowned for its 15 recorded primate species and numerous bird species.

Main Destination: Kibale Forest National Park
Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest Guest House or Isunga Lodge
Meals: All meals included

Day 5

Return to Kampala/Entebbe or Airport

After breakfast, you will drive to Kampala or Entebbe for your post-tour accommodation (not included) or continue to Entebbe International Airport for your international departure flight.

Main Destination: Entebbe
Meals: Breakfast and lunch included

INCLUDES & EXCLUDES

Includes

Airport transfers on the first and last day
Gorilla Permits
Kibale Chimpanzee Permit
Transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle
Services of an English-speaking driver/guide
Fuel for the entire trip
Accommodation and meal plan as per the itinerary
All Park entrance fees
Drinking water while in the vehicle

Excludes

Pre and post tour accommodation in Entebbe or Kampala
International airfares
Uganda Visa (USD50.00 which can be paid on arrival at the Airport

TOUR MAP

GENERAL FAQs

General FAQs

Can I reschedule or cancel this trip?

Rescheduling: You can reschedule this trip as a private tour to any date within 12 months at no additional cost.
Booking Deposit: A 30% deposit of the total tour price is required to secure your booking. The remaining balance is due 45 days before the tour departure date. Bookings not secured with the appropriate deposit will be released.
Cancellation Policy:
- Cancel between 90 and 45 days before departure: 20% penalty of the tour price.
- Cancel within 45 days of departure or no show: 100% penalty of the tour price.

Availability and Accommodations

Reservations: Accommodation and activity availability is not guaranteed until reservations are confirmed with the final itinerary and deposit payment. If any quoted accommodations are unavailable, we reserve the right to substitute them with suitable alternatives, which may affect the final quoted price.

Insurance

Requirement: All clients must have medical and travel insurance to cover unforeseen circumstances.

Rates

Subject to Change: Tour rates are subject to change without notice. We will make every effort to maintain rates, but changes in government taxes or operating conditions may be passed on to clients.

Permit Cancellation Policy

Uganda Gorilla Permit Cancellation Policy

Guarantee: A Gorilla Permit is guaranteed only upon receipt of the deposit ($800 per person per trek) as it must be paid immediately to the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Cancellation Fees

More than 90 days before tracking: 25% cancellation fee.
89 to 46 days before tracking: 50% cancellation fee.
45 to 9 days before tracking: 75% cancellation fee.
8 to 0 days before tracking: 100% cancellation fee.

Important Information

Age Requirement: The minimum age for gorilla tracking is 15 years.
Health: Visitors with flu or other airborne diseases will not be allowed into the rainforest jungle to see the gorillas.
Safety Protocols: Masks must be worn at all times, and a distance of 10 meters must be maintained between you and the gorillas.

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