9 Days Special Chimp and Gorilla Tour

We will depart from Kampala at about 8:00 am and head west via Fort Portal to Kibale National Park, with an en route stop for lunch. This town of Fort Portal rests in the shadow of “Mountains of the Moon” and is famous for the many tea plantations. From this lovely town, we will continue to Kibale National Park, while passing the region of the Crater Lakes, stunning beauty will unfold from here as well. Before heading to your lodge you will explore the small lakes then continue to check in.

Chimp Habituation (full day) or Chimp tracking (half day) will be done today accompanied with the varieties the forest has to offer. Kibale Forest is reputable for having the greatest variety and highest concentration of primates in East Africa. Enjoy a guided nature walk in the tropical rainforest in search of the wild chimpanzee, red-tailed monkey, black-and-white colobus monkey, and many others. This walk may last up to half day allowing you to return for a hearty lunch and for the afternoon some clients may opt to stay behind enjoying birding on their own in the forest and lodge surroundings or we transfer to the Bigodi Swamp for another but totally different nature walk. The Bigodi Swamp Walk is an initiative of the local community and is known for its rich diversity of birds and primates.

Get a relaxed breakfast then transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. En route you will enjoy some scenic beauty of the crater lakes, view tea plantations and the lush green vegetation in the area. Fresh lunch en route then we'll continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park, arriving late afternoon, check in for dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Early coffee then you'll begin your day by heading for the mating ground of the Uganda kobs where we may be lucky to spot some lions and leopards hunting. We will also look out for elephants and other wild animals in their natural habitat. Return for late breakfast if not taken before, then relax till lunch as you compare notes, enjoy the lodge and in the afternoon we take on a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, which gives you the opportunity to enjoy some more of the African wildlife. The Kazinga Channel is the place where we find the highest concentration of Hippos in East Africa. It’s a highlight of the safari, and a must-do activity as well.

The morning options are either a forest walk in Maramagambo or a chimpanzee trek in Kyambura Gorge before we head to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The Forest is famous for the Blue Lake, Unique trees and Bat Caves while the Kyambura Gorge is famous for its view and wild Chimpanzees. One can choose to go in and search for the chimpanzees in Kyambura Wildlife Reserve which is a beautiful gorge completely covered with tropical rainforest (options vary in costs). By late morning we will depart for Bwindi with lunch en-route and arrive at the home of the endangered mountain gorillas early evening then check in for dinner and overnight.

Early breakfast, then with packed lunch head for the briefing about your gorilla trekking. (Subject to permit availability at time of booking). This is the highlight of your safari indeed. Today you will meet with the gentle giants of Bwindi Impenetrable National park! Expect to walk a long distance in steep and muddy conditions, sometimes with rain overhead, before you encounter any gorillas and so you must be physically fit. It’s definitely worthwhile observing the gorillas closely while they feed, play and relax.

Early breakfast then set off back to Kampala or Entebbe, this drive is long indeed (over 8 hours), but clients are so rewarded with stunning views of winding roads and hills, then a stop at various sites like the Uganda Equator and also the drum center and many more. As an option (at extra fees) clients can also charter a flight directly from Bwindi to Entebbe.

The airport transfer for today will be given to you by our friendly drivers at the time of your flight. If the airport transfer is late, then we shall also offer a city tour around Kampala’s famous and historical sites then drop you off to the airport in time for your flight and see you off.