Safari Highlights 8 Day Great Apes of Uganda

• Chimp trekking in Kibale Forest
• Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest
• Chimpanzee Feeding Session at Ngamba Island
• All-inclusive safari experience including accommodation, meals, transfers, and entry fees

Tour Itinerary of the 8 Day Great Apes of Uganda

Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe Airport

Upon your arrival in Entebbe, a company representative picks you up and transfers you to your hotel.  Accommodation at Hotel No 5.

Day 2: Kampala– Kibale Forest National Park

Depart Kampala and head west to Fort Portal, look out for black-and-white colobus monkeys, baboons, and more primates hiding in trees along the road.

Have lunch in Fort Portal Town, known for the fabled Mountains of the Moon and many tea plantations. From this lovely town, continue to Kibale National Park for a stay within the tropical forest.  Accommodation and Meals at Chimpundu Lodge

Day 3:  Chimp Trekking and Bigodi Community Experience

Start your day with breakfast at 6:30, followed by a stroll to the park headquarters for a briefing session at 7:30 am. The headquarters is just a 10-minute walk from the trekking point. Today’s adventure unfolds in Kibale Forest, renowned for its remarkable variety and abundance of primates in East Africa.

Embark on a guided nature walk through the lush tropical rainforest in search of the elusive wild chimpanzee, as well as the red-tailed monkey, black-and-white colobus monkey, and an array of other fascinating creatures.

Once you spot the chimpanzees, immerse yourself in an unforgettable hour observing them in their natural habitat as they go about their daily activities.

Venture to the Bigodi Swamp for a two-hour nature walk after lunch. This swamp is home to over 200 bird species, including the magnificent Papyrus Gonolek and the majestic Great Blue Turaco. Managed by the local community, the walk offers a rich tapestry of birdlife and primate sightings, showcasing the biodiversity of the area.

Accommodation and Meals at Chimpundu Lodge

Alternative Activity: instead of the chimp tracking and Bigodi Village Walk you can also opt for the Chimpanzee Habituation Experience. This project offers you the unique experience to join the ranger guides in their research program and spend an entire day with our ‘cousins’.

You watch the chimpanzees start the day climbing out of their nests and while following their daily activities, learn more about their way of life and have them habituated to human presence.

Day 4: Kibale Forest – Bwindi Forest National Park

After breakfast, head to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, home of the mountain gorillas. Picnic lunch en route arriving in the evening. Accommodation and Meals at Buhoma Lodge

Day 5: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest

Arise early today and prepare for the highlight of your safari, an unforgettable encounter with the gentle giants of Bwindi!  Following breakfast, transfer to the national park offices where you will be allocated a gorilla family in group 8 as well as a gorilla tracking guide.

After a pre-tracking briefing by your guide touching on the gorillas generally, your assigned gorilla family as well as appropriate safety precautions, you drive to the trailhead for the start of a thrilling adventure.

The participants can expect to walk long distances in steep and sometimes muddy conditions with rain overhead, which can be challenging.  The trekking time can be unpredictable from 2 to 8 hrs or longer and you have a packed lunch.

 Upon sighting the gorillas, you spend the allowed one hour with them as they go about their daily life.

Afterward, you hike back to base from where you will be transferred back to the lodge for a well-deserved shower, some time to relax, and a great dinner.

Accommodation and Meals at Buhoma Lodge.

Optional 3-hour Community Activity:

Explore the Buhoma Community for a cultural experience where you get to learn about their way of life, and traditional basket weaving, explore the Banana plantation for a traditional brewing demonstration that uses Bananas and includes the distilling of one of the local gins.

You visit a traditional healer who uses local herbs to treat the sick, visit the Batwa -Pygmy community and learn about their way of life as well.

Day 6: Scenic Flight back to Entebbe

Head to the Kihihi Airfield for your scenic flight back to Entebbe. On arrival in Entebbe, you will proceed for a 45 minutes boat ride to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary.  Accommodation and Meals at Ngamba Eco Lodge

Day 7: Ngamba Island Sanctuary  Conservation Projects.

On this day spent on the Ngamba Island, you will watch the Chimpanzee Feeding Session at 9:00 am and thereafter relax at the Island.  After lunch, you may explore the Island Sanctuary learning more about the ongoing conservation projects. Accommodation and Meals at Ngamba Eco Lodge

Alternative Activity:

Caregiver for a Day Experience where you assist the staff with any activities happening at the sanctuary that day – medical checkups, research, and monitoring, preparing the holding areas for the chimps, and administrative work.

Day 8: Departure

After breakfast head back to the mainland for your onward flight back home.

Included in the 8-Day Great Apes of Uganda

Ground transportation in a safari customized 4WD Toyota Land cruiser with gasoline/fuel, Mineral water in the vehicle, services of an English speaking Driver/guide, Accommodation,  Meals as shown (B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner), all Park Entrance Fees, *Primate Tracking Permits, Boat rides where applicable, Statutory Taxes where applicable. 

Excluded in the 8-Day Great Apes of Uganda

International Airfares; Excess baggage charges; Ugandan Entry Visa Fees USD 50 per person; Room service, Beverages, Laundry, etc.; Postage fees, Porterage fees, Tips and Gratuities for your Driver/guide and Hotels staff,  International Airport Departure Taxes, Optional activities.