6 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari, Chimp & Wildlife Tour – Overview

The 6 Days Uganda Gorilla, Chimpanzee & Wildlife Safari is a diverse safari package that allows you explore the two of the world’s giant apes and the Big four of the Big five Land Animals in their natural habitats.

The Safari takes you to Kibale National Park famously known as the Primate capital of the world with a large group of habituated Chimpanzees, Queen Elizabeth National Park which is an extensive Savannah habitat coupled with diverse environments of wetland actual, water and forests on the flats of the Albertine rift and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – the mountain gorilla sanctuary with over 400 populations close to the a half of their entire world population apparently standing at 880.

Besides the mentioned main destinations, the safari also features the cycling in the Mpanga tea estates, Amabere g’Nyinamwiru caves, the Fort Portal crater hike, the Bigodi wetland and Lake Bunyonyi. It’s a remarkable safari experience worth exploring.

6 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari, Chimp & Wildlife Tour – Highlights

• Day 1: Drive to Fort Portal Area, do cycling in the tea estates, visit the Amabere g’ Nnyinamwiru caves, hike the Fort Portal crater field and then drive to Kibale National Park
• Day 2: Undertake the Chimpanzee trekking in the morning, undertake the Bigodi wetland walk in the afternoon & drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Day 3: Undertake a game drive in the Kasenyi sector in the morning, boat cruise along the 45km Kazinga Channel and evening game drive along the channel track
• Day 4: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.  Undertake a game drive in Ishasha sector in search of tree climbing lions and other wildlife
• Day 5: Undertake the mountain gorilla trekking and drive to Lake Bunyonyi via the fascinating Kigezi Highlands for evening relaxation and boat cruise
• Day 6: Transfer back to Kampala. Make a stop at Igongo Cultural Center for traditional lunch and Uganda Equator crossing Kayabwe for amazing photo shoots and water experiments

6 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari, Chimpanzee & Wildlife Safari Tour – Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Drive to Fort Portal Area, Do Cycling in The Tea Estates, Visit The Amabere g’ Nnyinamwiru Caves, Hike The Fort Portal Crater Field And Then Drive to Kibale National Park

Transfer to Fort Portal following breakfast at your place of stay in Kampala. Fort Portal is 300km about 4 – 5 hours drive from Kampala presenting impressive countryside drive through the scenic landscapes of Mubende with its Inselbergs and Lake Wamala at a distance before approaching the swampy areas of Kyegegwa and the undulating hills of Kabarole where the rolling tea estates welcome you.

You make a stop for an adventurous cycling encounter in the tea estates under the guidance of the local staff with deep knowledge of the past, present and the anticipated future of the area.

You can participate in the tea plucking to gain hands on experience of what is carried out at the site.  From nth cycling encounter, you proceed to Fort Portal town for lunch after which you take on a visit to the heritage site of Amabere g’Nyinamwiru caves.

The Amabere are breast-like features with milky substance oozing from them to the ground. They are believed to be breasts of Nnyinamwiru the famous daughter of Bukuku who was a self enthroned King of the Bachwezi and tried to prevent her daughter from getting in contact with men as he had been foretold that the daughter’s child will overthrow him.

After listening to the story attached to these caves and enjoying the beautiful Nyakasura falls, you embark on the hike to the Fort Portal Crater field surrounded by the magic explosion crater lakes including Kigere among others.

The summit of Kyeganywa hill offers all round views of the area and the snow caped Rwenzori Mountains at a distance.

Retreat from the experience and transfer to Kibale National Park for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Ndali lodge, Midrange / Standard: Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse, Budget / Basic: Rwenzori View Guesthouse, Wild Camping at Primate Lodge Campsite / Kanyanchu River Camp

Day 2: Undertake The Chimpanzee Trekking in The Morning, Undertake The Bigodi Wetland Walk in The Afternoon & Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, gather at Kanyanchu Tourism Center to catch up for chimpanzee trekking briefing commencing at 8am.

The briefing is conducted by the Park rangers and can last about 30 minutes after which you head to the jungle in search of the man’s closest cousin – the Chimpanzee.

Besides the chimpanzees, Kibale National Park supports a count of 12 other species of primate including the Black and White colobus Monkeys, the Blue tailed Monkeys, L’Hoest’s Monkeys, the Olive Baboons among others.

The Park also features a count of 371 impressive tree species among which include the Warbughia Ugandensis and Parinari exelsa among other lovely flora.

Kibale is a home to 375 species of birds including the Green-breasted Pitta, Black Bee-eater, Crowned Eagle, Western Nicator, Little Greenbul, Red-chested Owlet, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, African Grey Parrot, Blue-breasted Kingfisher and Brown-chested Alethe among other species.

All these are at your disposal to explore once you are in the Chimpanzee forest. The Chimpanzee trekking tend to take 2 – 5 hours where you have opportunities to explore the Chimpanzees feeding, copulating, patrolling, make pant hooting calls among other interesting aspects about this brilliant apes.

The viewing experience is limited to one hour for purposes of conservation after which you return to the starting point to enjoy your packed lunch.

In the afternoon, you connect to Bigodi wetland for a thrilling wetland walk to stand chances of exploring the sanctuary’s lush flora, the 138 bird species including the Great Blue Turaco and the swamp wildlife like the Sitatunga.

The walk can be extended to explore the community including the home of the traditional healer after which you connect to Queen Elizabeth National Park 157km about 2 – 3 hours drive for relaxation dinner and overnight

Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge, Midrange / Standard: Enganzi Game Lodge, Budget / Basic: Pumba Safari Cottages, Wild Camping

Day 3: Undertake a Game Drive in the Kasenyi Sector in The Morning, Boat Cruise Along The 45km Kazinga Channel And Evening Game Drive Along The Channel Track

Wake up for an early morning 3 – 4 hour game drive starting at 7am driving though the Kasenyi tracks where you will have chances of viewing a range of wildlife.

Some of these include; lions, elephants, Buffaloes, Antelopes, jackals, among others. You will marvel at them as they gather what to put in their stomachs and others taking a rest.

The Savannah landscape in which they thrive is an attraction in its self. Return to the lodge for relaxation till lunch time after which you will gather at Mweya for a launch cruise on Kazinga channel at 2:00pm.

The 2 hour launch cruise takes you through the offers of the 45m long Kazinga channel including impressive views of the Nile crocodiles, Hippos, abundant bird life and a range of wild game quenching their thirst along the channel waters. Return to the lodge for relaxation and overnight.

Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge / Kyambura Game Lodge, Midrange / Standard: Enganzi Game Lodge / Marafiki Safari Lodge, Budget / Basic: Pumba Safari Cottages

Day 4: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.  Undertake a Game Drive in Ishasha Sector in Search Of Tree Climbing Lions And Other Wildlife

Following breakfast at your respective lodge, embark on the drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park departing at 7am.

You make a stop in Ishasha sector to undertake an extensive game drive in search of the famous tree climbing lions.

The Ishasha sector is known to the home of these lions and its low lying tree branches presents a clear viewing opportunity than in other areas where similar lion behavior occurrences are known. Proceed to arrive in Bwindi in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Chameleon Hill Lodge / Buhoma Lodge, Midrange / Standard: Gorilla Mist Camp / Gorilla Valley Lodge, Budget / Basic: Broadbill Forest Camp, Wild Camping

Day 5: Undertake The Mountain Gorilla Trekking And Drive to Lake Bunyonyi via The Fascinating Kigezi Highlands For Evening Relaxation And Boat Cruise

After a heavy breakfast, you gather at the respective gorilla trekking region headquarters for briefing at 8am by the Uganda Wildlife Authority Park rangers.

During this time, gorilla family allocation takes place and in case one has a special requirement, it would be ideal to raise it for possible consideration.

After this session, head to the jungle to search for the critically endangered apes in their natural habitat. You hike the steep hills of Bwindi covered with dense forest cover, slope down the narrow valleys, cross streams and minor rivers while enjoying the impressive jungle sounds of birds and other wildlife as draw close to the gorillas.

The gentle giants treat you to a comfortable welcome. Enjoy the sight of the mighty silverback along with the black backs, the adult females and the youngsters that are so playful.

The encounter takes 2 – 8 hours inclusive of one hour of direct viewing.   Retreat from the encounter and embark on the drive to Lake Bunyonyi.

You drive through the fascinating Kigezi Highlands dubbed the Switzerland of Africa.  Upon arrival, you embark on a thrilling boat ride to explore the second deepest lake in Africa with 29 Islands.

You can also disembark from the boat at some point and take a walk in one of the Islands to share light moments with the Island Communities. Retreat from the activity for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Birdnest @Lake Bunyonyi Resort Midrange / Standard: Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort Budget / Basic: Broadbill Forest Camp, Resort Camping

Day 6: Transfer Back to Kampala. Make a Stop at Igongo Cultural Center For Traditional Lunch and Uganda Equator Crossing Kayabwe For Amazing Photo-shoots And Water Experiments

Drive to Kampala after breakfast covering 437km about 7 hours drive enjoying the impressive scenic countryside of south western Uganda including the banana plantations and cattle farms before making a stop at Igongo Cultural Center for traditional lunch 12km past Mbarara.

You proceed to make another stop at Uganda Equator crossing Kayabwe for impressive photo shoots and water experiments justifying the geographical divide between the north and south hemispheres where you can also visit the craft centers to get yourself souvenir to commemorate your Uganda Safari. Proceed for 77km to arrive in Kampala in the evening marking the end of the tour.

End of The 6 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari, Chimp & Wildlife Tour

Safari Inclusions

• Gorilla Permit (for gorilla trekking safaris)
• Chimpanzee Permit (for chimpanzee trekking safaris)
• Full Board Accommodation on Safari
• Transportation in either 4X4 Safari Van or 4X4 Safari Land Cruiser all with Pop up roof & AC
• Fuel
• Professional English Speaking driver guide. Any other foreign language speaking guide can be arranged on request.
• Entrance fees to the tourist sites including Protected areas mentioned
• Activity fees of the tourist activities mentioned
• Bottled water while on safari
• Border crossing fees (for cross border safaris)

Safari Exclusions

• General tips for the driver guide, site guides and service staff at the lodges
• Laundry Services
• Other Beverages / drinks of personal nature like Alcohol
• International Flights (Arranged on request)
• Domestic Flights (Arranged on request)
• Visas
• Optional Activity fees
• Other extras not mentioned in the Itinerary
• Airport Transfer (Arranged on request)
• Accommodation in Kampala or Kigali unless it is part of the Itinerary (Arranged on request)