5 Days Gorillas and Chimpanzees safari
5 Days Gorillas and Chimpanzees safari is every primates lover’s dream expedition with Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi, Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale and Golden Monkeys in Mgahinga.
This 5 Days Uganda Primates Tour also gives you the opportunity to explore gorilla and chimpanzee together in three of Uganda’s National Parks for the country’s top three primate species, which are Mountain Gorillas, Chimpanzees and Golden Monkeys.
Kibale Forest on the western side of Uganda is known for sheltering Uganda’s highest Chimpanzee population. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in south-western Uganda is known for being home to the World’s highest Mountain gorilla population while Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is Uganda’s only habitat of golden monkeys.
Highlights of the 5 days Uganda Primates Tour
Mountain gorilla trekking.
Chimpanzee trekking.
Golden monkey tracking.
Visit the famous Nakayima Tree.
Breathtaking views of the Virunga Volcanoes.
Tour of the lush Bigodi wetland Sanctuary.
A chance to see several forest, wetland and Albertine Rift endemic bird species.
Several mammals especially primates across the verdant forests.
Equator Experience.
Drive in a comfortable 4WD Vehicle.
Itinerary highlights of the 5 Days Gorillas and Chimpanzees safari
Day 1: Drive to Kibale Forest National Park and Bigodi wetland walk.
Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Day 3: Mountain Gorilla Trek and Transfer to Maghinga Gorilla National Park
Day 4: Golden monkey tracking and cultural tour
Day 5: Return to Kampala.
Detailed Itinerary of 5 Days Gorillas and Chimpanzees safari
Day 1: Drive to Kibale Forest National Park and Bigodi wetland tour
Day one of the 5 Days Gorillas and Chimpanzees safari: Enjoy a delicious breakfast and meet with our Company Safari guide who will start by briefing you on the interesting safari you are about to undertake, Leave Kampala for the western side of Uganda and transverse the districts of Mityana and Mubende where you will have your first stop at Nakayima Ancestral Tree, which is often worshipped by locals and continues with the scenic drive relishing the large rock boulders, lush tea plantations and stopping at Fort Portal City for lunch.
Before entering Kibale Forest National Park, you will be heading to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a guided nature walk that will reward you with the sights and sounds of some of the primates as well as wetland bird species that call the Sanctuary home.
Expect to see black and white colobus monkeys, grey cheeked mangabeys, vervet monkeys and L’Hoests monkeys among others as well as the Papyrus gonolek, Great blue Turaco and many other bird species. Head back to the park to check-in at the Safari Lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation
Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
On the second day of your 5 Days Gorillas and Chimpanzees safari, almost half of your day will be spent in the jungles of Kibale Forest National Park in- search of the Chimpanzees, Start the day with breakfast served at the Lodge and a briefing at the Park Headquarters before venturing into the jungles for one of the habituated chimpanzees.
Spend 1-2 hours searching for them and once found, spend 60 minutes studying their unique characteristics gorilla and chimpanzee interaction, the chimpanzee and gorilla similarities, that make them our closest relatives and also take photos of your memorable encounter, Return to the Lodge for lunch and check-out of the Lodge for a transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park through Queen Elizabeth National Park home of different gorilla families, You will come across some of the savannah Park’s iconic wildlife species that include the Cape Buffaloes, Elephants, Warthogs, Uganda Kobs, Topis, Bushbucks, Common Elands and Defassa Waterbucks, among others. Arrive Bwindi in the evening for dinner and overnight.
Dinner and overnight stay
Day 3: Mountain Gorilla Trekking and Transfer to Maghinga Gorilla National Park
on day three of the 5 Days Gorillas and Chimpanzees safari, start the beautiful day with a delicious Continental Breakfast and transfer to the Park Headquarters for a briefing on mountain gorilla trekking. Make sure you have your trekking gear, drinking water and walking stick for a challenging yet rewarding trek lasting 1-3 hours, Although the activity is hectic, it won’t be a boring because it will be informative with several interesting attractions encountered and will pay off when you finally spot the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat., Spend one hour taking photos and learning about their beautiful lifestyle, adaptations and physical characteristics. Return to the Lodge for lunch and check-out for a transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation
Day 4: Golden Monkey Trekking and Batwa Cultural Tour
On the 4th day of 5 Days Gorillas and Chimpanzees safari, Golden monkey trekking is conducted like Gorilla trekking although it is less hectic and physically demanding than the latter. Have breakfast and transfer to Ntebeko briefing point for the guidelines of conducting the activity and venture into the jungles of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in-search for the frisky golden monkeys.
These primates occupy the lower slopes of the Virunga Volcanoes characterized by Bamboo forests and once spotted, get out your camera to take photos as they play, feed or groom each other. Spend an hour with them and return to the Lodge for a hot meal. In the evening, head for a tour around the Batwa pygmy communities. This will allow you to experience their unique culture and finalize with an energizing cultural dance. Retire to the Lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodations
Day 5: Return to Kampala
Day five of 5 Days Gorillas and Chimpanzees safari, Have breakfast and leave for Kampala with a lunch break in Mbarara Town and another stop at Uganda Equator for photos and some of the organized Equator experiments. Reach the city in the evening for dinner and overnight, and hence at the end of the 5 Days Uganda Gorillas & Chimpanzee Tracking
Gorilla permit at $700.
Chimpanzee permit at $200.
Golden monkey permit at $60.
Park entrance fees.
Bottled water.
Relevant Government taxes.
Ground transportation with customized 4WD Vehicles.
4 nights’ accommodation in Queen, Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks.
Meals according to the meal Plan.
Ranger/guide fees.
Fuel fees.
Your5 Days Gorillas and Chimpanzees safari excludes;
Personal expenses such as laundry fees, gratuities, shopping bills, telephone and cigarettes among others.
Visa fees.
Travel insurance.
Rules to follow on your5 Days Gorillas and Chimpanzees safari
Before you go, make sure you are free from communicable diseases such as Flu when meeting these gorillas and chimpanzees. The primates such as the chimps who share up to 99% DNA with humans & are prone to human infections which are a danger to them.
Make sure you’re physically fit enough to walk for hours else save a few bucks for porters who will carry you through. E.g. when trekking gorillas, you may have to spend up to about 8 hours in the forest hiking.
You must poses a chimp and mountain gorilla permits that are acquired prior to the trekking day. We do reserve these permits on our client’s behalf and we always advise you to book a gorilla permit at least 2 months before your primates tour.
On your tracking day, we advise you to wear long pants, trekking shoes, rain jackets, garden gloves and to always carry drinking water and packed food on the trek.
While on the trek, maintain silence, do not litter in the forests and always stay with your group.
When encountering with the primates be it mountain gorillas, chimpanzees or golden monkeys, keep at least 7 meters away from them, do not use flash light while taking photos, do not sneeze nor eat while facing them and avoid imitating the primates.
These rules and more that will be explained to you before the trek, if followed well, will give you a memorable 5 Days Gorillas and Chimpanzees safari that you will recommend to the rest.
