8 Day Chimps Gorillas and Savannah Wildlife

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival

Arrival at Entebbe Airport Pick up and transfer to your hotel for overnight on Bed and Breakfast.

Papyrus Guesthouse for Budget | 2 Friends Beach Hotel for Midrange | Hotel Number 5 for Upmarket

Day 2: Entebbe – Kibale Forest National Park

Travel from Entebbe to Kibale (4-5 hours)

Kibale Forest National Park is one of the best safari destinations in Uganda. The park plays host to 13 primate species including the red colobus and L’Hoest’s monkey. The most accessible of Uganda’s major rainforests, Kibale’s major attraction is its chimps. Tracking these noisy apes as they squabble and play in fruiting trees is a thrilling experience. There are also 335 species of bird here and other rare animals including the forest elephant and the giant forest hog. Overnight at your Lodge on Full Board.

Isunga Lodge for Budget | Turaco Tree Tops for Midrange | Ndali Lodge for Upmarket 

Day 3: Chimps Trekking in Kibale Forest

Chimpanzee trekking

Gorillas are all very well, but chimpanzees are their raucous, misbehaving cousins ready to show off at the drop of a hat. Head into the forest at first light. Depending on where the chimpanzees nested the night before, it may take anything from ten minutes to over an hour to reach them – sometimes longer.

Silhouettes of chimpanzees appearing in the trees as troops forage and explore is mesmerising, but the pant hoots and calls between troops of up to 60 individuals is when the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. If playing Tarzan for the day appeals, then all day chimp trekking can be arranged…

Depending on what time you return, the afternoon can be spent relaxing at the lodge, or exploring the nearby crater lakes and villages. Overnight at your Lodge on Full Board.

Isunga Lodge for Budget | Turaco Tree Tops for Midrange | Ndali Lodge for Upmarket 

Day 4: Kibale – Queen Elizabeth National Park

Travel from Kibale to Queen Elizabeth National Park. A journey time of around 2-3hours.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is located in the western arm of the Great East African Rift Valley, and encompasses Lake Edward and Lake George. This is a park with an incredible variety of habitats, which in turn are home to an astonishing diversity of wildlife. From volcanic craters and grassy plains to stunning tropical forests, wetlands and rivers, there is something different to see at every turn. Overnight at your Lodge on Full Board

Twin Lakes Safari Lodge for Budget | Buffalo Safari Lodge for Midrange | Elephant Plains for Upmarket 

Day 5: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Chimp tracking in Kyambura Gorge

The steeply forested walls of Kyambura are home not only to chimpanzees but also to the red-tailed monkey, black and white colobus, giant forest hog and many bird species. A half day walk down to the Gorge is a rewarding experience, not only for seeing chimpanzees but also to explore the beautiful river valley.

Afternoon enjoy a boat cruise on Kazinga channel connecting Lakes Edward and George. Overnight at your Lodge on Full Board.

Twin Lakes Safari Lodge for Budget | Buffalo Safari Lodge for Midrange | Elephant Plains for Upmarket 

Day 6: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Morning Game Drive in QENP then Travel to Bwindi

Take a traditional game drive in the Q.E.N.P, passing through the Ishasha area looking out for the famous tree climbing lions and other game in this spectacular park. Continue on to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where you cross the equator, through scenic open savannah, dotted with giant Euphorbia trees and traditional villages.

Covered in thick tropical rainforest and often shrouded in mist, Bwindi provides a perfect habitat for mountain gorillas. Spread over a series of steep ridges and valleys it looks the part and having survived the last ice age is considered one of the most diverse forests in Africa. The birding here is big and colourful, the forest dark and inviting and the sense of adventure palpable.

Ride4 a woman for Budget | Buhoma Haven Lodge for Midrange | Mahogany Springs for Upmarket 

Day 7: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Set off early to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to track one of three habituated gorilla groups – Habinyanja, Rushegura or Mubare. On the trek, clients will be split into two groups of seven. One group will be escorted by Dr Mike Cranfield from Gorilla Doctors while the other group will be escorted by wildlife photographer, David Lloyd. You will also be escorted by a local guide and park rangers who will give a thorough briefing before you set foot into the park. Walking through the forests at first light is a thrilling experience and as the mists disappear to reveal prehistoric plants towering above, follow the trail of the gorillas hidden in the shadows. The mud, sweat (and sometimes tears) are worth it and coming face to face with the gorillas is like no other wildlife experience. Bring plenty of memory cards, lots of water and strong legs. Overnight at your Lodge on Full Board

Ride4 a woman for Budget | Buhoma Haven Lodge for Midrange | Mahogany Springs for Upmarket 

Day 8: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Entebbe

Travel from Bwindi to Entebbe

Fly back home

Accommodation

Entebbe — Papyrus Guesthouse for Budget | 2 Friends Beach Hotel for Midrange | Hotel Number 5 for Upmarket on Bed and Breakfast.

Kibale Forest – Isunga Lodge for Budget | Turaco Tree Tops for Midrange | Ndali Lodge for Upmarket on Full Board

Queen Elizabeth — Twin Lakes Safari Lodge for Budget | Buffalo Safari Lodge for Midrange | Elephant Plains for Upmarket — Full Board

Bwindi — Ride4 a woman for Budget | Buhoma Haven Lodge for Midrange | Mahogany Springs for Upmarket  — Full Board