5 Days Uganda Primates Safari – Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park And Chimpanzee Trekking Tour in Kibale National Park

Days Uganda Primates Safari – Overview

This 5 Days Uganda Primates Safari is a Gorilla trekking and Chimpanzee tracking tour making up 4 nights and 5 days Uganda safari tour.

It gives you clear opportunities for trekking Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park. This park is the primate capital of the world as it has 13 primates which you can see on the same Uganda safari trip.

On this Uganda trip, you will explore the African savanna wild animals when you visit Queen Elizabeth National Park. It will also feature an African community tours which is a lifetime of true African adventure. And, it is best experienced as you walk along Lake Bunyonyi.

This walk will expose you to the untold stunning beauty of the Bunyonyi islands scenery perhaps the most brilliant views in the world! This is best observed during the thrilling boat cruise.

This 5 days Uganda tour starts and ends in Entebbe. It is a private tour and it can be tailored for you depending on budget, mid-range, or luxury accommodation options. Also, it can be well modified to suit your safari interests.

Feel free to come and venture into this enchanting Pearl of Africa just in 5 days!

5 Days Uganda Primates Safari – Safari Prime Activities

• Having a one-on-one encounter with gentle Mountain Gorillas
• Tracking the chimpanzees as well as other primate species in Kibale
• Expect to be amazed by the exciting wildlife in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
• Meeting the majestic tree-climbing lions of Ishasha
• Listening to the intriguing folklore stories about the existence of the Amabere caves
• Relaxing from the hectic gorilla adventure with a soothing boat cruise on Lake Bunyonyi
• Standing in 2 different hemispheres of the world at the same point as you visit the Equator!

5 Days Uganda Primates Safari – Featured Safari Parks/Destinations

• Day 1: Kibale National Park And the Amabere caves
• Day 2: Kibale National Park And Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Day 3 & 4: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
• Day 5: Uganda Equator Line crossing

5 Days Uganda Primates Safari – Highlights

• Day 1: Transfer to Kibale, visit the Amabeere Caves and the crater fields
• Day 2: Do Chimpanzee trekking in the morning and Bigodi Wetland walk in the afternoon
• Day 3: Transfer to Bwindi National Park with an en route game drive in Ishasha sector in Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Day 4: Do Mountain Gorilla trekking & transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for an evening boat cruise
• Day 5: Transfer back to Kampala with en-route stops along the way

5 Days Uganda Primates Safari – Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Transfer To Kibale, Visit The Amabeere Caves And The Crater Fields

After breakfast, begin the 300km (5-6 hour) journey to Kibale National Park, which will be filled with many captivating road sightings.

Expect numerous stops along the way, such as the one at Mityana local market. You will have the opportunity to take your taste buds on a culinary journey as you sample organic tropical fruits from Uganda. You will undoubtedly receive absolute sweetness.

Other surprises await you along the way, such as Uganda’s very own KFC version of chicken. Chicken is skewered and roasted here, and if you are not a picky eater, now is the time to try this local grilled delicacy.

Continue your journey until you reach Mpanga tea estates around mid-morning, where you will enjoy the cycling experience. This green tea plantation extends into the amazing landscapes, providing tourists with scenic views, making it ideal for mountain biking.

During your cycling adventure, you will come across many estate workers harvesting tea, and you will be able to participate in the exercise as well.

After you’ve had your fill of the experience, continue driving to Fort Portal town, where you’ll have lunch. Continue to the Crater Lake area, where you will be greeted by the locals upon your arrival.

These people will narrate the area’s deep history to you with great understanding.

You’ll also go to the Amabere ga Nyinamwiru caves. These breast-like structures are thought to have belonged to Nyinamwiru, the daughter of Bukuku, King of the Bachwezi. Bukuku had ascended to the throne by himself.

He forbade his daughter from breastfeeding her baby because he was afraid Ndahura the baby would usurp his throne. Because Nyinamwiru did not breastfeed, the milk continues to drop from the breasts.

Following this exploration, transfer and hike the Crater Lake field. You will be navigating the difficult slopes of Kyeganywa hill, which is surrounded by crater lakes and hollows.

All of these elements combine to create one of Uganda’s most spectacular scenic sites. On a clear day, views of the Rwenzori Mountains can be seen from the top of Kyeganywa hill.

You can then leave the hill and travel to Kibale National Park, which is 26 kilometers from Fort Portal town, for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

The highlight of the day: Enjoy the interesting traditional stories behind the existence of the Amabere caves.

Drive Distance and time: Approximately 300km or 6-7 hours

Activities And Services;

• Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
• Visit the Amabere ga Nyina mwiru caves in Fort Portal

Optional activities;

• Nocturnal walk in Kibale National Park enables you to encounter some of the nocturnal creatures such as Bush-babies, Nightjars, Tree hyrax, Civet & Mongoose
• Cycling in Mpanga tea estate

Day 2: Do Chimpanzee Trekking In The Morning And Bigodi Wetland Walk In The Afternoon

This day begins with a fantastic breakfast designed to provide you with energy for your Chimpanzee trekking adventure. Following breakfast, drive to the Kanyanchu visitor’s center for a briefing on the entire Chimpanzee trekking experience.

The activity will then take you into the forest with an armed ranger in search of Chimpanzees. Meeting these apes will be the highlight of the day because they are so similar to humans.

Chimpanzees, like any other human, laugh, hug, and kiss, and they also care for their young. This is truly thrilling and incredible.

As you encounter the Chimpanzees, you will also see various primates in this amazing Kibale Forest, and these include;

• Black-and-White Colobus Monkeys
• L’Hoest’s Monkeys
• Grey Monkeys,
• Blue Monkeys etc.

When you meet the Chimpanzees, you spend an hour with them because it is pure enjoyment. After that, you can head back to the park’s headquarters and be rewarded with a Chimpanzee trekking permit.

From here, you can return to the lodge for lunch and some rest. Following that, you will be transferred to the Bigodi community for community tours. You will see how people go about their daily lives here, and you will be able to participate in some of the work activities.

You can participate in coffee processing, which begins with the planting of coffee trees, harvesting the red ripe coffee, sun drying them, and afterward pound them. Finally, you can make yourself a cup of coffee that is freshly brewed and grown by locals.

After this thrilling activity and connecting with the local people, transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park which is about a 157 km drive. You will arrive in the evening for dinner and an overnight stay.

The Highlight of the day: Chimpanzee trekking to meet the human’s close relatives with DNA similarity of 99.8%.

Drive distance and time: Approximately 157km or 2-3 hours

Activities And Services;

• Chimpanzee trekking
• Cultural experience as you visit the Bigodi wetland community
• Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Optional activities;

• Afternoon birding session in the park
• Nocturnal walk in the forest

Day 3: Transfer To Bwindi National Park With An En Route Game Drive In Ishasha Sector In Queen Elizabeth National Park

This day is scheduled for departing from Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. However, before setting off, enjoy a cup of coffee with a gorgeous breakfast.

You will drive for about 8-9 hours with views of the snow-capped peaks above sea level. This journey will take you through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth park and you will engage in a wonderful game drive in search of the tree-climbing trees.

These mysterious creatures have made this park a top destination for African safari adventurers who want to explore the unique Lions. These Lions rest as they lay their bodies between tree branches especially during mid-morning.

After this thrilling game drive which usually lasts for about 2 hours, you can transfer to one of the best lodges in the sector for lunch. This will give you some rest and help you stretch for the coming journey.

You will afterward commence at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park arriving in the evening. Relax, have dinner, and overnight stay.

The highlight of the day: Sighting the rare tree-climbing Lions within the Ishasha sector as they are logging in tree branches.

Drive distance and time: Approximately 140-240km or 6-8 hours

Activities and Services;

• Transfer to Bwindi National Park
• Game drive in the Ishasha sector

Day 4: Do Mountain Gorilla Trekking & Transfer To Lake Bunyonyi For An Evening Boat Cruise

Have an early morning breakfast around 6:30 a.m., which includes a variety of bites ranging from delectable tropical organic fruits to freshly baked confectioneries.

This delicious breakfast is designed to give you the energy you need to go gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park. You can see the Mountain Gorilla families for an hour here.

Drive from the lodge with your packed lunch to the park’s center, where you are greeted warmly by the park’s warden. He will start by telling you about the history of gorilla conservation in the given sector and the park as a whole.

Still, in the park’s center, you can catch a glimpse of a cultural performance by the Batwa people, who will demonstrate their musical abilities. Following the curtain-raising show, you embark on your journey in search of the Gorilla family, accompanied by an armed ranger.

While trekking the apes, keep an eye out for the 350 bird species that call the park home, as well as other primate species. These include Black-and-White Colobus Monkeys, L’Hoest’s Monkeys, and various lizard species such as the 3 Horned Chameleon, among others.

If you find the giant apes, consider yourself lucky amongst those who have encountered the Mountain Gorillas in their natural habitat. Officials will give you 1 full hour to be with the apes and you get to watch them as they live their daily life.

Note:

On a lucky day, you may see young Gorillas trying to break the 7-meter distance rules and coming to you trying to persuade you to join their games.

You then drive to Lake Bunyonyi to unwind after the strenuous Gorilla trekking experience. The tropical gem of the Kigezi highland will captivate you with its fascinating tranquil waters and numerous islands scattered throughout the lake.

This is why it is known as the “Lake of a Thousand Islands.” While on this lake, take a relaxing boat ride through several islands, including Akampene Island.

This is known as Punishment Island, where young girls who became pregnant before marriage were abandoned to die. You will also visit the upside-down Island legendary known to have turned and drowned all its people.

Retreat from the boat cruise and then transfer to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

The highlight of the day: Gorilla trekking as you get to see the endangered Mountain Gorillas in their natural habitat and also a boat cruise on Lake Bunyonyi.

Drive distance and time: Approximately 55-85km or 1-3 hours

Activities and Services;

• Enjoy a relaxing boat cruise on Lake Bunyonyi
• Gorilla trekking

Optional Activities;

• Nature walks in Bwindi
• Batwa community walks
• Birding

Day 5: Transfer Back To Kampala With En-Route Stops Along The Way

Wake up at peace at 7 am to the sensational sweet melodies of the small birds as they sing in from their hearts in welcome of a new day. These birds bring out the real meaning of the lake’s name Bunyonyi meaning a lake of small birds.

These birds keep on singing uniformly. You can get yourself a cup of coffee and there is a big selection of bites you can choose from.

From this wonderful breakfast, you will then head back to Kampala (420km) or Entebbe (470km). During this journey back to Entebbe, you pass through the scenic hills of Mirama.

These will amaze you and marvel at how the locals manage to cultivate on these wild lands of steep slopes. As you embark on this journey, you see various local men pushing bicycles with their products going to the nearest markets.

You will continue with the journey en route for a lunch break at Igongo country hotel which is a few kilometers near Mbarara town. You can opt to have a local cuisine of the Ishabwe dish which is a delicacy in the western region.

Pro Tip:

After this splendid lunch, commence with the journey and explore the 1520AD solar eclipse monument situated in Biharwe village. If you choose to go up the hill where the monument is located, you will be able to see the Ankole plains.

This will make a beautiful backdrop for your photos. Your guide will walk you through the lengthy myth surrounding the solar eclipse during this brief trip. He goes on to tell you how it was able to significantly change the course of the 3 ancient kingdoms.

You will continue with the journey stopping at the equator which will give you the opportunity of standing on both halves of the earth at once. This is where the equator line divides the earth into 2 hemispheres.

Take enough photos to the remembrance of these stunning moments. You can also opt to do a water experiment and get to understand the differentiation between the northern and southern hemispheres.

This will help you know which hemisphere you live in anywhere in the world! After all this excitement, proceed with the Journey back to Entebbe International Airport.

This will mark the end of your safari as you await your departing flight back home.

Drive distance and time: Approximately 450km or 7-8 hours

Activities and Services;

• Transfer back to Kampala
• Traditional lunch buffet at Igongo Country Hotel

End of the 5 Days Uganda Primates Safari

Safari Inclusions

• Full-time English professional safari driver-guide
• 4×4 safari van/ 4×4 Safari land cruiser with pop-up roof for game viewing with functional A/C
• Full board accommodation
• Gorilla & chimpanzee trekking permit fees
• Boat cruise fees
• Wi-Fi Internet on board the safari vehicle
• Bottled water

Safari Exclusions

• International and domestic flight fees
• Visa fees
• Laundry services
• Items of personal nature
• Gratuities and tips
• Other beverages/ drinks
• Other extras not mentioned in the itinerary above