Face-to-Face with Giants: 4 Days of Gorillas & Chimps in Uganda

Day 1:

Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Our Gorilla Tracking and Kibale Chimps trek safari commence post an early breakfast. Departing from Kampala, we embark on a westward journey to Bwindi, spanning approximately 9-10 hours. En route, we pause briefly at the Equator, providing a unique opportunity to straddle two hemispheres simultaneously and capture memorable photographs. The voyage continues through the region's lush, rolling hills. A lunch intermission is scheduled in Mbarara town before proceeding to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, with an anticipated late afternoon arrival.

Day 2

Gorilla trekking and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

You will enjoy an early morning breakfast before proceeding to the Park headquarters, where you will join other trekkers at 7:45 am for a briefing on the gorilla trekking guidelines. Your trek will take you through dense thickets and underbrush, guided by experienced trackers, and may last anywhere from 1 to 8 hours. The steep, forested terrain is intensely thick yet navigable due to a network of animal trails that provide tourist access. Once the gorillas are located, you will have one hour to spend with them before transferring to Lake Bunyonyi. The journey traverses a picturesque region often dubbed 'the Switzerland of Africa,' noted for its distinctive cool climate despite its proximity to the Equator. Lake Bunyonyi is renowned as one of the most exquisite locales in western Uganda. It is Africa's second deepest lake at 900 meters and is one of the rare places in the country considered safe for swimming, as it is free from bilharzia. Enjoy your dinner and stay overnight.

Day 3

Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park and Bigodi swamp walk

After breakfast, you will embark on a boat ride across the lake, touring various islands before proceeding to Kibale Forest National Park, where you will arrive in the afternoon. During the drive to Kibale National Park, you will enjoy a magnificent view of the legendary "Mountains of the Moon," which are prominently visible en route to Fort Portal. Lunch will be served in Fort Portal, followed by a visit to the Kibale National Park's unique Bigodi Swamp eco-tourism site. There, you will encounter rare flora and bird species such as the Great Blue Turaco, Little Bulbul, Rwenzori Turaco, and Narina Trogon, among others. Your dinner and overnight stay will be at Rweteera Safari Park.

Day 4

Chimpanzee tracking and travel to Kampala.

After breakfast, you will head to Kibale Forest to observe the primates. The activity starts at 8:00 am with a briefing on the rules for chimpanzee trekking, followed by the commencement of the search within the forest. This half-day exercise offers the opportunity to encounter other primates, including Grey-cheeked Mangabeys, Phoestes, Red-Colobus, and both Blue-tailed and Red-tailed monkeys as they swing through the dense forest canopy. Your guide will provide insightful briefings on the primates' lifestyles, as well as information about the flora and the various insects and butterflies inhabiting this forest, ensuring that your trek is both enjoyable and educational. Upon returning to the lodge for lunch, you will either depart for Kampala, arriving late in the afternoon, or be transferred to the airport or your hotel.