Uganda Gorilla Trekking & Chimps 6-Day Safari

Experience the very best of Uganda’s wildlife and primate adventures with our unforgettable 6-Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking, Wildlife & Chimps Safari. This remarkable itinerary has been carefully designed to combine game viewing, mountain gorilla trekking, and chimpanzee tracking in one seamless and thrilling journey. Traverse Uganda’s most iconic national parks including Lake Mburo, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Queen Elizabeth, and Kyambura Gorge as you search for Africa’s iconic BIG-5, track endangered mountain gorillas, and walk alongside habituated chimpanzees in their natural jungle habitat.

Your Uganda Gorilla Trekking & Chimps 6-Day Safari kicks off in Entebbe or Kampala and heads southwest to the savannah landscapes of Lake Mburo National Park, home to zebras, impalas, giraffes, elands, and countless bird species. From there, you’ll dive into the ancient rainforests of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for the unparalleled experience of gorilla trekking. After meeting these majestic primates, your adventure continues north into Queen Elizabeth National Park, famed for its rich biodiversity and the rare tree-climbing lions of the Ishasha Sector. You’ll top off your expedition with an up-close encounter with chimpanzees in the scenic Kyambura Gorge and a thrilling boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel.

This Uganda Gorilla Trekking & Chimps 6-Day Safari is a blend of game drives, guided nature walks, primate tracking, boat cruises, and cultural insights, making it ideal for travelers seeking a well-rounded and immersive wildlife safari in Uganda. Let Deks Safaris & Tours Ltd guide you through this life-changing adventure in Africa’s Pearl.

 

Detailed Uganda Gorilla Trekking & Chimps 6-Day Safari

Day 1: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park & Afternoon Wildlife Game Drive

Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park

Your 6-day Uganda Gorilla Trekking Wildlife & Chimps Safari begins with a warm welcome by your professional English-speaking guide from Deks Safaris & Tours Ltd in Kampala, Entebbe, or directly at Entebbe International Airport. After a quick safari briefing and luggage check, you’ll hit the road, heading southwest through Uganda’s rolling countryside to Lake Mburo National Park. This scenic 4-5 hour drive will offer picturesque views of traditional homesteads, long-horned Ankole cattle, and lush acacia-dotted savannahs.

Lake Mburo National Park, although one of Uganda’s smaller protected areas, is a hidden gem that boasts an impressive variety of wildlife including zebras, impalas, buffaloes, elands, giraffes, and leopards. As you approach the park, you’ll make a stop at the equator crossing in Kayabwe for a brief photo opportunity and educational demonstration.

Upon arrival at the park gate, you’ll enjoy your first afternoon game drive en route to your lodge. This is your chance to stretch your legs, spot some wildlife, and begin your photographic journey. Depending on time, optional activities such as a guided nature walk or a boat ride on Lake Mburo may be arranged. You’ll check into your selected safari lodge where you’ll be treated to a delicious dinner as the sun sets over the park’s savannah plains.

Overnight: Mihingo Lodge / Rwakobo Rock / Arcadia Mburo Lodge
Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner

Day 2: Morning Game Drive in Lake Mburo & Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Rise early for a morning game drive through Lake Mburo National Park, a golden time for wildlife sightings as animals are most active during these cooler hours. Drive along game tracks that wind through open plains, rocky outcrops, and acacia woodlands while keeping an eye out for warthogs, jackals, bushbucks, and the elusive leopard. This is also a bird lover’s paradise with over 350 recorded species including the rare African finfoot and papyrus yellow warbler.

After your game drive, return to the lodge for a hearty breakfast before departing for the next leg of your Uganda Gorilla Trekking & Chimps 6-Day Safari – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The journey to Bwindi takes approximately 6-7 hours, passing through scenic highlands, rural villages, and cultivated hillsides. You’ll stop en route for lunch in a local restaurant or lodge.

Arrive in Bwindi in the late afternoon and check into your lodge located near the gorilla trekking headquarters. The air is cool and fresh, the forest is misty and mysterious, and anticipation for tomorrow’s trek begins to build. Your Uganda Gorilla Trekking & Chimps 6-Day Safari guide will help you prepare for the following day’s gorilla trekking adventure, ensuring your permits are ready and briefing you on what to expect.

Overnight: Mahogany Springs Lodge / Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge / Rushaga Gorilla Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Today marks the highlight of your Uganda Gorilla Trekking & Chimps 6-Day Safari! After an early breakfast, head to the Uganda Wildlife Authority briefing point where you’ll receive a short orientation on gorilla trekking etiquette. Armed with your trekking gear, bottled water, and a packed lunch, you’ll set out into the dense, ancient rainforest led by experienced rangers and trackers.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, and the chance to spend an hour in their presence is a life-changing experience. Trekking durations can range from 2 to 7 hours depending on the location of the gorilla family you’re tracking. The terrain is steep and the vegetation thick, but the reward is immense. Once you locate the gorillas, you’ll observe their social behavior, listen to their vocalizations, and watch juveniles play under the watchful eye of a silverback.

Photography is permitted (without flash), and your Uganda Gorilla Trekking & Chimps 6-Day Safari guide will help you capture stunning shots while maintaining a safe and respectful distance. After this exhilarating experience, you’ll trek back to the starting point, receive your gorilla trekking certificate, and return to your lodge for a well-earned rest.

Optional cultural visits to the Batwa pygmy community can be arranged in the afternoon for those with energy left to spare.

Overnight: Mahogany Springs Lodge / Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge / Rushaga Gorilla Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park via Ishasha Tree-Climbing Lions

Queen Elizabeth National Park via Ishasha Tree-Climbing Lions

Following breakfast, check out and begin your scenic drive north to Queen Elizabeth National Park, passing through the remote and wildlife-rich Ishasha Sector. This region is famous for its population of tree-climbing lions, a rare behavior only observed in two places in Africa. Keep your camera ready as your Uganda Gorilla Trekking & Chimps 6-Day Safari guide scans the fig and acacia trees for lounging lions.

Aside from tree-climbing lions, Ishasha is also home to topi, hyenas, elephants, and large herds of buffalo. You’ll enjoy a game drive through this sector, with lunch either at a lodge or packed for a picnic in the bush. Proceed further into the northern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park and arrive at your lodge in time for sunset.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most visited park, known for its diverse ecosystems that include savannah, wetlands, and forests. It’s also a designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and home to over 95 mammal species and 600 bird species. Settle into your lodge and enjoy a leisurely evening surrounded by the sounds of the African wilderness.

Overnight: Mweya Safari Lodge / Elephant Plains Lodge / Enganzi Game Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kyambura Gorge & Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel

Chimpanzee Tracking in Kyambura Gorge

Fuel up with a hearty breakfast before heading out to the dramatic Kyambura Gorge, also known as the “Valley of Apes,” for an unforgettable chimpanzee tracking adventure. The gorge is a sunken tropical rainforest within Queen Elizabeth National Park and provides a lush, green corridor for a variety of primates including red-tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, and baboons.

Your chimpanzee tracking experience begins with a briefing from UWA rangers before entering the forested gorge. Chimps here are semi-habituated, making encounters more challenging but authentic. Once you locate a group, spend quality time observing their complex behaviors such as grooming, nesting, or foraging.

Return to the lodge for lunch and some downtime before heading out in the afternoon for a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel. This natural waterway links Lake Edward and Lake George and supports one of the largest concentrations of hippos in the world. During the cruise, expect to see crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, and hundreds of bird species, including the African fish eagle, kingfishers, and saddle-billed storks.

Overnight: Mweya Safari Lodge / Elephant Plains Lodge / Enganzi Game Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6: Morning Game Drive & Return to Kampala or Entebbe – End of Safari

End of Safari

On your final day, rise early for a rewarding game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park, giving you another opportunity to spot lions, hyenas, elephants, and various antelope species against the backdrop of the Rwenzori Mountains. Early mornings are prime time for predator activity and excellent photography lighting.

After the game drive, return to your lodge for breakfast, then begin the return journey to Kampala or Entebbe. This 6-7 hour drive allows time for reflections on your incredible journey through Uganda’s wildest and most beautiful landscapes. Lunch will be en route, and optional stops can be made for souvenirs or photo opportunities.

Upon arrival in Kampala or Entebbe, your Uganda Gorilla Trekking & Chimps 6-Day Safari guide will drop you off at your hotel or at the airport for your onward flight.

Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch

Uganda Gorilla Trekking & Chimps 6-Day Safari Inclusions and Exclusions

Safari Inclusions

  • Accommodation: 5 nights in handpicked lodges and camps, ranging from budget to luxury, depending on your choice of package.
  • Meals: Full board (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during the safari. Packed lunches on trekking days.
  • Guided Safari: Services of an experienced, professional safari guide throughout the tour.
  • Transportation: 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof for optimal game viewing, including fuel and park entrance fees.
  • Game Drives: Multiple game drives across various parks, including Lake Mburo, Queen Elizabeth, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
  • Boat Safari: Boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park to view aquatic wildlife.
  • Gorilla Trekking Permit: 1 gorilla trekking permit per person in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
  • Chimpanzee Tracking Permit: 1 chimpanzee tracking permit per person in Kyambura Gorge, Queen Elizabeth National Park.
  • Park Fees: All park entry fees, conservation fees, and government taxes are included.
  • Cultural Experiences: Optional cultural visits to Batwa or other local communities.
  • Fly-In Option: If selected, the flight between destinations will be included in the cost.
  • Drinks: Water and tea/coffee provided during the trip. Premium drinks are available at your accommodation.

Safari Exclusions

  • International Flights: Flights to and from Uganda are not included in the safari package.
  • Visa Fees: Visa costs for Uganda (if applicable) are not included.
  • Meals and Drinks Outside the Itinerary: Any meals or beverages not mentioned in the itinerary are excluded.
  • Personal Expenses: Souvenirs, laundry, and tips are not included in the price.
  • Travel Insurance: We strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance to cover your trip.
  • Optional Activities: Any optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary, such as nature walks, extra cultural tours, or spa treatments, are not included.
  • Laundry Services: Laundry services at lodges are not included in the safari

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