5 Days Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari from Kigali
The 5 days Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari from Kigali will take you to Kibale forest national park also known as the primate capital where you will be able to spend time with the chimpanzees in their natural habitat and also engage in Bigodi swamp tour where you will be able to view different primates, bird species, mammals among others. The 5 days gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari will also take you to the misty forests of Bwindi impenetrable national park which is famously known for harboring the highest number of mountain gorillas which are found in four sectors namely Rushaga sector in the south, Buhoma sector in the north, Nkuringo sector in the south and Ruhija sector in the east. During the safari, you will get an opportunity to spend time with the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
Highlights of the 5 days Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari from Kigali
Day 1; Pick up from Kigali and transfer to Kibale forest national park
Day 2: Chimpanzee trekking and Bigodi swamp walk
Day 3: Transfer to Bwindi impenetrable national park
Day 4: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi national park
Day 5: Departure to Kigali
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Pick up from Kigali and transfer to Kibale forest national park
On the first day of the 5 days Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari from Kigali, our driver guide will pick you up from your location in Kigali, brief you about the safari and then start the journey to Kibale forest national park. The journey takes about 5 to 6 hours’ drive passing via Katuna border and on the way you will have a stopover for lunch where after you will proceed to Kibale forest national park and upon arrival you will check into the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Luxury accommodation: Primate Lodge, Chimpundu lodge
Midrange accommodation: Chimpanzee forest lodge, Turaco treetops
Budget accommodation: Isunga lodge, Kibale forest camp
Meal plan: Lunch and dinner
Day 2: Chimpanzee trekking and Bigodi swamp walk
After an early breakfast on the second day of the 5 days Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari from Kigali, your driver guide will pick you up from the lodge to transfer to Kanyachu visitors Centre for a chimpanzee trekking briefing. After the briefing, you will start trekking in the forest in search of the habituated chimpanzees with an experienced park guide which takes about 2 to 5 hours depending on where the chimpanzees are located because they like to move from one place to another in search of food. During trekking you will be able to view other primate species like the black and white colobus monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys, birds among others and once the chimpanzees are found, you will be able to spend one hour with them in their habitat which gives you a chance to learn more about their behaviors, habits, watch them feed, play, mate, hunt, fight, rest, take photos and record videos.
After the one hour with the chimpanzees, you will return to the lodge for lunch where after you will go for an interesting Bigodi swamp walk where you will be able to spot variety of bird species like the papyrus gonolek, great blue turaco, primates like vervet monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, blue monkeys, animals like sitatunga, bushbucks among others. After the swamp walk, you will drive back to the lodge for dinner and overnight as above.
Meal plan: Full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Day 3: Transfer to Bwindi impenetrable national park
After breakfast on the third day of the 5 days Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari from Kigali, you will check out of the lodge and meet up with our driver guide to start the journey to Bwindi impenetrable national park. On your way, you will have a stopover for lunch where after lunch you will proceed to Bwindi impenetrable national park with stunning views of the Kigezi highlands, terraced farmlands, beautiful scenery among others and upon arrival, you will continue to check into the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Luxury accommodation: Buhoma lodge, Four gorillas lodge, clouds mountain gorilla lodge
Super midrange accommodation: Mahogany lodge, Gorilla leisure lodge, Gorilla heights lodge
Midrange accommodation: Ichumbi lodge, Buhoma haven lodge, Gorilla mist camp
Budget accommodation: Buhoma community rest camp, Rushaga gorilla haven lodge, Ruhija community ret camp
Meal plan: Full boars (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
Day 4: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park
You will have an early breakfast on the fourth day of the 5 days Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari from Kigali, carry packed lunch and then meet up with your driver guide to transfer to the park headquarters for a gorilla trekking briefing. After the briefing, you will be divided into groups of 8 people where each group will be allocated a gorilla family to trek, park rangers and an experienced park guide. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park takes about 2 hours to 7 hours depending on their location because they like to move from one place to another in search of food. During trekking, you will be able to view other wildlife species and once the mountain gorillas are found, you will be able to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat which gives you an opportunity to learn more about their behaviors, habits, watch them carry out their daily activities, take photos and record videos.
After the one hour with the gorillas, you will return to the starting point where you will be given a certificate for participating in gorilla trekking and later go for an optional cultural tour where you will interact with the local people in the neighboring communities. After the cultural tour, you will drive back to the lodge for dinner and overnight as above.
Meal plain: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Departure to Kigali
After a relaxed breakfast on the last day of the 5 days Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari from Kigali, you will check out of the lodge and meet up with your driver guide to start the journey back to Kigali with en-route lunch on the way. Upon arrival in Kigali your driver guide will drop you off at Kigali international airport for your departure flight or drop off at your hotel in Kigali
End of 5 days Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari from Kigali
5 days Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari from Kigali includes
- ChimpaGorilla trekkingnzee trekking permit
- permit
- Bigodi swamp walk
- Experienced English speaking driver guide
- Full board accommodation
- All meals at the lodge (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Ground transport in a 4WD safari vehicle
- Vehicle and fuel
- Bottled drinking water
5 days Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari from Kigali excludes
- International air flight tickets
- Visas
- Optional activities and accommodation not included in the itinerary
- Personal expenses like such as laundry services, buying souvenirs, crafts, Alcoholic drinks, hiring a porter, tipping among others.