7 Day Fly in Uganda Gorilla Trek Wildlife Safari & Chimps  

This safari is favorite for many who have short time and want to trek Chimps and Gorillas plus game viewing in Queen Elizabeth Elizabeth National Park with the rare tree-climbing lions of Ishasha and Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest popularly known as the Impenetrable and Kibale National Park for Chimpanzee.

Short Itinerary

• Day 1: Flight from Entebbe to Kasese, transfer to Kibale National Park, afternoon primate walk in Bigodi
• Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park & Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
• Day 3: Uganda safari game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Day 4: Game drive safari, Kazinga boat wildlife safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Day 5: Game drives for Tree climbing lions in Ishasha Sector, Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
• Day 6: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
• Day 7: Transfer to Kihihi or Kisoro Airstrip for your flight back to Entebbe.

Day 1: Entebbe fly to Kibale National Park (Kasese Airstrip), Primates walk at Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary

In the morning, you will be transferred to Entebbe International Airport for your Uganda flight to Kibale Forest National Park via Kasese. On landing at Kasese you will be met by your safari guide for the transfer to Kibale  (about 1.5 hours drive).

Traveling on both asphalt and unpaved roads, you pass through traditional Ugandan villages where you see people at work tending their traditional crops of millet, sorghum, beans and maize. The lush rolling hills of this region provide good photo opportunities.

As you approach Fort Portal in the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains, you enter Uganda’s famous tea plantation region. A carpet of green spreads before you, as far as the eye can see, and seems an unusual contrast to the countryside through which you have just passed.

You arrive at Fort Portal, then, continue toward Kibale Forest, one of the great African rainforest research reserves. Years of study by scientists (who have cut a grid through the forest) have habituated many of its animals to human observers. This forest is famed for the variety of primates found here and it is a terrific area for birds. This rural Ugandan town (Fort Portal) is locally famous for its weaving and basketry, and we can spend some time briefly to examine some of this local art.

Fort Portal is a small and attractive city. The fort was built between 1891 and 1893 and named after Sir Gerald Portal, the British Consul General of Zanzibar who arrived in Uganda in 1892 to formalise the protectorate of Uganda. He died of malaria a few months after the fort was completed.

In the afternoon we visit a nearby forest swamp that is excellent for viewing primates and other forest animals. At the eastern edge of Kibale forest is Bigodi Wetland sanctuary which is maintained by the local community. You will expect birds like the great blue turaco, blue monkeys, baboons, otters, mongoose, bushbucks, bush pigs and among others.

• Accommodation options available (all on full board basis)
• Up-market: Kyaninga Lodge | Crater Safari Lodge Kibale | Ndali Lodge
• Moderate: Isunga Lodge | Kibale Forest Camp | Turaco Tree Tops Lodge

Day 2: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale National Park (or top-up $50 for the chimps habituation experience)

Assemble at Kanyankyu River camp at 08:00 hours to go for the most popular activity in this park which is chimpanzee tracking.

Chimpanzees are man’s closest cousins though they are one of the most threatened primate species. More primates like black and white colobus monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed monkeys, bush babies, pottos and many bird species like the yellow spotted nicator, rumped tinker bird, little greenbul, green breasted pitta, the crowned eagle, black bee-eater and mammals like elephants can be seen in this walk.

Kibale National park, which averages about 3,300 feet in elevation, is an extension of the great rainforests of central Africa. It is inhabited by three large communities of chimps, each numbering more than 100 individuals. Each community has a complicated social structure. The big adult males dominate the group and defend the community territory against incursions by male outsiders; the females usually wander in small family groups.

Typically, we locate the chimps by listening for their pant-hooting calls, then hustle to the area from which they are calling. We get to observe them as they feed in fruiting trees, lounge, and socialise with each other, or even, occasionally hunt.

• Accommodation options available (all on full board basis)
• Up-market: Kyaninga Lodge | Crater Safari Lodge Kibale | Ndali Lodge
• Moderate: Isunga Lodge | Kibale Forest Camp | Turaco Tree Tops Lodge

Day 3: Wildlife Safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park – looking for lion, elephant, buffalo, hippos, leopard, hyenas, etc

Our Uganda flying gorilla trek and wildlife safari continues with a drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Along the way, we enjoy game drives in this expansive savannah park. Queen Elizabeth National Park, which is dominated on its northern border by the snow-capped 16,000-foot Rwenzori Mountains – the famed “Mountains of the Moon”. This 767-square-mile conservation area is bordered on the northeast by Lake George and on the southwest by Lake Edward; its western border adjoins the Congo Parc Du Virunga. You will expect to see teeming herds of impala-like Uganda kob, as well as topi, elephant and lion, giant forest hog, Cape buffalo. There are also several soda lakes filling ancient volcanic calderas where flamingos reside seasonally.

In the afternoon enjoy a game drive in the northern part of the park, visiting the Baboon Cliff famous for its nice scenery, and good views of the shadows of the mountains of the moon – the Rwenzoris. The game seen will depend on the season; the Kasenyi plains are good for lions and the Mweya peninsula for a variety of animals.

• Up-market/Luxury: Elephant Plains Lodge | Katara Lodge | Buffalo Safari Lodge
• Mid-range or moderate facility: Ihamba Safari Lodge | Bush Lodge (rooms) | Enganzi Lodge | Twin Lakes Safari Lodge

Day 4: Safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park, more wildlife viewing experiences

We set out early in the morning for a game drive in the northern part of the park on the Kasenyi Track in search of lions, elephants, solitary buffaloes. This is the best time for opportunities of viewing the cats in action owing to the vast population of Uganda kobs. We have an excellent chance to view just about every animal here at very close range.

In the afternoon we will go for a launch trip along the Kazinga Channel. This gives you the opportunity to view wildlife up close: hippos huff and spray at a mere foot away from the boat, buffalo linger in the shallows. The shores of the channel are also home to an array of birds including pink-backed pelicans, pied and malachite kingfishers, saddle-billed stork, and many others.

• Up-market/Luxury: Elephant Plains Lodge | Katara Lodge | Buffalo Safari Lodge  
• Mid-range or moderate facility: Ihamba Safari Lodge | Bush Lodge (rooms) | Enganzi Lodge | Twin Lakes Safari Lodge

Day 5: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Tree climbing lions’ game drive in Ishasha for tree-climbing lions, elephants, etc

Mid-morning after breakfast we drive further south through stunning savannah grasslands as we head towards the breathtaking adventures of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

Either (roads permitting) we will pass the southern sector of the park – Ishasha, a remote and beautiful extension of Queen Elizabeth National Park that is host to a large variety and volume of wildlife. (It is a fabulous site to see the lions draped from the trees and nowhere in Africa do you stand a better chance of seeing this than in the large low limbed fig tree of Ishasha). Or take the alternative route through cultivated expanses.

• Accommodation options available (all on full board basis)
• Up-market: Mahogany Springs Lodge | Buhoma Lodge | Nkuringo Gorilla Camp | Chameleon Hill Lodge
• Moderate: Engagi Lodge | Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge | Lake Mulehe Lodge

Day 6: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After breakfast, proceed for the morning briefing before enjoying the highlight of the trip – gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Forest, which may last the entire day.

We trek through the rainforest and bamboo-covered slopes, accompanied by a guide and trackers, in search of a mountain gorilla family. The walking can sometimes be tough and long, but when you catch a glimpse of the magnificent silverback, any discomforts will be quickly forgotten. When sighted, visitors will be guided to within 6 meters from the gorillas, sit around them for a whole hour while gazing into their big round eyes.

Gorilla trekking is unpredictable. It’s difficult to foresee how many hours you will hike. The gorilla tracking excursion can take from 2 up to 8 hours. Expect to walk a long distance in steep and muddy conditions, sometimes with rain overhead, before you encounter any gorillas. A good physical condition is recommended. For conservation purposes, time spent with the gorillas is limited to one hour. A ranger will brief you on how to behave with the gorillas.

While most of today’s forests are no more than 12,000 years old, Bwindi’s vegetation has been weaving itself into tangles over at least 25,000 years, in the process accumulating a lengthy species list. This includes 310 species of butterfly, 51 reptiles, 200 trees, 88 moths and an exceptional 120 types of mammal including 10 primates. The latter includes chimpanzee, L’Hoest’s, red-tailed and blue monkey, black and white colobus, baboon, and Bwindi’s most famous resident, the mountain gorilla.

Bwindi is a prime destination for birdwatchers. Its 350 species include seven which are IUCN red data listed and 90% of all Albertine rift endemics, species which are difficult or impossible to see in any other part of East Africa.

• Accommodation options available (all on full board basis)
• Up-market: Mahogany Springs Lodge | Buhoma Lodge | Nkuringo Gorilla Camp | Chameleon Hill Lodge
• Moderate: Engagi Lodge | Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge | Lake Mulehe Lodge

Day 7: Flying Bwindi to Entebbe

Our representative will take care of your transfer to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrip. Today you will travel back to Entebbe International Airport.

Please let us know if you wish us to include one (or more) nights in Kampala /Entebbe or arrange your transport to and from Entebbe Airport with Gorillas and Wildlife Safaris.

45 min transfer to Kihihi/ Kisoro & 1h10 min flight

Included:   

• Domestic flights as mentioned in the itinerary (including taxes):
• Ground transport in a 4wd Toyota Land Cruiser with pop-up roof for excellent safari viewing for transfers and activities;
• Gorilla permits (each at US$700)
• Chimpanzee viewing permits
• Guided swamp walks at Bigodi
• Meals indicated on programme
• Services of an experienced tour guide cum driver
• Accommodation as per programme
• Park fees for the various parks
• Private/exclusive transportation using 4×4 safari vehicles
• Arrival airport transfers
• Entrance fees for tours mentioned in the programme
• Boat rides as on the program

Excludes:

• International air fares and entry visa to Uganda
• A porter during the gorilla tracking (someone who carries your daypack);
• Personal (medical/travel) insurance;
• Government tax or park fees increase;
• Tips and gratuities to rangers, driver/guide, porter, hotel staff, etc;
• All expenses of personal nature (e.g. drinks, laundry, optional activities, souvenirs etc.).