Chimps & Gorillas of Uganda

Chimps & Gorillas of Uganda

335 Views
11 Days From

$7875

$6300

Chimps & Gorillas of Uganda

11 Days Starting and ending in Entebbe

Visiting: Uganda

Tour operator:

Exodus Adventure Travels

Tour code:

WQU

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

4 - 14

Physical rating:

Easy & Moderate

Age range:

16-99

Special diets catered:

Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements

Tour operated in:

English
From: $7875 $6300 Operator discount: -$1575 -20%

NB: Prices correct on 22-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

Uganda is renowned for its abundant wildlife. With landscapes ranging from savannah to lush forests, the animal count is high: more than 300 mammal species and more than 1,000 bird types. This trip is a true adventure into the heart of Africa. Kibale Forest is possibly the best place in the world to track chimpanzees while Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to hippos, elephants, buffalo, leopards and elusive tree-climbing lions, plus a huge variety of birds. Continuing on our journey, we reach Bwindi where we have the option of tracking the gentle giants of the forests, mountain gorillas.

Highlights

  • Track chimpanzees and other primates in Kibale Forest with an expert local guide

  • Search for the elusive tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park

  • Trek through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to spend an unforgettable hour with mountain gorillas

  • Game drive in Lake Mburo National Park, home to zebras, giraffes and impala

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Arrive Entebbe

Our adventure begins in Entebbe, a city on the north shore of Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa. Today is all about settling in after your journey, so head to the hotel and relax for the evening.  



Accommodation: 2 Friends Beach Hotel, Papyrus Guest House or Boma Hotel (or similar)

Day 2 : Drive To Kibale Forest

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, we have breakfast and your leader will run a welcome brief before we leave Entebbe. The drive time depends, in large part, on traffic in Kampala but should take approximately seven hours.



Upon arrival, we can relax at our lakeside lodge. Kibale Forest National Park is home to 13 primate species: there are nine diurnal primates, including vervet, red-tailed, L’Hoest’s, red colobus, black-and-white colobus and blue monkeys, plus grey-cheeked mangabey, olive baboons and, the most famous of all, chimpanzees. Although chimp sightings are not guaranteed, the odds of encountering them are very good.



Accommodation: Turaco Treetops (or similar)

Day 3 : Chimpanzee Tracking In Kibale; Visit Bigodi Wetlands

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we explore the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary in the Magombe wetland. The sanctuary is a major tourist attraction in the Kibale Forest area and is operated by the Kibale Association for Rural and Environmental Development (KAFRED), a local community-based organisation. We also go on a forest walk in search of primates. While trekking in the depths of the lush green forest, we are surrounded by bird song and can expect to see at least five or six types of primate, most probably grey-cheeked mangabeys, red-tailed monkeys and, of course, chimpanzees. The walking is fairly easy with well-maintained trails and reasonably flat terrain. The order in which we do these activities may vary.



Accommodation: Turaco Treetops (or similar)

Day 4 : Optional Second Chimpanzee Trek; To Queen Elizabeth National Park

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

There is the option of doing a second chimp trek this morning to increase the probability of seeing them (due to limited permit availability, we recommend you prebook the second chimp trek). In the afternoon, we drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP). The drive goes south along the eastern length of the Rwenzori Mountains, where we can see the glaciated peaks, weather permitting. We gently descend into the Great Rift Valley and QENP. The park resides in a fertile, equatorial area and has beautiful scenery. It is the most popular and accessible savannah reserve in Uganda, with a total area of 764sqmi (1,978sqkm). It is primarily associated with grassy savannah plains, but this impressive park also includes leafy rainforests, dense papyrus swamps and natural volcanic crater lakes. As a result, it has one of the highest biodiversity ratings of any game reserve in the world, including 95 recorded mammal species and more than 610 bird species.



Accommodation: Simba Safari Camp (or similar)

Day 5 : Game Drive In Queen Elizabeth National Park; Boat Safari On The Kazinga Channel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, we explore Queen Elizabeth National Park on a game drive in search of wildlife, including elephants, lions, buffalo, leopards, hyenas, jackals, topis, kobs and bush bucks. In the afternoon, we have a boat trip (about two hours) along the Kazinga Channel to view some of the largest concentration of hippos in the world (reported to be about 30,000) and other animals with excellent birding.



Accommodation: Simba Safari Camp (or similar)

Day 6 : Game Drive In The Ishasha Region Of Queen Elizabeth National Park; To Buhoma

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we drive through the park to the Ishasha region. We game drive in search of tree-climbing lions and other wildlife. This afternoon, we head to Bwindi Impenetrable National Forest, a World Heritage site, passing through the scenic area known as the Switzerland of East Africa. The driving today is about 5hr 30min (not including game drives).



Accommodation: Haven Lodge Buhoma (or similar)

Day 7 : Mountain Gorilla Tracking In Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

For many, observing a wild mountain gorilla is one of the most emotional wildlife experiences possible. Tracking these gentle giants can take anything from under an hour to more than six, depending on where the family is located. The number of permits allocated daily are limited so we recommend early booking. If the permits for gorilla families close to where we stay are unavailable, there are more permits for another area of the park, though this will mean a long drive to the trek start point. The trek itself can be along steep, slippery trails and through the bush so you should be in reasonable physical condition, but the rewards of spending an hour with our close cousins more than makes up for the effort of getting to them.



Accommodation: Haven Lodge Buhoma (or similar)

Day 8 : Optional Second Mountain Gorilla Trek

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is a free day and there is the option of getting a second gorilla permit for this day, though due to the limited number of permits, this should be obtained at time of booking. For those who choose not to go on a second gorilla trek, there are other walks you can do nearby or you can relax at our lodge, reminiscing about the previous day’s encounters. On some departures, due to the availability of permits, we may have to swap these two days over with the free day (and optional second gorilla trek) on Day 6 and the included gorilla trek on Day 7 or we may have to split the group to trek with gorillas across both days.



Accommodation: Haven Lodge Buhoma (or similar)

Day 9 : To Lake Mburo National Park

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Leaving the forests, we head towards Lake Mburo National Park. En route, we stop in Kabale near the Rwandan border for lunch. The drive should be about five hours (not including stops). Lake Mburo is the only place in southern Uganda where you can see zebras, giraffes and impala and is a great place to try to see leopards. It is also home to more than 300 bird species and offers the possibility of game walks and game drives.



Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock (or similar)

Day 10 : Game Drive; Optional Game Walk Or Boat Safari

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we go on a final game drive looking for plains wildlife. The park has a network of game tracks in the eastern part of the park passing a variety of landscapes: acacia woodland, wetlands, grassy hillsides, rocky outcrops and seasonally flooded valley floors. The early morning and late afternoon are the best times to roam the park in search of wildlife. There is also the option of tracking game on foot through the savannah and going on a boat excursion, particularly good for birdlife. You also have the option of going on an early morning game walk. Accompanied by a ranger guide, you walk to a salt lick where many animals are attracted to the salty rocks. At this time of day, you may encounter hyenas returning to their dens and hippos retreating to the lake. The lake itself is rich with a diversity of animals and plants, and these can be viewed clearly on a boat trip. These include crocodiles, hippos and birds, such as pelicans, black crakes, herons, cormorants and fish eagles, but you may also see the rare shoebill stork if you are lucky.



Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock (or similar)

Day 11 : Drive To Entebbe; Trip Ends

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Today is our final day and we return to Entebbe and the shores of Lake Victoria. The driving time will depend on the amount of traffic in Kampala, but we make regular stops to break up the journey. En route back to Entebbe, we visit Mabamba Swamp (Mabamba Bay Wetland System), which lies about 25mi (40km) from Entebbe. The swamp, said to support more than 190,000 birds, is the perfect spot in Uganda for watching the globally threatened shoebill stork and the papyrus yellow warbler.



We arrive into Entebbe in the early evening, if time permits, you guide will take you for dinner (own expense) before dropping you at the airport.

What's Included

  • All breakfasts, 10 lunches and nine dinners.

  • All accommodation

  • All transport and listed activities

  • Tour leader throughout

  • One chimp permit and one gorilla permit

What's Not Included

  • Travel insurance

  • Single accommodation (available on request)

  • Visas or vaccinations

  • Optional second chimp and optional second gorilla permit

Food

All breakfasts, 10 lunches and nine dinners included.



The service can be either à la carte or buffet, depending on the lodge. For early game drives, and to maximise the time spent in the parks, a packed breakfast or lunch may be provided in some instances. The food provided is a mix of good local and international food throughout.



It is possible to cater for vegetarians or those with special requirements; however, please make sure you advise your sales representative at time of booking.



Please note: The availability of certain specialised products for restricted diets (eg gluten-free or dairy-free) is minimal or non-existent in Uganda and we strongly recommend you bring these specialised dietary items from home.

Accommodation

The accommodation on this trip has been chosen to maximise your animal-watching opportunities and minimise travel time. Listed below are the properties we usually use.



Entebbe: 2 Friends Beach Hotel, Papyrus Guest House or Boma Hotel (night 1)







Our first night is spent at one of three hotels: 2 Friends Beach Hotel, Papyrus Guest House or Boma Hotel (above), depending on availability. All are within a 15 to 25-minute drive from the airport. The start hotel for your trip will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions or if you require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.



Near Kibale Forest National Park: Turaco Treetops (nights 2-3)







Within 12 acres (5ha) of rainforest bordering Kibale Forest National Park, this three-star hotel is the ideal base to explore the park and trek with chimpanzees. The lodge is powered by solar power, ensuring it operates in harmony with the surroundings. The hotel has a spacious pool, lounge and restaurant plus comfortable rooms with balconies.



Near Queen Elizabeth National Park: Simba Safari Camp (nights 4-5)







This two-star camp is on the edge of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The location is outstanding and there is a small pool that provides a perfect spot to chill in the afternoon heat. The rooms are simple but clean with private bathrooms and the hotel is renowned for having friendly staff.



Buhoma: Haven Lodge Buhoma (nights 6-8)







This community-owned lodge is perfectly located close to the meeting point for the gorilla treks. There are amazing rainforest views from the terraces, and the comfortable rooms are made with local materials to blend into the surroundings.



Near Lake Mburo National Park: Rwakobo Rock (nights 9-10)







This three-star lodge is just 0.6mi (1km) from the gate of Lake Mburo National Park and each cottage is set apart to offer privacy and uninterrupted views of the park. There is a water hole beneath the dining areas so you can watch the wildlife come to drink while you enjoy dinner.

Check out our Q&As

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

    Minimum 16 years old people can go on this tour

  • Are vaccinations required for this tour?

    Vaccination against Yellow Fever is necessary , and you must bring a valid certificate of vaccination. Recommended vaccinations are: Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Yellow Fever.

  • What is the maximum group size?

    14

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Exodus has been trading since 1974

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.

Reviews from travellers on this tour

Chimps and Gorillas Uganda

A wonderful trip which will remain with me forever.

Gorillas at close quarters

This was an excellent trip, in which siting gorillas is almost guaranteed. The chimps were great fun and boat trips with lots of game and birds to see at close quarters were excellent.

Uganda is a must see

Just returned from this trip which was truly amazing. Great Lakes Safaris provided Sam and Paul as our guides and both were wonderful. We saw two gorilla families that had 4 silver backs as well as young ones at around 3-4 months old. Our hike to track the gorillas was labeled as “medium” difficulty but due to some fortunate travel movements by the gorilla family we only tracked them for around just under an hour in Bwindi before finding them. The chimps were a great experience as well and the trek was an easy trek through the forest. Watching both the Chimps and Gorillas was an amazing experience. The other game drives in the savanna areas/parks brought us leopard, elephants, giraffe, hippo, water buck and so much more. The trip did involve a number of 5-6 hour days of driving through the south west of Uganda which provided a great opportunity to view the diverse country-side and meet the wonderfully friendly Ugandan people.

Rewarding Wildlife

Whilst the focus of this trip was chimps and gorillas, Uganda rewarded us with a wide variety of mammals and bird life and in contrasting landscapes; forests, savannahs and volcanic craters.

An total immersion into the culture and wildlife of Uganda - epic!!

We have been on several holidays with Exodus and this trip was up with the best! We were astounded by the amount of wildlife we saw on the 10 day trip. The gorillas were the obvious highlight for us but we didn't expect to get so close. There were two silverbacks, one blackback, four females and two babies, some of which came within touching distance of us. The trackers and trekkers couldn't do enough to make our encounter special and we felt privilidged to be in this beautiful and remote part of the country. No matter what your level of fitness, the guides made it possible for everyone to reach a family of gorillas and sightings were just about 100 % guaranteed. The chimps encounter was also amazing and again so close up. Aa well as these two days, the rest of the holiday did not disappoint as we embarked upon safaris in the Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kibale forest spotting hippos, buffalos,elephants, lions, giraffes and we were lucky enough to see two leopards and a tree climbing lion. We embarked on two cultural tours in the community and saw how the villages lived and worked and were overwhelmed by their friendliness towards us. The whole trip was an immersion into culture and wildlife and it was hard to believe what we saw and experienced in less than two weeks. Our guides, Robert and Sam were excellent and worked so hard on our behalf and everyone in the hotels were very accommodating, looking after our every need. There were some superb hotels on this trip and only one didn't come up to the mark. There were some long transfers during the holiday but the scenery and culture seen along the way helped pass the journey and Robert and Sam were great at stopping frequently for breaks and leg stretching!! If you want to experience the culture and wildlife of this vast and beautiful country, don't hesitate to book. You will not be disappointed!!

Primates in Uganda

This was a road trip around Uganda with an intention of seeing as many varieties of Monkey as possible. On the way we saw a great deal more, strange birds, odd looking antelopes and a few things that remain to be identified. This was a brilliant and unusual trip with a high activity content and some of the walks will stay with me for a long time.

Chimps and Gorillas of Uganda

Had a fabulous time on this trip. Chimps and gorillas were the highlight for me, but the boat trip on the lake was amazing as well as we saw many hippos, elephants, water buffalo etc along with a variety of bird life.

Amazing experience

I really enjoyed seeing the chimps and gorillas and was very pleased I had booked the additional treks. There is a lot of driving, but I enjoyed seeing the countryside and the trip leaders were good at fitting in stops and short walks to stretch our legs. The trip is quite primate-focussed, so don’t come expecting to see lots of big cats (although we did see six lions). The birds are wonderful. I also loved the boat trips, as you get to see the wildlife from a different angle.

Don’t leave it to chance

Amazing experience seeing gorillas and chimps but make sure any extra gorilla permits are booked when you book as you will be disappointed otherwise.

Chimps and Gorilas of Uganda Holiday

A busy trip to see unique animals and some interesting birds. Particularly good for primates. Quite a few early starts. Most accommodation in basic lodges. Food good. Local people friendly and willing to show us round. The holiday gave me an insight into how people live with basic amenities. Wonderful scenery, particularly towards the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The gorilla trek is tough and the advice to hire a porter to help you with the terrain is good to accept. I would definitely go on this holiday again.

Read all 29 reviews

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