Duration – 4 days
This four-day adventure in Uganda takes you through the misty Bwindi National Park for the Gorilla Trekking.
Later, you will travel to Lake Bunyonyi to relax. It is said to be one of the most beautiful lakes in Uganda.
Finally, you will travel to Kibale National Park for an enthralling chimpanzee tracking experience.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Kampala to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Our guide will pick you up around 7:00 a.m. from Kampala (or Entebbe) and brief you about your tour. You will later be driven in a comfortable and secure touring vehicle to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the Southwest, which will take around 9 hours. Lunch will be provided en-route at Mbarara.
Day 2 – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorilla Trekking) to Lake Bunyonyi
You will have an early morning breakfast at 6:30 am, and with a packed lunch, you will move to the park headquarters to join other trackers in a briefing about the gorilla trekking rules at 7:30 am. You will trek through thick creepers and undergrowth with your guides to find the Gorillas, which can take 1-8 hours. The steeply forested landscape is incredibly dense but crisscrossed by numerous animal trails, allowing tourists to access it. You will watch the Gorillas for a while once they have been sited. After, you will transfer to Lake Bunyonyi.
The drive will be in the beautiful part of the country, often referred to as ‘the Switzerland of Africa’ because of its unique cool weather despite being near the Equator. This lake is said to be one of the most beautiful places in western Uganda. It is the second deepest lake in Africa (900 meters deep) and one of the few places in the country where it is considered safe to swim as it is bilharzia-free.
Day 3 – Lake Bunyonyi to Kibale National Park (Bigodi Swamp Walk)
After an early breakfast, you will be transferred to Kibale Forest National Park in the morning with the target of having lunch in the Fort Portal area near Kibale Forest National Park. You can have Punctuated stopovers in the far countryside that offer chances to view tea plantations along the drive through Fort Portal. Fort Portal is located in the shadow of the legendary Rwenzori Mountain, which forms a mystic backdrop to the beautiful volcanic landscape you are treated to on your drive from the town to the park.
Upon arrival, you will check in at your lodge for relaxation. Later in the day, you will be transferred to the Bigodi Wetlands, situated on the eastern edge of the forest. There, you will take a light walk to observe plenty of wildlife, including birds and many monkey species.
Day 4 – Kibale National Park (Chimp Tracking) to Kampala
After early breakfast, you will transfer to the park offices to meet the ranger guides for a pre-trek briefing, after which you will set off to trek into the forest to track a community of Chimpanzees.
Up to 3 large communities of Chimpanzees have been habituated for the tracking adventure. You will locate the chimps without so much strain since the territory of each chimp community is known beforehand by advanced trackers, and your guides will communicate it. While you trek through the forest, you will observe plenty of other wildlife. Other primates that you may spot include Red Colobus Monkeys, L’Hoest Monkeys, Grey-cheeked Mangabey, and Vervet Monkeys.
The bird lovers spot many forest specials from 335 bird species recorded in the forest. The trademark pant hoots and loud screams of the Chimps can be heard from a distance, and you will be guided to the community, where you will spend no more than an hour observing and following in the forest. The Chimps will be swinging through trees quickly, pant hooting, slapping the tree barks, and screaming to locate each other. It is an adrenaline-giving atmosphere and a memorable experience.
Drive Times
Day 1 – Kampala to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park takes about 8.5 to 10 hours (473 to 510 km)
Day 2 – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to Lake Bunyonyi takes about 1.5 to 3 hours (65 to 100 km)
Day 3 – Lake Bunyonyi to Kibale National Park takes about 5 to 5.5 hours (312 km)
Day 4 – Kibale National Park to Kampala takes about 5.5 to 6 hours (310 km)
Prices of the packages
Option E1:
- $1,903 per adult for a safari with a Safari Van in Uganda
- $1,951 per adult for a safari with a Mini Land Cruiser in Uganda
- $1,998 per adult for a safari with a Standard Land Cruiser in Uganda
- $2,094 per adult for safari with Extended Land Cruiser in Uganda
– Stay at Gorilla Closeup Lodge – Budget Crafted Room, Bwindi (Nkuringo) [Full Board]
– Stay at Itambira Island, Seeds of Hope – Roundhouse, Lake Bunyonyi [Full Board]
– Stay at Chimpanzee Forest Lodge – Main House, Kibale [Full Board]
Option E2:
- $2,049 per adult for a safari with a Safari Van in Uganda
- $2,097 per adult for a safari with a Mini Land Cruiser in Uganda.
- $2,144 per adult for a safari with a Standard Land Cruiser in Uganda
- $2,240 per adult for a safari with an Extended Land Cruiser in Uganda
– Stay at Agandi Lodge – Tree Nest, Bwindi (Ruhija) [Full Board]
– Stay at Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort – Floating Cottage, Lake Bunyonyi [Full Board]
– Stay at Kibale Forest Camp – Safari Tent, Kibale [Full Board]
Option E3:
- $2,107 per adult for a safari with a Safari Van in Uganda
- $2,155 per adult for a safari with a Mini Land Cruiser in Uganda
- $2,202 per adult for a safari with a Standard Land Cruiser in Uganda,
- $2,298 per adult for a safari with Extended Land Cruiser in Uganda
– Stay at Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge – Cottage, Bwindi (Rushaga) [Full Board]
– Stay at Arcadia Lodge, Lake Bunyonyi [Full Board]
– Stay at Isunga Safari Lodge, Kibale [Full Board]
Option E4:
- $2,271 per adult for a safari with a Safari Van in Uganda.
- $2,319 per adult for a safari with a Mini Land Cruiser in Uganda
- $2,366 per adult for a safari with a Standard Land Cruiser in Uganda
- $2,462 per adult for safari with Extended Land Cruiser in Uganda
– Stay at Engagi Lodge – Bandas, Bwindi (Buhoma) [Full Board]
– Stay at Birdnest Main Resort – Lake View, Lake Bunyonyi [Full Board]
– Stay at Crater Safari Lodge – Standard Cabanas, Kibale [Full Board]
Option E5:
- $4,079 per adult for a safari with a Safari Van in Uganda.
- $4,127 per adult for a safari with a Mini Land Cruiser in Uganda.
- $4,174 per adult for a safari with a Standard Land Cruiser in Uganda.
- $4,270 per adult for a safari with Extended Land Cruiser in Uganda
– Stay at Bwindi Lodge – Deluxe Banda, Bwindi (Buhoma) [Full Board]
– Stay at Arcadia Lodge, Lake Bunyonyi [Full Board]
– Stay at Kyaninga Lodge, Kibale [Full Board]
Inclusions
- All Taxes and VAT.
- A professional driver/guide.
- Gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi.
- Game drive as mentioned in the itinerary.
- Activities mentioned in the itinerary.
- 4×4 Land Cruiser or Safari Van.
- Drinking water while on safari (2 liters per person daily).
- Chimp tracking permit in Kibale.
- Park Fees (for Non-Residents).
- Meals as per itinerary.
Exclusions
- Personal Items (Souvenirs, Travel Insurance, Visa Fees, etc.).
- International flights.
- Any activities not mentioned in the itinerary.
- Tips (Tipping guidelines)
- The government increased taxes, gorilla trekking permits, chimp tracking permits, and park fees.
- Airport Transfers (Unless mentioned otherwise).
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour (Unless mentioned otherwise).
