Uganda Gorilla & Chimp Safari
SMALL GROUP TOURS
11 day tour from £4,850pp
Why we love this tour
This is a great value 11-day tour that gets you up close and personal with the gorillas in their natural habitat in Bwindi national park, plus the opportunity to track chimps through the jungle, spot another 13 species of primate including the Ugandan red colobus. Throw in some game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park and this is a perfect trip for wildlife lovers.
The accommodation is generally upmarket most of the way, and road travel means this is a lot more affordable than the fly-in tours, and you get to see more of the country this way!
Tour Highlights
- Search for mountain Gorillas in Bwindi
- Track chimpanzees in Kibale
- Spot tree-climbing lions in the Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Enjoy a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel
- Enhanced experience in mid-range to luxury hotels and lodges
Days 1-3 | Kibale
On arrival at Entebbe Airport you'll be transferred to Kampala to your hotel overlooking Lake Victoria to rest up after your international flights. You'll head west towards Fort Portal, looking out for black and white colobus monkeys on the way as many of these primates are hiding in trees along the road, and then continue to Kibale National Park for a stay within the tropical forest. Here, the forest opens its doors for sensational chimp tracking as Kibale Forest is reputable for having the greatest variety and highest concentration of primates in East Africa. Afterwards you'll head into Bigodi for a complete different walk - a guided Swamp Walk through the Wetland Sanctuary, which is famous for the many birds and primates that live in this area.
Days 4-6 | Queen Elizabeth National Park
Next you'll visit the majestic Rwenzori Mountains in their full glory on a guided walk in the foothills of the 'Mountains of the Moon'. As well as enjoying the scenic views, you will get a glimpse into local village life and meet some of the locals and visit a waterfall. Continuing onwards, you'll transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park, for a game drives in search of lions, elephants, buffalos and other game, as well as a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel. Thanks to the abundant birdlife as well as the herds of elephants, buffaloes and hundreds of hippos that are cooling off at the shores, this cruise will be one of the highlights of the tour. With a drive in the Ishasha sector you might also be lucky enough to spot the famous tree-climbing lions.
Days 7-8 | Bwindi
The moment you've been waiting for - Bwindi National Park, the home of the endangered mountain gorillas! You'll experience what some people define a life changing event: a meeting with the gentle giants of Bwindi. Expect to walk a long distance in steep and muddy conditions, sometimes with rain overhead, before you encounter any gorillas, but it will definitely be worthwhile as you observe them closely while they eat, play and rest, a unique and unforgettable experience! Our groups have been rewarded with the thrill of very close encounters.
Days 9-11 | Lake Mburo
You leave the forest of Bwindi behind and head to Lake Mburo National Park, the smallest game park in Uganda. Although small, Mburo is home to 68 different species of mammal including leopard, hyena and buffalo, and is one of the only places in Uganda where you will find zebra. After the sun has set you'll head out for a very special game drive in search of leopard. Although rare, Lake Mburo National Park is the best place in Uganda to see the leopard, especially during night game drives. Wildlife sightings can't be guaranteed, on average 7 out of every 10 groups are lucky enough see them. Here you will experience a safari on foot due to the absence of lion and elephant, and you'll take a boat trip on Lake Mburo in search of more birds, hippo, crocodile and buffalo. With spectacular panoramic views over the plains, it's the ideal spot in which to enjoy your last two nights of the tour.
- Starts: Entebbe
- Ends: Entebbe
- Dates: This tour operates once a month except Dec and Apr-Jun
- Group size: Min 2, Max 12
- Accommodation Type: mid-luxury hotels and lodges
- Age restrictions: 16+
Includes
- 10 nights accommodation
- All road transfers
- 10 breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 9 Dinners
- Activities as stated, National Park fees, 1 x gorilla permit and 1 x chimp permit
- Services of a highly experienced guide
- Take Me To Africa goody bag
Excludes
- International flights & Visas
- Meals / activities not stated
- Travel insurance
- Pre or post tour accommodation
- Gratuities and spending money
- Items of a personal nature
Key Facts
Tour Dates
Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|
22/07/2023 | 01/08/2023 |
12/08/2023 | 22/08/2023 |
23/09/2023 | 03/10/2023 |
14/10/2023 | 24/10/2023 |
18/11/2023 | 28/11/2023 |
06/01/2024 | 16/01/2024 |
27/01/2024 | 06/02/2024 |
03/02/2024 | 13/02/2024 |