6 Day Budget Gorilla Trekking Safari

Having a Gorilla trekking experience in Africa varies according to your Budget. After paying for the compulsory Gorilla tracking permit. The safari includes chimpanzee trekking and a visit to Jinja the source of River Nile.You need to hire the rest of the components like accommodation, Safari vehicle, driver guide and others.

Day 1 Drive To Bwindi National Park

After taking your breakfast, your driver guide will get you from your overnight hotel and drive to western Uganda going passed undulating hills of Kigezi. The area has numerous rivers and valleys with a beautiful view of nature. You may by pass several primates like the Olive baboons that want to give you some entertainment. Carry on arriving late in the evening to check in.

Accommodation Gorilla Safari Camp/ Silver Back Lodge/ Trekkers Tarven/ Bwindi Community Camp

 Day 2 Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest

Carrying your packed lunch head to the ranger station for briefing. You will be advised on how to behave while in the forest. You may get to see other primates like the black and white colobus, grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys, olive baboons, rich avian life. You may also bypass a network of rivers as this is the area’s water catchment area. Follow the trails which were created by regular trekkers and finally when you get to meet the mountain gorillas, you will here them murmuring at each other as if to alert then of your presence. Spend your one hour watching the gorilla family and taking photos for remembrance. Return to the lodge and relax.

Day 3 Drive To Kibale National Park

 Get up early in the morning and your driver guide will transfer you to Kibale National Park. This is home to the chimpanzees and several other primates like the red tailed monkeys. This tropical forest also hosts several birds, butterflies and so many interesting features. On a clear day you may even have the chance of seeing the snowcapped Rwenzori ranges. Arrive in the evening ready for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Ndali Lodge/ Primates Lodge/ Kibale Forest Lodge/ Chimps Nets Lodge

Day 4: Chimpanzee Trekking

Rise up early in the morning for breakfast and head to the Kanyanchu ranger station for briefing. You will begiven updates in the forest and the best way to encounter the chimpanzees. Remember they are the closest human cousins in the animal kingdom so be very cooperative. You have the chance of meeting other common primates like olive baboons, vervet monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, black and white colobus to mention but a few. You may get to meet the chimpanzees on the ground especially during the dry season and up in the tree branches during the wet seasons. Finally when you finally get to meet the chimpanzees, stay with them for just one hour and take there photographs. Walk back to the lodge to relax.

Day 5: Drive to Kampala or Jinja.

 Get up early in the morning for a drive to Jinja. Having seen the mountain gorillas and the chimpanzee, head to the source of the Nile. Check into your lodge

Day 6 Visit source of the Nile

After breakfast, you will head to the source of the Nile. You will sail to the point where the Lake Victoria clearly separates from River Nile. The drama surrounding this point is very interesting. Enjoy the rest of the trip. Visit the bungee jumping point or the Jinja Sailing club to do some water activities like Kayaking. Drive back to Kampala to catch up with your late night flight.

Points To note On This Safari

Buy a gorilla tracking permit as early as you can to avoid late date panic

Spend the night before the start of the Safari in Uganda so that you start the drive to Bwindi Forest Early in the morning to take your time as you drive through the bumpy road of the countryside.

Book your home bound flights late in the night in case you are to do activities in Jinja.

The Packing list For The Budget Gorilla Tracking Safari

Tracking boots,

Camera

Some Hard cash

Water proof light backpack

Energy bites

Poncho or Rain coat

Hat

Garden gloves

Long trouser

Pair of stockings

Long sleeved shirt

Sun screen