Gorilla Trekking Safari, Chimpanzee Trekking And Game Tour in Uganda| How To Plan Uganda Tour

By taking the gorilla trekking, chimpanzees trekking and game safari in Uganda, you get the best of the country. Doing gorilla trekking in Uganda gets you closer to the adorable mountain gorillas with a scaring outlook and with misconceptions surrounding them yet vulnerable. Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda gets you closer to the top most human cousins amongst the animals. For game drives in Uganda, it is an adventure beyond wildlife views.

As you plan the gorilla, chimpanzees trekking and game safari in Uganda donot forget the essentials of this tour. For gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking, having a permit is compulsory before confirming this adventure.

Following the right Uganda safari itinerary saves you from having to back track. By using the right tour company to plan this Uganda safari, you get to enjoy the entire experience without worrying about what may go wrong. At Arch Safaris And Tours, through our tours consultants we can assist with planning the gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking and game safari in Uganda. Book Now

Where to Go on the Gorilla trekking, chimpanzees Trekking and Game Tour in Uganda

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

For gorilla trekking in Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the ideal destination. The gorilla trekking permits for Bwindi are reserved according to the areas under which the park is divided into that is Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga.

It is best to spend the night before the gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi closer or within the area where the gorillas permit is booked. This is to avoid having to drive in the dark to catch up with briefing in another area. The topography of Bwindi forest has a number of obstacles that are hard to cross from the serious volcanic action that affected this area forming ridges, plateaus and others.

Note that Bwindi Impenetrable National Park so far has about 19 gorilla trekking families yet the maximum number of gorilla permits open to the public per family is 8 per day. On the way, you may get the chance to spot other primates including black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, red tailed monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey and others.

Kibale National Park

Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park is the best in Uganda with about 13 chimpanzee communities open to the public. You need to book a chimpanzee trekking permit for Kibale in advance because they sell out especially in the dry season which is June to October and December to February. This is regarded as the peak tourism season of Uganda too.

For chimpanzee trekking in Kibale forest, you can choose either the morning or afternoon session. You must attend briefing from the ranger guide at Kanyanchu or Sebitoli visitor centers.

During the search for the chimpanzees, you may get the chance to find other primates including black and white colobus, pottos, bush babies, olive baboons, grey cheeked mangabey, blue monkeys and others. looking out for several bird species where more than 325 bird species have been recorded as residents of Kibale National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park

When on a game drive on different tracks in Queen Elizabeth National Park in the floor of the rift valley, you may find leopards, elephants, bushbucks, elephants, buffaloes, warthogs, waterbucks, bushbucks and others. Some of the significant tracks in Queen Elizabeth National Park include the Kasenyi track where Uganda kobs are regular visitors and lions sneak to prey on them.

In Ishasha sector in the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to the tree climbing lions, topis and much more. The crater lakes area with about 25 craters is a mesmerizing drive where you get to see wet and dry craters some of the notables being Lake Nyamunuka with a putrid smell, the blue copper lake, the salt mining lake Katwe and other.

Taking the boat trip on Kazinga channel is the highlight of safari activities in Queen Elizabeth National Park. From the relaxing boat trip on the channel you may get the chance to view herds of elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, bushbucks, warthogs, hippos, crocodiles and many others.

7 Day Gorilla trekking, Chimpanzee trekking and Game safari in Uganda

Day 1 Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Start the drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwestern part of Uganda. The distance to cover from Kampala or Entebbe to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is about 530 Kilometers for drive time of about 8 to 9 hours. On the way, you may make a stop at the Equator to take photos standing on both sides of the equator.

Arrive Bwindi forest late evening and check into your lodge

Day 2 Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi

Start gorillas trekking early morning with briefing at the ranger station. Donot forget to carry your personal documents for verification. After briefing and allocating you a gorilla family, you together with other tourists, you are escorted into the forest to search for the mountain gorillas. Time of finding the mountain gorillas may be hard to determine but keep a positive mind and also look out for other forest dwellers as Bwindi forest is a rich wildlife destination.

Note that the trails of Bwindi forest are normally wet and soggy most of the day from the regular rains that fall and dense network of rivers that traverse the forest. The plateaus and ridges are draped by tangled vegetation that may obstruct the way.

When you finally find the mountain gorillas, only one hour is allowed with them but maximize every moment to your best interests. Take as many photos as you can to keep as memories of your experience with the mountain gorillas. Get back to your lodge to relax.

Day 3 Transfer To Queen Elizabeth National Park

Wake up for breakfast and head to Queen Elizabeth National Park by passing stunning features that were created out of volcanic activities that affected the Kigezi sub-area. The drive from Bwindi forest to Queen Elizabeth National Park is about 160 kilometers from Mweya and 64 kilometers via Ishasha area.

In case you pass the Ishasha sector, you may get the chance to spot the tree climbing lions watching from up in the figs. When you head to the Edward flats, you may get the chance of finding the shoebill stork, saddle billed stork and much more.

Get into the park and check in to your lodge

Day 4 Game Drive and launch trip in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Rise up early morning for breakfast and start the game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park. by using the track of network throughout the park you may find animals including herds of elephants, buffaloes, warthogs, leopards, topis, leopards, lions and others.

Enjoy the stunning view of several crater lakes that are dotted in different parts of Queen Elizabeth National Park. A game drive via the Kasenyi track may offer you an opportunity to find lions in action as they prey on Uganda kobs which are regular attendees of this grass plains.

Get onto the launch trip on Kazinga channel where a number of animals move to its banks to quench thirst and enjoy a bath. Crocodile, hippos, lions, herds of elephants, buffaloes, leopards, waterbucks, bushbucks, warthogs and others may be spotted during the boat trip. Get back to your lodge. A game drive via the Kasenyi track may offer you an opportunity to find lions in action as they prey on Uganda kobs which are regular attendees of this grass plains. A game drive via the Kasenyi track may offer you an opportunity to find lions in action as they prey on Uganda kobs which are regular attendees of this grass plains.

Day 5 Drive to Kibale National Park

Get up for breakfast and drive to Kibale National Park the chimpanzee and primate haven in Uganda. Over 13 primate species have been confirmed as residents of Kibale forest. Kibale National Park host a population of about 1500 chimpanzees as per the most recent census. Kibale forest being a dense forest is incredibly stunning and moist most of the time.

Arrive at Kibale forest and check in to your lodge.

Day 6 Chimpanzee Trekking In Kibale National Park

After breakfast, head to the ranger station for briefing where you may meet other tourists. The ranger guides explain in details about the rules of chimpanzee trekking. On the way, you may find other primates that enjoy the environment around Kibale forest.

look out for other forest in habitants that freely live in the forest including black and white colobus, olive baboons, grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys, pottos, L’hoest and others. More than 350 bird species have been recorded as residents of Kibale National Park.

You may hear the sounds of the chimpanzees before locating them but keep your voices low as you draw closer. Finally, when you find the chimpanzees only one hour is allowed with them. Take as many photos as you can to keep as memories for your time with these primates.

Get back to your lodge.

Day 7 Departure

After the gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking and game drive, drive back to the airport to catch up with your flight back home.

When is the best time to do gorilla trekking, chimpanzees trekking and game safari in Uganda

The dry season is the best time to do gorilla, chimpanzee and game safari in Uganda but the environment surrounding this favors better chances to explore the wilderness. Normally, the sun shines bright and so even the tracks or trails are drier and quicker to use.

The grasslands have grass that is lower than permitting better visibility of wild animals and other interesting features within the Uganda National Parks. Note that more tourists are expected to be on Uganda safari in the dry season. Even competition for the few available logistics is very high so you need to make all necessary reservations in advance. Booking the Uganda safari in advance is necessary.

The low season which is March to May and November is normally characterized by few tourists visiting. Chances of finding last minute Uganda safari gorilla permit bookings is more possible. Carry the right documents that necessitate you to reserve a gorilla or chimpanzee permit. The environment in the parks may get quite messy so you need a 4×4 wheel drive in good condition to get there. Ensure to pack the right gorilla and chimpanzee trekking gears in order to feel safe and better about your time in the jungle. Donot forget to do some exercise to keep your body fit for the gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Uganda.

For better preparations, you need to reserve the necessary gorilla or chimpanzee trekking permits in advance no matter the season.

What To Pack For Gorilla Trekking, Chimpanzee Trekking And Game Safaris In Uganda

Safari clothing in colors that are wilderness friendly like tan, khaki which donot attract stinging insects.

Safari waterproof boots especially if you are to explore the forested areas where there is s dense network of rivers.

Garden gloves to protect your palms from rough surfaces in the jungle

Warmers as it gets so cold in the morning and afternoon

Insect repellant to keep away stinging insects as the wilderness is infested with stinging insects.

A pair of stockings to tack in the clothes and prevent creepers from getting in.

Camera to keep memories of your Uganda safari.

Safari large brim foldable hat for protecting your head and hair from buzzing insects

Raincoat or poncho as it falls any time without warning

Treats to keep reenergizing because breakfast is taken too early to last the entire day.

Carry some light but decent attire in case it gets too hot during the game drive.

Donot forget snacks to munch on when you get hungry because breakfast is eaten too early to last the entire time of the safari activities.

Carry some hard cash that you can change into local currency to make on ground purchases. Credit cards are not a common means of payment used in Africa because of the lengthy process of collecting money from them.

Donot forget insect repellant to append keep away stinging insects that may fly towards you. Ensure not to wear colors like blue, black and white as they attract stinging insects like Tsetse flies.