The gorilla trekking experience from Queen Elizabeth National Park is a combo of game safari and primate experience that is to see mountain gorillas, chimpanzees and more. It takes 6 days to do a gorilla trekking in Uganda from Queen Elizabeth National Park. It is one way to break the usually long drive from Entebbe or Kampala to Bwindi which is about 8 hours to 9 hours excluding breaks.
From Queen Elizabeth National Park the route to Bwindi impenetrable National Park via Ishasha sector in the southern part of the park is about 64 kilometers. From Mweya the main headquarters of Queen Elizabeth National Park the distance to cover to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is about 160 kilometers.
Note that it is hard to connect from Queen Elizabeth National Park for gorilla trekking on the same day because of the nature of the roads you have to take that get messy sometimes. Gorilla trekking starts early morning with briefing which is compulsory for every tourist booked for the day missing may end in a penalty. Enquire Now
The topography of western Uganda where both Queen Elizabeth National Park and Bwindi are located is generally ragged with several highlands that sometimes make it challenging to navigate the area. Having a 4×4 wheel drive vehicle, a professional and experienced driver guide is recommended.
Highlight of Gorilla trekking in Uganda From Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 1 Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 2 Game Drive and launch trip in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 3 Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge
Day 4 Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 5 Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi impenetrable National Park
Day 6 Departure
Detailed Itinerary of 6 day Uganda gorilla trekking From Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 1 Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Get up early for breakfast and drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park in western Uganda. Queen Elizabeth National Park is a biosphere reserve siting on the rift valley floor. More than 96 mammal species, over 612 bird species, varied vegetation zones and much more is recorded as part of the park.
Two routes get to Queen Elizabeth National Park that can form a circuit if well planned that is the northern route via Fort Portal and the southern route via Mbarara. Along the way to Queen Elizabeth National Park you can make an optional stop at the Equator, Lake Mburo National Park, Mpambire drum village and more.
Register at the gate as you get into Queen Elizabeth National park and enjoy a game drive as you drive in the park to your lodge in case its within the park.
Accommodation Queen Elizabeth National Park: Mweya safari Lodge, Jacana Lodge, Katara Lodge, Simba safari Lodge. Bush lodge
Meals Plan: full Board
Distance: via Fort Portal 410 kilometers, Via Mbarara 420 kilometers
Temperature: mean minimum 18 degrees centigrade to maximum 28 degrees centigrade
Day 2 Game Drive And Launch Trip In Queen Elizabeth National Park
Rise up early morning for breakfast and head for a game drive in Queen Elizabeth National park. The drive via the open Kasenyi grassland area may provide chances for you to see lions in action as several ungulates spend much of the day in this spot.
The plain north of Kazinga channel too is a prime gaming area where you have the opportunity to find herds of elephants, cape buffaloes and more. A network of tracks driving through the mosaic of grassland thickets in Queen Elizabeth National park opens more chances to finding a verity of wild animals.
Queen Elizabeth National park is home to lions, leopards, mongoose, herds of elephants, water bucks, bushbucks, giant forest hogs, warthogs, topis, hyenas, Uganda Kobs and more.
A variety of bird species flock Queen Elizabeth National park daily including African skimmers, shoebill stork, Egyptian geese, martial eagles, pink-backed pelicans, papyrus gonolek and more.
Enjoy a relaxing launch trip along the Kazinga channel which is a 40 kilometer ride. Watch out for several wild animals that visit the channel marshy areas feeding on the freebies. Hippos and crocodiles are common residents of the channel but can be spotted while on the launch. Get back to the lodge.
Day 3 Chimpanzee Trekking In Kyambura Gorge
Report to the ranger station in Kyambura gorge for briefing before chimpanzee trekking. The Kyambura gorge is a forested part of Queen Elizabeth National Park at a depth of 100 meters resulting from the erosion of River Kyambura as it paved its way towards Kazinga channel.
The network of trails in Kyambura gorge area used to trace the chimpanzees in company of an armed ranger guide. Along the way, you may spot other primates including black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, olive baboons and more. Several forest birds linger the forest daily so keen birders can make use of this double opportunity.
When you locate the chimpanzees in Kyambura gorge, enjoy their presence, take photos to preserve as memories of your encounter with these vulnerable primates in their natural habitat. Only one hour of chimpanzee trekking is allowed in Kyambura gorge to give chance for the chimpanzees to go on with their life. Return to your lodge
Day 4 Transfer To Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast, transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park the home of the famous mountain gorillas. The drive in Kigezi subarea is dotted with amazing natural sceneries worth stopping to take photos or film. Different astounding land forms make up the terrain of Kigezi subregion.
As you get closer to Bwindi forest, you notice a drop in altitude, enjoy the stunning and layered forest canopy that seem to be endless.
Check into your room
Accommodation Bwindi : Bwindi View Bandas, Gorilla safari Lodge, Engage Lodge, Clouds, Lodge, Trekker’s Tarven, Chameleon Lodge
Altitude Bwindi: 1160 meters to 2570 meters above sea level
Average temperature: 7 degrees centigrade to 20 degrees centigrade
Average annual rain:2390 meters above sea level especially March, April, May, September to November
Day 5 Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi impenetrable National Park
Take breakfast and move to the ranger station with your gorilla trekking gears without forgetting packed lunch. Hire a porter to assist carry your belongings and lift off your shoulder their burden so that you can move freely in the jungle.
After allocating you a gorilla family follow the ranger guide together with other trekkers to start searching for these primates.
Along the way, you may come across other forest inhabitants like blue monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys and more. Watch out for the several birds that move throughout the forest searching for a meal to take them through the day.
Note that the trails in Bwindi forest are dense most of the day from the regular rain that falls yet less sunlight sips through to the ground. At times rivers and streams flood the soil too leaving it soggy and slippery especially the slopes.
As you draw closer to the mountain gorillas, the ranger guide re-echoes to you about how to behave when around the gorillas. Advises tourists to wear a clean mask to prevent chances of sharing any communicable infection with these vulnerable primates.
Use the one hour of gorilla trekking to the best of your interest and take enough photos or videos to get back to late. For gorilla trekking, one hour is the maximum time allowed with the fully habituated mountain gorillas so that you can allow them go on with their lives.
Day 6 Departure
Rise up early to start on your journey to the airport.
Requirements For 6 Day Gorilla Trekking Safari From Queen Elizabeth National Park
- A gorilla permit for Bwindi however take note of the area where it is booked as the National Park is divided into four areas that is Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija and Nkuringo.
- Park entrance fees into Queen Elizabeth National Park as this is compulsory payment for every tourist before entering this park.
- Chimpanzee trekking permit for Kyambura gorge as these have limited supply. You can choose to do the morning or afternoon session.
- Gorilla trekking gears to wear when searching to find the mountain gorillas in the jungle. safari hat, long sleeved shirt and trousers, insect repellant and more.
- Keep some level of fitness as gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking are in a sloppy location which requires hiking to get to them.
- Be in good health before the gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking experience on this Uganda safari as these primates are highly vulnerable to human communicable infections like flu, cough and more.
- Make advance arrangements for safari logistics including accommodation, transport and others to avoid getting last minute disappointments.
How Long Is Gorilla Trekking In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Time to take on gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi is hard to estimate however some tourists have reported seeing the mountain gorilla in 30 minutes after start off while others spend more. Tourists are requested to maintain some level of patience and to focus on other forest dweller like black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey and more.
Watch out for the different birds that linger throughout the forest, the sparkling falls, amazing features and so much more. During the breaks in the forest you can choose to take some refreshments as breakfast is taken too early to last the entire time in the jungle.
Upon finding the mountain gorillas, the ranger guide re-affirms details on how to behave when around them. Only one hour is allowed with eth mountain gorillas when you find them. These primates need to go on with their daily activities as human presence interrupts their life.
Is Gorilla Trekking In Bwindi Easy Or Hard
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi is quite strenuous and fun too. The terrain of Kigezi sub region which Bwindi forest is part was affected by volcanic forces that ended in the formation of several features as these influence activities in this area.
Sometimes the mountain gorillas spend the day in the deep valleys or on the slopes so you have to follow them up which requires hiking. This is why you need to bear some level of fitness before travelling to do gorilla trekking in Uganda.
Even though Bwindi is a dense forest, there is network of trails that connect different parts of the forest whoever these a soggy and boggy most of the time necessitating wearing water proof boots that extend above the ankles.
At times the paths in Bwindi forest are obstructed by creepers which need to be trimmed and create way to move to where the mountain gorillas may be spending the day. The ranger guide with a machete use it to trim part of the tendrils.
How Safe Is Gorilla Trekking In Bwindi And Game Safari In Queen Elizabeth National Park
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi is safe and game safaris in Queen Elizabeth National park because on ground is a team of well trained ranger guides to lead the way. The Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger guides offer protection to wildlife in the park and visitors.
On ground are rules of gorilla trekking, game safaris and more and all these are aimed at protecting the lives of wild inhabitants and tourists too. Do not step out of your vehicle during game drives as you may be grabbed by hiding predators.
As a tourist, you must mind your safety while on gorilla trekking adventure in Bwindi and game safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Wear your gorilla trekking gears to protect your body from the rough surfaces in the jungle. Apply insect repellant, sun screen to protect your body from the ultra violet rays as Uganda is a tropical country.
Never move in the forest without an accompanying ranger guide from Uganda Wildlife Authority as these have a better understanding of the parks yet as a tourist, chances of getting lost are high. Try not to reach out for the infants of mountain gorillas or the animals in the jungle no matter how harmless they may look to be. This is because these are wild animals that can charge at you for the sake of their babies.