What To Do During One Week Gorilla Tracking Safari In Uganda

The one week of gorilla trekking and wildlife experience in Uganda is a moment to last a lifetime. Being close to the mountain gorillas, view herds of elephants, cape buffaloes, a launch cruise on mighty River Nile is absolutely unforgettable.

Uganda is a paradise of safari destination with a variety of options to quench your quest for adventures. During the 8 days gorilla trekking and wildlife adventures in Uganda, you get to meet different primate species with mountain gorillas on the forefront and more. For this Uganda safari, you visit destinations like Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Kibale National Park, Ngamba Chimpanzee sanctuary and Murchison Falls National Park.

Highlights

Day 1 Visit Ngamba Island Chimpanzee sanctuary

Day 2 Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Day 3 Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi

Day 4 Drive to Kibale National Park

Day 5 Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale national Park

Day 6 Drive To Murchison Falls National Park

Day 7 Game Drive And launch trip in Murchison falls National Park

Day 8 Departure

Details On One week Gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking and wildlife safari in Uganda

Day 1 Visit Ngamba Island

The driver guide will pick you from your overnight hotel and drive you to the pier. You will be briefed about Ngamba Island the home of the orphaned chimpanzees.

These chimpanzees are rescued from snares, traffickers, abandoned and cannot be re-admitted into communities in the wilderness. Participate in feeding them from the feeding plate form and enjoy the cool breeze of Lake Victoria.

Return to the land and visit Uganda Wildlife Education centre former Entebbe Zoo where several animals are kept in exhibits. The wildlife center is the summary of most animals that live in almost all the Uganda National Parks. Get back to the hotel and relax.

Accommodation:  Serena Hotel/Lake Victoria Hotel/ Hotel Triangle/ Holiday Express Hotel

Bed And Breakfast Basis

Day 2 Drive To Bwindi Forest National Park

Have breakfast and drive to Bwindi Forest National park the home of the great mountain gorillas. Enjoy a stopover at the Equator to take pictures while standing on both sides of the earth at the same time. Proceed passing through the green lush hills of Kigezi enjoying the cool air of the countryside.

Request for some stopovers at points you find desirable for a photoshoot and stunning views. Along the way to Bwindi forest are several stunning spots including rock outcrops, amazing valleys curved by rivers that flow at the bottom, crater lakes both wet and dry, the friendly local people and more.

This drive to Bwindi forest National Park may last about eight to 9 hours including the stopovers. Arrive in the evening and check into your lodge.

Accommodation Gorilla Forest Camp/ Engagi Lodge/ Bwindi Community Bandas

Day 3 Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest National park

Carrying your gorilla trekking gears, move to the ranger station for briefing after breakfast. You will join other trekkers and the ranger guides will take you through the dos and don’ts of gorilla tracking like speak at low tone while in the jungle so that you do not scare other interesting animals and birds.

Enjoy the company of other primates like vervet monkeys, black and white colobus, grey cheeked mangabey, blue monkeys, golden monkeys and so much more that the forest has to offer. As for birders, this is haven and a double opportunity of identifying unique birds including Albertine endemics.

Finally, as you draw closer to the mountain gorillas, you may hear them murmuring as if sharing ideas about your presence.When you get in front of them, stay at a distance of about 7 meters away so that you prevent spreading any infections from humans to the mountain gorillas or from the mountain gorillas to the humans.

Enjoy the gorilla family and its activities like feeding the infants, the playing juveniles, the silverback may also move out to try and display his control over the other members of the family. Take some photographs for memories and watch the mountain gorillas feed on the bamboo which is there delicacy. Return to the lodge and relax.

Day 4: Drive to Kibale National Park the home of Chimpanzees

Rise up early in the morning for breakfast and drive to Kibale National park. Apart from chimpanzees, this forested national park hosts a rich birdlife and plenty of primate species. Feel the cool breeze of the forest and relax at your lodge.

Kibale National Park is a pristine rain forest in western Uganda with astounding in habitants and the best gorilla safari destination of Uganda. Kibale forest hosts over 1500 chimpanzee and current about 12 chimpanzee trekking communities are fully habituated and open to the public. Chimpanzee habituation experience(CHEX) is available in Kibale National Park too.

At the moment 13 primate species have been recorded as residents of Kibale including black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, red tailed monkeys and more. More than 325 bird species are confirmed as Kibale forest residents.

Accommodation: Ndali lodge/ Primate lodge/ Kibale Forest Lodge/ Chimps Nest Camp

Day 5 Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park

After breakfast, carry your chimpanzee trekking gears and join other trekkers for briefing at the Kanyanchu ranger station. Begin searching for the chimpanzees however during the wet season they tend to feed from the tree branches while during dry season they spend most of there time on the ground.

A number of other enchanting primates like black and white colobus, colobus monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys, blue monkeys to mention but a few. Finally, when you get to meet them, watch them do there activities and take some photos for memories.

Return to the lodge and relax or you may take an optional walk to Bigodi Swamp. In this area several primates can evidently be seen like olive baboons, black and white colobus, red tailed monkeys, blue monkeys and you may spot the shoe bill they come into view sometimes. This swamp hosts lots of birds and colourful butterflies.

An optional visit to the communities around Kibale national Park can be arranged in case you are not so tired. A visit to the Bigodi Swamp community initiative gives you insight into the life of the residents who live on the periphery of this forest.

In case you wish to see more primates, a walk to the Bigodi swamp is an opportunity to view more, watch a variety of swamp birds and others. There are chances of participating in local beer tasting, weaving, pottery, craft making and more.

Return to the lodge and relax

Day 6 Drive To Murchison Falls National Park

Having enjoyed the primates, drive to Murchison Falls National Park. The drive may be long but very rewarding.

Murchison Falls National Park is the largest conservation area of Uganda covering an area of approximately 3893 square kilometers. The park is in an extensive protected area adjoining Karuma and Bugungu wildlife reserve but this covers over 5072 square kilometers.

River Nile specifically the Victoria Nile part which is the lifeblood of Murchison Falls bisects the park into two areas. Occasionally, different wild animals find comfort on the shores of River Nile to quench thirst, have a bath and more. An array of birds flock the River Nile banks daily to feed on the river supplies.

Murchison Falls are the highlight of stunning spots in Murchison Falls National Park and the park gets its name from these falls. The Murchison Falls are generated by river Nile staggering 80 kilometers over underlying rock and push through the narrow 6 meters wide gorge the furiously bust out to create a thundering sound. The water cascades down the 43 meters high cliff into the plunge pool on the floor of the rift valley.

Arrive late evening ready for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation Paara Safari Lodge/ Nile Safari lodge/ Red Chillis Lodge

Day 7 Game drive And Launch Cruise To Murchison Falls

As you get up early in the morning, head to the Northern part of Murchison Falls National Park especially the Buligi track which is mainly a grassland. Many ungulates especially Uganda Kobs are common visitors to this area. If you wish to try chances on finding lions in action, Buligi track is that perfect track choice.

The Paara area hosts the biggest number of Birds and animals. You may have the chance of seeing lions, hyenas, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, lingering around the park. The rich bird life is unbelievably amazing.

When you get back to the lodge enjoy lunch and get ready for a launch cruise to the Murchison Falls. The launch cruise is very amazing as you go passed schools of hippos, congregation of huge Nile crocodiles can be seen in the water or relaxed at the river banks with mouth wide open.

As you draw closer to the falls, you will feel a change in the boat turbulence as the water begins to vibrate causing a foamy appearance. As the falls come into view, you will see the Nile rush through a narrow canyon, bust out vigorously forming a cloudy appearance. A rainbow may form right before your eyes while at this point especially on a clear day. 

This view is absolutely mesmerizing.  Sail back to the lodge and relax.

An optional hike to the top of the falls on the way to or from viewing the Murchison Falls for those desiring to enjoy rigorous exercise can be arranged. You get to disembark off the boat from Fajao gorge then hike for about 40 minutes to 1 hour but must be in company of a Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger guide.

The hike to the top of the falls at Murchison Falls National park gives you chance to see the point where River Nile drama is generated but not for the faint hearted.

Alternatively, you can arrange a visit to the top of the falls where you drive to Murchison fall by taking the about 15 minutes’ drive from Masindi Paraa road. Hike to the Baker’s point to enjoy the stunning view on River Nile as it churns through the cayon. There is are secondary falls called Uhuru falls which comes into view.

Another alternative point to get to the top of the Murchison falls is by climbing via Baker’s point to the Devil’s Cauldron.

Day 8 Drive To Entebbe Airport

After breakfast, drive to Entebbe airport to catch up with your flight back home.  This one week and one day holiday is absolutely unforgettable.

Crown this Uganda safari by taking an visit to Ziwa Rhino sanctuary. On the way from Murchison Falls National Park an optional visit to the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary where rehabilitating these huge animals is happening. So far great success has been registered at the sanctuary with a number of calves born over the years.

How To get To The Uganda Safari Destinations

Road transport is the main means to get to the different Uganda safari destinations but not that majority are situated up country. Hiring a 4×4 wheel drive vehicle is more comfortable because the roads are bumpy and rough too. Knowing alternative routes leading to different Uganda safari destinations is an added advantage because they get messy too.

The time to take on the road to the Uganda safari destinations may be quite longer.

Air transport can also be used to get to the different Uganda safari destinations. There are daily domestic scheduled flights and charter flight arrangements can be made on request. Ensure to hire a transfer vehicle to your lodge because most airstrips upcountry are situated slightly far from the safari destinations.

What Is the Best Gorilla Trekking Time in Uganda

Gorilla trekking is done throughout the year but during the dry season, gorilla tracking is on high demand that is to say June-September, shoulder season is December – February. The demand for gorilla permits in this season is high with fewer chances of  finding availability at the last minute.

Low season October-November, March to May is fine for booking gorilla trekking safaris especially if you wish to have less disturbance from other tourists. There are more chances taking a solo gorilla trekking tour without paying extra to close off the gorilla family.

Packing list for Uganda safari including Gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking and Game Safari

To fully enjoy your gorilla tracking tour, you require to have packed the right gorilla tracking gears.

Tracking boots

Garden gloves

Water proof light bag

Camera

Energy bites

Hard cash

Long trousers and shirt

Insect repellent

Extra clothes

Rain coat

Safari Hat

Toiletries

Flip flops

Note that Gorilla tracking permit tops the list of what you need to arrange before starting the trek.