This 5 days Bwindi gorillas and Kibale chimpanzee trekking safari from Kigali is a fascinating Ugandan safari that will give you an opportunity to visit two countries that is Uganda and Rwanda because it will start and end in Kigali. During the safari you will be able to explore the two primates destinations in Uganda that is Bwindi impenetrable national park where you will get an opportunity to spend time with the mountain gorillas in their natural environment and Kibale national park also known as the primate capital because its known for harboring 13 primate species including chimpanzees, red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, vervet monkeys among others and also offers chimpanzee trekking activity where you will be able to know more about their behaviors, habits, take photos among others during the one hour encounter with the chimpanzee family.
Highlights of the 5 days Bwindi and Kibale chimpanzee trekking safari from Kigali
Day 1: Pick up from Kigali international airport and transfer to Bwindi impenetrable national park
Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Day 3: Transfer from Bwindi impenetrable national park to Kibale national park
Day 4: Chimpanzee trekking and Bigodi swamp walk
Day 5: Departure to Kigali
Detailed itinerary
Day 1 of the 5 days Bwindi gorillas and Kibale chimpanzee trekking safari from Kigali
Pick up and transfer to Bwindi impenetrable national park, depending on your location on day 1 of the 5 days Bwindi gorillas and Kibale chimpanzee trekking safari from Kigali, our representative will pick you up from Kigali airport or your hotel, brief you about the safari and then start the journey to Bwindi impenetrable national park in south western part of Uganda. The journey takes about 3 to 5 hours drive passing via Katuna border in Kabale or Cyanika border in Kisoro district, you will have stunning views of the rolling hills in Rwanda, beautiful scenery, traditional homestead, Kigezi hills and en-route lunch on the way.
Cultural tour, upon arrival you will go for a cultural tour where you will visit the Batwa/ pygmies who used to live in Bwindi forest before it was gazetted into a national park. During the cultural tour you will be able to interact with the Batwa people, visit their homesteads, farmlands, enjoy their traditional entertainments, taste their local dishes, listen to their ancient stories among others. After the cultural tour you will drive to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Gorilla trekking, after an early breakfast on the second day of the 5 days Bwindi gorillas and Kibale chimpanzee trekking safari from Kigali, you will carry packed lunch and meet up with your driver guide to transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing about the rules and guidelines of gorilla trekking. After the briefing you will be allocated a park guide who is well conversant with trials in the forest and a habituated gorilla family to trek which is done according to age, physical fitness and personal preference because trekking in Bwindi forest is strenuous. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park starts at around 8:00am and takes about 30 minutes to 8 hours depending on where the gorillas are located. During trekking you will have views of other primate species like l’hoest monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, chimpanzees, forest bird species, view different plant species among others and once the mountain gorilla family is found you will be able to spend one hour with the gorillas in their natural habitat where you will be able to learn about their lifestyle, behaviors, watch them feeding, breastfeeding, playing, take photos and record the moments. After the face to face encounter with the mountain gorillas you will return to the park headquarters and meet up with your driver guide to transfer back to the lodge for an evening relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Transfer from Bwindi impenetrable national park to Kibale national park
After breakfast on day 3 of the 5 days Bwindi gorillas and Kibale chimpanzee trekking safari from Kigali, you will check out of the lodge and meet up with your driver guide to transfer to the kibale national park. on the way you will pass through Queen Elizabeth national park where you will have great views of animals like elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, warthogs among others, views of Rwenzori mountain ranges, crater lakes, cross the Equator at Kikolongo among others. You will have en-route lunch in Fort Portal town and then proceed to the park with views of tea plantations, upon arrival you will check into the lodge, have dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Chimpanzee trekking and Bigodi swamp walk
Chimpanzee trekking, after an early breakfast on day 4 of the 5 days Bwindi gorillas and Kibale chimpanzee trekking safari from Kigali, your driver guide will pick you up from the lodge to transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing about the rules and regulations of chimpanzee trekking. After the briefing you will be allocated a chimpanzee family to trek and a park guide who will lead into the jungle during trekking. Trekking of chimpanzees in Kibale national park starts at around 8:00am and takes about 30 minutes to 4 hours or even longer depending on where the chimpanzees are located because they are mobile and move from one place to another in search of food. During trekking you will be able to spot other primates like grey cheeked mangabey, black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, different plant and tree species, birds among others. Once the chimpanzees are found you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural environment which gives you an opportunity to watch them carry out their daily activities like feeding, playing, resting, hunting, breastfeeding, learn about their behaviors, habits, take photos and record the moments to show people back home. After the one hour with the chimpanzees, you will return to the park headquarters where you will meet up with your driver guide to transfer back to the lodge for lunch.
Bigodi swamp walk, after lunch you will go for Bigodi swamp walk where you will be able to view different bird species, primates like red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, view different plant and tree species, colorful butterflies, enjoy the cool breeze among others. After the swamp walk you will return back to the lodge for an evening relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Departure to Kigali
On day 5 of the 5 days Bwindi gorillas and Kibale chimpanzee trekking safari from Kigali, you will have a relaxed breakfast, check out of the lodge and meet up with your driver guide to transfer to Kigali passing via Katuna border in Kabale district. You will have en-route lunch on the way and upon arrival your driver guide will drop you off at Kigali international airport for your departure flight or drop off at any place of preference.
End of 5 days Bwindi gorillas and Kibale chimpanzee trekking safari from Kigali
Tour includes
- Gorilla trekking permit
- Chimpanzee trekking permit
- A professional English speaking driver guide
- Full board accommodation
- Pick up and drop off
- Vehicle and fuel
- Bottled water
Tour excludes
- Air flight tickets
- Visas
- Life insurance
- Optional activities not included on the itinerary
- Personal expenses like buying souvenirs, crafts, drinks, laundry services, hiring a porter, tips among others.
