Uganda’s Gorillas & Chimps
Overview
To give an insight into the types of luxury travel experiences we create, please view the sample itinerary below. It can either be treated as a standalone program, incorporated into a longer itinerary, or modified to match your particular interests and budget. Alternatively, you may wish for us to start with a blank canvas, to handcraft a personalised itinerary based on what you want and nothing more. Prices will fluctuate based on the time of year, length of stay, accommodation choices, number of participants and inclusions.
We pride ourselves in our ability to plan and execute every trip to perfection.
Contact us to request the itinerary in PDF format.
Itinerary
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Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, meet your Travulous representative and transfer to your accommodation for check-in.
Spend the rest of your day at leisure enjoying some of Entebbe’s sites or relaxing at your accommodation.
Meals: All meals at own arrangement.
Overnight: Accommodation options
Optional Activities: Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, Lake Victoria sunset boat cruise, birdwatching in Mabamba papyrus swamp, Entebbe Botanical Gardens nature walk, visit to Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (UWEC).
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After breakfast, meet your Travulous guide and depart for Kibale National Park, one of Africa's greatest rainforest reserves, famous for its variety of primates and bird populations. Travel through a breath-taking landscape that forms the Albertine Western Rift Valley.
Kibale National Park contains one of the most varied tracts of tropical forest in Uganda. Forest cover, interspersed with patches of grassland and swamp, dominates the northern and central parts of the park on an elevated plateau.
Spend the remainder of the afternoon at leisure enjoying your accommodation’s facilities. Alternatively, enjoy a visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, keeping a lookout for primates, birds and butterflies.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Overnight: Accommodation options
Optional Activities: Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary walk.
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After an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for chimpanzee tracking.
Home to thirteen primate species, Kibale Forest contains one of Africa's largest concentrations of primates, including chimpanzees, colobus and vervet monkeys, and over 320 species of birds.
Kibale’s most popular activity is the Kanyanchu Primate Walk, where 13 species of primates can be found. Kanyanchu’s chimps have been tracked since 1993 and the chances of locating them are excellent. Guided walks start at 8am and 2pm and typically last an average of 3 hours. You will spend up to an hour with the chimpanzees.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Overnight: Accommodation options
Optional Activities: Chimpanzee tracking, Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary walk.
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Today you transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, one of UNESCO’s world heritage sites. The national park is also home to one of Uganda's oldest and most biologically diverse rainforests, protecting roughly half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas, including several habituated groups for tourists to visit. The park offers some of the finest montane forest birding in Africa.
Spend the rest of the day at leisure enjoying your accommodation's facilities or choose to go for an optional forest walk to see the spectacular falls, followed by dinner in the evening.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Overnight: Accommodation options
Optional Activities: Forest walk.
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After an early breakfast, depart for mountain gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
The activity starts with a briefing at 8am at the park headquarters. After the briefing you depart with the guide and rangers to find the mountain gorillas. The time spent tracking gorillas in Uganda depends and varies from half an hour to eight hours depending on the gorilla movements.
Although the hike can be physically demanding, the beauty of the forest and its inhabitants is a fascinating and very rewarding experience. Once the gorilla families have been found, your visit with these great apes lasts for one magical hour.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Overnight: Accommodation options
Optional Activities: Gorilla habituation, Forest walk, Village visit.
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After breakfast, transfer to Lake Mburo National Park. The park is home to a multitude of wildlife including zebra, impala, buffalo, leopard, hyena, jackal, hippos, crocodiles and a variety of birds, including papyrus gonoleks, warblers and the blue-headed coucal.
Check into your accommodation and enjoy a late afternoon game drive, returning to your accommodation for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Overnight: Accommodation options
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After breakfast and an early morning game drive, transfer to Entebbe International Airport and your homebound flight.
Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner at own arrangement
Alternatively, consider extending this trip by adding one of our Extension Ideas (see below) to this program.
General Info
Highlights
GORILLA TRACKING
Embark on an unforgettable trek in Bwindi, and spend a magical hour with the mountain gorillas
KIBALE NATIONAL PARK
Go in search of Kibale National Park’s 13 primate species, including its elusive chimpanzees
CONSERVATION VISIT
See and learn about the critically endangered Pangolin at the Pangolin Rescue Center
LAKE MBURO
Go in search of Lake Mburo’s leopard, zebra, impala, buffalo, hippos, crocodiles, hyena, jackal and birds
Accommodation Options
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Map
Extension Ideas
SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS
Visit world famous safari highlights including the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and the Gorillas
BEHIND THE SCENES
Gain unique insights into Wildlife Conservation, Educational Experiences and History & Traditions
BEACH DESTINATIONS
Round-off your safari in East Africa with a great choice of world-class Indian Ocean beach destinations
WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES
Visit a wildlife sanctuary and learn about the increadibe work they do to safeguard Africa’s wildlife
Climate
Uganda is tropically warm all year round, with temperature fluctuations mainly determined by altitude and the presence of lakes. Rain showers are commonplace, with the dry seasons being December to March and June to August. In the south, April is the rainiest month, and the rains can stretch into May.
Although the dry months are more popular for gorilla trekking and birding, you might see more during the wetter months as this is the peak breeding season for wildlife.
Visas
Most foreign nationals require a visa for entry to Uganda. Please check with your local Ugandan Embassy or our travel team for further information. Tourist visas can no longer be obtained, on arrival, at any port of entry.
The Ugandan government has introduced an online ‘e-visa’ application system for obtaining tourist visas in advance of travel. Travellers should carry a printed copy of their visa to present to immigration officials.
Language & Currency
English and Kiswahili are the official languages of Uganda. There are over 40 languages spoken throughout Uganda, with Luganda being the most geographically spread language.
The local currency is the Ugandan shilling. US dollars are widely accepted; local currency is best for tipping and small purchases. Larger hotels in tourist areas may accept credit cards; however, surcharges are commonplace. Access to cash machines is available in most towns, and exchanging currency can be done in banks and foreign exchange bureaus.
Health
At least 6-8 weeks before departure, please visit your local health care provider or travel clinic for any vaccination requirements and to discuss any other potential health risks, such as malaria (where applicable). All travellers should ensure they have a comprehensive travel insurance policy in place.
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