8 Days Bwindi Impenetrable, Kibale & Jinja
Tour Details
For many tourists, gorilla tracking is the highlight of their trip and often a reason to travel to Uganda. In Uganda, you can visit the Gorillas at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest NP and Mgahinga Gorilla NP. Bwindi is Africa’s oldest rainforest and has beautiful ridges, steep valleys, and waterfalls. Be prepared for some steep hikes though. Buhoma is the most accessible track, whereas in Rushaga you can find the largest number of primates. Mgahinga is the path less traveled. Occasionally the gorillas cross to Rwanda but don’t worry as you will get a replacement ticket for Bwindi.
Home to one of Uganda’s most beautiful tropical forests, Kibale National Park is a haven for chimpanzees and other wildlife, which makes for a great safari tour. Witness firsthand the density and diversity of primates, including endangered species in their natural habitat. The northern section of the park experiences plenty of rainfall during the months of March to May and September to November, so be sure to take along a raincoat during those wet months. A simple bus ride from Kampala will get you to the park any day of the week.
Trip Highlights
- Gorilla Tracking
- Bwindi Impenetrable
- Kibale N.P
- Chimpanzee Tracking
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Entebbe International Airport
Arrival at Entebbe Airport where you will be welcomed by wild Expeditions Uganda representative and transferred to your accommodation. On this, you will have a city tour of the capital city Kampala but this is optional. Dinner and overnight at Acacia lodge.
Day 2: Kampala- Bwindi impenetrable forest
After breakfast, you will head for Bwindi Impenetrable forest found in the southern part of Uganda. The journey will take about 9 hours. You will have stopovers at the equator for photo taking and a coffee break and proceed to Mbarara town where you will have lunch. After lunch, you will proceed with your journey arriving late evening at your lodge. Gorilla safari lodge silver Back lodge or Nkuringo Gorilla Camp.
Day 3: Bwindi National Park
The highlight of your safari: a meeting with the gentle giants of Bwindi! Especially hikers will love the tracking in the beautiful ecosystem of the park. Expect to walk a long distance in steep and muddy conditions, sometimes with rain overhead, before you encounter any gorillas. But it will definitely be worthwhile as you observe them closely while they eat, play, and rest. A unique and unforgettable experience!
The mountain gorillas in Bwindi are part of a worldwide population of just 800 individuals. The gorillas we are allowed to track belong to one of nine habituated family groups. For up to five years each, these groups have undergone an extremely delicate process that allows a few privileged visitors to interact with them in the wild. Experienced guides will accompany you, many of who have been involved in the habituation process. Your group will be allowed a maximum of one hour with them – a look into one of these magnificent creatures’ eyes brings home the bond that exists between them and us. [Please note Gorilla Tracking Permits must be applied for in advance of travel as there are only a limited number of permits available per day. Children under the age of 15 are not permitted to take part in gorilla tracking.] Dinner and overnight at Mahogany springs or silver back lodge or gorilla safari lodge.
Day 4: Bwindi – Kibale Forest National Park
After a relaxed breakfast, we will depart Bwindi and head west to Fort Portal, with a (packed) lunch en route. But before that, you will pass via the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National park known as Ishasha in search of the tree-climbing lions and thereafter continue your journey fort portal. Fort Portal rests in the shadow of the fabled “Mountains of the Moon” and is famous for its many tea plantations. From this lovely town, we will continue to Kibale National Park while passing the region of the Crater Lakes. Here we will explore some small lakes, before heading to our accommodation for tonight. Dinner and overnight at the Kibale forest lodge.
Day 5: Chimpanzee Habituation
On this day you will have a full-day chimpanzee Habituation Experience (CHEX). Here you will work with a chimp community that is undergoing habituation. You will watch these chimpanzees leaving their overnight nests between 6:00-6:30 am before feeding, copulating, hunting, breastfeeding, resting, patrolling, and displaying until it is time to build new nests around 7 pm. You will be led by a forest ranger guide who will be interpreting and explaining the animal behavior. You will later return back to the lodge late in the evening. Dinner and overnight at primate lodge or Kibale forest lodge.
Day 6: Jinja
After breakfast, you will head to the Eastern part of Uganda known as Jinja. The journey will take about 9 hours with a stopover in Kampala for lunch there after proceeding to Jinja which is about 80km from Kampala. Dinner and overnight at 2 friends’ guest house.
Day 7: River Nile
Ready for a full day of adventure? Then start rafting at the source of the Nile. Enjoy the beautiful scenery and thundering rapids of the White Nile. Don’t forget to watch the incredible birdlife as you drift quietly between the rapids of the river. Dinner and overnight at 2friends guest House.
Day 8: Departure
Time to say goodbye to the Pearl of Africa! Enjoy the beauty of the Nile one more time before we transfer back to Entebbe. Drop off at the airport for your flight back.
Mugisha Henry
Hotel Information
- Clouds Lodge
- Buhoma Lodge
- Gorilla Forest Camp
- Ruhija Gorilla Lodge
The price includes
- Ground transportation in a safari customized 4WD Toyota Land Cruiser with gasoline/fuel, Mineral water in the vehicle, services of an English speaking Driver/guide, Accommodation as shown at the lodges mentioned in the itinerary; Meals as shown (B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner), all Park Entrance Fees, white water rafting, Tree climbing lions in Ishasha, Equator stop, Lunch on the way, Gorilla Tracking, Community walk, Crater drive, Chimpanzee Habituation, Rafting on the Nile, and transfer to the Airport.
The price excludes
- International Airfares; Excess baggage charges; Ugandan Entry Visa Fees; fees for International travel Vaccinations and Inoculations; Items of personal nature such us Room service, Beverages, Communications charges (telephone, fax, internet), Laundry, etc.; Postage fees, Porterage fees, Tips and Gratuities for your Driver/guide and Hotels staff, Shopping charges for Curios and Crafts, International Airport Departure Taxes, Optional activities unless specified as included, Any other services not expressly shown in the itinerary or indicated as included.
NB: Prices are current, net and subject to change. Availability of accommodations and activities is not guaranteed; reservations will be made after receiving confirmation of the final itinerary and the requested deposit. Should any of the included accommodations not be available, we reserve the right to substitute it with alternative suitable accommodation, which might affect the final quoted price. Gorilla and Chimp permits can only be secured after receiving the requested deposit. The estimated travelling hours are based on the actual hours of driving. Stops for lunch and photos are not included.