This 4-day safari combines the thrill of tracking mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with the adventure of chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park. Along the way, you’ll also explore Lake Bunyonyi, one of the most scenic lakes in Africa, and enjoy Uganda’s breathtaking landscapes, wildlife, and rich culture.
Itinerary
• Main Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
• Accommodation: Comfortable Lodge (Full board)
Your safari begins with an early morning pickup at 7:00 AM from Kampala or Entebbe. After a short briefing from your guide, you will embark on a scenic 9-hour drive to Bwindi in southwestern Uganda. The journey takes you through the rolling hills, local villages, and lush countryside of central and western Uganda.
Lunch will be served en route in Mbarara before continuing your journey. Arrive at your lodge in Bwindi in the evening, check in, and relax as you prepare for the gorilla adventure the next day.
• Main Destination: Lake Bunyonyi
• Accommodation: Bunyonyi Overland Resort (Full board)
After an early breakfast at 6:30 AM, you’ll head to the park headquarters for a pre-trek briefing. At 7:30 AM, begin your gorilla trekking adventure, accompanied by expert rangers. The trek can last anywhere from 1 to 8 hours, depending on the gorillas’ movements, as you hike through dense vegetation and steep forested landscapes.
Once you encounter a gorilla family, you will spend a magical one hour observing and photographing them in their natural habitat—an experience of a lifetime.
After the trek, transfer to Lake Bunyonyi, often called the “Switzerland of Africa” due to its cool climate and stunning scenery. The lake is Africa’s second deepest (900 meters) and one of the safest for swimming, as it is free from bilharzia. Enjoy the serene environment and breathtaking views as you unwind.
• Main Destination: Kibale National Park
• Accommodation: Mid-range Lodge (Full board)
After breakfast, begin your journey to Kibale Forest National Park, with a planned lunch stop near Fort Portal. The drive offers stunning views of tea plantations, volcanic landscapes, and the Rwenzori Mountains in the distance.
Upon arrival, check into your lodge and relax. Later in the afternoon, visit the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, located on the edge of Kibale Forest. Here, take a guided nature walk and enjoy sightings of diverse bird species, monkeys, and lush swamp vegetation.
• Main Destination: Entebbe (via Kampala)
• Accommodation: None (End of Tour)
After an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for a chimpanzee trekking briefing. Kibale Forest is home to more than 1,500 chimpanzees, with several habituated groups available for trekking.
Accompanied by experienced rangers, hike into the forest where you’ll track and observe these fascinating primates. Encounters with chimpanzees are energetic and lively, offering a sharp contrast to the gentle demeanor of gorillas. Along the way, you may also spot red colobus monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, vervet monkeys, and a variety of birdlife.
After the trek, return to your lodge briefly before starting your journey back to Kampala or Entebbe Airport for your departure flight.
