10-Day Trip To Bwindi: The Ultimate Gorilla Habituation Experience
Highlights
Kampala, Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Locations Covered
Kampala, Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
nature, historical, Wildlife
Private Tour
10 Days
Medium
English
Description
Embark on a 10-day journey to Bwindi for the ultimate gorilla habituation experience. Highlights include up-close encounters with chimpanzees on Ngamba Island, thrilling chimp tracking in Kibale National Park, breathtaking crater lake views in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and the highlight of tracking gorillas in Bwindi's beautiful ecosystem. Immerse yourself in Uganda's rich flora and fauna while exploring historical sites on a city tour of Kampala.
Itinerary
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Day 1: Arrival
- You will be welcomed by a representative, who will transfer you to your hotel in Kampala. Depending on the time of arrival, you can visit the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre for an introduction to Uganda's extraordinary flora and fauna.
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Day 2: Ngamba Island
- Embark on a visit to Ngamba Island, the home of chimpanzees. Depart from Entebbe for a close encounter with these fascinating apes.
- After a pleasant boat ride, reach Ngamba Island and learn more about the chimps and their lifestyle at the visitors' centre. Observe and photograph them in their natural environment.
- Return to Entebbe in the afternoon.
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Day 3: Entebbe – Kibale National Park
- After breakfast, depart from Entebbe and head west to Fort Portal. Nestled in the shadow of the fabled Mountains of the Moon, this charming town is renowned for its tea plantations.
- Continue to Kibale National Park for a stay in the tropical forest.
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Day 4: Kibale National Park & Bigodi Swamp
- Embark on a sensational chimp tracking experience in Kibale Forest, known for its high concentration of primates in East Africa.
- Enjoy a guided nature walk in the rainforest, searching for wild chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, and more.
- After lunch, transfer to the Bigodi Swamp for a different nature walk, showcasing its rich diversity of birds and primates.
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Day 5: Kibale – Queen Elizabeth
- Visit the stunning crater lakes area in the morning, offering breathtaking views, before continuing to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The route to the park via Kasese offers beautiful scenery, with the Rwenzori Mountains on your right and a lush green valley on the left. A game drive en route to your accommodation allows wildlife sightings, including waterbucks, warthogs, and more.
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Day 6: Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Begin the day early as you head to the Uganda kobs' mating ground. Search for lions, elephants, buffaloes, and other wildlife in their natural habitat before returning for lunch.
- In the afternoon, embark on a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, where you will encounter elephants, buffaloes, and a multitude of hippos, making this cruise a definite safari highlight.
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Day 7: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Bwindi
- In the early morning, depart for an extraordinary experience in the Kyambura Wildlife Reserve.
- As you drive through the grassland, you will suddenly come across an amazing hundred-meter-deep gorge covered with tropical rainforest.
- Hike into the Kyambura River gorge in search of wild chimpanzees.
- Later, leave Queen Elizabeth National Park and journey towards Bwindi, passing through picturesque countryside dotted with traditional homesteads and farms.
- Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at Buhoma Community Banda's.
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Day 8: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- The highlight of your primate safari awaits—a meeting with the gentle giants of Bwindi. Hikers will relish tracking these magnificent creatures in the park's beautiful ecosystem. The hike can vary from two to eight hours, covering long distances in steep and muddy conditions, possibly with rain.
- However, the close observation of gorillas as they eat, play, and rest makes it an unquestionably worthwhile and unforgettable experience. Time spent with the gorillas is limited to one hour for conservation purposes, and your ranger guide will provide behaviour guidelines.
- Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at Buhoma Community Bandas.
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Day 9: Bwindi – Kampala
- Begin the long but rewarding journey back to Kampala.
- Pass through Mpambire village, renowned for its Royal Drums Makers, and stop at the Ugandan Equator for photo opportunities and souvenir shopping. With lunch on the way, you will reach Kampala by the end of the day.
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Day 10: Departure
- Bid farewell to the Pearl of Africa, enriched with lifelong memories. If time permits, explore Kampala on a city tour, visiting interesting and historical sites such as the Namugongo Martyrs Shrine, Uganda Museum, and the African Craft Village.
- Finally, you will be transferred to the airport for your home flight.
What's Included
What's Excluded
Meeting Point
Cancellation Policy
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For cancellations within 24 hours before the tour -
Refund of 50% of the tour price.