8 Days Gorilla & Chimp Trekking

ARRIVAL: ENTEBBE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Depending on where you will will be traveling from, our professional drivers and tour guide shall pick you up from Entebbe International Airport, the largest airport in Uganda. From there, we will drive you to your hotel for the night, ensuring a comfortable stay before the safari adventure begins the next day. Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

DAY 1: TRANSFER TO MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK

Upon arrival at the airport, you will be transferred to Murchison Falls National Park, renowned for its roaring rapids and vast plains, ideal for spotting lions, giraffes, hartebeests, buffalos, and elephants. The park also boasts abundant populations of hippos and Nile crocodiles. Bird enthusiasts will be delighted by the park’s 450 bird species, including the elusive shoebill stork, dwarf kingfisher, white-thighed hornbill, and the goliath heron. Along the way to the park, you’ll make a stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for rhino tracking, followed by a late lunch at Kabalega Dinners Restaurant. Upon reaching Murchison Falls National Park, you’ll visit the top of the falls to witness one of the world’s most powerful waterfalls before heading to your lodge.

Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge
Budget lodge located just outside Murchison Falls NP

DAY 2: MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK ACTIVITIES

After breakfast, you’ll set out on a game drive in the northern area of the park, where you’ll seek out some of the renowned “Big Five” (buffaloes, lions, elephants, and possibly leopards). Keep a keen eye for other wildlife species such as Rothschild giraffes, bushbucks, warthogs, waterbucks, and various antelopes. Later, return to your accommodation for a delightful lunch and a brief relaxation period.

In the afternoon, embark on a captivating three-hour boat trip to the base of the falls, considered a safari highlight. This cruise offers an up-close encounter with aquatic wildlife, including large hippo pods, crocodiles, and numerous aquatic birds along the north bank as you journey towards the majestic waterfalls. Be sure to have your camera ready, as there will be ample opportunities for breathtaking photos.
Following the boat cruise, enjoy a leisurely game drive back to the lodge.

Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge
Budget lodge located just outside Murchison Falls NP

DAY 3: MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK – KIBALE NATIONAL PARK

Following breakfast, you’ll commence your journey early towards Kibale Forest National Park. En route, you’ll traverse through scenic tea and banana plantations, providing insight into the local agriculture. A pause will be made at a tea plantation for a photo opportunity before proceeding to your lodge.

Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge
Mid-range guest house located just outside Kibale NP (Chimps)

DAY 4: KIBALE NATIONAL PARK TRANSFER TO QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK

Today presents the remarkable opportunity to track the renowned chimpanzees of Kibale National Park. Sharing 98% genetic similarity with humans, these primates stand as our closest relatives. While found in 21 African countries, Uganda boasts dense populations, making encounters more accessible. Approximately 5,000 chimpanzees roam the wild in Uganda today. Trekking unfolds along well-groomed trails, offering glimpses into their natural habitat. Kibale hosts a rich diversity of primates, surpassing other East African forests in species count. Besides chimpanzees, expect encounters with red Colobus monkeys, red-tailed guenons, white-nosed monkeys, gray-cheeked mangabeys, blue monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, and black and white colobus monkeys. Following this, transition to Queen Elizabeth National Park for a nocturnal game drive, possibly followed by an evening session if time permits.

Accommodation: Lake Munyanyange Caves Lodge
Mid-range lodge located just outside Queen Elizabeth NP

DAY 5: QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK ACTIVITIES

Today, you’ll journey to the renowned Queen Elizabeth National Park for a captivating morning game drive. Spanning 200 kilometers of meticulously maintained game viewing tracks, the park promises an unforgettable safari. Home to a thriving wildlife community, including approximately 5,000 hippos, 2,500 elephants, and over 10,000 buffaloes, Queen Elizabeth National Park showcases Africa’s majestic species. Encounter elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, and diverse antelope species amidst the grasslands. Predators such as lions, leopards, civets, genets, and serval cats prowl the plains, while black-and-white colobus monkeys frolic in the trees. Baboons, renowned for their spirited antics, are a common sight. Following the morning excursion, return to the lodge for a hearty lunch before embarking on a scenic boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel.

Accommodation: Lake Munyanyange Caves Lodge
Mid-range lodge located just outside Queen Elizabeth NP

DAY 6: QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK – BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NP

Start your day with an early breakfast before embarking on a quest to spot the famed tree-climbing lions. Following this exhilarating adventure, your journey continues to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Renowned as a vital habitat for mountain gorillas in Uganda, Bwindi harbors an estimated population of 400, constituting roughly half of the world’s total. The park boasts several habituated gorilla groups, offering unparalleled gorilla tracking opportunities. Upon arrival, settle into your accommodations and enjoy a leisurely afternoon, preparing for the thrilling trekking experience awaiting you the next day.

Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Lodge
Mid-range lodge located just outside Rushaga (Bwindi NP)

DAY 7: BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK – LAKE BUNYONYI

Following an early breakfast and a comprehensive briefing by a ranger guide, you’ll embark on your unforgettable adventure into the gorilla sanctuary. The rain forest’s beauty is simply breathtaking, boasting a dramatic, densely forested landscape intersected by a network of animal trails accessible to visitors. Trekking time and terrain are subject to the movements of these magnificent primates. Upon encountering a gorilla group, you’ll be granted an hour to observe them in their natural habitat. The exhilaration of spending time with these gentle yet endangered giants is an experience that will linger in your memory long after. Afterward, return to your lodge for some well-deserved rest and lunch. Later, you’ll journey to Lake Bunyonyi. Upon arrival, settle into your accommodations, unwind, and indulge in a delightful dinner before retiring for the night.

Accommodation: Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort
Mid-range lodge located just outside Rushaga (Bwindi NP)

DAY 8: BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK – LAKE BUNYONYI

Savor a leisurely breakfast at your lodge, soaking in the breathtaking vistas of the Bunyonyi hills. Then, commence your journey back to Entebbe Airport, with planned stopovers along the way. Enjoy lunch in Mbarara town before pausing at the Uganda equator in Kayabwe for photo opportunities and a chance to shop for souvenirs. Anticipate reaching the airport in the afternoon or evening. We look forward to welcoming you back—or any referrals—in the future and extend our gratitude for choosing Lulu Safaris Uganda.

END OF THE 8 DAYS GORILLA AND CHIMP TREKKING SAFARI

NB : An African wildlife safari is a thrilling chance to see wild animals going about their daily lives in their natural habitat, which is why they’re one of the most popular activities on the continent. East Africa (specifically Uganda and Rwanda) has a huge variety of national parks that offer adventurous opportunities to see wildlife up close. For Inquiries, reach out to us at [email protected]