Uganda primate tours enable visitors to see primates like gorillas, Chimpanzees, and Golden Monkeys in their natural habitat.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Gorilla treks are conducted in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park situated in far southwestern Uganda.
From Entebbe International Airport, it’s approximately 8-9hrs drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park while it’s 10-11hrs to Mgahinga National park.
You can meet Chimpanzees in Kibale National Park, Kyambura Gorge of Queen Elizabeth National park, Toro-stemlike Game reserve, and Budongo Forest. Golden monkey trekking is done in Mgahinga National Park.
Proposed itinerary:
Day 1: Entebbe Airport – Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
On arrival at Entebbe Airport, you will be welcomed by our professional safari guide/ driver – transfer to Murchison Falls National Park. You will have dinner overnight at Budongo Eco-Lodge, Murchison River Lodge, or Red chili Rest Camp.
Day 2: Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest – Relax in the afternoon
Breakfast, Briefing, and moving into the jungles to look for chimpanzees. Chimpanzee trekkers will be guided by rangers throughout the experience. Meet Chimps, take photos/ films, and Return to your lodge for relaxation as you wait for dinner and overnight at your previous Lodge.
Day 3: Transfer to Kibale National Park
After breakfast, embark on the journey to the home of Chimpanzees in Kibale National Park. The journey is amazing as you will go through traditional homesteads, and view unique topography en route. Lunch will be en route and expect to reach the park in the evening for dinner and overnight at Primate Lodge Kibale, Kibale safari lodge, or Chimpanzee Guest House.
Day 4: Chimpanzee trekking – Transfer to Toro- Semulike Game reserve
After breakfast, drive to the park headquarters for briefing and then chimpanzee trekking. You will return to your Lodge for lunch and then drive to Toro- Semuliki Game reserve. You will have dinner and overnight there.
Day 5: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Boat cruise in the afternoon
You will leave Semliki Game reserve to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Ensure to be at the boat cruise at around 2 pm – expect to see a variety of water-loving mammals like crocodiles, Hippos, and Monitor lizards among others. Dinner and overnight at Mweya safari Lodge, Enganzi Lodge, or Twin Lake Lodge.
Day 6: Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge
After breakfast, move to Kyambura gorge to meet chimpanzees in their natural environment. Also expect to encounter other primates like colobus monkeys, Vervet monkeys, and so on. Explore the treasures in Kyambura gorge for a full day (Picnic lunch). Return to your Lodge in the late afternoon. You will dinner and overnight at your previous Lodge.
Day 7: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast, transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The journey will take you through the Ishaha sector where you can see the tree-climbing lions – proceed to the park for dinner and overnight at Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Gorilla Mist Camp, Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge, or Mahogany Spring Lodge.
Day 8: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast, briefing and then move to encounter a group of habituated Gorilla Family. The time taken while searching for the Gorillas is unpredictable but can take 3-6 hours or a full day depending on the season and the movement of Gorillas. Return to your Lodge for lunch, dinner, and overnight at your previous Lodge.
Day 9: Transfer to Mgahinga National Park- Golden Monkey trekking
After breakfast, drive to the home of Golden Monkeys. It’s approximately a 2-3 hrs drive from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to Mgahinga National Park. Arrive at the briefing point, and join other trekkers- guided by the rangers to meet golden monkeys in their natural habitat. The trek will take approximately 6 hrs- return for lunch and Gahinga Lodge as you wait for dinner and overnight.
Day 10: Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National Park
Meet the only Nyakagezi Gorilla family in Mgahinga National Park. It’s also known as the migrating group since it crosses to Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). According to Uganda wildlife Authority, the group is now stabilized to stay in Mgahinga National Park.
Note: In the past when the group migrates to another neighboring country, the trekkers used to trek in BINP instead. You will continue staying at Gahinga Lodge.
Day 11: Cross to Rwanda – Proceed to Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast, drive to Volcanoes National Park – en route visit the twin lakes: Burera and Buhondo. Dinner and overnight at Virunga Lodge, Sabyinyo Silver Back Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, or Muhabura Hotel.
Day 12: Golden Monkey trekking – Transfer to Lake Kivu
After breakfast, be briefed and then move trek Golden Monkeys in their natural habitat. Enjoy the view and Return to your Lodge lunch and drive to the Gisenyi sector for dinner and overnight at Paradise Malahide Hotel or Kivu Serena Hotel.
Day 13: Drive to Nyungwe National Park
After breakfast, drive to Nyungwe National Park. Relax in the afternoon as you wait for dinner and overnight at Emeraude Kivu Resort, Nyungwe Hill Top View Hotel, or Gisakura Guest House.
Day 14: Chimpanzee trekking – afternoon canopy walk
After breakfast, get a briefing and then move into the jungle to meet chimpanzees in their natural habitat. Return to your Lodge for lunch; relax as you prepare for a canopy walk to see a variety of birds. You will have dinner and overnight at your previous Lodge.
Day 15: Drive to Kigali Airport – Departure
After breakfast, drive to Kigali Airport for your departure flight.
End of the trip