Uganda Combined 7-Day Gorilla – Chimpanzee Habituation Experience – Wildlife Safari from Entebbe
Private-Mid-Range 7-Day Gorilla-Chimpanzee Habituation Experience-Wildlife Safari in Bwindi & Kibale Forest – Queen Elizabeth Park Starting in Entebbe
This is a Mid-Range 7-Day Gorilla-Chimpanzee Habituation Experience-Wildlife Safari that combines the one of a kind Primate Habituation Experiences in East Africa. 4-hours with a Gorilla Family in the Rushaga Area of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest on an all-day trek and a Chimpanzee Habituation Experience Safari that gives you all-day with a Chimpanzee Group in East Africa’s Best Location for seeing Chimpanzees, Kibale Forest.
In between Kibale Forest and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, there is a 2-day break seeing the Wildlife of Queen Elizabeth Park along with its scenery such as the Explosion Crater Drive, Kazinga Channel and the Ishasha region with its Tree Climbing Lions
You fly into Entebbe, Uganda and fly out of Kigali Rwanda, reducing the drive-times for this Safari. This Safari must be booked well in advance since the Gorilla Habituation Experience Permits, and the Chimpanzee Habituation Experience Permits are limited in number, and only a few are available on any given day.
Please Note: It is imperative to book this safari well ahead of your arrival in Uganda, especially if you are coming here during the peak seasons from June to September and December to March.
Safari Highlights:
- Begin your Safari in Entebbe – Uganda
- Hike through Bigodi Wetlands Tropical Jungle Swamp
- All-Day Chimpanzee Habituation Experience (CHEX)
- The Scenic Explosion Crater Drive in Queen Elizabeth Park
- Lion Tracking Research with the Uganda Carnivore Project
- Wildlife Game Drives
- Boat Safari on Kazinga Channel – Wildlife – Reptiles – Birds
- The Tree-Climbing Lions of Ishasha – Queen Elisabeth Park
- 4-Hours with A Gorilla Family on the Gorilla Habituation Experience
- Buniga Forest Walk with the Batwa Pygmies
- Fly out of Kigali – Rwanda
Your Safari in Detail
Arrival Day: Airport Pickup and Entebbe or Kampala Hotel can be arranged by. Ugandan Tourist Visa can be bought on Arrival, and Yellow Fever Certificate is required to enter Uganda.
Day 1 – Drive to Kibale Forest – Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary:
The 7-Day Gorilla-Chimpanzee Habituation Experience-Wildlife Safari begins early. Depart your Hotel in Entebbe at 6:30 am heading for Kibale Forest. This is a 4 hour plus drive from Kampala – 5 hours from Entebbe.
We are heading West toward Fort Portal and the famed Explosion Crater Lakes region of Uganda. Kibale Forest is one of the places in Uganda where the jungle forests of West and Central Africa meet East Africa.
Check into Isunga Lodge.
Afternoon – Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary Hike. This is a guided 3-hour hike through a Jungle Swamp, much of it is on planks that act like a boardwalk above the swamp. Your experienced guide is from the local community that has maintained the Wetlands for many years with thousands visiting each year.
During the Afternoon, you might spot Chimpanzees, Colobus Monkeys, also baboons. The area is well-known for birds, the chief attraction is the Blue Turaco.
When it comes to Mammals, you can see otters, bush pigs, mongoose, and the rare Sitatunga Antelope, to name a few.
Meal Plan: Lunch – Dinner
Lodge: Isunga Lodge
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Isunga Lodge:
A newer moderately priced lodge that gives its guests value plus for their money. We have used this lodge with great success on our safaris, and our Clients have responded more than positively.
There are four cottages with an en-suite bath in a very private setting. The food is prepared thoughtfully, and the service is excellent.
There are many
moderately priced lodges in Uganda that do not match what you receive at Isunga Lodge in value, quality of rooms, service, and the creative meals that you are served while staying at Isunga Lodge.
Clients of ours who have stayed here have been more than enthusiastic about Isunga Lodge, and unlike other lodges, we have had no complaint from any client thus far.
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Day 2 – Chimpanzee Habituation Experience Kibale Forest
Early Breakfast and you are off to meet with your Ranger-Guide who will take you into Kibale Forest where a Chimpanzee Group is being habituated, a process that takes up to two years. Habituation teaches the Chimpanzees to allow humans in their presence.
A chimp community can number over 100 members. Chimpanzees live in a relational social structure, and the alpha males defend against other chimpanzees trying to move into the territory. Females are part of smaller family groups and nurture the young.
Way before you see the chimpanzees, you will hear their hooting calls in the distance. Soon you come upon them and spend the day with them observing their ways and habits.
Usually, you might see 4 to 6 primates here, many of the birds, the butterflies, mammals found here and of course the forest itself with its vegetation that is unique. On all-day habituation, you will see a lot more than on a trek.
It is essential that you wear the right clothing and shoes and have at least 3 liters of water you, plus a packed lunch
Meal Plan: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Lodge: Isunga Lodge
Day 3: Queen Elizabeth Park:
After Breakfast we move to Queen Elizabeth Park where before checking in we take the 27 Kilometer Explosion Crater Drive, this is one of the most scenic drives in Uganda, 12 Explosion Craters at the highest point in the park with views of the Rwenzori Mountains of the Moon, the Western Rift Escarpment and the Savannah below.
Check in to Enganzi Game Lodge. And have lunch.
Afternoon Boat Safari on the famed Kazinga Channel where you see elephant herds, buffaloes, crocodiles, large pods of hippos, fishing villages, a highlight of your time in Queen Elizabeth Park.
The Boat Wildlife Safari is 2-Hours long and for most too short.
Dinner
Lodging: Enganzi Game Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
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Enganzi Game Lodge $$:
Enganzi Game Lodge – with that affordable extra added touch Enganzi Game Lodge offers quality and yet is affordable in price.
Enganzi Game Lodge is the perfect base while exploring the scenic Queen Elizabeth Park with its wildlife, explosion craters, the vast Kyambura Gorge, the endless Maramagambo Forest and more.
The tented cottages come with a full bath and have extensive views down the Albertine Escarpment to Queen Elizabeth Park.
Enganzi Game Lodge is also a family-friendly lodge open to children of all ages.
Enganzi is moderately priced but offers more value than lodges at a similar price with its views, location, large tented cottages, full bathrooms, good service, and sumptuous meals that are served here.
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Day 4: Queen Elizabeth Park:
Breakfast
Lion Tracking Research where you track collared lions and other predators, -This is beyond a game drive, but also a learning experience as you are with researchers from the Uganda Carnivore Project. An organization that protects lions and sensitizes villagers how to live in harmony with predators that are around.
Lunch
Afternoon Game Drive. These are slow 3 hour drives across the savannah, opportunities to see Lions, Elephants, Hyenas, vast herds of Antelopes. The vehicle is equipped with a pop-up roof where you can stand and view the wildlife. A UWA ranger is on board who along with your Tour Guide, shows you wildlife and scenery you otherwise might miss.
Dinner
Lodging: Enganzi Game Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Day 5- Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – Rushaga Are
a:
After an early breakfast, we leave for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Much of the journey takes us through Queen Elizabeth Park.
We stop at Ishasha, which is home, of the Tree-Climbing lions, the best place in East Africa for such. The lions sleep the day away in the fig trees of the area. You will see other wildlife such as leopards, large herds of elephants, buffaloes, antelopes.
Ishasha is the best location in East Africa to see Tre-Climbing Lions exceeding any other place for spotting them on most days.
Lunch at Savannah Resort
We arrive in the late afternoon in the Rushaga area of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Meal Plan: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
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Bwindi Jungle Lodge – Moderate $$:
This is a great newer lodge combining a base for Gorilla Trekking in the Rushaga Area with the added plus of being along Lake Mulehe with the Virunga Volcanoes providing a beautiful backdrop.
Private, en-suite cottages, consistent customer service, meals prepared with an Italian touch.
Nearby Hiking Trails, Village Visit, Canoe Boat ride on the lake, it does not get any better.
The Southern area of Bwindi just got better with the addition of Bwindi Jungle Lodge, and the menu comes with an Italian Touch that is much appreciated by our clients who stay in this lovely setting. The lodge is 45 minutes away from Trekking and or Habituation Locations.
Lake Mulehe and activities that you can do here, only enhance the stay at the lodge.
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Day 6- Gorilla Habituation Experience:
Breakfast and pick your packed lunch. As to Gorilla Gorilla-tracking gear, you will need a daypack, long trousers, long-sleeved shirt, boots, gardening, gloves, a hat, rain jacket. Three liters of bottled water.
After a meeting at park headquarters with researchers and trackers, you are off for your 4-Hours with a Gorilla Family in the Forest.
You will also learn about the ways of the Mountain Gorillas during your time.
The Gorilla Habituation Experience is different from a regular Gorilla Trek since you are 4 hours with a group. Not only do you experience the group’s life but the surrounding forest.
It is best to use a porter and have a walking stick for your trek.
.Day 7: Kigali Rwanda:
Included in this Safari: All activities listed except where it says optional. Full Board Lodging, all permits, and events, not included tips, laundry, sodas or alcohol at lodges.
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