4- Hours with the Gorillas – All-Day with the Chimpanzees plus Wildlife
One-of-a-Kind – 7-Days in Africa on this Luxury Gorilla-Chimpanzee Habituation Experience-Wildlife Safari in Uganda -Begins in Kigali
This is a Private 7-Day Luxury – Gorilla-Chimpanzee Habituation Experience-Wildlife Safari that begins in Kigali and takes Gorilla to another level where incredible up-close encounters with the Gentle Giants become a reality. Primates and Wildlife in abundance while staying in some of Uganda’s best Luxury lodges. Three incredible parks, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Queen Elizabeth Park and Kibale Forest.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, home to the largest Mountain Gorilla Population, Kibale Forest, the Premier 
Chimpanzee Park in East Africa, plus Queen Elizabeth Park with its Tree Climbing Lions and a thriving Elephant Population.
This Luxury Safari is with the Gorilla Habituation Experience. It can be taken as a Gorilla Trekking Safari when 4-Hour Gorilla Habituation Experience is not available. If you are set on the 4-Hour with a Gorilla Family Habituation Experience we suggest that you book your safari at least 6-months in advance with a flexibility in Dates.
Safari Highlights
- Gorilla Habituation Experience of 4 Hours with a Gorilla Family – All-Day Trek
- Tree Climbing Lions of Ishasha in Queen Elizabeth Park
- Lion Tracking Research of Collare
d Lions in Queen Elizabeth Park - Wildlife Game Drives in Queen Elizabeth Park
- Kazinga Channel Boat Ride – Wildlife – Birds – Reptiles in Queen Elizabeth Park
- Scenic Explosion Crater Drive featured in National Geographic
- Optional Kyambura Gorge Hike
- Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary – Jungle Swamp Walk
- All-Day Chimpanzee Habituation Experience in Kibale Forest
- Optional Golden Monkey Trekking
The Safari Itinerary in Detail
Day 1 – Drive to Rushaga – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda:
Your Luxury Gorilla-Chimpanzee Habituation Experience-Wildlife Safari begins. We leave your hotel in Kigali for Rushaga. The drive time to Rushaga is
about 4 hours plus depending on Border Crossing – Visa for Uganda is 50 USD. You can also get an East African Visa from Rwanda Migration online.
The drive is a most scenic one through the Land of a Thousand Hills with its terraced hillsides and vat Tea Plantations and colorful villages.
Normally the border crossing is about 45 minutes and you are in Uganda heading for the ancient Bwindi Impenetrable Forest through the Gorilla Highlands, Lake Mutanda as we reach the Nkuringo – Rushaga Area of the Park.
The area is home to the exclusive, luxury Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge and the upmarket Gorilla Safari Lodge.
Add 1 Option for the Day:
- Add Golden Monkey Trekking in the Bamboo Forest of Mgahinga Gorilla Park before checking into Lodge.
- Add Buniga Forest Walk with the first People of the Forest – The Batwa Pygmy People and learn how they lived in the Forest for thousands of years.
Meal Plan: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Lodging: Your Choice
[bg_collapse view=”button-orange” color=”#4a4949″ expand_text=”Lodging Choices” collapse_text=”Show Less” ]
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge –Exclusive Luxury:
Ultimate Luxury on top of the World at the exclusive Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge. Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge combines its surrounding natural views and splendor, gorillas-birds-wildlife with the luxurious comfort and World-Class Service it offers to guests. A family cottage is available with two bedrooms with their private bathroom in each.
The lodge has become the favorite among our upmarket clients and at a price that is considerably less than comparable lodges in Rwanda.
Gorilla Safari Lodge – Upmarket:
The upmarket Gorilla Safari Lodge – quality and comfort in the Rushaga Area of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest,
It is the only up-market Lodge in the Rushaga Area. It has an excellent track-record with our clients who have stayed here since its opening. The deluxe Cottages are especially nice with fireplace a sitting area where you can relax after trekking.
There is Family Cottage here that sleeps 4 and can be used by any group of 4 and has two bedrooms and a joined sitting area where you relax after trekking. We use the Deluxe Cottages at Gorilla Safari Lodge.
Gorilla Safari Lodge has given our clients consistent quality when it comes to rooms, meals and the friendly and courteous service offered here.
It is a 30-minute drive to the Habituation trailhead in Rushaga from here and it is the closest upmarket to both the Habituation and regular Gorilla Trekking Trailhead.
[/bg_collapse]
Day 2 – Gorilla Habituation Experience – Rushaga:
Early Breakfast and take your packed lunch from the lodge, have a daypack, 3 liters of water, long trousers, gardening gloves for pulling yourself up on branches, long-sleeved shirt. waterproof boots, hat, rain jacket, use a walking stick and the services of a porter at a small cost.
Meet the researchers, trackers and guides and head for the location of your gorilla family group being habituated and your four hours in their presence and learning their ways.
With the trek in and trek out – the 4-hour Gorilla Habituation Experience – this is an all-day trek, not only do you see the Gorillas with only 4 participants, but you learn about the Gorillas habits and ways from the Gorillas and the Researchers.
Return to the trailhead and it is back to the lodge.
Tips – Advice for the Gorilla Habituation Experience: This gives you all that you need to know about the Gorilla Habituation Experience including what to wear and bring while on your trek.
Meal Plan: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Day 3- Queen Elizabeth Park:
After Breakfast, at 7 am we drive to Queen Elizabeth Park where we stop in the Ishasha Region to take a Game Drive in search of the Tree-Climbing Lions of Ishasha. This the best place in East Africa where you can readily see the Tree Climbing Lions sleep away the day plus you will see a lot of added wildlife here including a growing Elephant Population.
Lunch Before Game Drive at Savannah Resort
Please Note: Drive-Time to Ishasha is 5 hours plus- though most take this Safari in 7 days we recommend adding one night in the Ishasha Area.
Continue to the northern area of the park where you check into the Lodge of choice. Drive Time – 2 hours.
Option: Add a night staying at Ishasha Wilderness Camp, this reduces the Drive-Times for this day and allows for more time with the Tree-Climbing Lions.
Dinner
Meal Plan: Breakfast – Lunch-Dinner
Lodging: Your Choice
[bg_collapse view=”button-orange” color=”#4a4949″ expand_text=”Lodges” collapse_text=”Show Less” ]
Kyambura Gorge Lodge – Exclusive Luxury Lodge $$$$
This classy lodge is located near the Kyambura Gorge which is a giant gash in the Savannah of Queen Elizabeth Park. The lodge was created by taking an old coffee shop and giving it a new life as an exclusive luxury Lodge.
Today it is one of the finest lodges in Uganda, but still has that rustic look to it. Exquisite Bandas as the cottages are called here. There is a swimming pool at the main lodge where you take a drink and hear the stories about today’s Safari adventures that various guests had.
Excellent service is a trademark of the Volcanoes Lodges and certainly true at Kyambura Gorge.
Trek in the underground forest of the Gorge and spot a Chimpanzee in the valley of the Apes, Game drives and the boat safari on Kazinga Channel.
A one-of-a-Kind-Lodge
Mweya Safari Lodge – Luxury $$$$ – $$$:
Mweya Safari Lodge has one thing over all other lodges and that is its location. It is on the Mweya Peninsula and the Kazinga Channel with its wide variety of wildlife and many birds.
At Mweya Safari Lodge we prefer using the Tented option since they have that African Safari feeling to them and our past clients have preferred them. There is also the location right along the Kazinga Channel and the wildlife and birds one can spot here.
Mweya Safari Lodge is a large lodge but in a Tent or cottage, there is still that feeling of being in the Wild. Thre is also the fact that Mweya Safari Lodge is in the best location in this part of the park. The lodge is right in the park itself and from it you have easy access to the area activities that can be done here.
Mweya Safari Lodge, though large has consistently offered personalized Service to its guest giving it that smaller lodge feeling.
[/bg_collapse]
Day 4- Queen Elizabeth Park:
Breakfast
Morning Lion Tracking Research – here you are with Researchers from the Carnivore Project and track the Collared Lions, leopards in this part of the park, not only will you see lions, but a learning experience about the lions.
Lunch
In the afternoon it is the fabulous Kazinga Channel Wildlife – Birding, Reptile Boat Safari that is one of the highlights of your Queen Elizabeth Park Visit.
Note: For Luxury Safari Clients we use the Mweya Safari Lodge Boat which has people in it and better opportunities for Picture Taking – Private Boat Safaris on Kazinga Channel can be arranged.
Dinner
Meal Plan: Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner
Lodging: Your Choice
Day 5- Kibale Forest:
Breakfast and hopefully Sunrise Explosion Crater Drive which was featured in National Geographic and is one of the most scenic Drives in Western Uganda. Sunrise which is around 20 minutes to 7 in the morning is one of the Best Times for photographing some of the incredible natural wonders here.
After the Explosion Crater Drive, we continue to Kibale Forest – 2 hours plus Drive time where we check into the lodge you have chosen.
Lunch
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.
Dinner
Meal Plan: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Lodging: Your Choice
[bg_collapse view=”button-orange” color=”#4a4949″ expand_text=”Lodges” collapse_text=”Show Less” ]
Crater Lake Safari Lodge – Luxury – $$$:
Crater Lake Safari is when it comes to Luxury lodges is an affordable option for those that want that added comfort, extra service, and delightful meals.
There is a swimming pool for you to enjoy and you can enjoy a soothing massage here. One should also take advantage of the Gazebo at the lakeside dock where you can relax with a book and a cool drink.
The lodge has been featured in various international publications including Vogue Magazine as one of the best lodges in Uganda.
Enjoy the view from your most comfortable Cottage, the crater lake just below you, the rolling hillsides in the distance and the color green everywhere. Kibale Forest and Bigodi Wetlands are 20 minutes from the lodge.
The Location of the Lodge – one reason why most of our Clients prefer staying at Crater Lake Lodge.
Papaya Lake Lodge – Luxury – $$$:
This classy luxury lodge comes with all the extras that one might expect from an exclusive lodge. There is a sense of Afro-Euro fusion throughout including the meals served, original art, handcrafted furniture by the owner of the lodge.
You overlook one crater lake from your luxurious cottage and are near another. Each cottage is in its own private setting perched above a crater lake.
The swimming pool is most attractive with a 360 panoramic view that includes the Rwenzori Mountains of the Moon.
All in all, Papaya Lake Lodge is a place where memories are created. It is also a celebratory Lodge, perfect for Honeymoon Couples who enjoy their stay here and the privacy of the Cottages.
Day 6 – 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.
Chimpanzee Habituation Experience Reduced in Price in 2018 to 200 USD per person for the permit – 1 hour with chimpanzee Trek is 150 USD.
A chimp Troop can number over 100 members. Chimpanzees live in a relational social structure, 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 one hour with them observing their ways and habits.
Normally 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 an all-day habituation, you will see a lot more than on a trek.
It is important that you wear the right clothing and shoes and have at least 3 liters of water with you, plus a packed lunch
Meal Plan: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Lodging: Your Choice
Day 7 – Entebbe:
Breakfast
The Gorilla-Chimpanzee Habituation Experience-Wildlife Safari comes to an end – Your Departure depends on your flight-time out of Entebbe. Drive time to Entebbe – 4 1/2 to 5 hours depending on road condition and traffic.
Lunch and morning Activities depend on your flight out.
Morning Option: The Top of the World Hike – 3-hour hike up a mountain passing 3 Crater Lakes, Hamlets and farms, tea plantations. From the top, you see the Rwenzori Mountains of the Moon, Queen Elizabeth Park, and the surrounding countryside.
The Gorilla-Chimpanzee Habituation Experience-Wildlife Safari includes – All Permits and activities except where it says optional. All lodging, full-board is included except drinks, tips, laundry at lodges. The Vehicle used is a Land Cruiser 4×4 vehicle with pop-up roof for best Wildlife Viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Contact us about this 7-Day Luxury – Gorilla-Chimpanzee Habituation Experience-Wildlife Safari
