One Week Gorilla Trekking And Wildlife Africa Uganda Safari

When interested in an Africa holiday, you may want to spend a week in the wild but you need to prepare in advance. You may choose a pre-organised itinerary or tailor your itinerary to shoot your needs. Select your preferred activities and the tour consultant will put it together to avoid back tracking.

Uganda Holiday In One week

How To Spend a Week Holiday in Africa Gorilla Tracking and Wildlife Safari viewing

Summary

Day 1 Drive To Bwindi Forest National Park

Day 2 Gorilla Tracking

Day 3   Drive To Queen Elizabeth National Park

Day 4 Game Drive And Launch Cruise

Day 5 Drive To Kibale National park

Day 6 Chimpanzee Trekking

Day 7 Drive To Entebbe Air port

Day 1 Drive To Bwindi Forest National Park

Get up early in the morning for breakfast and drive to Bwindi forest National Park. This natural forest is home to numerous primates and forest animals. This is also the birder’s haven as several birds linger around including the albertine endemics which are represented by about 23 species of the 24 renowned albertine endemics.

On the way, have a stopover at the equator to perform a water experiment, take pictures standing on both sides of the earth at the same time. Carry on passed the rolling hills of Kigezi arriving in the evening to check in to your room.

Day 2 Gorilla Trekking

Rise up early in the morning for breakfast, wear your gorilla trekking wear and carry your light bag with gorilla trekking gears like the camera, energy bites, garden gloves, water and so much more. You will meet other trekkers at the ranger station where briefing takes place

Later you will be divided into groups of 8 and escorted into the forest to start searching for the mountain gorillas. You may meet black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey cheecked mangabey, olive baboons, blue monkeys and so much more. Birds that linger in the forest make the trek very interesting as they whistle from the branches.

Finally when you get to meet the gorillas, stand at a distance of about 7 meters take there photos, watch the infants play and interact with each other. Return to the lodge to relax

Day 3 Drive To Queen Elizabeth National park

Home to the tree climbing lions is Queen Elizabeth National Park. Its backdrop is beautifully designed with snowcapped Rwenzori ranges. As you drive into the park, you may have the chance of seeing animals like lions, buffaloes, hyenas, giant forest hogs, topis, water bucks to mention but a few. The drive is about four to five hours arriving ready to relax.

Day 4 Game Drive And Launch Cruise

An early morning game drive gives you the chance to see animals return to there day hide outs and early risers get to there day hangouts. Northern crater area is rick with wildlife and most of the jungle drama can be witnessed in this area. Lots of crater lakes are found in this area both dry and wet but the most outstanding is Lake Nyamunuka with a putrid smell that you notice as you drive by. You may have the chance of seeing animals like lions, elephants, buffaloes, mangoos, topis, leopards, hyenas, warthogs, wild dogs, tsavo cats to mention but a few

After lunch a launch cruise welcomes you to the wonders of Queen Elizabeth National park. First of all lots of crocodiles, hippos find home in the waters of Kazinga channel.  The banks are regularly graced by thirsty animals like herds of buffaloes, prides of lions, elephant families, leopards, waterbucks and birds that flock the shores.

Day 5 Drive To Kibale National park

Kibale national park is rich with primates but host of the biggest number of habituated chimpanzees in Africa. Birds are in plenty and butterflies also add color to the busy forest. The drive from Queen El;izabeth National park to Kibale forest may last between 2 to 3 hours.

Day 6 Chimpanzee tracking and visit Bigido Sanctuary

Having taken your breakfast you will head to Kanyanchu the briefing point before chimpanzees trekking. You may spot out some of new species of primates that you may have missed out in Bwindi forest like black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, the list is endless. Birds also have the forest drama and listen to there hymns to. You may hear the Chimpanzee hooting as if to alert there fellows of your presence. Chimpanzees live in communities led by the alpha male who is democratically chosen. The females in the community have an upper hand in choosing the alpha male

In case you are not tired, you may take an optional walk to Bigodi Sanctuary where numerous primates, butterflies and birds live. This is also home to the rare shoe bill stork. Visit the community workshop and return to the lodge

Day 7 Drive back to Entebbe Airport

Having enjoyed the moments in the jungle, watching the drama in the wild, interacting with the hungry savages as they grab the day’s hunt drive back to the airport to catch up with your flight back home.

Where To Do Gorilla Tracking In Africa

Mountain gorillas are some of the survivors of the prehistoric era but in the entire world, they can only be found in 3 countries that is to say Uganda, Rwanda and D.R. Congo. Gorilla trekking therefore can be possible in Uganda, Rwanda and D.R.Congo.

Gorilla Tracking Experience in Uganda

Gorilla tracking in Uganda is done in Bwindi Forest National Park or Mgahinga National Park. Uganda hosts the biggest number of mountain gorillas almost half of the total number of the mountain gorillas.

You need to secure a gorilla tracking permit in Uganda from Uganda wildlife authority ( UWA)  which cost $ 700. Despite this gorilla tracking permit cost, the demand is so high as just a few permits are released per day for tourists to buy. Only 8 gorilla permits are available to the tourists.

When to book a gorilla tracking permit in Uganda

Gorilla permits are booked throughout the year but for safety, you need to book your gorilla permit atleast 3 month in advance of travel.

Why book gorilla permit in advance.

Gorilla tracking permits are on a very high demand yet there supply is scarce as conservation of the mountain gorillas takes precedence of the gorilla tracking.

Just eight gorilla permits are released each day for tourists to book. Very many people would like to be part of gorilla tracking activity but this limit denies them the chance of this life time activity.

How to book gorilla tracking safari in Uganda.

Upon inquiring about any gorilla tracking safari, you state the date when you prefer taking this great activity. A tour consultant contacts Uganda wildlife Authority about availability of the gorilla permit. Later get back to you to decide on how many you wish to buy.

We highly recommend our clients to pay for the gorilla permits as soon as possible because they are on first come first served basis. Any delay may cost you a lot of opportunities os securing a gorilla permit in a particular date of your preference.

A receipt is issued for your gorilla permit payment and a few days to the start of your gorilla tracking tour a card is issued that allows you to track the mountain gorillas.. You need to provide the below details for the gorilla permit to be issued

Full Names as presented on your passport

Expiry date of your passport

Nationality

Date of birth

And others.

What happens during gorilla tracking in Uganda

On the day of gorilla tracking, this card is presented to the ranger guides who will brief you about gorilla tracking. You later proceed into the forest to search for the mountain gorillas with other trekkers. The ragged terrain is as a result of volcanic action in this area so you will hike some steep slopes and cross rivers before meeting the mountain giants.

When you finally get to see them, stay in there vicinity for just one precious hour watching there daily activities like juveniles hop from one tree branch to another, infants play close to there mothers as the silverback watches over there entire family to ensure that it is in harmony.

Take photos while standing at about 7 meters away from the mountain gorillas and later return to the lodge to relax.

What You must Know about Gorilla Tracking in Uganda

You must book a gorilla tracking permit in advance of travel

Gorilla permits are booked according to area of gorilla tracking that is to say Buhoma gorilla tracking area, Ruhija Gorilla tracking area, Rushaga gorilla tracking area and so many others area.

When booking accommodation, you must know the area where your gorilla permit have been reserved to avoid waking up early in the morning to drive long distances to get to the briefing point.

Gorilla tracking in Uganda starts with briefing from the ranger station and if you miss it, you are 

disqualified from participating in gorilla tracking.   

Gorilla tracking Experience in Rwanda

Rwanda is another gorilla tracking country in Africa with Volcanoes National park as the destination.

You can track mountain gorillas in Rwanda in Two days as the drive from Kigali to Volcanoes national park is quite short. However you must have a gorilla tracking permit which costs $ 1500 per trek. It is an amazing experience.

You must book accommodation close to the park for your convenience before gorilla tracking and after gorilla tracking.

Where to buy gorilla tracking permits in Rwanda

The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) is the selling body for Rwanda gorilla tracking permits. You also need to request for availability of gorilla permits in Rwanda by calling and then walk in to purchase the permit or get a tours agent to purchase the gorilla permit on your behalf.  

Upon acquiring a gorilla permit, ensure your accommodation is reserved too especially if you expect to travel to Rwanda during the peak season that is to say from June to about September and December to about February.

How many gorilla permits are sold In Rwanda

Each day Rwanda releases 8 gorilla tracking permits for each gorilla family. This is for conservation reasons as the mountain gorillas are agitated by huge crowds. Also to protect there food ( foliage) from trampling  crowds. The bid to conserve mountain gorillas and there environment is the top reason to consider.

Gorilla Tracking In D.R. Congo

D.R. Congo is another gorilla tracking park where to enjoy gorilla tracking. Although some times because of insecurity it is not a frequented park, Virunga National park harbors the mountain gorillas. It is home to several bird species and primates also roam around the park.

 Gorilla tracking in D.R. Congo can be arranged on arrival and then return to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

5 Must do Activities During Gorilla tracking in Uganda

Uganda is endowed with interesting adventure activities that you can be part of like Gorilla trekking in Bwindi forest, Game drives in Murchison Falls, Kidepo valley, Queen Elizabeth national parks, Boat cruises are so interesting and dramatic, chimpanzee trekking gives you the chance to be close to human cousins in the animal kingdom.

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Activities To Do During The Gorilla Trekking Uganda safari

Gorilla trekking

Gorilla Trekking in Uganda being the major reason for taking your adventure tour in Africa. Uganda has the largest number of mountain gorillas in the world and the biggest chances of meeting the chimpanzees and mountain gorillas in the same forest is only possible in Bwindi  Forest national; park in Uganda.

You only need to secure a gorilla trekking permit with a price of $600, have an overnight stay at a lodge close to the area where your gorilla permit was booked. This is in a bid to reduce on the distance to the briefing point early in the morning.

Only one magical hour is allowed in the presence of the mountain gorillas so that they are given enough time to do there day activities like feeding, playing, making nests and so on. The mountain gorillas are habituated to be in the presence of human beings for only 1 hour. You have the chance to watch them, take there photographs are return to the lodge.

Game drives

Queen Elizabeth National Park

You may opt to go for a game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park which is about 5 to 6 hours away from Bwindi Forest the home of the mountain gorillas.

The Northern Crater lakes region of the park is the busiest with wildlife life. You have the chance of meeting the leopards, herds of elephants, buffaloes, prides of lions, elands, water bucks, hyenas, bush bucks, Uganda Kobs, numerous birds including the foreign migrants which fly from as far as Europe. Chimpanzee tracking would be another great moment. Birding in queen Elizabeth National park is awesome. The highlight of this park is the incredible launch cruise on Kazinga channel.

Murchison Falls National park

Another incredible park where numerous games drives can be done. This park is bisceted by the longest river in Africa the Great Nile. It is home for the Rothschild Girafees, buffaloes, lions, statungas, hartebeests.

An early morning game drive in the Northern sector of this park gives you ample time to meet various animals as they carry on there day today activities. Lion, giraffes, buffaloes, elephants, olive baboons, hartebeests, hyenas, and so many birds find home here.

The highlight of this park is the launch cruise to Murchison Falls getting you closer to the dramatic point where the Nile waters squeeze through a narrow gorge, bursting out vigorously to make a cloudy appearance. The vibration of the water tides below the boat is very interesting. The foamy appearance that builds up after the water cascading to join the rest of the course is picturesque.

Birding In Uganda

Birding is one of the experiences you can be part of when you book a gorilla trekking safari. Bwindi Forest is one of the top birding sceneries in the World. It has over 350 bird species and about 23 of the 24 albertine endemics.

Some of the birds that reside in this forest include Canopy and Mid-storey flock, western Green Tinkerbird, Mountainand Yellow-streaked Greenbird, Red-faced Woodland,Rwenzori Batis and white-tailed Crested Flycatcher, Collared Apalis to mention but a few.

Along the Queen Elizabeth National park Kazinga Channel, you can have the birding experience while on a launch cruise after the gorilla tracking experience in Bwindi forest.

 Chimpanzee Tracking

Chimpanzee tracking is an experience that gives you the chance of getting closer to human cousins. After gorilla trekking, you may opt for chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National park. This park is about 5 to 6 hours from Bwindi Forest and home to the chimpanzees.

This natural forest is home to numerous birds, primates, butterflies, forest elephants the list is endless. During the trek to find the chimpanzees, you have an opportunity to get closer to the some of these wonderful animals and birds.

Launch cruise

After gorilla trekking, you can have a launch cruise in Queen Elizabeth National park. This epic experience is done on Kazinga Channel. This busy channel is always flooded with flocks of birds including foreign migrant birds that fly from as far as Europe,

Several wild animals also find there way to these banks to quench there thirst and others cool of the day’s heat by taking a bath in the water. Crocodiles and Hippo schools make a wonderful display in the water. The vegetation along the banks is stunning.

Where To Stay during Gorilla Tracking Safari In Uganda

Accommodation is readily available for your stay during a gorilla trekking experience however this is very much dependent on your budget. Super Luxury facilities are available  and majority have full board basis, luxury accommodations are also available but with full board meal basis and specious well aerated rooms, Midrange accommodation during gorilla tracking are also available and majority offer full board meal plan and budget facilities are also available however majority have shared facilities but well kept.CONTACT US

Gorilla Trekking Safari

7 Day Gorilla Trekking And Wildlife safari Itinerary with accommodation

Day 1: Drive To Bwindi forest National park

Rise up early in the morning for breakfast and your guide driver will pick you from your overnight hotel and take you to Bwindi forest National Park. This road trip is about 8 to 9 hours but very scenic. Make a stopover at the equator for picturesque experience as you stand on both sides of the earth at the same time. Perform the water experiment and carry on passing through the rolling green covered hills of Kigezi.

Arrive in the evening ready for dinner and overnight at

Accommodation: Clouds lodge/ Gorilla Forest Camp/ Engage Lodge/Ruhija Gorilla Lodge/ Bwindi View Bandas

Day 2: Gorilla Trekking

Rise up early in the morning for breakfast and head to the ranger station for briefing. Learn how you must behave to succeed in your gorilla trekking safari experience. You must be free of any communicable disease like a cold because the gorillas are susceptible to human illnesses like this.

In the company of an armed ranger guide, start trekking to find the mountain gorillas. They are well versed with all corners of the forest so you will follow the trail where they were seen the previous day. Avoid making noise while trekking because the mountain gorillas are agitated and scared of noise.

Other primates like enchanting monkeys, olive baboons, black and white  colobus, vervet monkeys, grey cheecked mangabey to mention but a few. Birding is awesome here. You do not have to look for the birds there show is readily available for you to watch there day drama of building nests, pecking the wood and picking fruits from different trees.

Finally when you get to spot the gorillas, you may hear them murmur as if warning each others of your presence. Even if ones of them move close to touching your camera, you just need to relax and avoid touching it because these are wild animals whose mood swings are uncontrollable. Photographs which you will remind you of the moments with the mountain gorillas and after an hour return to the lodge and relax.

Day 3 Drive to Queen Elizabeth National park

This is drive may go through Ishasha sector the home of the renowned tree climbing lions but going through this side of the pack depends on the condition of the bridge over Ishasha river. During this game drive, you may have the chance of meeting herds of buffaloes, elephants, lions, warthogs and so much more.  Check in to your lodge waiting for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge/ Jacana lodge/ Ishasha Wilderness Lodge/ Simba safari Lodge

Day 4: Game Drive And Launch Cruise

Get up early in the morning for game drive in the Northern crater lakes area of the park. You may have the chance of meeting the early risers get out of there night hide outs, to day hangout places. Carry on to the pavilion where you will take photographs of the incredible crater lakes display.

You may have the chance of seeing animals like the lions, elephants, buffaloes, bush bucks, leopards, hyenas, wild dogs, and numerous birds are residents of this park.

Having enjoyed the great views of the park, carry on to the pier to enjoy a launch cruise on the Kazinga Channel. The banks of this channel are so dramatic always decorated with animals that quench there thirst from its waters. This is home to countless birds that are residents of this park and flock the channel banks regularly. Hippos and crocodiles are very many in this channel and the vegetation around is so spectacular. Return to your lodge and relax

Day 5: Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge

Rise up early and get ready to meet human closest cousins in the animals kingdom. This hike to Kyambura gorge to meet the chimpanzees is very interesting. You may get to meet them at the bottom of the gorge. So interesting to be close to these great apes whose life is very dependent on foliage and to some extreme moments they get to feed on the monkeys incase there is limited resources to feed on in the forest. Return to the lodge and relax

Day 6: Drive back to the airport

Having enjoyed your time in the wilderness and experiencing the service of the lodges, return to Entebbe Airport to catch up with the flight back home.

Pros And Cons Of Gorilla trekking

Volunteer to stay behind in case you have a communicable disease because mountain gorillas area highly susceptible to human disease which may cause them to die.

Mountain gorillas fear lightening so you need to carry a flashless camera to take pictures.

Feeding the mountain gorillas is forbidden because they are wild animals that need to search for there own food.

When you dump anything in the forest, you spoil nature yet mountain gorillas entirely depend on foliage   for survival.

While you trek to see the mountain gorillas, do not forget to stay quiet or speak with a low tone so that you do not scare the mountain gorillas. They get frighten by noise.

Do stand at a distance of about 7 meters from the mountain gorillas when in there presence.

 In case the gorilla gets close to your camera, it is best not to touch them so that they do not get to transfer any contagious disease to you from the wild or you transmitting any communicable disease. It is the best way to conserve the mountain gorillas.

How To Select A Safe African destination For Holiday

Travelling to Africa for a vacation may be quite challenging at times but you must put your safety first so as to make memories with your friends and family. A gorilla tracking and chimpanzees tracking experience is a safe for your preferred African Experience. CONTACT US

How To Package Gorilla Trekking And Chimpanzees Tracking

Gorilla Tracking In Uganda Africa

Gorilla Tracking Permit

Gorilla trekking requires you to have a permit card in Uganda the gorilla trekking permit costs $ 700 and in Rwanda the gorilla tracking permit costs $1500. You have to present some details like your names on the passport, age, validity of passport, country of origin so that you can secure a gorilla permit.

Chimpanzee trekking permit

A chimpanzee trekking permit in Uganda costs $200 and in Kibale Forest National park you can take part of this experience. Chimpanzees live in communities under a democratically chosen alpha male. His powers are always checked by the community members as he is responsible for defending them and finding new feeding grounds for the community. His failure may cause another alpha male to take over but this is very rare.

Hire a driver guide

An experienced driver guide will make your travel experience on a gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tracking safari. He will assist you in discovering the best spots for photographing, touring some additional sites enroute, and he will keep you updated on the safari activities and itinerary.

Gas/ fuel

Gas is very vital during your gorilla and chimpanzee trekking experience as there are no gas stations in the Park or few can be accessed in the countryside. You have to fill full tank that will sustain you throughout your stay in the wilderness.

Accommodation to book during gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tracking

Several accommodations according to your budget are available for you to book. What is unique about gorilla tracking accommodation is you need to book a lodge closer or within the area where your gorilla permit was booked.

Luxury accommodations are available for up market travellers who would like exclusive attention, there is a variety of accommodation to select from. Most of them have well aerated spacious rooms with windows overlooking the Bwindi forest and occasionally visited by numerous birds. Several luxury accommodations also offer full board facilities but drinks are normally limited. Luxury accommodations have mainly Twin or double rooms but in case you wish to have a single supplement, there is a small additional fee for more comfort.

Midrange accommodations are also available for you to book, you can contact us to select the best lodge to fit your budget.  This will be confortable all the nights you will spend in the wilderness. They provide full board meal plan but you can make your preferred meal order.

Budget accommodations are also many providing varying services for you to choose. Majority of them however have shared facilities but regularly cleaned to keep them well maintained. Most of them are on bed and breakfast meal basis but have restaurants available for you to order meals.

What happens During Gorilla And chimpanzee trekking

 Early in the morning you have to report at the ranger guide station for briefing. No one is allowed to move into the forest without being briefed. This is to ensure that the rules of the forest are followed.

Later an armed range guide escorts you into the forest to start searching for the mountain gorillas or the chimpanzees. He is normally armed for your safety in case there is anything that attacks you there is ready defense. But the forest is safe enough for you as it is regularly supervised to ensure the safety of tourists.

The ranger guide follows the pace of the slowest tourists so that no one is forgotten in the wilderness.

 During gorilla trekking a team of ranger guards is always in communication with the ranger guide on tour so that your movements are regularly checked and the tourists are safe.

What happens during Game drives

Uganda is endowed with numerous wildlife parks where game drives take place that is to say Murchison Falls National park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo National park and others

 Most tourists rise up early in the morning for game drives where they have a chance to meet animals like the pride of lions, elephants, water bucks, zebras, leopards, giraffes, buffaloes to mention but a few however, you must know that your safety is paramount. During the game drives, you are given a ranger guide to assist you go through the park.

At some point, you may be allowed to get out of the car to take better pictures of sceneries and selfies in the wilderness. No matter how calm the animal is, you are not allowed to touch it or feed it because it is a wild animal that may charge at you any time.

Enjoy and tour you wish to have in Africa Uganda but enjoy it safely.