Uganda Primates Express Encounter Safari

Because you were exhausted from jet lag and had to retire to sleep, last night went down like a dream. You may get lucky and your flight will arrive early in the morning. If you're lucky, you'll be able to visit the Uganda National Zoo and see a variety of animals. Anyway, the 5-hour travel to Uganda's well-known tourist town must begin today. Your safari guide selects you to join this exciting road excursion to Fort Portal town after an early morning meal. You arrive in the afternoon, serve lunch, and then visit the 'Amabere Cultural Site,' which is a beautiful blend of nature and culture. In the evening, you enter Kibale National Park, check into your lodge, serve dinner in an hour, and retire for the night.

Did you know that during the British colonial period in Uganda, Fort Portal served an important administrative role? Well, there's a lot more to it than that, pal; this region contains some of the world's most unusual geology. This town is surrounded by some of Africa's most magnificent craters and hills. At least 13 primate species call Kibale forest home, including the Red-Tailed Monkey, Olive Baboon, Black and White Colobus Monkey, and Blue Monkey. The forest is also home to a diverse range of birds, including the stunning Great Blue Turaco. You might even catch a glimpse of a meandering herd of Forest Elephants if you're lucky.

Kibale Forest is home to the world's largest number of ape species, including our adorable cousins the chimps. There are roughly 5,000 chimpanzees left in the wild in Uganda today, making it an ideal location to see them! In the morning or afternoon, depending on your preference, the professional ranger takes you to track chimpanzees while also showing you the different monkey species that dwell in this tropical jungle. The outcome is a fantastic forest adventure that culminates in an hour of face-to-face time with the chimps.

However, because they are still wild animals, we cannot guarantee that you will see them. Your swamp walk (2-3 hours) will take you through grassland, small settlements, and breathtaking scenery, with inhabitants likely waving enthusiastically at you. Three or four different primate species are likely to be seen during this excursion, but the pleasure is catching a sight of the Great Blue Turaco.

Today you travel to Bwindi, which is located in the south-western section of Uganda, close to the Rwandan and Congolese borders. You'll pass through a picturesque section of the country known as "Africa's Switzerland." You will indeed be able to witness beautiful countryside, a bamboo forest, and spectacular views of the Virunga Mountains. On the way to Bwindi, you'll stop for lunch at a small eatery.

Mountain gorilla trekking, today. For the majority of visitors to Uganda, this is the overriding theme of their trip. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is the only forest in Africa that can claim to have both Mountain Gorillas and Chimpanzees. It also has five other primate species, 113 animal species, over 200 butterflies, and 360 birds. The gorillas you'll be tracking are part of one of the 14 gorilla family groups that can accept human presence for a short time each day. In Uganda, there are fourteen habituated gorilla families, each led by a dominant silverback, twelve of which are ready for gorilla trekking and two of which are ready for gorilla habituation. Before you reach the Gorillas' habitat, your trip will take you over forested hillsides, entangled vines, bushes, and bamboo.

Your guide will point you evidence of prior Gorilla activity along the way, including feces, nests, and chewed bamboo shoots. The time it takes to trace the gorillas might range from 2 hours to 7 hours before one returns! Your group will be given a maximum of one hour with the gorillas after they have been located. Seeing a Mountain Gorilla up close and personal is a profoundly humbling and emotional experience. You transfer to lake Bunyonyi in the evening for Batwa cultural trail.

Following breakfast, return to Kampala or Entebbe (Airport) with a stop at the Equator, the greatest area to buy souvenirs. Your driver/guide will take you to your Kampala/Entebbe hotel or the Entebbe Airport (this is only possible for flights leaving at midnight or later). The package does not include accommodations for tonight. If you'd like us to include one (or more) nights in Kampala or Entebbe, please let us know. Thank you for traveling with us; we had a terrific time together.

Additional Information

The Uganda Wildlife Authority issues chimp tracking licenses, which can be requested from them. For chimp viewing at Kibale National Park, non-residents, foreign residents, and East African citizens pay USD 200/ $150/UShs150,000, USD 50/ $50/UShs30,000 in Kyambura Gorge (QENP), and USD 30/ $30/UShs20,000 in Semliki Wildlife Reserve, respectively.

The tour does not include the cost of gorilla permits, which are $700, £495, or €575. Nationals and inhabitants of the East African Community pay 250,000UGX. The Uganda Wildlife Authority is also a good place to get them. These vaccination certificates should be brought with you. Vaccination cards for Hepatitis B, Yellow Fever, and Covid -19.