Chimpanzees Tracking, Our Closest Relatives: Chimpanzees, our closest living relatives, share about 98% of our genes. They are highly social animals, providing long-term care for their young, and can live for over 50 years. In their forest habitat in Kibale Forest National Park, Kalinzu Forest Reserve in Uganda, and Nyungwe Forest National Park in Rwanda, When on the ground, they typically move on both their legs and arms, but can also walk upright for up to a mile. They use tools like sticks to extract termites from mounds and leaves to collect water for drinking.
Chimpanzees Tracking, our closest living relatives
4-day Chimpanzee, Gorillas Tracking and Wildlife Safari in Uganda.
Day 1: Transfer from Kigali, Rwanda to Bwindi National Park in Uganda
We’re excited to pick you up from Kigali Airport or downtown Kigali and take you on a scenic 4-5-hour drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. Along the way, we’ll pass through Rwanda’s charming northern town of Ruhengeri and then cross into Uganda via the Cyanika or Katuna border post. Our journey continues through the nearby Kisoro or Kabale town before reaching the beautiful Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Once we arrive in the early afternoon, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy optional activities such as hiking, canoeing, or visiting the local community.
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Get ready to Experience an unfathomable connection during a magical hour in the company of mountain gorillas in Uganda!
After breakfast, we’ll head to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for a briefing about the gorilla trek. During the briefing, you’ll learn what to expect during the trek and how to approach the animals for everyone’s safety. The park guide will assign each visitor a gorilla family to track, and then the adventure begins. Depending on the gorillas’ location in the forest, the trek can last from 3 to 8 hours, with the average time being between 3 and 5 hours. You’ll venture into the lush vegetation until you come face to face with these incredible creatures – it’s a truly unique experience. After the trek, you can return to the lodge to relax, enjoy dinner, and have a peaceful night’s sleep.
Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park for a delightful Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
We’ll begin the morning journey from the Bwindi National Park area to Queen Elizabeth National Park, driving through the Kabale-Ishaka-Bushenyi Road, showcasing the stunning landscapes of southwestern Uganda and the area’s tea plantations. Upon arrival at Queen Elizabeth National Park, you can join the Kazinga Channel boat trip to spot hippos and elephants.
Day 4: Chimpanzee Tracking at Kalinzu and Transfer to Kigali or Kampala/Entebbe
After breakfast, we’ll drive to Kalinzu Forest for an amazing chimpanzee tracking experience in their natural habitat. Kalinzu Forest is renowned for chimp trekking in Uganda, offering visitors over a 50% chance of encountering these fascinating animals. If luck is on your side, you might also come across one of the 6 different primate species that inhabit the area, including the colobus monkey, the olive baboon, and the red-tailed monkey. After our thrilling morning of wildlife encounters, we conclude the trip. We will then drive you to Kigali or Kampala/Entebbe. The drive from Kalinzu Forest Reserve to Kigali or Entebbe/Kampala takes about 6-7 hours
Tour Highlights
- Embark on a journey to locate the elusive mountain gorillas amidst the mountains of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
- Discover the rare tree-climbing lions, as they leisurely rest on candelabra trees in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
- Spot other wildlife in Queen Elizabeth National Park such as hippos, leopards, and elephants.
- Explore the paths of chimpanzees through Kalinzu Forest, also the habitat of six other species of primates.
- Discover the plant life and wildlife in Kalinzu Forest, which boasts 414 species of trees and 378 species of birds.
- Embark on a journey to locate the elusive mountain gorillas amidst the mountains of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Accommodation and Meals
- Day 1 & 2:
- Mutanda Lake Resort(Opens in a new tab 1.5hrs drive to the Rushaga gate, Bwindi)
- Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge(opens in a new tab) (1.5hrs drive to the Rushaga gate, Bwindi)
- Rushaga Gorilla Lodge(opens in a new tab) 7 minutes drive to the Rushaga gate, Bwindi)
- Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge(opens in a new tab (5 minutes drive to the Rushaga gate, Bwindi)
- Meals:
- Day 1: Dinner
- Day 2: All meals included
- Day 3:
- Day 4: Breakfast & lunch
We will choose from one of these lodges according to availability.
- Day 1 & 2:
