7 Days Primates and Birding Safari : This 7 Days Wildlife viewing and Chimpanzee trekking features visits in 3 of Uganda’s most attractive destinations, Queen Elizabeth national park, Kibale national park and Semiliki national park. Activities to be done include; Chimpanzee trekking, Game viewing, boat cruise on the Kazinga channel, nature walks and birding. Queen Elizabeth national park is Uganda’s second largest national park with tree climbing lions as its main tourist attraction however the park has a lot more activities to explore depending in the time spent in the park. Kibale national park is Africa’s best chimpanzee trekking destination with guaranteed best views of the chimpanzees and other 12 existing primates in the park. It is also a home to 138 species of birds, 250 tree species and 60 species of forest wildlife including forest elephants, bushbucks, warthogs, giant forest hogs and buffaloes. This trip also features a visit to Semiliki national park and reserve, located in Bundibugyo district near Fort portal town adjust to Congo Ituri rain forest. The park is a home to Uganda’s largest Sempaya hot springs, about 53 mammal species and over 400 bird species recorded in this park thus making it one of the top birding destination in Africa earning a title of “True birders Haven”. Bwindi Impenetrable national park, the world’s habitant for half of the remaining mountain gorillas in the world offering visitors the best experience of gorillas with a maximum adventure for both habituated and semi-habituated gorilla families
Safari highlights
- Day 1: Transfer to Kibale national park – Bigodi swamp walk
- Day 2: Chimpanzee trekking and transfer to Semiliki national park
- Day 3: Sempaya hot springs visit/nature walk and evening game drive
- Day 4: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park – boat cruise
- Day 5: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable national park
- Day 6: Gorilla trekking experience
- Day 7: Transfer to Kampala/Entebbe
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Kibale national park – Bigodi swamp walk
On the first day of your 7 Days Primates and Birding Safari, Depending on your location in Kampala/Entebbe, you will meet with your safari guide and thereafter embark on your journey to Kabale national park. This park is Africa’s best primates’ destination with about 13 different primates’ species including the chimpanzees. The park is located in the western part of Uganda taking about 5-6 hours’ drive on the road with en-route stop in Fort portal town for your lunch. This drive is exciting with great views of the countryside and the people.
Connect to visit Bigodi swamp, the swamp has been recognised to host about 138 bird species and one can be able to see over 50 birds a day. Several primates can also be spotted in the wetland including the black and white Colobus monkeys, Blue Grey Cheeked, Ververt monkeys, Red Colobus monkeys to mention a few. Thereafter, transfer to your booked lodge for check-in, have dinner and overnight.
Accommodation and meal (Full board)
- Luxury option: Kyaninga Lodge/Ndali Lodge
- Mid-range option: Chimpanzee Guesthouse
- Budget option: Isunga Lodge/Rweteera Guesthouse
Day 2: Chimpanzee trekking and transfer to Semiliki national park
On the 2nd day of your 7 Days Primates and Birding Safari, After your breakfast, connect to the park headquarters with your trekking gears and water. Meet with other trekkers and gather for a briefing from the park officials where you will be guided on the expectations of Chimpanzee trekking. Thereafter, in only a group of 12 people and ranger guides/researchers, set off for Chimpanzee trekking. The search may take 2-5 hours depending on their location. The chimpanzees in Kibale are quite easier to find and you will be allowed to spend 1 hour with them on finding them.
After trekking, meet your safari guide; connect back to the lodge, check-out after having lunch to proceed to Semiliki national park. It’s a 2-3 hours’ drive to connect to Semiliki. Arrive in the evening and connect to your booked lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation and meals (Half board)
- Luxury option: Semiliki Safari Lodge
- Mid-range option: Ntoroko Game Lodge
- Budget option: Bugama Cottages
Day 3: Sempaya Hot springs/birdwatching and evening game drive
On the 3rd day of your 7 Days Primates and Birding Safari, After your breakfast, drive to visit Sempaya hot springs which are the main attractions of Semiliki national park. These hot springs are the largest in Uganda, divided into female and male however they both have a geyser that shoots up from 8 meters holes with a high temperature of up to 100 degrees Celsius. The strength and hotness of the springs are amazing as one can boil eggs and in few minutes, it is ready to eat. While visiting the hot springs, you will take the trail for birdwatching where you will spot some of the available birds in the park. Return to the lodge for your lunch.
Later in the evening, connect for an evening game drive in the park reserve. The park has fewer animals however, you will spot some of the 53 animal species found in the park including; the Bush babies, Elephants, Buffaloes, waterbucks, warthogs, the pygmy scaly-tailed flying squirrel, African Civet o mention a few. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight
Day 4: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park – boat cruise
After breakfast, embark on your journey to Queen Elizabeth national park. This park is one of Uganda’s best travel destinations given its variety of attractions. The park is located in the western part of Uganda taking about 4 hours’ drive on the road with en-route stop at the Equator. Proceed to check-in to your booked lodge for lunch.
Later afternoon, return to the lodge for lunch then connect for a boat cruise on the Kazinga channel. It’s a 2 hours’ boat trip with sights of different bird species, hippos, Crocodiles, Elephants, and Buffaloes to mention a few. Return to you lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation and meals (Full board)
- Luxury option: Mweya Safari lodge/Kyambura Gorge Lodge
- Mid-range option: Parkview Safari lodge/Elephant Hub lodge
- Budget option: Pumba Safari Cottages/Engiri Game lodge
Day 5: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable national park
On the 5th day of your 7 Days Primates and Birding Safari, After breakfast, transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable national park. It’s a 5 hours’ drive via Ishasha sector from Queen Elizabeth national park to Buhoma sector of Bwindi forest for an opportunity to spot the tree climbing lions. On arrival at the park, connect to your lodge, check-in for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation and meals (Full board)
- Luxury option: Buhoma Lodge/Mahogany Springs Lodge
- Mid-range option: Buhoma Haven lodge
- Budget option: Buhoma Community Rest Camp
Day 6: Gorilla trekking experience
On this sixth day of your safari, you will have the same morning preparations at the lodge, have breakfast and transfer to the park headquarters with your trekking gears and packed lunch, meet with other trekkers for briefing about gorilla trekking. After you are allocated a group in groups of 8 people, head into the forest for your trek. Gorilla trekking takes 2 to 8 hours depending on the movement of the gorilla family being visited. These primates roam the park freely and there is no way of telling where they will be for a particular. On finding them, you will be allowed 1 hour to view and take photos of these gentle primates before you descend back to meet your driver/guide and transfer back to your lodge.
The time after trekking can be spent on a village/community Batwa tour or relaxing off at the lodge as you unwind with a glass of wine with the memories of your gorilla experience in Bwindi. Dinner and overnight booked lodge as above
Day 7: Transfer to Kampala/Entebbe
After breakfast, check-out of the lodge and embark on your journey back to Kampala/Entebbe. It’s a 5-6 hours’ drive from Kibale national park to Kampala with en-route lunch. You will be dropped off a location you advise in Kampala be dropped at Entebbe airport for your departure flight back home.