Safari Overview

The 6 day/5 nights Awesome Apes walking safari, takes you in the lush Kibale Forest National Park for an interaction with the awesome and playful chimpanzees plus other primate species that are residents to this beautiful forest. You will later drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Bwindi is home to the endangered mountain gorillas. While in Bwindi, you will also visit the Batwa community for a lifetime living history experience.

Brief Itinerary.

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe – Uganda.

Day 2: Entebbe – to Kibale National Park by road.

Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking – Kibale Forest National Park – Afternoon community walk.

Day 4: Kibale – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park by road – Afternoon Batwa experience.

Day 5: Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest & Village/Community Walk.

Day 6: Bush flight to Entebbe – connect to international return flight.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe international airport – Uganda.

Adventure Consults’ airport staff will meet you on arrival, assist you through customs, get your luggage, and transfer you to the hotel. Depending on arrival time, you may have a briefing on your safari today/tonight or opt to have it in the morning after some hours of relaxation.

Overnight accommodation on Bed & Breakfast basis.

Most of the hotels are 10 minutes’ drive from Entebbe airport.

Inclusions: Bed & Breakfasts basis.
Excludes: All meals and Drinks.

Day 2: Entebbe – Kibale National Park (Approx. 6 hours’ drive).

After Breakfast, meet your guide at the lobby, briefing on the day’s adventure and start your journey to western Uganda.

You will drive via the new express highway and avoid Kampala traffic. The drive to Fort portal is quite smooth, with busy towns and roadside markets. Part of the journey is green as you enter the ever-green Kibale forest and Tooro tea plantations.

You will have stops on the way to buy fresh fruits (mangos, pineapples, sugarcane and more). Proceed to the lodge arriving in time for lunch.

Afternoon at leisure or go for a crater walk where you will enjoy the village farmlands, homesteads, Birds or play soccer with the friendly Ugandans.

Meals and Overnight at the Lodge.

Inclusions: All Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner).
Exclusions: All drinks.

Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking – Kibale Forest NP and Bigodi swamp walk

After Breakfast, begin the day with a transfer to Kanyanchu Park Headquarters in time for a briefing that starts at 7:30 am, then later head out to the forest to observe the endangered chimpanzees.

Scientifically known as Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii, the Eastern chimpanzees are found in the moist evergreen Kibale Forest National Park with over 1500 individuals. This 795-square-kilometer Protected Area is popular for sheltering the highest concentration of primates in the world – 13 species, including the very ‘localized’ Red Colobus as well, red-tailed monkeys, L’Hoests monkeys, Olive baboons, red-tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, Grey-cheeked mangabey, to mention but a few.

During the chimpanzee trek, the Ranger guide will provide detailed information on more than just primates. The forest is endowed with some of the oldest trees in Africa out of which some are medicinal, and others are used by Chimpanzees for communication. Your walk will be interestingly informative and exciting. You don’t have to be a birding enthusiast to enjoy the competition of Chimpanzee calls and bird sounds.

Today, you have there’s an option for a Uganda meal to give you a true feel of Africa. At Tinka’s homestay, food is served in a grass thatched hut while seated on a mat. You however have an option for other international cuisines or dishes at any of the lodges in Kibale area (discuss with the guide on the type of preferred type of lunch).

In the afternoon, you may simply relax at the lodge or go for a nature walk in the Bigodi swamp for primate and bird viewing. The approximately 4.5 Km round walk takes you through a swamp that shelters over 200 species of birds that include Great Blue Turacos, Papyrus gonolek, Blue, Crowned eagles, Purple-breasted sunbirds, African Pitta, Papyrus Canary, and many more swamp endemics. During this wetland walk, you are likely to see more primates such as Olive baboons, Black and White Colobus, Red Tailed monkeys, L’Hoests Monkeys, Vervet Monkeys, and Blue Monkeys among others.

The local guides will share exciting details of the local lifestyles, history, and culture of the community. On returning to the Lodge in the evening, you can relax while watching the sun as it dips down in the snow-capped Mountains of the moon, and many hills as seen in a distance.

Meals and Overnight at the Lodge.

Inclusions: All Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner).
Exclusions: All drinks.

Day 4: Kibale – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park drive – Afternoon Batwa experience.

An early start for Bwindi Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You will have stops at places of interest including Kikorongo equator crossing point for photography.

An approximately 6 hours journey takes you through Queen Elizabeth National Park with high chances having amazing animal sightings. Proceed to Bwindi arriving in time for lunch.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has got almost 400 species of plants, providing habitat for over 120 mammal species (including 11 primates), 346 species of birds (including 23 highly localised Albertine Rift endemics), 202 species of butterflies, 100 species of ferns, 27 species of frogs, chameleons, geckos and many other endangered species. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is notable for being home to over 50% of the approximately 1,060 Mountain Gorillas still living on earth.

In the afternoon, you may simply relax at the lodge, or visit the Pygmy/Batwa community. This is cultural tourism activity at its best! It’s a hands-on, mind-opening adventure you will never forget as you go for an incredible hike in the rain forest with the elderly Batwa (pygmy) guides.

The Batwa are known to be one of the oldest surviving indigenous people on earth. A very special and unique group of people, lived in the bush and entire lifestyle depended on the forests. Just like the well-known ‘hunters and gatherers’, the Batwa gathered plants and fruits for food, hunted any animals within their reach, caves were their homes with the main big caves reserved for Kings.

A hike to the Batwa community, will enrich you with the history of these historical people. You will enjoy demonstrations and storytelling sessions of how the Batwa lived before they left the forest in favor of conservation programs. They will make fire using very simple tools (sticks and stones) and take you back to the old stone age period. You may participate in the mock hunting exercise, learn how to use a bow and arrow, and can taste the local meals and drinks, and participate in traditional dances.

Time permitting, your walk will end with a visit to Ride for a woman project: This is a charitable organization set up to support women struggling with poverty, HIV and domestic violence. Your visit indirectly supports the project work and while here, you may participate in basketry, weaving, and have an opportunity for craft shopping. You can as well place your order for African designed cautions, dresses, wrappers, table mats and all that has got an African touch on it! The ladies will ensure your orders are ready for collection within 24 hours or earlier.  Meals and Overnight at the Lodge.

Standard inclusions: All Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner).
Some lodges include drinks with exclusion of premium/imported wines and spirits.
Standard exclusions: All drinks.

Day 5: Gorilla Tracking – Afternoon Gorilla lab visit

Today is dedicated to visiting the Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

While in Buhoma, you can access Gorilla families of Buhoma or Ruhija sectors. Depending on the sector/family booked to track gorillas, you may leave the lodge either at 0600hrs for Ruhija or 0700hrs for Buhoma area. Breakfast is always ready by 0500 hours or can opt to have a packed breakfast if leaving at 0600hrs.

This beautiful park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to over 50% of the world’s remaining Gorillas. The rainforest is spectacular, heavily vegetated, and dense landscape crisscrossed by numerous animal trails, allowing access for trekkers. The time taken to find the Gorillas depends on Gorilla movements and in most cases, they are either looking for food or simply taking time to walk in their territory.

When you finally find them, you are allowed to spend 60 minutes while watching and following their movements. The thrill of spending time with and observing these gentle giants is a rare and moving adventure that will leave you with long-lasting memories of a truly unique experience.

Mountain gorillas are generally shy and peaceful creatures, and it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to watch and photograph them as they interact with each other.

In the afternoon, Visit Dr. Gladys’ Conservation through Public Health (CTPH) center. This is a non-profit organization that promotes conservation by improving the quality of life of the people living around protected areas. CTPH focuses on human and wildlife coexistence in and around protected area. It’s at Conservation through Public Health that samples from the Gorillas are examined as part of the health observation process to ensure the good health of Gorillas. If you are lucky, you may meet the founder (Dr. Gladys Kalema). If not at the center, you are assured of meeting one of her team members who will take you through detailed explanation and experiments of their day-to-day job to ensure animals and local community health is taken care of. Listen to their stories and you will fall in love with Mountain Gorillas.

Meals and Overnight at the Lodge.

Standard inclusions: All Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner).
Some lodges include drinks with exclusion of premium/imported wines and spirits.
Standard exclusions: All drinks.

Day 6: Fly to Entebbe and connect to an international flight.

After breakfast, transfer to Kihihi airstrip in time for your morning flight to Entebbe Airport. The morning flight departs Kihihi airstrip at 9:45 am (flight schedule can change and sometimes at short notice due to unforeseen circumstances, but in most cases would be for safety reasons).

Baggage restrictions on domestic flights:  Maximum luggage weight is 15 kgs /33lbs in soft-sided bags.  Standard luggage should have the three dimensions of 24 inches (60cm) height, 18 inches (45cm) length, and 13 inches (33cm) width. Any excess luggage can be paid for at 3$ per Kg depending on space availability or can make advance reservation.

The drive from Buhoma to Kihihi airstrip takes about 2 hours. The approximate flight duration is one hour and forty-five minutes. It can be shorter than that, but the actual duration depends on the routing of the day.

You will arrive Entebbe airport by 1125hrs (sometimes earlier). If you have a connecting international/regional flight today, ensure it’s scheduled to depart Entebbe not earlier than 1345hrs.

On arrival at Entebbe airport, you will be assisted through customs and connect to your international/regional flight.

If you have more than 4 hours layover from 11am, Adventure consults offers various options.

  • Complementary transfer to the nearby restaurant (outside the airport) where you will have an early lunch (on own account), then later transfer back to the airport in time for your flight.
  • Day room at a hotel near Entebbe airport (on payment of supplement).
  • Optional day activities to keep you busy and get to see more of Entebbe. Please ask for detailed info and related costs to ensure reservations are in place.

Accommodation options.

There is a wide range of accommodation facilities in Uganda that meet our clients’ standards. It’s quite difficult to list all of them but have done our best to mention the few we can. Get in touch and we discuss all your safari specifications.

Accommodation in Entebbe

The gateway to Uganda has got several accommodation options that cater for the needs of all visitor categories ranging from large groups to small boutique hotels with 10 to 20 rooms that take care of honeymooners and family travelers. while in Entebbe or Kampala, our safari packages include Bed & Breakfast.

  • Hotel Number 5.
  • Protea Hotel by Marriott Entebbe.
  • The Boma hotel.
  • Lake Victoria Serena Golf resort and spa.
  • 2 Friends Beach Hotel.
  • Papyrus Guesthouse.
  • Best Western Premier Garden Hotel.
  • K Hotels.
  • Admas Grand Hotel.

Accommodation in Kibale Forest National Park

Accommodation options at/around Kibale Forest National Park are endless. Most if not all facilities have got beautiful views of either the verdant forest, crater lakes, hills or valleys. Some are in Fort-portal town.

  • Ndali Lodge.
  • Kyaninga Lodge.
  • Crater Safari Lodge.
  • Primate Lodge.
  • Turaco Treetops.
  • Chimpundu Safari Lodge.
  • Aramaga Rift Valley Lodge.
  • Kibale Forest Camp.
  • Papaya Lake Lodge.
  • Isunga Lodge.
  • Kibale Forest Lodge.
  • Fort motel.
  • Nyaika Hotel

Accommodation in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi has got a variety of accommodation options. They range from high-end luxury camps/lodges, midrange, to budget camps.

  • Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge.
  • Buhoma Lodge.
  • Mahogany Springs lodge.
  • Trekkers Tavern Lodge.
  • Kiho Gorilla Safari Lodge.
  • Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp.
  • Engagi Lodge.
  • Ride 4 a woman Cottages.