7 Days All Uganda Primates Tour

The 7 Days all Uganda Primates tour combines discovering the three great and most endangered Africa’s primates these include the intelligent Chimpanzees, the magical mountain gorillas and the beautiful golden monkeys fully in their natural habitats. This all Uganda primates tour will take you to Kibale forest national park a home to endangered chimpanzees and commonly known as the primates capital of Africa with approximately 13 primate species recorded for chimpanzee tracking experience, Bwindi impenetrable forest national park a home to half of the world’s existing magical mountain gorillas for the mountain gorilla trekking and Mgahinga gorilla national park the only park in Uganda where you can encounter the beautiful golden monkeys and the endangered mountain gorillas for the beautiful golden monkey trekking. On this 7 days all Uganda primates tour, you will have opportunity to encounter over 20 Uganda primate species these include chimpanzees, mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, the black-and-white colobus, grey-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed monkey, vervet monkeys, olive baboons, de brazza’s monkey, l’Hoest’s and blue monkeys, bush baby and potto.

Highlights 7 Days all Uganda Primates tour;

• Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe international airport – Meet and greet and drive to the booked hotel
• Day 2: Entebbe town – Drive to Kibale Forest national park – Evening Bigodi community walk
• Day 3: Chimpanzee tracking – Nocturnal walk
• Day 4: Kibale Forest national park – Drive to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park
• Day 5: Mountain gorilla trekking – Transfer to Mgahinga gorilla national park
• Day 6: Golden monkey trekking – Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi – Evening boat canoeing on Lake Bunyonyi
• Day 7: Lake Bunyonyi – Return to Entebbe international airport

Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe international airport – Meet and greet and drive to the booked hotel

On your arrival at Entebbe international Airport, you will meet our company representative and safari guide who will be eagerly waiting to welcome you and transfer you to your booked hotel in Entebbe town to check in freshen yourself and later meet again at the hotel lobby to be briefed on your 7 Days all Uganda Primates tour, discuss about the pick-up time to start the tour and spend the rest of the time at leisure dinner and an overnight.

Accommodation options; Protea Hotel Entebbe by Marriott (Luxury), 2 Friends Beach Hotel (Mid-range), Via via Guest House (Standard)
Meal plan; Dinner

Day 2: Depart Entebbe town – Drive to Kibale Forest national park – Evening Bigodi community walk

Day 2 of the 7 Days all Uganda Primates tour, wake up very early in the morning to prepare yourself, pack your bag, be served breakfast, check out of your room to meet your safari guide at the hotel reception and start the drive to Kibale Forest national park found in western Uganda. Kibale forest national park is famously known for the biggest population of Chimpanzees amounting to more than 1500 individual chimpanzees and some of these are well habituated for tourism and research. The park is also referred as the Africa’s primate capital with 13 primate species recorded than any national park or wildlife reserve in Africa, comprising of 13 different species. Kibale Forest National Park is thus a primate lover’s haven and the primate capital of the world. The park is also home to East Africa’s largest population of the threatened rare L’hoest’s monkey and red colobus monkeys. While at Kibale forest national park, while at Kibale forest national park, you will see several primates such as the black-and-white colobus, blue monkeys, red-tailed, olive baboon, grey-cheeked mangabey and over 375 species of birds. Along the way to Kibale forest national park, you will enjoy the spectacular views of tea estates, several forest and the shadow of the legendary Rwenzori Mountain that forms a mystic backdrop to the beautiful volcanic landscape. You will have a stopover in Fort portal city to relax, have lunch plus refreshments and later proceed with your drive to the park to check in at your booked lodge and thereafter drive to Bigodi sanctuary swamp for an evening guided swamp and community walk.

Bigodi sanctuary swamp is punctuated by biodiversity and lovely sceneries, and is a paradise to bird lover’s with over 138 bird species and hosting eight species of primates these include the grey-cheeked mangabey, black-and-white colobus, l’Hoest’s and blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and olive baboons plus other mammals like Bushbucks and mongooses can also be found here. The swamp is managed by the surrounding local community wish a purpose of preserving exclusive environmental features along with the wetland for future generation. So, during this walk, you will have an opportunity to spot several monkeys, and bird species. The Bigodi community walk, will take you through the nearby community to have a chance to interact with local people to know how they harmoniously live with wildlife species, take you through how they locally to their daily activities without applying the modern technology such as making nice gins from banana, making delicious coffee and making art crafts. After the walk, return to your lodge to relax, be served dinner and an overnight.

Accommodation options; Crater Safari Lodge (Luxury), Isunga Safari Lodge (Mid-range), Rwetera Safari park (Standard)

Meal plan; Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Day 3: Kibale Forest national Park – Chimpanzee tracking Safari – Nocturnal walk safari

Day 3 of the 7 days all Uganda Primates tour, wake up very in the morning to dress up in a recommend chimpanzee tracking style such as long sleeved shirt, trousers, protective leather gloves / gardening gloves, water proof jacket and lightweight walking boots to protect you against scratches, and insect bites. Pack all your required gadgets to use during your chimpanzee trekking safari such as camera, extra camera battery, binoculars among others, be served breakfast, get your packed snacks, then meet your safari guide and drive to the park information offices of Kanyanchu, at 7am to meet other guests for the pre-chimpanzee trekking briefing by the UWA ranger about what to do and not during chimpanzee trekking safari, what to expect during the forest walk and how to behave once you have encountered the chimpanzee. After briefing, you will be grouped into a small group of people and be assigned a ranger and a chimpanzee family to track and later start your forest walk to the search for chimpanzees in their natural habitat. The time taken in search for the chimpanzees is not known but usually lasts between 45 minutes to 6 hours depending on the movement of your allocated Chimpanzee family. Once you encounter the chimpanzees, you will spend a maximum of one hour with them while observing and following their moves in the forest, seeing them as they swing through trees branches with so much speed as well as pant hooting, slapping the tree barks and screaming to locate each other which make the tour so interesting and memorable.  You will have a chance of seeing other primates such as Red Colobus Monkey, Vervet Monkeys, Grey-cheeked Mangabey, L’Hoest Monkey, and many forest bird species. Your forest guide will give you information about the forest and all wildlife species that you will encounter. After the chimpanzee and other primate species, return to the visitor information center to get your certificate, have some refreshments and then drive back to your lodge to have lunch and spend rest of the time at your leisure while preparing for your adventurous nocturnal forest walk tour search for the nocturnal primates like Poto, bush baby and other nocturnal wildlife species.

The Nocturnal Forest Walk tour in Kibale Forest offers a rare look into the nocturnal world of a rainforest while experiencing how wildlife and primates spend their night time life in the forest as well as searching for the nocturnal species. The looks and sounds of the park changes from what observed on your daytime chimpanzee trekking safari such as there are no longer the cries,  hoots and chatters from the chirping of birds, chimpanzees, and insects and other noises made by daytime forest dwellers. So, a “Night Forest Walk,” will make you feel like in another world where the sounds and sights differ from the normal world. During the 2 hours nocturnal tour, besides enjoying different life of the park, there are higher chances to encounter the nocturnal wildlife species such as Bush baby, Poto, owl and many others. After this adventurous tour drive back to your lodge to have dinner and an overnight.

Accommodation options; Crater Safari Lodge (Luxury), Isunga Safari Lodge (Mid-range), Rwetera Safari park (Standard)

Meal plan; Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Day 4: Kibale Forest national Park – Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park (Rushaga sector)

Day 4 of the 7 days all Uganda Primates tour wake up at your convenient time, pack your travel bag, be serve breakfast, check out of the lodge, meet your safari guide and then start the drive to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park (Rushaga sector) found in the southwestern Uganda. Unlike most of the Africa’ remaining forests, Bwindi impenetrable forest national park has stayed in existence for over 25,000 years and has contributed enormously in the process accumulating a lengthy species list such as half of the world’s remaining population of the endangered mountain gorillas, 51 reptiles, 310 species of butterflies, 88 moths, 200 trees, and an exceptional 120 species of mammals including 10 primates. Primates in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park includes  chimpanzee, red-tailed monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkey and black and white colobus monkey, blue monkey, olive baboon, and the Africa’s most famous resident, the mountain gorilla. Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is a prime destination for mountain gorilla trekking safari in Africa due to its high population of the gorillas and also a famous place for bird- lovers to spot several species with over 350 recorded species including seven that are IUCN red data listed and 90% of all Albertine rift endemics – species that are impossible to see in any other part of East Africa and Africa. On your arrival at Bwindi impenetrable forest national park, drive straight to check in at your booked lodge to relax, dinner and an overnight.

Accommodation options; Gorilla Safari Lodge (Luxury), Icumbi Gorilla Lodge (Mid-range) Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodges (Standard)

Meal Plan; Breakfast /Lunch /Dinner

Day 5: Bwindi impenetrable national park – Mountain gorilla trekking – Drive to Mgahinga gorilla national park

Day 5 of the 7 days all Uganda Primates tour, rise up very in the morning at 0600hrs dress up very smartly to enjoy the most adorable Africa’s wildlife (light weighted Waterproof Hiking Sturdy Boots, Sturdy Gardening Gloves, Rain Jacket, Wear A Hat, Warm Sweater and long sleeved shirt and trouser preferably khaki /Jean) this is to protect you from branches, thorns, nettles, or anything else that can prick/scratch your body. Get all your cameras and binoculars ready, get your travel bag packed, have breakfast, pick your packed lunch, check out of the lodge, meet your safari guide and then drive to the park information offices to join other guests for the pre-morning mountain gorilla trekking briefing where you will be given rules and regulations to follow during mountain gorilla trekking, what to expect during the forest walk while searching for the mountain gorillas and how to behave in the presence of the magical mountain gorillas. Be given a guide and allocated to a certain mountain gorilla family and then start your forest walk to search for the mountain gorillas. Sometimes, the forest walk in search for the mountain gorillas may be tough and long and sometimes, you may walk through muddy and steep conditions depending on the location of the mountain gorilla family you are following and the time taken to encounter the mountain gorillas is unpredictable but it can take between 45 minutes to 6 hours. Therefore, you have to be physically fit and mentally prepared. When you encounter the magnificent silverback, mother gorillas and youngsters, you will be extremely amazed and each time, you would wish your eyes to keep open so, we are certain sure that you forget any discomforts and tiredness went through to encounter the magical mountain gorillas in their natural habitats.  So, once you meet the mountain gorilla, you have to keep your camera on standby not to miss any moment with the mountain gorillas uncaptured. Your forest guide, will guide you on what to do when you are with these forest giants. Due to the conservation purposes, you will only be allowed to stay with the magical mountain gorillas for maximum of one hour but it will be made up of beautiful experiences. After you have spent an hour with the mountain gorillas, slowly return to the starting point to receive your certificate in appreciation for your contribution towards the conservation of the mountain gorillas, enjoy your packed lunch plus other refreshments and later to drive to Mgahinga gorilla national park to check in at your booked lodge and spend your evening relaxing, dinner and an overnight.

Accommodation options; Lake Mutanda Resort (Luxury), Lake Mulehe Lodge (Mid-range) Lake Chahafi Lodge (Standard)

Meal Plan; Breakfast /Lunch /Dinner

Day 6: Mgahinga gorilla national park – Golden Monkey Tracking – Drive to Lake Bunyonyi

Day 6 of the 7 days all Uganda Primates tour, rise up very in the morning at 0600hrs dress up very smartly to enjoy the most adorable Africa’s wildlife (light weighted Waterproof Hiking Sturdy Boots, Sturdy Gardening Gloves, Rain Jacket, Wear A Hat, Warm Sweater and long sleeved shirt and trouser preferably khaki /Jean) this is to protect you from branches, thorns, nettles, or anything else that can prick/scratch your body. Have breakfast, get your packed lunch box, checkout of the lodge, meet your safari guide and drive the park information offices for the pre-trekking briefing, get a guide from UWA and then start your forest walk to lookout for the beautiful endangered golden monkeys. Golden monkeys are amongst Africa’s most endangered primates with every small number remaining in the world. These beautiful primates are only found in the foothills of the volcanic mountains Virunga conservation area which includes Mgahinga gorilla National Park in Uganda, Virunga national park in DR Congo and in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda mainly found in the bamboo forested zones on the lower slopes of the volcanoes. Golden monkeys are made of a bright golden body, with contrasting black limbs, cheeks and tail, crown and tail end and very playful primates so, watching them is one of the best African primate experience. Once you encounter them, you will have a maximum of 1 hour to stay with them and you will be free to take as many photos as you would wish. Your UWA guide will give you much information about them, the forest and other wildlife species you will be encounter which will make your walk adventurous. After staying you the beautiful golden monkeys for an hour, return to the park starting point to meet your safari guide, have some refreshments, enjoy your lunch and then drive to Lake Bunyonyi one of the most beautiful lakes in Africa to relax after enjoying discovering most of the Africa’s best primates. Dinner and an overnight

Accommodation options; Birdnest Resort @Bunyonyi (Luxury), Arcadia Lodge Bunyonyi (Mid-range) Bunyonyi Rock Resort (Standard)

Meal Plan; Breakfast /Lunch /Dinner

Day 7: Lake Bunyonyi – Moning boat canoeing – Return to Entebbe international airport

Day 7 of the 7 days all Uganda Primates tour, wake up at your best time, arrange your bag, have breakfast, and go for a morning boat canoeing safari to fully explore Lake Bunyonyi and to visit some Islands on the Lake such as the punishment  island(Akampene Island in the local language). This is the place where unmarried pregnant women were taken by their parents and ignored to death because, it was a taboo in African culture for women to get pregnant before their official marriage. These women, would only be rescued by poor women who couldn’t afford bride wealth to marry. After the boat canoeing safari, return to your lodge to checkout and the start your return journey back to Entebbe international airport to prepare for your return flight with a stopover at Igongo cultural center to have lunch and Kayabwe equator landmark for the water experiment, visit the craft shops and later proceed straight to the airport. This will be the end of your 7 days all Uganda Primates tour. This is an ideal African safari to encounter several primate species which can’t be found else outside of Africa.

The inclusions of the 7 Days double mountain gorilla experience and golden monkey tracking;

• Return airport transfers (Pick and drop off)
• Private English speaking safari guide for 7 days (Other languages can be arranged at an extra cost)
• Private ground transport for 7 days using either safari Land-cruiser or Safari van (4WD and full time air-conditioned)
• Fuel for 7 days
• Private standard/mid-range/luxury accommodation on full board (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) for 6 night an extra night/s can be arranged on request
• Bottled mineral water and en-route meals throughout the tour
• All government taxes
• 1 Chimpanzee tracking permit per person
• 1 mountain gorilla trekking permit per person
• 1 Golden monkey trekking permit per person
• Bigodi community tour
• 2 hours nocturnal forest walk tour
• A stopover at Kayabwe equator landmark
• A stopover Igongo cultural center
• Boat canoeing on Lake Bunyonyi

The exclusions of the 7 Days double mountain gorilla experience and golden monkey tracking;

• International and domestic flights
• Extra accommodation
• Personal travel insurance
• Optional activities not included on the itinerary
• Tips
• Personal expenses like cigarettes, laundry services, buying souvenirs and gifts, telephone calls, hiring a porter, among others.
• Alcoholic and soft drinks (Beers, Sodas, Wine, and juice at the lodge)