5 Days Shoebill, Gorilla and Chimpanzee Tracking Safari
This 5 Days Shoebill, Gorilla and Chimpanzee Tracking Safari gives you an opportunity to see the rare shoebill stork in Mabamba Swamp, the intelligent chimpanzees in Kibale Forest National Park and the endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Highlights of 5 Days Shoebill, Gorilla and Chimpanzee Tracking Safari
Day 1: Arrival – Shoebill Stock Tracking
Day 2: Transfer to Kibale Forest – Bigodi Swamp Walk
Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking – Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 4: Gorilla Trekking – Visit the Batwa Village
Day 5: Departure
Detailed Itinerary of 5 Days Shoebill, Gorilla and Chimpanzee Tracking Safari
Day 1: Arrival – Shoebill Stock Tracking
On arrival at Entebbe International Airport you will be warmly welcomed by our Driver-Guide and be transferred to Mabamba Swamp – a well-known destination for being home to the remarkable shoebill stork. This gigantic nonchalant bird enjoys its stay in Mabamba Swamp where you will see them feeding on lung fish from your boat. Other birds you will see in Mabamba Swamp include the rare Payrus Gonolek, Blue Swallow, Malachite Kingfisher, Africa Jacana and various herons.
After this amazing experience, you will head to your lodge for check-in and lunch. Spend the rest of the day at rest.
Overnight at Via Via Entebbe Guest House
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Transfer to Kibale Forest – Bigodi Swamp Walk
After a delicious breakfast, you will check out of the lodge and start your journey to Kibale National Park with a stop at the Equator Crossing in Kayabwe for pictures and a chance to stand in Southern and Northern Hemispheres at one point. Continue to Kibale Forest with lunch in Fort Portal where you will enjoy scenic views of Rwenzori Mountain Ranges.
Check in at your lodge, and later in the afternoon you will go for a Bigodi Swamp Walk where you will get to spot several primate species including olive baboons, black and white colobus monkeys and several bird species. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Overnight at Isunga Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking – Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Enjoy an early breakfast, meet your driver guide and head to the park headquarters for briefing about chimpanzee trekking. A senior ranger guide will take you through rules and regulations to follow while in the forest and presence of the chimpanzees. With armed rangers and guides, enter into the forest searching for chimpanzees, the trek takes approximately 2-4 hours or more depending on the movement of the gorillas and where they spent their previous night.
Spend one hour with the chimpanzees as you watch them play, feed and groom each other. You can take as many photos and videos as possible, later trek back to the starting point, meet your driver guide and embark on a journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with en-route lunch. Arrive in the evening, check in at your lodge for an evening of rest, dinner and overnight stay.
Overnight at Buhoma Community Rest Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Gorilla Trekking – Visit the Batwa Village
Wake up early for breakfast, meet your driver guide and head to the park headquarter for briefing about gorilla trekking. A senior ranger guide will take you through rules and regulations to follow while in the presence of gorillas, and in groups of 8 people you will head into the forest searching for a gorilla family assigned to you. The trek takes approximately 2 to 5 hours or more depending on the movement of the gorillas and where they spent their previous night.
Spend one hour in the presence of the gorillas as you watch them groom each other, feed and groom each other. Watch babies play while the dominant silverback looks over them, you are free to take as many photos as possible. Later retrace back to the starting point, meet your guide and return to your to freshen up and short rest. In the evening you will head to Batwa Village for a cultural experience, here you will be entertained by local dances and drama, taste some local dishes, visit the medicine man among others giving you a deeper insight into the life of the Batwa Pygmy people.
Overnight at Buhoma Community Rest Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Departure
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast, check out of the lodge and embark on a journey to Kampala with en-route lunch in Mbarara. Arrive in Kampala in the evening, your driver-guide will drop you off at the airport to catch your flight back home.
End of 5 Days Shoebill, Gorillas and Chimpanzee Tracking Safari
Inclusions
- Park Fees
- Gorilla Permits
- Chimpanzee Permits
- All Activities
- All Accommodation
- A professional Driver/Guide
- All Transportation
- All Taxes
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- Meals in full board basis
- Drinking water
Exclusions
- International flights
- Tips
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Personal items
- Government imposed taxes or park fees