Overview 

4-day tour of Bwindi, Kibale from Kigali guarantees you an ultimate encounter with two great apes in the wild; enjoy up close and personal with chimpanzees and the massive mountain gorillas. This combined chimpanzee tracking and mountain gorilla trekking tour starts and ends in Kigali. You will explore Kibale National Park, the primate capital of the world on a guided chimpanzee trekking adventure and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park on a gorilla trekking experience. 

 

Kibale National Park is a spectacular forest-dominated park located in Kabarole, Western Uganda about a 5-6 hour drive from Kampala city center and from Kigali, about a 7-8 hour drive. 13 primate species reside in Kibale Forest, and they include 1500 chimpanzees, the highest chimp population in Uganda. It is most visited not only for normal chimpanzee trekking but also for the chimpanzee habituation experience. 

 

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park hosts a total of 459 mountain gorillas with 20 habituated gorilla families thus offering visitors plenty of opportunities to participate in a gorilla trekking adventure while on a Ugandan safaris tour.

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Brief Itinerary 

• Day 1: Kigali to Bwindi National Park (Kabale)

• Day 2: Gorilla Trekking & the Batwa

• Day 3: Drive via Ishasha (game drive)-Kibale 

• Day 4: Morning chimpanzee tracking & return to Kigali 

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Detailed Itinerary 

Day 1: Kigali to Bwindi National Park (Kabale)

Pick up at your hotel by an experienced driver guide. Begin your 4 days Bwindi, Kibale tour from Kigali with a city tour, visit iconic sites like Gisozi genocide center, craft centers, and local markets, especially the Kimironko Market. Leave Kigali for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and cross to Uganda through the Chanika border to Kisoro/Katuna border to Kabale. Enjoy the beautiful countryside characterized by rolling hills and arrive early to check in at your gorilla safari lodges for relaxation.

 

Accommodations: 

• Buhoma Lodge/Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Lodge/Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge (Luxury)

• Engagi Lodge/Gorilla Mist Camp/Silverback Lodge Bwindi (Midrange)

• Nshongi Gorilla Resort/Buhoma Community Rest Camp (Budget)

 

Day 2: Gorilla Trekking & the Batwa

Enjoy a hefty breakfast, after, meet the officials at the park offices to be briefed about gorilla trekking rules starting at 7:00 am. At 8:00 am, expect to leave the lodge for the gorilla trek and you will be visiting one of the park’s 20 habituated gorilla families. A trek to view Bwindi gorillas is unpredictable and lasts from 2-6 hours, with a guarantee of one hour for a magical encounter. After, get back to accommodation for relaxation and late in the evening, don’t miss enjoying the authentic African cultural experiences while at the Batwa community. 

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Accommodations: 

• Buhoma Lodge/Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Lodge/Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge (Luxury)

• Engagi Lodge/Gorilla Mist Camp/Silverback Lodge Bwindi (Midrange)

• Nshongi Gorilla Resort/Buhoma Community Rest Camp (Budget)

 

Day 3: Drive via Ishasha (game drive)-Kibale 

Begin your road trip from Bwindi to Kibale National Park, and this includes a game drive at the Ishasha sector. Enjoy the sight of the tree-climbing lions, plus a variety of birds, elephants, and buffaloes, and later, continue to Kibale National Park. For early arrivals, there will be a chance to proceed to Bigodi wetland for a nature walk- this swamp is rich in primates and birds like the Great blue turacos. 

 

Accommodations: 

• Kyaninga Lodge/Ndali/Papaya Lake Lodge (Luxury)

• Turaco Tree Tops/Primate Lodge/Kibale Forest Camp (Moderate/Midrange)

• Isunga Lodge/Rweteera Safari Park (Basic)

 

Day 4: Morning chimpanzee tracking & return to Kigali 

Head to Kanyanchu tourist center for briefing about Kibale chimpanzee tracking and allocation of park guides. You will have 2-4 hours of trekking through Kibale Forest and once you come across the chimpanzee community, expect to have one hour of magical encounter and photography. A chimp trek today offers more than a magical encounter with chimpanzees, lots of other primates will be encountered and after, return to the lodge. Early lunch will be provided/packed to enjoy en route back to Kigali where your driver guide will drop you off at the hotel for relaxation.

 

End of tour 

 

 

Tour inclusions 

• Chimpanzee & gorilla permits (Uganda)

• Transportation 

• 3-night accommodation & meals

• Bottled water 

• Driver/guide services 

• Park entrance fees 

 

Tour exclusions 

• Flights- domestic/international

• Extra activities 

• Beverages

• Tipping 

• Shopping 

• Insurance costs