Combined 7-Day Gorilla – Chimpanzee Habituation Experience – Wildlife Safari
Value+ Midrange 7-Day Gorilla-Chimpanzee Habituation Experience-Wildlife Safari Starting in Entebbe
Experience the Ultimate 7-Day Gorilla-Chimpanzee Habituation Wildlife Safari: A Perfect Blend of Primate Encounters and Wildlife Exploration.
Embark on an extraordinary 7-day wildlife safari that combines the rare and unforgettable Primate Habituation Experiences in East Africa. This value-packed and mid-range Safari offers you the chance to spend 4 hours with a Gorilla Family in the Rushaga Area of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest on an all-day trek. Additionally, you’ll have a full day with a Chimpanzee Group in the renowned Kibale Forest, East Africa’s premier destination for chimpanzee sightings.
In between the primate adventures, indulge in a 2-day break to explore the remarkable wildlife and stunning scenery of Queen Elizabeth Park. Marvel at the captivating Explosion Crater Drive, cruise along the picturesque Kazinga Channel, and venture into the Ishasha region, famous for its Tree Climbing Lions.
To maximize your time and minimize drive times, this Safari begins with a flight into Entebbe, Uganda, and concludes with a departure from Kigali, Rwanda. By doing so, you can make the most of your safari experience. It’s important to note that this safari requires booking, as the permits for gorilla and chimpanzee habitat experiences are limited, with only a few available on any given day.
Please be aware that booking this Safari well in advance is essential, particularly if you plan to visit Uganda during the peak seasons from June to September and December to March. If Habituation permits are unavailable, permits can be used as an alternative.
Immerse yourself in the wonders of Uganda’s breathtaking landscapes, encounter gorillas and chimpanzees up close, and witness the diverse wildlife that calls Queen Elizabeth Park home. This 7-day Safari promises an unforgettable journey through the heart of East Africa’s natural treasures.
Experience the Best of Deal with a Value+ Midrange Safari with Kabiza Wilderness Safaris
A Value+ Safari is the ultimate safari experience that offers incredible value for your money. Designed specifically for travelers who desire a high-quality adventure within a midrange budget, these safaris provide an exceptional and personalized experience.
You can expect private and full-service accommodations when you embark on a Value+ Safari. Our carefully selected lodges offer well-appointed rooms with comfortable ensuites, ensuring a cozy and relaxing retreat during your safari journey. We prioritize your comfort and convenience at every step.
To keep you energized and satisfied throughout your adventure, our Value+ Safaris include a full-board meal plan. Each meal is thoughtfully prepared, catering to your dietary preferences and ensuring you have delicious and nourishing options to enjoy during your Safari.
At the heart of our Value+ Safaris is a commitment to personalized service and attention to detail. Our dedicated team is there to cater to your needs, ensuring that every aspect of your Safari is handled. From expert guides to seamless logistics, we strive to make your safari experience memorable and hassle-free.
To discover more about our Value+ Safaris and explore our incredible offerings, we invite you to follow the link [provide link]. Here, you will find comprehensive information about our safari packages, destinations, and the exceptional value they provide.
Embark on a safari adventure that exceeds your expectations without breaking the bank. Choose a Value+ Safari for an unforgettable experience of comfort, delectable meals, and personalized service.
Value+ 7-Day Gorilla-Chimpanzee Habituation Experience-Wildlife Safari Highlights:
This Safari begins in Entebbe and ends in Kigali, Rwanda.
- Gorilla Habituation Experience: Sped up to four hours with a gorilla family, with only four participants.
- Tree-Climbing Lions: The best spot in East Africa to see tree-climbing lions.
- Wildlife Game Drives: In Queen Elizabeth Park.
- Wildlife – Birds Boar Cruise: Cruise the Kazinga Channel and see its fantastic wildlife, birds, Crocodiles, and many hippos.
- The Scenic Explosion Crater Drive: See the stunning Crater Lakes on this drive.
- Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary: Take a guided Walk through a Jungle Swamp.
- The Chimpanzee Habituation Experience: Spend more time with the chimpanzees on this six-hour-long activity.
- Optional Golden Monkey Habituation: Add a day to your Safari and spend more time with the Golden Monkeys.
Not included: Visas, Travel Insurance, Laundry, Tips, drinks at lodges such as Alcoholic drinks and sodas, and optional listed activities.
Value+ Midrange 7-Day Gorilla-Chimpanzee Habituation Experience-Wildlife Safari in Detail:
Arrival day:
Experience the essence of our Value+ Safaris, where we prioritize your satisfaction and provide exceptional value for your investment. Our safaris offer a perfect blend of affordability and quality, ensuring a memorable adventure without compromising comfort and service.
Indulge in the comfort of our handpicked midrange lodges, where you’ll find well-appointed rooms or cottages with ensuites. These accommodations have been carefully selected to offer a delightful retreat after your exciting safari activities.
Our Value+ Hakuna Matata Safaris go beyond just accommodation. They include a full-board meal plan, ensuring you are treated to delicious and nourishing meals throughout your journey. Immerse yourself in the flavors of the region and savor each culinary experience.
What sets our Value+ Safaris apart is the personalized touch. Each Safari is private, allowing you to enjoy an intimate and exclusive experience tailored to your preferences. Our dedicated team will ensure your needs are met, providing attentive service and going the extra mile to make your Safari extraordinary.
Embark on a journey that combines affordability, comfort, and exceptional service. Our Value+ Safaris are designed to exceed your expectations, leaving you with cherished memories that will last a lifetime. Contact us to learn more and begin planning your unforgettable safari adventure. a. Entebbe International Airport Tourist Information.
Day 1 – Drive to Kibale Forest:
The Value+ Midrange 7-Day Gorilla-Chimpanzee Habituation Experience-Wildlife Safari begins. Depart your Hotel in Entebbe at 6:30 am, heading for Kibale Forest. This is a 4-hour plus drive from Entebbe.
We arrive at Kibale Forest, where we check into Isunga Lodge.
Isunga Lodge:
Welcome to Isunga Lodge: Where Value Meets Excellence! Discover the hidden gem of Isunga Lodge, a moderately priced haven that offers guests exceptional value for their money. We have carefully selected Isunga Lodge for our safaris, and the feedback from our clients has been overwhelmingly positive.
Nestled in a serene and secluded setting, Isunga Lodge features four cozy cottages, each equipped with an ensuite bath. Enjoy the privacy and tranquility of your own space, ensuring a comfortable and rejuvenating stay.
At Isunga Lodge, we believe that food is an essential part of the experience. Our thoughtful culinary team uses the finest ingredients to prepare delectable meals that cater to your taste buds. Immerse yourself in a culinary journey that will delight your senses.
Service excellence is our utmost priority. Our dedicated staff goes above and beyond to ensure your stay is exceptional. From attentive assistance to personalized care, we strive to exceed your expectations in every way.
While other moderately priced lodges in Uganda exist, Isunga Lodge stands out. Our clients have expressed their enthusiasm and satisfaction with their stays at Isunga Lodge, emphasizing its superior value and service.
Located near the park, Isunga Lodge is among the finest midrange options. Our commitment to exceptional service, unbeatable value, and mouthwatering meals sets us apart.
Choose Isunga Lodge for an unforgettable experience that combines affordability, comfort, and outstanding service. Join our delighted guests who have experienced the magic of Isunga Lodge firsthand. Read more.
Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary:
Explore the Enchanting Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary:
Go on a captivating adventure with an afternoon hike through the renowned Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary. This guided experience takes you on a three-hour journey through a jungle swamp, where you’ll traverse wooden planks that act as a boardwalk, keeping you above the wetlands.
Your knowledgeable guide hails from the local community, which has diligently preserved and maintained the wetlands for many years. Their expertise and deep connection to the area ensure an insightful and enriching experience. The sanctuary welcomes thousands of visitors annually, attesting to its popularity and significance.
As you venture through the wetlands, keep your eyes peeled for the incredible wildlife that inhabits the area. You may have the opportunity to spot chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, and baboons during the afternoon hike. Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary is renowned for its diverse birdlife, with the majestic Blue Turaco being a notable highlight. Prepare to be mesmerized by the vibrant avian species that call this sanctuary home.
Beyond the avian wonders, the sanctuary is also home to various fascinating mammals. Look out for playful otters, elusive bush pigs, agile mongooses, and the rare Sitatunga Antelope, among other remarkable creatures in this pristine habitat.
It’s important to note that the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary is a remarkable UNESCO self-sustaining eco-tourism project initiated by the local community. By participating in this experience, you contribute to this unique ecosystem’s preservation and conservation efforts, supporting the livelihoods of the community members involved.
Discover the allure of the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary, immersing yourself in nature’s wonders while supporting a sustainable and community-driven initiative. Read more.
Meal Plan: Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner
Day 2 – Kibale Forest – Chimpanzee
Habituation Experience:
What to wear and bring for the Chimpanzee Habituation Experience:
Wear the same clothes you would wear for the Gorilla Habituation Experience Safari, except gardening gloves. You will need a packed lunch from the Lodge and two liters of Water; we will supply you with Water.
The Six-Hour Chimpanzee Habituation Experience:
Early Breakfast, and you are off to meet with your Ranger-Guide, who will take you into Kibale Forest, where a Chimpanzee Troop is being habituated, a process that takes up to two years. The method teaches Chimpanzees to be in the presence of humans. In this activity, you actively participate in the habituation experience process.
Before you see the chimpanzees, you will hear their hooting calls in the Distance. So you come upon them and spend one hour with them, observing their ways and habits.
Usually, you might see 4 to 6 other primate species here, many birds, butterflies, and mammals, and the forest with its unique vegetation. You will see a lot more on all-day Habituation than on a trek.
You must wear the proper clothing and shoes and have at least 2 liters of water, plus a packed lunch. Habituationn: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner.
Day 3 – Queen Elizabeth Park:
Today, we move to Queen Elizabeth Park. This is a two-hour-plus drive where you will see the rolling landscape, crater lakes, and the Rwenzori Mountains, the smallest mountain range in Africa.
Before we checked in at the Enganzi Game Drive, we took the 27-kilometer Explosion Crater Drive.
The Katwe Explosion Crater Drive is one of the most scenic drives in Uganda. Even National Geographic has featured craters that you will see on the drive.
There are 12 Explosion Craters at the highest point in the park, with views of the Rwenzori Mountains of the Moon, the Western Rift Escarpment, and the Savannah below. Read more here about Queen Elizabeth Park.
Check into Enganzi Game Lodge:
Enganzi Game Lodge – with that affordable extra added touch, Enganzi Game Lodge offers quality yet reasonably priced.
Enganzi Game Lodge is the perfect base for exploring the scenic Queen Elizabeth Park with its wildlife, explosion craters, the vast Kyambura Gorge, the endless Maramagambo Forest, and more.
The tented cottages have a full bath and extensive views down the Albertine Escarpment to Queen Elizabeth Park.
Enganzi Game Lodge is also a family-friendly lodge open to children of all ages.
Enganzi is moderately priced but offers more value than lodges at a similar price with its views, location, large, tented cottages, full bathrooms, good service, and sumptuous meals served here.
Afternoon Boat Cruise on the Kazinga Channel:
You take the Kazinga Channel Wildlife Boat Cruise in the Afternoon from the Mweya landing point toward Lake Edwards. The boat cruise is one of the highlights of your time in Queen Elizabeth Park.
The Kazinga Channel has one of the highest concentrations of Hippos in East Africa. You can also see crocodiles, monitor lizards, and water birds such as pelicans.
There are also elephants, buffaloes, and antelopes that you will see. Additionally, you will see fishing villages and people living on the channel’s banks.
There are lots of opportunities for you to take pictures of the boat. Private boat cruises can be arranged. Read more here about Kazinga Channel.
Meal Plan: Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner
Day 4 – Queen Elizabeth Park:
Lion Tracking Research:
Drive to the Ishasha area of Queen Elizabeth Park:
After the Lion Tracking Research, we drove to the Ishasha area through the park. Here, we arrive around lunchtime and check into Ishasha Jungle Lodge.
Ishasha Jungle Lodge:
Upon our arrival at lunchtime, we checked in at the Ishasha Jungle Lodge, conveniently located near the entrance of the Ishasha sector of the park. This moderately priced lodge ensures you have a comfortable and enjoyable stay.
Your accommodation at Ishasha Jungle Lodge consists of a tented cottage with an ensuite bath and a verandah. The spacious room provides all the necessary amenities, including mosquito netting for a peaceful night’s sleep.
The lodge offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere, ensuring you feel at home during your stay. Indulge in delicious meals served at the main lodge, which include breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Additionally, you can enjoy the lounge and bar area, perfect for relaxing and unwinding after a day of exploration.
Stay connected with available WiFi and use charging stations at the main lodge.
Ishasha Jungle Lodge provides the ideal blend of comfort, affordability, and hospitality, ensuring a delightful experience in the park. Enjoy the tranquil surroundings, savor the delectable cuisine, and take advantage of the lodge’s amenities as you create cherished memories of your stay. Read more.
Afternoon Game Drive:
Read more about Tree-Climbing Lions here.
Meal Plan: Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner
Day 5- Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – Rushaga Area:
We depart for the southern area of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest at 7:00 a.m. The drive will take five hours, and we will reach Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge at lunchtime.
Check into Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge:
- Bunia Forest Walk: This is a forest walk with Batwa Elders. The Batwa were the first people of the forest. Today, you can see the rainforest through the eyes of its first people, the Indigenous Batwa.
- Village Walk: Take a guided village walk and meet the local community.
- Dugout Canoeing: You can go dugout canoeing with a guide.
- Hiking: Hiking through the hills of the Gorilla Highlands.
- Relax and Chill Out: Read a book and relax on your verandah.
Meal Plan: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Day 6 – Gorilla Habituation Experience Encounter:
Have an early breakfast and pick up your packed lunch from the Lodge. We have provided you with what to wear and the gear to bring.
What Should I Wear Tracking for the Gorilla Habituation Experience?
Here is practical advice about what to wear during the Uganda Gorilla Habituation Experience. Often, Trekkers are not dressed right for the occasion, which can spoil your day, and your focus might not be on the Gorillas but personal discomfort and misery. Wearing suitable clothing and footwear is about protection.
Gorilla Wear and Gear you will need:
- Daypack: A waterproof daypack is preferred; you can use it as a carry-on when flying to Uganda. Pack all essentials inside the daypack.
- Hiking Boots: Make sure that they have good treads on them. You will need ankle support, something boots give you and give you reactions on muddy trails. Have a good pair of merino wool socks.
- Long Trouser: They will protect you from nettles and thorns. Tuck the trousers into your socks for added protection from ants.
- Long-Sleeved Shirt: Neutral in color. Again, this is for your comfort and protection.
- Rain Jacket or Poncho: Pack into your daypack. You never know when it will train. You are in an Afro-montane Rainforest.
- Tough Gardening Gloves protect your hands from thorns, nettles, and sharp branches.
- Wide Brimmed Hat: It gives you protection from the Sun.
- Camera Equipment – Binoculars: Ensure extra batteries and storage devices. Put them into Ziploc bags. Binoculars are not needed if you are not a birder.
- Packed Lunch and Bottled Water: You will need lunch from the Lodge and two liters of water we provide.
- Insect Repellent – Sun Lotion – Sunglasses: We recommend the effective Australian RID Insect Repellent. Good Sun blocker cream and sunglasses.
- You will need a Porter and Walking Stick: The services of a porter free you on the often-difficult trail, and a local walking stick helps you and steadies you on the often-challenging path. We supply our clients with both.
Read more about Gorilla Gear and Wear here.
Have an early breakfast, and take your packed lunch from the Lodge for Gorilla Trekking Gear. Having the right gear and wearing the right clothes and boots make a difference in the quality of a Trek that you will have.
The Gorilla Habituation Experience Orientation:
Here, you receive instructions about the Gorilla Habituation Experience. You are given specific instructions for the Habituation Experience, which is different since there are only four participants.
The Rangers will review the Rules and Guidelines before you embark on the Habituation trek. The Distance and Face Mask Rules are there for the protection of Mountain Gorillas from diseases, including respiratory illnesses.
If you are ill on the day of your Gorilla Habituation Experience, you are required to cancel the Habituation Experience Trek. This requirement protects the Mountain Gorillas and all human participants, including rangers, researchers, and porters.
Your Time with the Gorilla Family Being Habituated:
The length of your trek is determined by the location of the Gorilla family being habituated. The gentle giants make new nests daily and move up to three kilometers up and down ridges and valleys. One reason you need the assistance of a porter and a walking stick.
The Gorilla Habituation Experience turns into an all-day trek with a return to the trailhead in the late afternoon.
You are one of the fortunate few who can take the Gorilla Habituation Experience. There have been many attempts, but few trekkers have experienced more time with the Gorillas since there are only four permits per day.
The actual encounter with the Gentle Giants is like entering someone’s living room. You experience with your eyes and ears how they live out their days, how they relate to one another, what they eat, and how they communicate.
It is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You will never forget an event, a most moving experience that can only be done in Uganda.
Trek in and trek out, the 4 hours with a gorilla family, is an all-day activity. There are only four participants and not eight like regular gorilla trekking.
Tips – Advice that you may find helpful.
Meal Plan: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Day 7 – Kigali Rwanda:
Drive to Kigali, Rwanda:
As we conclude your Value+ Midrange 7-Day Gorilla-Chimpanzee Habituation Experience-Wildlife Safari, it is time to bid farewell. We will depart for Kigali, Rwanda, promptly at 7:00 am, embarking on a scenic four-hour drive. At the border, adjusting your watch to Central African Time is advisable, as we will be crossing into a new time zone, resulting in a one-hour time difference.
To enter Rwanda, it is essential to hold an East African Visa, which should be obtained before entering Uganda. This visa provides access to Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya, offering convenience and flexibility for your future travels.
We can arrange a dayroom with meals for those with evening flights to ensure your comfort until departure. This option allows you to relax and freshen up before your onward journey.
Depending on your flight schedule, we can also include an exciting opportunity to encounter the captivating Golden Monkeys at Mgahinga Gorilla Park. This optional addition adds another layer of adventure and discovery to your safari experience.
We hope you have enjoyed your 7-day journey, filled with unforgettable encounters with gorillas, chimpanzees, and the region’s abundant wildlife. As you depart, may the memories of this remarkable Safari stay with you, reminding you of Uganda and Rwanda’s beauty and diversity.
For over a Decade since 2008, we have offered No-Worrs Value+ 7-Day Gorilla-Chimpanzee Habituation Experience-Wildlife SafariSafaris:
Our private No Worries Safaris are full-service Value+ Midrange and Luxury Safaris that come with all needed for a successful Safari in Uganda. You have your own Safari Vehicle with an experienced driver. You stay at a quality midrange or luxury Lodge; all the activities listed are included. The outcome of your Safari is more important to us than income.
Contact us about this Value+ Midrange 7-Day Gorilla-Chimpanzee Habituation Experience-Wildlife Safari.