Chimpanzee Tracking, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and the Mountain Gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Uganda Private Safari
Overview
Uganda, with its mystical forests, sun-dappled savannas, legendary Great Rift Valley, and the snow-capped Ruwenzori Mountains, is an absolutely gorgeous setting for this Private Journey. Led by your own safari guide and in a private vehicle, enjoy a thrilling big game safari, gameviewing by boat, and the ultimate—the rare opportunity to track chimpanzees and mountain gorillas on foot! To observe these endangered creatures up-close in the wild is one of the world's most unforgettable experiences—the excitement of coming within a few feet of them is simply surreal.
Arrive: Entebbe, Uganda
Depart: Entebbe, Uganda
Highlights
- Enjoy thrilling encounters with mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
- Track chimpanzees on foot in Kibale Forest National Park
- Thrilling gameviewing safari on the savannas of Queen Elizabeth National Park in the Great Rift Valley
- Private safari guide and vehicle
Itinerary
After an overnight in Entebbe, head through Uganda's lovely landscapes to Kibale National Park, home to 13 primate species. Here you'll track bands of chimpanzees as they play, feed, and scamper across the treetop canopy. Other denizens of the park include vervet, colobus, and red-tailed monkeys, and grey-cheeked mangabeys.
Queen Elizabeth National Park, designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, supports a wonderful diversity of wildlife in habitats ranging from lowland rainforest to wetlands to grassy savannas—all with the stunning backdrop the Ruwenzoris, Africa's fabled “Mountains of the Moon.” Enjoy gameviewing by 4WD vehicle in the park's lake-dotted savannas, and boating in the Kazinga Channel, with its large concentrations of hippos, elephant, and other wildlife that often come to the water's edge to drink.
Bwindi is one of the most biologically diverse areas on Earth, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Among the 11 resident primate species are 310 magnificent mountain gorillas, half of the world's population of this elusive and highly endangered mammal. You'll enjoy the incomparable experience of tracking, then quietly observing, the mountain gorilla clans that reside in Bwindi's montane forests. The tracking can be physically challenging, but the rewards are tremendous and the rigors soon forgotten when you spot a gorilla family and become absorbed in watching these gentle creatures. When not observing mountain gorillas, you have time to observe some of the amazing varieties of bird, butterfly, and animal species that make their home in this unusual park. Depart on Day 8 via Entebbe.
Private Sunset Cruise on Lake Victoria
Gorilla Health Center Visit
View the local flora and fauna, and get a glimpse into life amongst the fishing villages along the shores of expansive Lake Victoria on this private two-hour sunset boat cruise. Includes red and white wine, gin and tonics, non-alcoholic beverages, cheese, crackers, fruits, and other local snacks.
Gorilla Health Center Visit
After a rewarding day tracking mountain gorillas, you have the option to get a behind-the-scenes look at the Conservation Through Public Health's (CTPH) outstanding gorilla conservation efforts. A Ugandan-run non-profit lead by Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, CTPH aims to improve the health of wildlife, ecosystems, humans and their livestock in and around Uganda's protected areas. Activities include a tour of the facilities, a demonstration of how CTPH analyzes gorilla samples (with the opportunity to participate!), and discussions about CTPH's work with the local community.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
This trip is rated Level 3+, Moderate. The hike to see the mountain gorillas can last anywhere from 2 to 8 hours, which includes one hour spent with the gorillas, over terrain that can be steep, thickly forested, and/or slippery. Any African safari is an adventure, and the traveler to Africa should bring along flexibility, a sense of humor, and an openness to the unexpected.
Review Trip Level Details
Altitudes for the gorilla tracking portions of the trip range from approximately 3,900 feet to approximately 7,500 feet. You will be hiking through dense, thorny bush covering up to four miles or more in distance. You may be hiking in all types of weather; rain can occur in these mountains at a moment's notice. The climate is hot and humid. We will often hike uphill to follow the clans, but will take breaks along the way. The hike to see the chimpanzees takes an average of 2.5 hours, though it can last up to 4 hours when chimps are on the move in search of food. We will hike on marked trails for at least part of the trek. However, as with the mountain gorillas, we will follow the chimps' movements, prompting us to sometimes go off-trail based on their wanderings. Altitudes during this portion of the trip range from approximately 3,900 feet to approximately 4,600 feet. Conditions can be boggy and since we are in a tropical rainforest, it can rain at any time.
Gorilla tracking is a strenuous activity and it is important to be in good physical condition. The shape you're in will be an important factor in your enjoyment of and ability to partake in these hikes. Make an effort to get in good physical condition with hiking, biking, running, or other kinds of exercise beyond your normal routine. Start getting in shape months before your departure. A brisk 30-45 minute walk every other day over moderately steep terrain can do wonders for your conditioning.
The climate in Uganda is considered “modified tropical”— similar to the equatorial climate of other East African countries like Kenya and Tanzania, but slightly modified by its altitude, which ranges from 3,500 to 4,500 feet. Daytime temperatures are usually in the 70s and 80s, and humidity is fairly high. You can expect to experience some rain during the course of the trip. Like Kenya and Tanzania, Uganda has two annual rainy seasons, one between March and May and one between October and November.
June, July and August
During these months, the country is refreshingly green and the weather is coolest, especially in the higher altitudes, with a high of 70°-80° and a low of 40°. Riding in the safari vehicle can be chilly some mornings, but the temperature usually warms up by 10:00 am.
September, October and November
These are delightful times to visit Uganda and can be compared to springtime in the US. The jacaranda and other trees are bursting into blossom and the days are warmer. The high temperatures are 75°-85°F, with a low of 65°F. Scattered rains occur in November and early December. These “short rains” just freshen the country and lay the dust, although they can sometimes be heavy.
December to March
These are Uganda's “summer” months. The temperature range is from 80° to 90° during the day (coastal areas are hotter and can range from 80° to 100°). The evenings range from 50°F to 60°F.
April and May
The rainy season (the “long rains”) occur during these months.
You will have a private guide and driver in a 4WD safari vehicle. We use five- or seven-passenger Nissan safari vehicles (never minibuses!), and all vehicles have roof hatches for easy wildlife viewing and photography. A cooler of drinks and refreshments is carried aboard. And our 4WD vehicles can go virtually anywhere, an important feature when we're tracking game. Please note there are some long driving days over rough roads and dusty dirt tracks.
Client Testimonials
"This was an outstanding trip that satisfied both myself and my son's "bucket-list" desire to see the gorillas and wildlife in Africa."
Bob K.
Reno, NV
"This ‘trip of a lifetime’ actually exceeded my expectations. Uganda is a special place. The accommodations were top notch and the level of service received was off the charts."
David K.
Livermore, CA
"All of the accommodations exceeded my expectations as did the food and service staff. Very impressive. And our guide was spectacular. He had extensive knowledge of every aspect of our adventure, from the animals on safari, to government policies, to the local food. He took close care of us to ensure we had safe and interactive excursions."
David S.
Portland, OR
"We especially loved our guide—what an amazing person. He was very kind, friendly, knowledgeable, and not only provided the ability to see all the wildlife we wanted to see, but also introduced us to the people of Uganda. We feel we had as much fun with him and the people as we did with the gorillas!"
Tom M.
Naples, FL
"All of the hotels were wonderful! Each had a different look and feel and every one was charming! All of the staff and the various locations were friendly, polite, and always extremely helpful and accommodating."
Vanessa K.
Hillsborough, CA
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Book your trip today
Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.