Excitement and memorable experiences are what every tourist should expect during the 4 days Gorilla and Ngamba Chimps Tour. This tour takes you through two magnificent tourist sites that include Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary to see the endangered Mountain gorillas and rescued Chimpanzees respectively.
This 4 days Gorilla and Ngamba Chimps tour starts from Kampala or Entebbe to continue for the unforgettable excursion at Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary in Lake Victoria managed by Jane Goodall Institute to see some of the orphaned and rescued Chimpanzees. Later advance to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for immeasurable fun and excitement to begin as you spend one hour with some of the habituated gorilla groups in their natural habitat.
What to expect during the 4 days Gorilla and Ngamba Chimps Tour
• Trekking the Mountain gorillas in Bwindi and spending one hour with them.
• Watching Chimpanzees in Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary.
• A chance to see interesting bird species.
• The Batwa community walks.
• Overnights in exquisite accommodation facilities.
• Transport by our comfortable 4WD Vehicle.
Highlights of the 4 Days Gorilla and Ngamba Chimps Tour
Day 1: Drive to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary for Chimpanzee viewing.
Day 2: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Day 3: Gorilla trekking and Batwa community walk.
Day 4: Return to Kampala.
Detailed itinerary of the 4 Days Gorilla and Ngamba Chimps Tour
Day 1: Drive to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary for Chimpanzee viewing
After your sumptuous breakfast, get picked by our driver from your place of residence in Entebbe or Kampala. Drive to Uganda Wildlife Education where you will take a boat cruise lasting 45-60 minutes to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary.
Upon arrival, you will be led to the Visitor Center to relax for some time while waiting for a chance to serve lunch to the Chimps. Be introduced to the history of the Project and the different Chimpanzees including how and where they were rescued. Thereafter be led to the Chimpanzee viewing platform where you will take photos as well as be oriented by the Chimpanzee caregiver on how these apes are fed.
Your visit to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary also leads you to the laboratories for research on different Chimpanzee diseases. Have lunch before taking another boat ride to the shores (Entebbe) and drive to Kampala for dinner and overnight.
Meal plan: Lunch and dinner.
Accommodation options
• Budget: Nexus Resorts Hotel
• Midrange: Le Petit Village Boutique Hotel or Yellow Haven Lodge
• Upmarket: Sheraton Hotel or Serena Hotel Kampala.
Day 2: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast, leave Kampala at 6:30am for a journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The 8-10 hours’ journey is the most fascinating long gorilla trip you will ever take with two stopovers and beautiful sceneries throughout the journey. Have first stop at Kayabwe where you spend no more than 30 minutes taking photos and experimenting at the Uganda Equator.
Continue with the journey while enjoying views of the vast banana plantations, long-horned cattle until Igongo Cultural Center (Biharwe, before Mbarara Town) for lunch. Go through Mbarara, Ntungamo, Rukungiri districts and Kabale where you will be welcomed by the cool air from the rolling hills and also see large tea plantations. The terraced rolling hills will welcome you to the Town of Kabale and upon arrival at Bwindi, drive straight to the Lodge for refreshment, dinner and overnight.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and dinner.
Accommodation options
• Budget: Nshongi Gorilla Camp or Travellers Rest Hotel.
• Midrange: Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge or Gorilla Valley Lodge
• Luxury: Gorilla Safari Lodge, Clouds Mountain Lodge or Chameleon Hill Lodge
Travel time: 8-10 hours.
Day 3: Gorilla trekking and Batwa community walk
This is undoubtedly the most exciting day of your 4 days Gorilla and Ngamba Chimps tour as you get to trek and spend time with the giant apes. You will wake up early for breakfast and report at the headquarters (of the sector/region) with your backpack, camera, drinking water, hat, camera and other equipment. There will be 30 -45 minutes of briefing on the rules to follow while trekking or when in the presence of the gorillas then move to the starting point.
Slowly begin the trek through the thick mist-covered forest while identifying some birds, trees, animals and butterfly species of interest. The 1-4 hours’ trek is quite challenging requiring basic physical fitness and patience but the sound of the mountain gorillas calling, playing and jumping in the forest brings a wave of hope and excitement. Spend one hour taking their photos, admiring and studying about them before returning to the starting point for your gorilla trekking certificate. Return for the lunch, relaxation and possibly the next activity.
If time allows, you will head for the Batwa Community walk where the traditional life, culture, and traditions of the Batwa people before being displaced from the forest is explored. Return to the Lodge for dinner and overnight.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and dinner.
Accommodation options
• Budget: Nshongi Gorilla Camp or Travellers Rest Hotel.
• Midrange: Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge or Gorilla Valley Lodge
• Luxury: Gorilla Safari Lodge, Clouds Mountain Lodge or Chameleon Hill Lodge
Day 4: Return to Kampala
Take breakfast and prepare to return to Kampala. Lunch will be en-route and arrival in the evening.
End of your 4 days Gorilla and Ngamba Chimps Tour
The 4 days Gorilla and Ngamba Chimps Tour package includes;
• Gorilla permit.
• Relevant Government taxes.
• Batwa cultural walk.
• Chimpanzee viewing fees at Ngamba Island Sanctuary.
• Bottled water,
• A full-time English speaking guide.
• Park entrance fees.
• Customized 4WD Vehicle plus fuel.
• Airport transfer as long as it’s on the same day the safari ends.
• One day accommodation in Kampala and 3 days in Bwindi.
The 4 days Gorilla and Ngamba Chimps Tour package excludes;
• Personal insurance.
• Personal expenses such as tips, drinks except the ones provided at meals, souvenirs and laundry fees.
• Airfares.
• Ugandan visa.
Gorilla trekking and chimpanzee viewing guidelines
• Don’t enter the Forest if you are sick because mountain gorillas and Chimpanzees are susceptible to human diseases.
• Maintain a distance of 7 meters when in the presence of Mountain gorillas
• Avoid using flash photography for Mountain gorillas and Chimpanzees.
• Do not eat, drink and smoke while in the presence of mountain gorillas.
• Tourists are allowed to spend only one hour with the mountain gorillas.
• Avoid making noise when tracking the Mountain gorillas.
Packing List for the 4 Days Gorilla and Ngamba Chimps Tour
• Gorilla permit.
• Travel documents.
• Long-sleeved shirts.
• Safari pants.
• Insect repellant.
• Strong waterproof hiking boots.
• Wide-brimmed hat.
• Pair of shorts.
• Sandals/or flip flops.
• Poncho.
• Waterproof backpack.
• Warm sweater.
• Cotton socks.
• Gardening gloves
• Energy giving snacks.
• Water bottle.
• Non-flash camera.
• Flashlight.
• Pair of binoculars
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