5 Days Gorilla and Chimpanzee habituation Safari in Uganda
5 Days Gorilla and Chimpanzee habituation Safari in Uganda offers unique and off-the-beaten wildlife experiences. Gorilla habituation is offered at Rushaga in Bwindi while Chimpanzee habituation will be done in Kibale National Park. The usual treks for Gorillas and Chimpanzees that restricts a visitor to less time with the primates. The habituation tours on the other hand extend beyond an hour and can take a whole day. While regular trekking allows you to visit already-habituated groups, the habituation experience involves a more immersive, longer trek. You get to observe the Gorillas and Chimpanzees’ behaviours much more closely. Gorilla and Chimpanzee habituation tour is actually a trek to the wild or semi-habituated groups of these Primates.
Chimpanzee Habituation in Uganda
Chimpanzee habituation in Uganda is a fascinating process where wild chimpanzees are gradually accustomed to the presence of humans. The goal is to allow researchers, tourists, and conservationists to observe these great apes up close without disturbing their natural behaviour. Uganda, with its dense rainforests in national parks like Kibale, is one of the best places in Africa for Chimpanzee habituation.
The beauty of Chimpanzee habituation is watching the Chimpanzees wake up from their nests to prepare for the day’s activities like feeding, grooming young ones, marking their territories and finally building their nests at the end of the day. The tourists together with researchers are required to start off very early like at 6.30am to get them before they leave their nests. Also, a Chimpanzee habituation tour is more physically demanding than the usual Chimp treks. You will be following wild chimps that are still wary of human presence.
Chimpanzee habituation Sites in Uganda
For the 5 Days Gorilla and Chimpanzee habituation Safari in Uganda, we shall do Chimpanzee habituation at Kibale National Park. Kibale forests offer the best Chimpanzee habituation experience in Uganda. This is perhaps due to the high population of Chimpanzees and the well-developed research center. Other places for chimpanzee habituation in Uganda are Budongo Forest in Murchison Falls National Park, and Kalinzu Forest Reserve near Queen Elizabeth Park. Each of these areas is home to significant populations of chimpanzees. Habituation programs here are run in collaboration with the National Forestry Authority of Uganda unlike Kibale Forest that is directly under the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Gorilla habituation in Uganda
In Uganda, Rushaga sector in the south of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the only place for Mountain Gorilla habituation in Uganda and Africa. Like chimpanzees, Gorillas are habituated to human presence over time to ensure that researchers, conservationists, and tourists can observe them without disturbing their natural behaviors. The Gorilla families in these experiences are not fully habituated yet. The 5 Days Gorilla and Chimpanzee habituation Safari in Uganda will be a unique opportunity to witness Gorillas in more natural and less accustomed states.
While regular Gorilla trekking allows you to visit already-habituated groups, the habituation experience involves a more immersive, longer trek (around 4-5 hours) where you get to observe the Gorillas and their behaviours much more closely. You start off the day much earlier with the trackers to meet the Gorillas before they dismantle their nests for their daily routine. You have like four hours to observe them. Chimpanzee habituation however, takes a whole day.
Itinerary for 5 Days Gorilla and Chimpanzee habituation Safari in Uganda
Day 1: Kampala City Tour (optional) and transfer to Kibale National Park
Early morning at your hotel, you will be met by your driver guide from Jungle Escape Africa. You will pack your bags into the safari vehicle and off you leave for this amazing trip. As you drive through the lively Kampala city, you will Start off with a visit to the Kabaka’s (King’s) palace at Mengo. It is located in the heart of Kampala and is the official residence of the Kabaka (King) of Buganda. It holds great historical, cultural, and political significance. You will see the Idd Amin’s torture chambers, among other things, inside the palace.
From Mengo, you will drive for some 20 minutes to the Kasubi Royal Tombs. Both the palace and tombs are symbols of Buganda’s heritage, representing the traditions of the Baganda, a dominant tribe in Uganda. After the city tour, you will drive out of Kampala for Kibale National Park via major towns of Mubende and Fort portal. Lunch en route at Mityana before Mubende. Proceed with the drive up to Kibale through Fort portal city. Check into your lodge, refresh and get dinner before the night’s rest.
Day 2: Chimpanzee habituation in Kibale National Park
Join researchers and trackers at 6.00am to the forest to look for the Chimpanzees. You should have prepared well for the activity because wild Chimpanzees are agile. You will spend the day watching the Chimpanzees at a safe distance without interfering with their day’s routine of feeding, grooming young ones as they stroll around the forest. Retire after the day’s habituation experience at 6.pm by returning to your lodge with your driver. You can decide to cut that day short if you can’t keep with the chimps the entire day.
Day 3: Leave Kibale for Bwindi, Optional tree lions game drive at Ishasha
Wake up early for breakfast, check out of the lodge and embark on a scenic drive to Bwindi via Queen Elizabeth National Park. Time permitting, you will do a game drive at Ishasha for chances on tree climbing lions. Ishasha is known for its vibrant wildlife and the magical tree climbing lions. The sighting of a lions’ pride draped across tree branches is simply incredible! How do they even manage to get to such great heights?! After the amazing sightings, you will continue to Bwindi’s southern sector Rushaga. Check into your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Gorilla Habituation and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
The 4th day of the 5 Days Gorilla and Chimpanzee habituation Safari in Uganda is for Gorilla habituation at Rushaga, Bwindi. Just like Chimp habituation, you are to get to the forest with the trackers and researchers very early before other park visitors. Unlike Gorilla trekking, Gorilla habituation is more unpredictable since you will be visiting less habituated groups. The good thing, you will have enough time of 4-5 hours with the Gorillas after locating them. You will observe them as you engage with researchers and trackers for a deeper understanding of their behavior. After the habituation activities, trek back to the starting point for a transfer to Lake Bunyonyi. Check into your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Boat ride at Lake Bunyonyi, drive back to Entebbe, Kampala or Kigali city
Check out of the lodge for a leisurely breakfast as you exploit your last moments at the beautiful Bunyonyi Lake. Take a boat to explore Lake Bunyonyi and its various islands. After the lake tour, embark on your journey to Entebbe or Kigali airport. En route lunch and make some stops on the way for scenic viewing and last photo moments. Drop off at the hotel or airport. End of the 5 Days Gorilla and Chimpanzee habituation Safari in Uganda.
What to pack for the 5 Days Gorilla and Chimpanzee habituation Safari in Uganda
The packing list for your 5 Days Gorilla and Chimpanzee habituation Safari in Uganda should include the following. A rain gear, sturdy trekking shoes, long sleeved shirts/tops, light weight trekking trousers, are essential. Also pack insect repellent, water bottle, small back pack, camera with zoom lenses, sunscreen, above the ankle socks, among others.
Contact Jungle Escape Africa to arrange for you the 5 Days Gorilla and Chimpanzee habituation Safari in Uganda. Chimpanzee habituation permits, Gorilla habituation permits, transport, accommodation, airport transfers and others will be arranged for you.