Gorilla Habituation Safari, Chimps Habituation, Rhino & Lion Tracking Uganda Safari -10 Days
The all-inclusive Uganda tour includes gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi, chimps habituation experience in Kibale, lion tracking, rhino tracking as well as other primates.
This Uganda gorilla safari is for spending more time with the gorillas (with gorilla habituation experience for 4 hours with gorilas instead of the 1 hour gorilla trek), getting closer to the lions in Queen Elizabeth NP as rhino tracking in Ziwa rhino sanctuary, and chimpazee habituation experience in Kibale.
There is also the golden monkey habituation experience in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, we do game drices in Murchison Falls NP and Queen Elizabeth NP.
The Uganda tour is private and can depart on any day from Entebbe/ Kampala or Kigali.
Gorilla Habituation Safari, Chimps Habituation, Rhino & Lion Tracking Uganda Safari -10 Days
10-day specialty wildlife deep-in experiences with rhino tracking, chimps habituation experience in Kibale, mountain gorillas habituation safari in Bwindi, researcher-led lions tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park, golden monkeys habituation experience in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Murchison Falls, and more.
This is the ideal safari to Africa for travelers who would love a deeper-than-ordinary experience with Africa’s unique wildlife.
We have made special arrangements with the national park authorities so that you have 2-5 times more the traditional amount of time. The gorilla habituation safari gives you 4 hours with the gorillas. You will be participating in the prestigious gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi getting more closer to the rare and endangered mountain gorillas guided by scientific researchers and contributing to their research. You will also enjoy the quite exclusive chimpanzee habituation experience in Kibale where we get you closer to the wild chimpanzees and other primates for a half day in accompaniment of experienced nature guides. Afterward, we shall be joined by a Big Cats researcher to track the lions and leopards in Queen Elizabeth National Park. This gorilla habituation safari is definitely more valuable than many African safari ideas and we highly recommend it. Other intimate wildlife experiences will include white rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, golden monkey habituation experience and more primates along the journey, tree-climbing lions, mongoose, and more.
Our new Gorilla Habituation Experience, Chimps Habituation, Rhino & Lion Tracking Uganda Safari is an incredibly unusual combination of truly “once-in-a-lifetime” safaris that feature scientific researcher-led up-close wildlife interactions for gorillas, chimps, golden monkeys, and Africa’s Rare 5.
- Day 1: Start from Entebbe or Kampala, Track rhinos, Murchison Falls National Park
- Day 2: Wildlife/ game viewing experiences for Giraffes, lions, elephants, buffalo, boat safari to Murchison Falls National Park
- Day 3: Kibale National Park
- Day 4: Chimpanzee habituation experience plus other primates
- Day 5: Queen Elizabeth National Park, viewing Rwenzoris, crater lakes & wild animals
- Day 6: Queen Elizabeth National Park, jeep safari, lion tracking, boat safari for more wildlife viewing.
- Day 7: Tree-climbing lions, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Day 8: Gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (you have 4 hours with the mountain gorillas instead of the usual 1 hour)
- Day 9: Golden monkey habituation exercise, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
- Day 10: Return to Kampala - Entebbe or depart from Kigali airport.
Gorilla Habituation Safari, Chimps Habituation, Rhino & Lion Tracking, Golden Monkey Habituation Uganda Safari -10 Days
Day 1: Start the gorilla habituation safari from Entebbe or Kampala, Rhino Tracking at Ziwa Sanctuary, and continue to Murchison Falls National Park
You visit and track white rhinos at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch located in Nakasongola district is the proud home of the only wild rhinos in Uganda. The Rhino re-introduction project is a project of Rhino Fund Uganda and Uganda Wildlife Authority.
We are conveniently located 176km (100 miles) north of Kampala on the Gulu highway towards Murchison Falls (branch off at Nakitoma trading center). Ziwa is the only place where you will be able to see rhinos in the wild.
Presently the sanctuary is home to 34 southern white rhinos.
The sanctuary provides trained rangers who will ably guide you through this expedition. You will have the opportunity to observe the rhinos at a very close and safe distance. While at the sanctuary you will also encounter a range of other wildlife species including Uganda kobs, reed bucks, oribis, rich bucks, hippos and crocodiles.
Ziwa Rhino
Stop in Masindi for lunch and continue to Murchison Falls National Park. From here we will continue to our accommodation place along the Nile River.
Murchison Falls National Accommodation Options (Full Board)
Top Luxury: Nile Safari Lodge
Luxury: Thatched cottage at Murchison River Lodge or Paraa Safari Lodge
Moderate: Pakuba Safari Lodge | Fort Murchison Lodge | Murchison River Lodge
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 2: Wildlife Game drive safaris in Murchison Falls National Park
After breakfast head to the Delta in search of bird life and enjoy the game drive to look for lions, giraffes, herds of elephants, buffaloes, and many more.
We will then go for an afternoon boat cruise to the foot of Murchison Falls. This boat trip along the Nile is often cited as being the highlight of a trip to Murchison since it allows you to get up close and personal with the animals. Along this stretch of the river, there are reported to be around 4,000 hippos in addition to some enormous Nile crocodiles.
The bird life is stunning with brightly colored kingfishers and bee-eaters darting along the riverbanks. If lucky, you may see the rare and prehistoric-looking shoebill, which is a cross between the dodo and a dinosaur. The boat takes you to the base of the falls which only adds to their impressiveness.
Finally, you will be stopping at the top of the falls which is a fantastic sight. Here the Nile, the longest river in the world, is forced through a narrow gap in the rock (only 7 meters wide), before ferociously plunging down 43 meters.
Boat Trip to the Bottom of Murchison Falls
Accommodation Options (Full Board)
Top Luxury: Nile Safari Lodge
Luxury: Thatched cottage at Murchison River Lodge or Paraa Safari Lodge
Moderate: Pakuba Safari Lodge | Fort Murchison Lodge | Murchison River Lodge
Day 3: Kibale National Park - "East Africa's Primates' Capital", Guided Primate Walk in the afternoon
More primates like black and white colobus monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed monkeys, bush babies, pottos, and many bird species like the yellow-spotted nicator, rumped tinker bird, little greenbul, green breasted pitta, the crowned eagle, black bee-eater and mammals like elephants can be seen in this walk.
Early morning after breakfast we continue driving through the undulating highlands of southwestern Uganda on our way to the greener and more beautiful Fort Portal area. The lush rolling hills of this region provide good photo opportunities. As you approach Fort Portal in the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains, you enter Uganda's famous tea plantation region. A carpet of green spreads before you, as far as the eye can see, and seems an unusual contrast to the countryside through which you have just passed.
In the afternoon we visit a nearby forest swamp that is excellent for viewing primates and other forest animals. At the eastern edge of Kibale forest is Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary which is maintained by the local community. You will expect birds like the great blue turaco, blue monkeys, baboons, otters, mongoose, bushbucks, bush pigs, and among others.
Kibale Accommodation Options (Full Board)
Upper Luxury: Crater Safari Lodge | Ndali Lodge
Luxury: Crater Safari Lodge | Ndali Lodge
Midrange: Isunga Lodge | ensuite tents at Kibale Forest Camp| Chimpanzee Forest Lodge
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 4: Chimpanzee Habituation Experience Plus Other Primates in Kibale
Today we’ll accompany Kibale’s researchers in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to contribute to a “soft” habituation project with chimpanzees. You’ll learn to safely observe the chimps during their daily activities, so they get comfortable with human presence without changing their natural behaviors. You will be able to experience the chimp families as they wake up, hunt, patrol, play, fight, copulate, and breastfeed.
Guided by biologists and researchers, we will enjoy unprecedented intimate access to these wild chimps for the entire day until they build their nests at bedtime.
Accommodation options available (all on full board basis)
Upper Luxury: Crater Safari Lodge | Ndali Lodge
Luxury: Crater Safari Lodge | Ndali Lodge
Midrange: Isunga Lodge | ensuite tents at Kibale Forest Camp| Chimpanzee Forest Lodge
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 5: Queen Elizabeth National Park, Viewing Rwenzori's, Crater Lakes & Wild Animals
We then drive to Queen Elizabeth. The game seen will depend on the season; the Kasenyi plains are good for lions and the Mweya peninsula for a variety of animals.
Shift to Queen Elizabeth National Park this morning (about 3 hours driving). Leaving through Fort Portal town, you turn south and early this afternoon enter Queen Elizabeth National Park, which is dominated on its northern border by the snow-capped 16,000-foot Rwenzori Mountains - the famed "Mountains of the Moon".
This 767 square-mile conservation area is bordered on the northeast by Lake George and on the southwest by Lake Edward; its western border adjoins the Congo Parc du Virunga. You will expect to see teeming herds of impala-like Uganda Kob, as well as topi, elephant and lion, giant forest hog, and Cape buffalo. There are also several soda lakes filling ancient volcanic calderas where flamingos reside seasonally.
Overnight Lodges/ Camps:
Upper Luxury: Elephant Plains Lodge | Kyambura Gorge Lodge
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge | Katara Lodge
Mid-range: Buffalo Safari Lodge | Ihamba Safari Lodge| Enganzi Lodge
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 6: Queen Elizabeth National Park, Jeep Safari, Lion Tracking, Boat Safari
See a different face of the park as we venture off-road with a research team to track lions and contribute to a valuable lion research project in the Ishasha Sector. The researchers' Land-cruiser is fitted with radio-collar-receiving equipment. You get a full briefing on the animals with the opportunity for as much lion photography as you can manage.
After a leisurely lunch on the Mweya Peninsula, we’ll enjoy a two-hour boat safari along the Kazinga Channel. This affords the opportunity to view wildlife up close: hippos huff and spray and buffalo linger in the shallows. The shores of the channel are also home to an array of birds including pink-backed pelicans, pied and malachite kingfishers, saddle-billed storks, and many others.
Overnight Lodges/ Camps:
Upper Luxury: Elephant Plains Lodge | Kyambura Gorge Lodge
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge | Katara Lodge
Mid-range: Buffalo Safari Lodge | Ihamba Safari Lodge| Enganzi Lodge
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 7: Tree-climbing Lions, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast, we drive further south through stunning savannah grasslands as we head to the southern sector of the park – Ishasha. This is the best area to see the famous tree-climbing lions draped from the low-hanging limbs of fig trees. Next, we visit the Kob Mating Ground—a defined area specifically used by these stunning antelopes for challenging other males, enticing females, and mating. Finally, we’ll pass through beautiful savannah grasslands as we head toward the breathtaking Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
While most of today's forests are no more than 12,000 years old, Bwindi's vegetation has been weaving itself into tangles for over 25,000 years, in the process accumulating a lengthy species list. This includes 310 species of butterflies, 51 reptiles, 200 trees, 88 moth, and an exceptional 120 species of mammals including 10 primates. The latter includes chimpanzees, L'Hoest's, red-tailed and blue monkeys, black and white colobus, baboons, and Bwindi's most famous resident, the mountain gorilla.
Bwindi is a prime destination for birdwatchers. Its 350 species include seven that are IUCN red data listed and 90% of all Albertine Rift endemics – species that are difficult or impossible to see in any other part of East Africa.
Bwindi Accommodation options available (all on full board basis)
Upper Luxury: Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge | Mt.Gahinga Lodge
Luxury: Four Gorillas Lodge
Moderate: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge | Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 8: Gorilla Habituation Safari Experience in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest - Researcher-led gorilla habituation experience - 4-hour permit!
This morning, we shall do the gorilla habituation safari.
We have an early morning entry into the mountain gorillas’ sanctuary. Our intimate gorilla experience allows you to accompany the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s Bwindi gorilla habituation team for the entire day, allowing you to have a minimum of 4 hours in the presence of a mountain gorilla family – since regular permits only allow 1 hour, this is 4 times the amount of time spent up close with Gorillas – more than any other safari operator! During this time you will be able to experience the gorilla family as they wake up, hunt, patrol, play, fight, copulate, and breastfeed until they build their nests at bedtime.
The thrill of spending time with and observing these gentle giants is a rare and moving adventure that will leave you with long-lasting memories. Spending more time with them than the norm means you are assured of the best possible experience, with 4 full hours for better photography, researcher access for more questions, and enough time to experience more intimate and unusual behaviors. The gorillas are shy and peaceful animals, and it is an unforgettable experience to watch and photograph them as they interact with each other.
The walking can sometimes be tough and long, but when you catch a glimpse of the magnificent silverback, any discomforts will be quickly forgotten. Once the gorillas are sighted, you will be guided to within 6 meters of the gorillas and be able to sit all around them while gazing into their big round eyes as the researchers note their health, behavior, and other characteristics.
Bwindi
Accommodation Options (Full Board)
Upper Luxury: Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge | Mt.Gahinga Lodge
Luxury: Four Gorillas Lodge
Moderate: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge | Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 9: Golden Monkey Habituation Experience, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
After an early breakfast, set off for the national park for the Golden Monkey habituation experience which allows you up to 4 hours with the monkeys.
The monkeys are primarily to be found in the bamboo forest that skirts the lower slopes of the volcanoes. The monkeys are very active in the canopy of the bamboo where your guides mimic their calls to follow the group.
Golden Monkeys in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Accommodation Options (Full Board)
Upper Luxury: Mt.Gahinga Lodge
Luxury: Four Gorillas Lodge
Moderate: Ichumbi Hotel Kisoro
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 10: Return to Kampala - Entebbe (flights could also be arranged) or end tour in Rwanda
We shall end the gorilla habituation safari with a drive back to Entebbe.
Early breakfast before embarking on our return to Entebbe, driving down the grassed and terraced escarpments of southwestern Uganda while taking in the breathtaking sights of the hills of the region dubbed ‘the little Switzerland of Africa’. Not to miss as we traverse Mbarara are the impressing longhorn Ankole cattle. A remarkable highlight of this journey is the Equator line and surely you will cross it as we have a brief stop here. We will be in Kampala in the evening before your flight back home.
2024/5 Indicative Prices for the 10-Days Gorilla Habituation Safari Experience, Chimps Habituation, Rhino & Lion Tracking Uganda Safari
Note: Prices are in US Dollars and based on each person sharing a double room, twin, or triple bedroom. If you are a solo traveler, you will sleep in your own single room but if you are more but prefer not to share a room, you top-up with a single room supplement.
Budget |
Midrange Lodges |
Luxury
|
Top-deluxe |
|
| 1 person | USD5,400 | USD6,187 | USD8,030 | USD15,944 |
| 2 persons | USD4,195 | USD4,758 | USD6,032 | USD14,160 |
| 3 persons | USD3,896 | USD4,459 | USD5,733 | USD13,865 |
| 4 persons | USD3,747 | USD4,309 | USD5,583 | USD13,700 |
| Single Room Supplement | USD290 | USD485 | USD858 | USD1,275 |
Included
- Gorilla habituation safari experience permit that allows you 4 hours with the mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (USD1500 per person)
- Chimpanzee habituation experience in Kibale National Park (USD300 per person)
- Lion tracking experience in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Golden Monkey Habituation Experience in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
- Rhinos tracking in Ziwa Sanctuary
- Game drives and boat trips in Murchison Falls National Park
- Kazinga Channel boat safari
- Other game viewing permits
- Game drives in a customized safari Land-cruiser
- Accommodation with meals indicated on the program
- Bottled drinking water on the vehicle
- Services of an excellent and experienced English-speaking tour guide/driver
- Transport on tour as well as hotel transfers
Excluded
- Tips for drivers and other staff
- Flight tickets and departure taxes
- Travel documentation (visas)
- Travel and medical insurance
- Optional excursion
- Beverages other than mineral water in the vehicle
These gorilla habituation safari experience costs are inclusive of your accommodation and all meals during the tour, chimpanzee habituation experience permits, gorilla habituation experience permits, Lion tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Rhino Tracking in Ziwa Rhinos Sanctuary, Golden monkeys habituation Experience permits, guides walks and game drives in the parks, 2 boat trips in search of wildlife, private transportation using a safari land-cruiser, services of a good English-speaking tour guide/driver, all tour activities, bottled drinking water on the vehicle.
Start Planning Your gorilla habituation Safari
Talk to a Uganda Safari Expert
Enquire about this special wildlife experience and habituation safari and tour prices.
Talk to one of our destination experts to start planning your Uganda safari.
Gorilla habituation is actually a process of getting wild mountain gorilla get used to being in the presence of humans. This can be for purposes of tourism - having tourists visit the gorillas (gorilla trekking) or for research purposes. It usually takes about 2-3 years to have the gorilla habituaiton complete and the gorillas would be ready for gorilla tourism.
In Uganda's Bwindi, at least 18 gorilla families have been habituaited for gorilla trekking and research.
The gorilla habituation experience is a purely experiential tourism activity. In the gorilla habituation experience, we visit the Bikingi gorilla group of Bwindi. This gorilla group is now already completely habituated for tourists' presence. At the begining when the experience was first open for tourism, these gorillas were kind of wild and avoiding human presence. It is now about 6 years since the gorilla habituation experience started and that means these mountain gorillas have been having humans visit them daily for the last 8 years. The group has 25 gorillas with silverbacks, black backs, juvenile gorillas and baby gorillas. It is very used to tourists' visits and you won't be disappointed. You will be in company of the trekkers and research assistants. The maximum number of tourists for the gorilla habituation experience is 4 persons per day. The gorilla habituation experience permit is USD1500 currently.
The Gorilla Habituation Experience in Uganda takes place in the Southern Area of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in the Rushaga Region. In 2019 there are only 4-Permits a day since there is only one Grouppresently undergoing the Gorilla Habituation Process. Since the beginning of this activity in 2016, there has only been few that have been part of the Gorilla Habituation Experience compared to the thousands that have been on a usual trek. 99% of those that have participated have loved it resulting in raves such as this one from one of our clients who called it “the Icing on the Cake of our time on Safari in Uganda.”
Many African Travelers are in search of that “Gorillas in the Mist” – Dian Fossey Moment, that David Attenborough moment in time as he lingered among the Gentle Giants of the Forest. Nothing can replicate their moments in time with the Gentle Giants of the Forest, the Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is about as close as you can get without being a Researcher, ranger or tracker. Not only moments of Discovery the Habituation Experience is learning about the Primates and their ways, conservation and how the endangered Primates are on a comeback from near extinction and that in large part due to Gorilla Tourism and permits that pay for a large part of the conservation effort.
The Gorilla Habituation Experience is not for everyone. It takes more effort, more money for permits, at times more endurance since you are four hours with a Family plus there is the trek in and the trek out. It takes a better than moderate fitness level to do the Habituation Experience. We suggest taking long walks, or even hikes before your arriving in Uganda.
Reasons we feel that the Gorilla Habituation Experience is well worth Your Time
- You get more time with the Mountain Gorillas – 4-Hours instead of 1
- You become a participant in the Habituation Process, not just an observer like on a Gorilla Trek.
- It is an All-Day Gorilla Trek
- Fewer Fellow Trekkers – Half the Participants that on a regular Gorilla Trek – 4
- Better Photo Opportunities – more time get better pictures.
- Exclusive Activity-only 4 Permits
- Learn the Habits and Ways of the Mountain Gorillas with Researchers & Rangers
- You are a participant in the Habituation Process
- Lowest Cost Per Hour Visit
- Close to Kigali – Rwanda – 4-Hour Drive Time
- Value Priced mid-range – Upmarket – luxury – Exclusive Lodging Choices
- Gorilla+ Add-Ons to your Gorilla Habituation Safari such as
Disadvantages that we have found in our Experience about the Gorilla Habituation Experience;
- Limited Permits – there are only 4
- $1,500 Permit price – $700 more than standard Permits
- Tougher Treks in regards to time spent in the Forest
Gorilla Habituation Safaris in Uganda:
It is only in Uganda where you can go on a Mountain Gorilla Habituation Experience Safari and that presently with is with one gorilla group being habituated in the Rushaga area of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda.
The good news is that you can easily access Rushaga not only from points in Uganda but you can do so taking a short drive from Kigali to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – Rushaga Area.
Gorilla Habituation Experience Safaris can be any safari that now includes Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
We can adjust the safari to include the Habituation Experience – depending on permit availability, which is quite limited compared to regular Trekking.
Please Note: Peak Season Months – June through September – December through March means limited permits and as people find out about the more time with a Gorilla Family, permits will even be in shorter supply. One reason we suggest booking at least 6 to 9 months ahead.
