3-Day Uganda Gorillas and Chimp Trek at Kalinzu Forest
Combine mountain gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park with a visit to the Kalinzu Forest Reserve for chimpanzee trekking! Given the Kalinzu forest’s proximity to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Queen Elizabeth national park, Kalinzu forest is a recommended area to trek chimpanzees, especially for clients who want to add a chimp trek to a short gorilla trip.
Tour Highlights
>> See these rare creatures in the wild and observe their human-like interactions up close
>> Learn the meaning of adventure on this Uganda trekking adventure through the rainforest with experienced local guides
>> Enjoy world-class views of Uganda’s mountains and landscapes on your flight from Entebbe to Kisoro
>> Explore all that Bwindi has to offer; canoe on Lake Mutanda, try coffee-making, and much more
>> Wake up to a cup of local coffee as the mist begins to lift from the green hills in this UNESCO World Heritage Site
>> Learn about the local Batwa community and their tragic history of eviction from their ancestral lands
3-Day Uganda Gorillas and Chimp Trek at Kalinzu Forest
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- Small-Group Tours
- Socially Conscious Ethos
- Competitive Pricing
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Trip Details
Please inquire for the budget accommodation price, this is our midrange/comfortable accommodation tour
DEPARTURE TIME
7:00 am (Kigali, Rwanda timezone)
MEETING POINT
We offer pick-up from the following places for this experience:
- Kigali International Airport (on day 1), Rwanda
- Your guesthouse in downtown Kigali, Rwanda
- Please inquire for information on a custom pick up
AVAILABILITY
Monday to Sunday, year-round
DURATION
3 days
DIFFICULTY LEVEL
Moderate – uphill trekking
GROUP SIZE
1 to 4 persons
INCLUDED
- Meals: 2 x breakfasts, 2 x dinners, 2 x lunches
- Accommodation for two nights in a mid-range lodge
- One gorilla trekking permit per person
- Kalinzu Forest Reserve chimp trekking permit
- Transport in a 4×4 vehicle and fuel
- Admission to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
NOT INCLUDED
- Optional activities (see tab 4)
- Visas and other costs of personal nature
- Porter fees, gratuities, travel insurance, and medical expenses
- Any other costs not listed in the itinerary
WHAT TO BRING
- Hiking boots
- Garden gloves
- Rain jacket or poncho
- Long-sleeved shirt/blouse
- Cameras and extra batteries
- Hat/cap and sunglasses
- Pair of binoculars
- Flashlight (torch)
- Mosquito repellent
- Other items to include: zoom lens for wildlife shots and energy bars/bites
PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS
- Age restriction: 15-80 years old
- A valid passport is required on the day of travel
- This tour is not wheelchair accessible
- We advise against people with heart problems or other serious medical conditions participating on this tour
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
GOOD TO KNOW
Depending on the availability of gorilla permits, we may propose trekking gorillas at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Day 1: Transfer from Kigali, Rwanda to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda
We will pick you up at Kigali International Airport or downtown Kigali and drive you to Bwindi National Park. The scenic drive to Uganda will go through western Rwanda via the Gatuna-Kigali highway. We will cross over into Uganda via the Gatuna/Katuna border post. The trip continues through the nearby towns of Kabale, a small town nestled into the luscious greenery at the feet of the Kigezi Highlands and the hills adjacent to Lake Bunyonyi. We will wind through the mountain roads through the towns of Ntugamo, Ishaka, ad Bushenyi to our final destination — Queen Elizabeth National Park, arriving early afternoon. Spend the afternoon wildlife viewing along the Kazinga channel with a chance to see hippos, elephants, buffaloes, and a range of rare birds. After the Kazinga channel boat trip, we drive to the lodge for check-in, dinner & overnight.
Meal plan: Lunch & Dinner
Day 2: Kalinzu Chimp Trekking and Transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
After early morning breakfast, we will drive to the Kalinzu Forest to trek the chimpanzees in their forest home. If you are lucky on the trek, you might encounter other species of monkeys in the Kalinzu forest. These include the colobus monkey, olive baboon, and red-tailed monkey. Kalinzu Forest Reserve is a haven for trekking chimps in Uganda. Given the Kalinzu forest’s proximity to Bwindi and Queen Elizabeth national park, Kalinzu forest is a recommended area to trek chimpanzees, especially for clients who want to fit chimp trekking into a short gorilla trek. After the Kalinzu chimp trek, we shall drive to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park via the Ishaka-Kabale highway. If time permits, visit the Batwa Village at the Echuya Forest Reserve before continuing to Lake Mutanda/Lake Mulehe area for dinner/overnight.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3: Gorilla Trek at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park & Transfer to Kigali/Rwanda
Today is the main event, our Uganda gorilla trek! You will embark on a full-day adventure to track the mountain gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. This national park is Uganda’s smallest national park, making it THE second destination for gorilla tracking after the more famous Bwindi National Park. The trek will begin with a short briefing on gorilla trekking rules to ensure guests’ safety and the protection of these animals in their natural habitat. You will then start the trek into the Mgahinga forest to encounter the gentle giants of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. This is a true adventure, and part of the excitement is finding the gorillas. Follow the guides as they make paths through the thick vegetation until the special moment that you encounter these majestic creatures. It is a truly unique experience and will surely be one of the standout moments of your trip. After the gorilla trek, head back downhill to the national park gate, and we drive to Kigali city. The drive to Kigali, which will go through the Cyanika (Kyanika) land border crossing, will take ~5hrs.
Meal plan: Breakfast and lunch
Lodges & Accommodation
- Buffalo Safari Lodge at Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Mutanda Lake Resort or Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
We will choose from one of these lodges according to the availability
Optional Activities
- Visit the Batwa Community at Echuya Forest Reserve
- Canoe Trekking at Lake Mutanda
- Coffee-Making Experience
- Mabungo Community Village Tour in Kisoro
