8-day Uganda Safari Holiday Itinerary: Mountain Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Jinja

Day 1-2: Start with the Gorillas

Now, the first thought that might have come to your mind while planning this Uganda Safari holiday would definitely have gorillas on it. Uganda is known for the imperious mountain gorillas who reside in the lush green forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Spend the first day of the trip in a luxurious lodge nearby to the park and kick-start the next day with the adventurous mountain gorilla trekking. A local bushman will assist you throughout the trek. He will meet you at the entrance of the park and might brief you about the Dos and Don’ts of the Uganda gorilla trekking. Not all local bushmen know the English language, hence a persona guide will also be a part of your trek to avoid any communication gap.

The trek will start in the mid-morning to avoid the sun at noon. Do not expect gorillas swaying here and there in the park right at the entrance. This is the park where no doubt, a large number of mountain gorillas reside but spotting them is not that easy and that’s why you have a guide and a local bushman by your side throughout the trek.

Knowing the gorillas is difficult. Sometimes they roam freely in the park and sometimes they prefer to rest in the bushes and do not come out. Luckily, you have an expert with you who will take you to the natural habitat of gorillas if they do not come out to see you. All you need to do is be patient and follow the trail. The bushman will ask you to keep your eyes and ears open as any hooting sound might indicate a sign of nearby gorilla troop.

The park allows visitors to spend an hour with the gorillas and luckily this time comes in effect only after spotting the giants. This means, once you are able to spot one or more troops of gorillas, you are all free to spend time with them for the next one hour. Do picture clicking, gaze at these marvelous species, try to relate with your primates, or simply spend time watching them in silence. The only thing you are now allowed to do in the park is to offer food or any other thing to the gorillas. You are also not allowed to touch them. In fact, you will see them from a distance to avoid any communicable disease you might get from the gorillas.

Enjoy the company of the mountain gorillas for an hour and then return to the lodge for lunch or dinner, depending on the time you entered the park.

Day 3-4: Track Chimpanzees in Kibale National Park

After Gorillas, Chimpanzees are the next species which Uganda is famous for. So, wake up early in the morning to drive to the home of the Chimpanzees which is the famous and the beautiful Kibale National Park. The park has many things that you will marvel at during the visit of which Chimpanzees are one. Unlike Gorillas, Chimpanzees dominate this park with more numbers. Kibale is said to be home to more than 5,000 Chimpanzees which means chances to spot them in the park are very high. You will not have to struggle a lot to find them. Enter the park with your guide and within no minutes, you will find them swaying from branches to branches.

Make sure to reach the park in the early morning as the trekking hours are open two times a day, one in the morning and other in the afternoon. Also, similar to the mountain gorilla trekking, travelers are allowed to spend only one hour eye-to-eye contact with the Chimpanzees. Hence, do utilize this time better.

When in Kibale, Chimpanzee tracking is not the only thing you can enjoy. If visiting the park in the early morning, you will get free with the tracking by the afternoon. Instead of returning back to the lodge, you can enjoy a walk in the swamp and enjoy incredible views of the beautiful scenery boasting 13 other primate species and more than 300 species of birds. The place is totally picturesque and hence do not miss to carry extra batteries with you for the camera. Clicking pictures with such spectacular scenery is actually a once in a lifetime moment. Do not let it pass without any backup.  The stay will be in one of the lodges in the park as you will be leaving early in the morning for your next destination.

Day 6-7: White water Rafting in Jinja

If you are a water person but have landed to this African country and not a European one, fret not. On this Uganda Safari holiday, you will get to try your hands on the exciting white river rafting which you will do in Jinja. On the sixth day of your tour, head to the east of the country where this beautiful town stands tall with pride. Located along the shore of the lake Victoria makes it a favorite destination among the travelers looking for water sports. The next two days will be spent on exploring the beauty of the town and the many of water activities that happen in Jinja. The stay will be arranged in one of the many popular lodges in the town which makes visiting the lake easy.

Jinja is said to be the world’s best place for white river rafting and to prove this right, you will try your hands onto the same. However, mountain biking, bungee jumping, and kayaking are some of the other activities which Jinja is famous for. This way, you can spend two days in the town leisurely.

Day 8: Departure

Your 8-day Uganda Safari Holiday is finally completing and today you will be saying Cheerios to the scenic beauty of this place. With lots of special memories in your heart, you will transfer to the airport for a happy return. Do not miss to enjoy your farewell breakfast in the hotel before the exit formalities. You will love the sweet gesture shown by the hotel staff.