Great summer gorilla trekking safari holidays in Uganda (June- September tours)
Best summer gorilla trekking safari overview
A combined summer gorilla trekking safari on a 5 days Africa wildlife game drive tour in Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth national park– at the foot hills of mountain Rwenzori. The safari gets you the endangered mountain Gorilla trekking experience & primate species such as chimpanzees being found in Uganda’s tropical rain forests alone making this a very unique safari. A Uganda summer primates safari either starts and ends from Kigali, Rwanda or from Kampala, Uganda.
Gorilla trekking safari during summer time from June- September is the most reliable season since the tracking trails are dry and maneuverable. Uganda has 2 summer/ dry seasons, the other one being from December to February. This summer 5 days Uganda primates safari combines tracking experiences of the planet’s biggest apes with chimpanzee trekking.
Arrival and departure: Kigali
- Day 1- Arrival and drive to Bwindi or Mgahinga
- Day 2- gorilla trekking and nature walks
- Day 3- game drives & boat cruise
- Day 4- chimpanzee tracking & Game drive
- Day 5- city tour and departure
Why go for a summer gorilla trekking safari in Uganda?
Traveling for Africa safari during summer holidays is a special moment and beyond an epic timeless experience that will get you to;
- Top Africa wildlife experience; Outstanding among other trips, the 5 days summer gorilla trekking safari in Uganda combines tracking experiences for the planets biggest apes alive i.e. mountain gorillas and chimpanzees along with game drives in the country’s most popular game park.
- Typical holiday; 5 days summer chimpanzees and gorilla trekking safari is a typical holiday trip away from day-to-day modern life because its not tiring with long distances switching from one park to another since all the game park on the itinerary are located in the same area.
- Have your mind soaked in nature; this short 5 days’ Uganda wildlife holiday gets you immersed in the true natural wilderness for example when you trek deep into the tropical montane forests, safari game drives in the savannah wilderness, unique sightings if mountain Rwenzori snow capped peaks, the great rift valley, crater lakes and much more.
- Ecotourism; Support conservation of endangered species and nature eco-systems through the fees that are charged on permit fees to push conservation efforts and projects.
Detailed summer gorilla trekking safari itinerary
Starting from Kigali, Rwanda, you will be picked and driven to either Bwindi or Mgahinga national parks which are homes to 53% of the world’s population of mountain gorillas on the planet. You will have a rest the nature lodge and if time permits have a nature walk on some tracking routes of the park while having the best views and photography of the numerous birds, butterflies, monkeys, elephants, kobs, reptiles among others.
Accommodation: Buhoma lodge (or a similar one)
Meals: Breakfast| Lunch| Dinner
In the morning after breakfast, you will have a briefing on the gorilla behaviors, livelihoods and how to handle their reactions in your presence. Tracking gorillas in the tropical montane forests will last between 45 minutes to 1 & 1/2 hour before meeting the gorilla family you are assigned to and you will be allowed to follow and spend an hour with that gorilla family. Finding mountain gorillas on a trek in Uganda has 99% chance backed up by the gorilla population in this region. After the trek, you will have an experience with the Batwa people who have for all their life time co-existed with the forest.
Ishasha sector on gorilla trekking safari
Later on in the afternoon, you will set out to the Ishasha sector of the Queen Elizabeth national park best known for its tree climbing lions and one of the only 2 destinations in the world with lions have having this behavior. These along with many other wild game and glamour at some of the world’s most unique bird species as the park is the second best birding haven having more than 660 recorded bird species as their home. This game drive will conclude the day’s activities and rest to prepare for the next day’s activities.
Accommodation: Mweya safari lodge (or similar one)
Meals: Breakfast| Lunch| Dinner
Cost of gorilla trekking permits on a Uganda safari in summer
- Gorilla tracking permits cost $800 per person cheaper than cost of Rwanda gorilla tracking permits which are at $1,500 per person where you will spend an hour with the mountain gorillas on reaching the assigned gorilla family.
- Gorilla habituation experience permits cost $1,500 per person. Gorilla habituation is the process of training mountain gorillas to get used to human presence before they open for tracking. Gorilla habituation is only done in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable forest along researchers/ doctors and expert rangers. A gorilla habituation experience allows you to keep around mountain gorilla for up to 4 hours, taking photos, videos and getting more knowledge about these magnificent endangered species.
On this day’s morning, you will head out to the Kazinga channel (a river connecting lakes Edward and George) for a morning boat cruise. At this summer gorilla trekking safari experience, you will also have a glance at the world’s largest concentration of hippo pods numbered above 5,000 at the Kazinga channel, Nile crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants, lions, water bucks, giraffes, kobs, kudus, leopards, eagles, vultures, reptiles, monkeys, wild dogs among other creatures, scenic views of ice capped mountain Rwenzori and also once again come across the 0° equator latitude landmark as it crosses through queen Elizabeth national game park.
Accommodation: Buffalo safari lodge (or a similar one)
Meals: Breakfast| Lunch| Dinner
Day 4 Kalinzu central forest reserve- Chimpanzee tracking
Early in the morning after breakfast, you will continue to Kalinzu forest headquarters for a briefing about the lives and behaviors of chimpanzees, and how to carry yourself while with them for their good and your safety. Chimpanzee tracking experiences will come along with scenes of many other primates like black and white colobus monkeys, baboons, white beard monkey, numerous bird species. later on after lunch, you will continue the day with a game drive in Queen Elizabeth national park while heading out to lake Bunyonyi.
Accommodation: Bird nest @ Bunyonyi resort (or a similar one)
Meals: Breakfast| Lunch| Dinner
Day 5 Kigali international airport
Early in the morning after your breakfast, you will spend some time at crater lake Bunyonyi (the deepest crater lake in Africa) that is in the same vicinity with the home of the mountain gorillas and have great sceneries of the volcanic mountains, tropical rain forests of the region, hundreds of bird species like the gray and golden crowned crane/ crested crane (the national emblem bird of Uganda), raptors, Albertine endemics, vultures, reptiles, monkeys, do some canoeing, wild game vies for animals like kobs, zebras among others.
Lake Bunyonyi is also known for holding 29 islands some of which have human settlements and are accessible by canoes. After this marvelous summer gorilla trekking safari experience, you will embark on your journey back to Kigali international airport for departure. The length of time spent at lake Bunyonyi will depend on the time of your departure flight.
Accommodation: N/A
Meals: Breakfast| Lunch| Dinner
Inclusions
- Gorilla trekking permits
- Chimpanzee tracking permits
- Park entry fees
- Transport 4×4 safari landcruiser
- Government taxes
- Driver & guide
- Airport transfers
- Bottled drinking water
- All activities indicated on the itinerary
Exclusions
- Visa fees & processing
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Extra activities, meals, alcohol/ liquor
- Tipping & gratitude
- Accommodation after end of the trip
- Souvenirs & snacks
- Any changes to the itinerary
- Anything not mentioned
Your safari route map
How much will a 5 days Uganda summer gorilla trekking safari cost?
Cost of an affordable summer gorilla trekking and safari experience in Uganda start from $3,500 per person with all inclusions on the itinerary. Cost differences will come with change in itinerary travel plan, number of days, number of activities etc.
What to wear for a gorilla trekking and Africa safari in summer holiday?
With the activity strictly for persons of 15 years and above, travelers taking chimpanzees and gorilla trekking activities ought to wear or pack the following items for safety and easy tracking sessions;
- Long sleeved shirts/ T-shirts
- Over shirts/ Jackets
- Uncle sturdy hiking boots
- Insect repellent cream
- Sun hats/ caps
- Sweaters
- Pair of khaki trousers
- Pair of binoculars if you have one
- Camera for taking flash lightless photos or videos
- Sun screen cream
- Gloves
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