Chimpanzees and Mountain Gorillas Treks Uganda
Kevin Dooley is an award-winning Wildlife and Wedding Photographer who grew up in Placitas, New Mexico. At the age of 18 he enlisted into the Navy and served on an Aircraft Carrier. After he completed his service he returned to New Mexico and opened his own Photography Studio in Albuquerque which is still running 37 years later. His passion for Wildlife Photography and Africa, led him to his Safari adventures and he eventually opened Idube Photo Safaris. Kevin is a certified FGASA (Field Guide Association of South Africa), Wildlife Guide and takes guests from all over the world on amazing photographic Safaris in Africa, Alaska and the Antarctic. He also teaches wildlife and wedding photography workshops.
July 19-25 2027
July 19 Overnight Entebbe
July 20 Entebbe-Kibale National Park
July 21 Kibale National Park
July 22 Kibale National Park -Bwindi National Park
July 23 Gorilla Trek
July 24th Gorilla Trek
July 25th Bwindi National Park- Entebbe International Flight after 10pm or optional overnight in Entebbe.
July 26th Optional Safari Masi Mara.
• Entebbe is a picturesque lakeside town in Uganda, known for its lush botanical gardens, historic sites, and its tranquil location along the shores of Lake Victoria.
• Kibale is made up of dense tropical rainforest, within which dwell enormous numbers of primates including habituated Chimpanzees.
• World Heritage–listed Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of Africa’s most ancient habitats, the stars of the show here are the mountain gorillas, seeing them up close is an unforgettable experience.
The Complete Itinerary
May 19th
Located on the northern shore of Africa’s largest lake – Lake Victoria – the city of Entebbe oozes an infectiously happy and laid-back vibe. The cool temperature, lush vegetation and relatively small size have meant that some consider Entebbe to be one of the most naturally pretty towns in Uganda. But Entebbe has much more to offer than a charming atmosphere, as its unique setting means for some incredible activities; visit one of Lake Victoria’s many beaches (but avoid swimming as there is a possibility of catching bilharzia), hop on a boat to go feed chimps at Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, and end the day with a sunset cruise across the waters. Entebbe is also a growing hub for hotels, restaurants, events and nightlife. Within the city, visitors can enjoy the beautiful Botanical Gardens (where some scenes from an early Tarzan movie were shot), heaving local markets, and the Wildlife Education Centre; one of Africa’s best wildlife education centres.
On arrival at Entebbe International Airport proceed to the arrivals hall where a representative will meet and transfer you to your hotel. The transfer time is approximately 10 minutes.
May 20th
After an early breakfast depart for Kibale National Park with lunch enroute.
Kibale National Park is an enchanting place and one of the most varied tracts of tropical forest in Uganda. At a little under 800 square kilometers, the park is a mix of lowland tropical rain forest, mixed tropical deciduous forest and montane forest. All those trees mean it’s good monkey country: Kibale is famous for its thirteen resident primates including chimps, L’Hoest’s monkeys with their white neck ruffs, Black and White colobus, Grey Cheeked Mangabeys and red colobus whose copper-colored backs gleam in the sunshine; the Forest is the last place in Uganda where large concentrations of Red Colobus can be found. Kibale lends itself to trekking and after-dark walking is permitted. The seventy species of mammals here – including smaller forest elephants, bushbuck, Harvey’s red duiker, blue duiker, bush pig, giant forest hog and African civet – are partly supported because of the generous 180-kilometer wildlife corridor that runs from southern Kibale to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Birdlife is prolific as are butterflies; Kibale is home to a staggering 250 species of butterfly.
Kibale National Park is a tropical rainforest located in the southwestern part of Uganda. The park is ranked as one of the best destinations in East Africa to see Chimpanzees. Before Chimpanzees are trekked by visitors, they are first tracked by park authorities who carry out a Chimpanzee habituation process so that visitors can see these fascinating creatures safely up close. Trekking can take between 2-5 hours depending on where the chimpanzees are. The visit with these endangered primates lasts an hour. If guests would like to stay with them longer, then they will need a permit for habituation. The park is also home to about 70 mammals including buffaloes, elephants, and antelopes. Guests can participate in a variety of activities including but not limited to Chimpanzee trekking, forest walks, community walks, and crater lake tours.
07:30am Your driver-guide will meet you in the reception area of the lodge for your transfer to Kibale National Park headquarters for Chimpanzee Tracking and later in the afternoon Bigodi Community Walk.
Kibale National Park is home to one of the largest populations of wild chimpanzees in Uganda. As you embark on this thrilling journey, get ready to witness their incredible agility, intelligence, and social interactions up close. The excitement begins as you enter the lush forest, guided by experienced trackers who are familiar with the chimpanzees’ habits and movements. The anticipation builds as you follow their traces, listening carefully to their distinctive calls that echo through the trees. Once you spot them swinging effortlessly from branch to branch or munching on fruits, your heart will race with joy. For the next hour, watch as they groom each other, playfully wrestle or care for their young ones. It’s a privilege to observe these endearing behaviors in their natural habitat. Keep in mind that chimpanzee tracking requires a certain level of physical fitness as you may need to hike through uneven terrain. However, the effort is undoubtedly worth it once you come face-to-face with these incredible primates.
3:00pm This afternoon you will do The Bigodi Community Walk in Uganda is a captivating cultural immersion that invites visitors to explore the rich tapestry of the local way of life. You’ll embark on a sensory journey, beginning with the intricate art of banana gin making, where you’ll witness the fascinating process of breaking down the bananas using local grasses which creates banana juice. You will then be able to taste banana wine and the three different types of gin that are produced from the plant. This is followed by a coffee roasting and traditional grinding lesson, indulging in the delightful aroma and taste of freshly roasted coffee grown on the local farms. Engage with skilled artisans to learn the ancient craft of traditional basket weaving, understanding the cultural significance behind these beautifully crafted pieces. The experience culminates with the lively rhythms and vibrant dances of the community’s traditional performers, providing an authentic and unforgettable glimpse into the heart and soul of Ugandan culture and traditions.
Meet our representative in the reception area for your transfer to Kasase Airstrip. The transfer time is approximately 1hour 30minutes.
Upon arrival in Kihihi Airstrip, you are met by Gorilla Forest Lodge representative and transferred to your lodge. The transfer time is approximately 1hourand 30 minutes.
The remainder of your day is leisure to enjoy the lodging surroundings.
The gloriously named Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is aptly named: ‘bwindi’ means darkness and this densely tangled green wilderness is deeply shaded, steeply rising – the elevation soars from just over 1 000 meters to almost 3 000 – and so rugged and tightly packed, that it’s only accessible on foot. Located in south-western Uganda, it is one of the richest, oldest and most diverse rainforests in the region, 25 000 years old boasting over 400 plant species. Within its 330 square kilometers live 120 species of mammals, 348 species of birds, 220 species of butterflies and 27 species of frogs, chameleons and geckos. The park is also home to over 300 mountain gorillas – half the world’s population – some inhabitants so visitors can observe them: standing quietly aside, you can watch these enormous animals getting on with the business of living: feeding, playing, watching you back. They aren’t the only primates; they share the forest with almost a dozen other species including chimpanzees.
Depart on Aerolink light aircraft. The flying time is approximately 45 minutes.
Please note that flying times are estimates and may vary on the day due to routings and the weather. Scheduled flights may visit some or all airstrips in any sequence. As a result, it is not possible to give firm departure time from each airstrip as precise timings may only be available on the actual day.
There is a luggage restriction of 15 kilograms per person, in soft bags. Guests to please adhere to the luggage restriction in the interest of safety.
A forest walk is one of the most rewarding ways to discover the many hidden treasures of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Not only is the forest home to the magnificent Mountain gorilla, but it is also home to unsuspecting creatures like the bushpig, giant forest hog, forest elephant and many more! There are about eight trails that guests can opt to visit based on their interests and fitness levels, but regardless of the trail, it is strongly recommended to wear proper hiking attire. The biodiversity of this forest is amazing and there are discoveries on every hike. Take a day and explore what this beautiful forest has to offer.
July 23rd
Today is the long-awaited day – explore one of the richest, oldest and most diverse rainforests in the world for Uganda’s mountain gorillas. The misty primeval jungle is nestled among mountains, terraced hills, and rolling volcanic slopes. After an early breakfast, your guide will escort you to the Uganda Wildlife Authority Park headquarters where you will meet fellow trackers and gorilla guide who will then lead you into the forest to find the Mountain Gorillas. The trekking may be strenuous, up to six hours or longer is not uncommon, at relatively high altitude. Mountain Gorillas are wild animals, and so sightings cannot be guaranteed, however the success rate is well over 95%; these massive primates are extremely rare with only approximately 1000 remaining in the wild. You will get within meters of the family and be privileged to spend up to one hour amongst them.
Returning to the lodge later in the day and time permitting, you may have time to go on a forest or community walk with the guides, visit the Batwa tribe if not done on arrival day or just relax and enjoy your photos of the mountain’s gorillas.
Optional: Batwa Forest Experience Tour 424.00 Add On.
Bwindi National Park is home to mountain gorillas, diverse flora, and amazing birdlife. But people don’t often know that it has been the home to the Batwa pygmies for many years. They have been described as the original ‘keepers of the forest’. In 2001, the lives of the Batwa people changed forever when the forest became a national park and world heritage site to protect the endangered mountain gorillas. The Batwa people were evicted from the park and became refugees. Their life skills were not useful in the modern world, and they began to suffer. As a result, in 2001, medical missionaries Dr. Scott and Carol Kellermann came to their aid to establish programs that improved the conditions and lives of the Batwa people. These projects are now managed and operated by the Batwa Development Program (BDP). Visitors of the forest can learn about their rich heritage and culture by hiking with a Batwa guide, visiting their homestead, and learning about their hunting techniques.
July 24th
Today you will embark on your second gorilla trekking adventure. No two treks are ever the same and the experience is bound to be just as magical the first time. Upon return to the lodge, you have time to rest and enjoy a sumptuous meal. In the afternoon you have the choice to visit the Batwa tribe, a hunter-gatherer community which has co-existed with the wildlife in the park for a long time. Alternatively visit the Bwindi Community Hospital which provides health care in this far-flung region or the Bwindi Bike Shop to learn of the impact this women-led enterprise is having in the community.
July 25th
After an early breakfast finalise checkout formalities and depart for Kihihi Airstrip where you will take your shared flight to Entebbe International Airport transfer time is 1hour 30minutes.
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be met and helped to departures for connections to your international flight or a day room if booked and later transferred to Entebbe International Airport for flight out.
Safari Price
includes lodging and Permits
INCLUSIONS
- Meet & Greet
- park entry fees, accommodation & meals as above
- vehicle in a 4×4 land cruiser with open roof hatch
- English speaking guide
- drinking water
- drinks at GFL
- Bwindi community visit
- Bigodi walk in Kibale
- 18% VAT
- 2gorilla permits
- chimp trek permit
- internal flights
- Forest walk
EXCLUSIONS
- Tips
- drinks
- Visas are not included. Clients are responsible for obtaining their own Visa where appropriate and should check entry requirements
- visas $50
- any items of a personal nature
- Minimum age is 15yrs & above
- porters
- any activities not mentioned on the itinerary above
- International flights
*Tipping is customary in East Africa, and while it is certainly up to the discretion of each client. We can provide you with a list of recommended tipping scales if you wish, or suggest an all-inclusive tips package that can be included in the total cost and that we, as Akorn, will promise to distribute fairly to ensure the best possible service.
Gelada Baboons and Walia Ibex Ethiopia Add On
- Wildlife Photography Expedition | Simien Mountains National Park4 DaysA Unique African Safari DestinationFor travelers seeking a wildlife experience beyond the classic savannah safari, Ethiopia’shighlands offer something truly exceptional. The dramatic escarpments of SimienMountains National Park rise above vast plains in a landscape sculpted by millions ofyears of erosion. Towering cliffs, jagged peaks, and sweeping Afro-alpine plateaus createone of Africa’s most visually arresting mountain environments.Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Simien Mountains are home to someof the continent’s rarest endemic species — many found nowhere else on Earth. Thiscarefully crafted photography expedition focuses on Ethiopia’s unique highland wildlifeset against one of Africa’s most dramatic natural backdrops.Endemic Wildlife of Ethiopia | Simien Mountains
Gelada Baboon
The Simien Mountains provide the finest opportunity anywhere in the world tophotograph the endemic Gelada. Known as the “bleeding heart baboon” due to the redpatch on its chest, this remarkable primate is the only grass-eating monkey on Earth.Large troops inhabit cliffs and open plateaus, offering extraordinary behavioralphotography opportunities.Walia Ibex
Found exclusively in the Simien range, the Walia Ibex is one of Africa’s rarest mountainungulates. Distinguished by elegant curved horns and rich chestnut coats, they are mostactive in the cool hours of early morning and late afternoon — ideal for dramatic imageryagainst sheer escarpments.Ethiopian Wolf (Occasional Sightings)
Africa’s most endangered carnivore inhabits Ethiopia’s Afro-alpine ecosystem. Whilemore reliably seen in Bale, rare sightings are occasionally possible in the higher reachesof the Simien Mountains.Menelik’s Bushbuck
A highland forest antelope subspecies endemic to Ethiopia, often encountered alongwooded slopes and transitional vegetation zones. - Day 1 – Arrival in Addis AbabaWelcome to Ethiopia. Upon arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, youwill be met and transferred to your hotel.Founded in 1886 by Emperor Menelik II, Addis Ababa sits at 2,500 meters above sealevel, making it one of the highest capitals in the world. The city blends modern energywith deep history and vibrant culture.Overnight: Ramada Hotel (4★)Day 2 – Addis Ababa – Gondar – Simien MountainsEarly morning transfer to the airport for your domestic flight to Gondar (approximately50 minutes).Upon arrival, drive through scenic highland landscapes toward the Simien Mountains. Asthe road climbs, dramatic escarpments and deep valleys unfold — cliffs plunging over1,000 meters to the plains below.After check-in and lunch at Simien Lodge (Buyit Ras, 3,200 m), enjoy your firstafternoon photography session around Sankaber. Large troops of Gelada Baboons arecommonly found grazing peacefully along the cliff edges, providing exceptionalcompositions in soft afternoon light.Overnight: Simien Lodge – Buyit Ras (3,200 m)Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerDay 3 – Cheneck & Walia Ibex TerritoryEarly departure to Cheneck, one of the most scenic areas of the park and prime habitat forthe endemic Walia Ibex. The dramatic vertical cliffs and sweeping mountain panoramasprovide a spectacular natural studio for wildlife photography.
- Spend the morning tracking and photographing Walia Ibex in their rugged terrain.Geladas are also frequently encountered along the route, along with lammergeiers soaringabove the escarpments.Return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. In the late afternoon, venture out once moreto capture the golden glow of sunset across the Afro-alpine landscape.Overnight: Simien Lodge – Buyit RasMeal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerDay 4 – Sunrise Geladas – Gondar UNESCO Castles –Addis Ababa DepartureBefore breakfast, enjoy a final early-morning photography session with Gelada Baboonsas they emerge from their cliffside sleeping sites. The soft dawn light illuminating theescarpments offers one of the most memorable photographic moments of the journey.After breakfast, drive to Gondar.Upon arrival, enjoy a short visit to the UNESCO-listed Fasil Ghebbi, often referred to asthe “fairytale castles” of Ethiopia. This 17th-century royal enclosure includes medievalstone castles built by Emperor Fasilidas and his successors, blending Ethiopian,Portuguese, and Indian architectural influences.Lunch will be served at the renowned Four Sisters Restaurant, known for its refinedEthiopian cuisine and welcoming atmosphere.After lunch, transfer to the airport for your flight back to Addis Ababa.Upon arrival in Addis, enjoy time for last-minute souvenir shopping — from traditionalhandicrafts to Ethiopian coffee and textiles.In the evening, gather for a memorable farewell dinner featuring authentic Ethiopiancuisine, music, and cultural dance performances.Following dinner, transfer to Addis Ababa Bole International Airport for yourinternational departure.End of TourMeal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
