Uganda primate safari with volunteering in Kisoro: Kisoro tour Uganda organizes the thrill of primates trekking safari with the opportunity of volunteering in different conservation projects in Kisoro area southwestern Uganda which is home to more than half of the endangered mountain gorillas population in the world.
Summary of this Uganda Primate Safari with volunteering in Kisoro
- Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe or in Kigali
- Day 2: Transfer to Kisoro
- Day 3: Gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
- Day 4-5: Work with Community Development Projects in Kisoro
- Day 6: Golden Monkey tracking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
- Day 7: Visit Gorilla Organization Kisoro Office
- Day 8: Batwa (Pygmy)community visit
- Day 9: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Day 10: Morning game drive & Boat cruise on Kazinga channel
- Day 11: Transfer to Kibale Forest National park
- Day 12: Chimpanzee tracking & afternoon Bigodi wetland walk
- Day 13: Transfer back to Entebbe Airport or Kigali Airport
This tour gives people the opportunity to get up close and personal with chimpanzees in the Kibale forest, endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat of Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park, and golden monkey in Mghinga gorilla national park. The volunteering work undertaken during this tour is very important in bridging the gap between indigenous local communities and these endangered primates who share their rainforest and vulnerable people like Batwa (pygmies) and other locals living around these national parks.
Volunteers will contribute directly to the on-going projects of these incredible and endangered creatures, and volunteers are also able to experience/trek them in their natural habitat in Bwindi forest which is home to more than half of the world’s population of these endangered mountain gorillas or see them in Mgahinga national park. Uganda Primate Safari with volunteering in Kisoro gives the opportunity to work with the local communities on different conservation programs like reforestation efforts and also will work with local communities living around those national parks in educating these communities on the importance of these primates conservation.
This Uganda Primate Safari with volunteering in Kisoro includes one gorilla, chimpanzee, and golden monkey permit per person/volunteer and also includes a visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park where you enjoy two game drives and a boat cruise on the Kazinga channel connecting Lake Gorge and Lake Edward.
Trip Highlights of Uganda Primate Safari with volunteering in Kisoro
- Kigali or Entebbe city tour
- Stopover at Uganda Equator for photographs
- Mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable forest
- 3 days of volunteering in the different community projects
- Golden monkey tracking in Mgahinga national park
- Visit Batwa (Pygmy)communities in Kisoro
- Visit gorilla organization
- Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale forest
- Boat cruise on Kazinga Channel
- Bigodi swamp guided walk
- 2 game drive/viewing in Queen Elisabeth
Exploring Uganda at the same time volunteering gives you the opportunity to experience the Uganda primates and other wildlife species in their natural habitat, this trip also gives chance to contribute directly to the local communities living around Bwindi and Mgahinga which make a real difference to the conservation of mountain gorillas.
Another interesting area to volunteer Kisoro Demonstration School for deaf and blind children which is located just 5 minutes drive from Kisoro’s main town, This school is the only one in the Kisoro area that provides a safe learning environment for deaf and blind children. Our volunteering program has been to support these children every year each time volunteers visit it is a privilege to these deaf and blind children which gives them hope because the interaction of the volunteers helps to bridge the gap between deaf, blind children and local communities
Where to start and end Uganda Primate Safari with volunteering in Kisoro
This trip can start and from Entebbe international airport in Uganda or from Kigali international airport in Rwandan, the required visa for both Uganda and Rwanda can be bought on the arrival at the airport or at a border entry point, so if you choose to start or end in Rwanda it also gives a chance to explore Rwanda at the beginning or at the end of your Uganda Primate Safari with volunteering trip in Kisoro and I must say that it is worth it to explore both countries, you only need to use East African tourist visa which allows you multiple entries to Uganda and Rwanda, this East African tourist visa is valid for 3 months (90 days).
If you don’t want to pay for your visa on the arrival you can as well get it in advance from Ugandan or Rwanda high commissions or embassies in your country prior to departure, in you more information on how to get your visa please contact us we are always at your disposal for any other details you may need.
Detailed itinerary of Uganda Primate Safari with volunteering in Kisoro
Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe or in Kigali
On arrival at Entebbe airport in Uganda or at Kigali Airport in Rwanda, our professional guide/driver will meet you at the airport and take you for a brief city tour depending on the time of your arrival, thereafter transfer you to the guesthouse for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation Options
Meal Plan: Dinner
Both Budget or Mid-range Lodge: at Hotel Chez Lando
Day 2: Transfer to Kisoro
If you choose to start from Kigali Rwanda, the drive to Kisoro takes about 4-hour drive while if you start from Entebbe Uganda it will take you about 9 to 10 hours drive but also I must say that the long drive from Entebbe is a very interesting one with few stopovers, the first stopover will be at Uganda Equator for photographs and for a cup of coffee or tea and also stand a chance to see the area which separates both the Southern and Northern Hemispheres, and after continue with the drive which will later take you through Lake Mburo National Park, have another stopover in Mbarara city for lunch after which you will continue to Kisoro commonly referred to as the Switzerland of Africa.
Accommodation Options
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Mid-range Lodge: Travelers Rest Hotel Kisoro
Budget Lodge: Virunga Hotel and Camp Site Kisoro
Day 3: Gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Early morning breakfast with your packed lunch, you will report to the Park headquarters for registration and join other trackers in a briefing about the dos and the don’ts during your Gorilla Tracking at 7:45 am. You will trek through thick creepers and undergrowth with your guides to find the Gorillas, which can take you half an hour to three-quarters of the day. The steeply forested landscape is incredibly dense but crisscrossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists. It is an extraordinary feeling being with these beautiful yet endangered Creatures in their habitat.
Accommodation Options
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Mid-range Lodge: Travelers Rest Hotel Kisoro
Budget Lodge: Virunga Hotel and Camp site Kisoro
Day 4-5: Work with Community Development Projects in Kisoro
You will be spent at least 2 days taking part in community sustainable projects like Beekeeping and honey processing projects in Kisoro, teaching in primary and secondary schools, taking part in different farming/agriculture activities that will give the local community a different experience and a better life. These activities depend on what is needed from the community at the time and are subject to change and also depend on volunteer expertise.
Accommodation Options
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Mid-range Lodge: Travelers Rest Hotel Kisoro
Budget Lodge: Virunga Hotel and Camp Site Kisoro
Day 6: Golden Monkey tracking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Have breakfast early morning and proceed for golden monkey tracking, this is another existing moment. Prior to meeting the golden monkeys, you will see other primates, fauna, and flora. Finally, get face to face with the beautiful golden monkeys. You will see them play as they jump from one branch of the tree to the other; all this will be amazing and memorable for your Uganda Primate Safari with volunteering in Kisoro.
Accommodation Options
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Mid-range Lodge: Travelers Rest Hotel Kisoro
Budget Lodge: Virunga Hotel and Camp Site Kisoro
Day 7: Visit Gorilla Organization Kisoro Office
Join a team from Gorilla Organization, for a full day with the team who are taking the pioneering pedal-powered cinema system to remote local communities showing conservation, education, and gorilla based conservation projects in the area.
Accommodation Options
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Mid-range Lodge: Travelers Rest Hotel Kisoro
Budget Lodge: Virunga Hotel and Camp Site Kisoro
Day 8: Batwa (Pygmy)community visit
Today wake up to a leisurely breakfast and prepare for yet another adventure around the Kisoro area as you visit these indigenous natives the Batwa. The Batwa are Uganda’s marginalized people and are view with derision by most of the Ugandan Nationals. The Batwa have lived their lives to current generations by hunting and gathering in the forest. The visit to the Batwa invariably involves songs and a dance demonstration, and once the music begins you can’t help but notice that they project a genuine pride in themselves. You shall then return to the lodge for lunch and also relax. Enjoy your evening at leisure as you prepare yourselves for the next day’s journey back to Kampala. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation Options
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Mid-range Lodge: Travelers Rest Hotel Kisoro
Budget Lodge: Virunga Hotel and Camp Site Kisoro
Day 9: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, embark on the journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive will take you through the Ishasha sector arriving at Queen Elizabeth National Park, you will have a game drive en-route where you might spot game along the way as you transfer to the park headquarters. Watch out for tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector, before heading to your accommodation for dinner and overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner (FB)
Moderate (Budget) Lodge: Bush Lodge
Mid-range Lodge: Buffalo Safari lodge
Day 10: Morning game drive & Boat cruise on Kazinga channel
After breakfast, embark on the morning game drive which will take you through the parts of Queen Elizabeth National Park, and in the afternoon, you will go for a boat ride on the Kazinga channel that connects lakes, Edward, and George. The launch cruise will reward you with a game like hippos, elephants, buffaloes, and birds at the shores.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner (FB)
Moderate (Budget): Lodge: Bush Lodge
Mid-range Lodge: Buffalo Safari lodge
Day 11: Transfer to Kibale Forest National park
After late breakfast, meet your driver/guide and transfer to Kibale forest national park. The distance from Queen Elisabeth national park to Kibale takes about 3 hours drive, taking you through the beautiful sceneries and villages of Kasese and Fort portal route.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Mid-range Lodge: Chimpanzee Guest House
Budget Lodge: Kibale Forest Camp Or Rwenzori View Guest House
Day 12: Chimpanzee tracking & afternoon Bigodi wetland walk
This day is another exciting day to add primate to your list, chimps are animal you will definitely hear them before you see. After breakfast, embark on the chimpanzee trekking encounter in Kibale Forest National Park, you gather at Kanyanchu tourism center for briefing at 8: am by the Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers after which you head to the prehistoric forest in search of your closest cousin. Kibale Forest National Park offers a great flora concentration with 351 Species of trees some of which are 200 years old and over 55m tall. The park also supports 70 species of mammals and 13 species of Primates among which include the common chimpanzee, Black and white colobus, and red-tailed monkey.
The 375 Species of birds thieve in the park including the impressive western green tinker bird, two species of pittas (African and green-breasted), olive long-tailed cuckoo, African grey parrot, and the endemic ground thrush (Turdus kibalensis). This makes the search for the chimpanzees beyond the ordinary. Upon encountering the chimps, you have an opportunity to see them munch fruit, hunt, patrol, copulate, young ones playing, make pant hooting calls among other interesting aspects for one full hour.
The exciting moments with the chimps will leave you with no other option but to be active with your cameras to make a reserve of remarkable photos that will always take you back to the memories of this wonderful moment. Retreat from the activity and connect to the starting point where you connect with your company guide, settle for your packed lunch after which you connect to Bigodi wetland sanctuary for an afternoon walk. Bigodi wetland is an eco-tourism project developed and managed by the community sheltering a count of 138 bird species which include the Great Blue Turaco. The swamp also supports the swamp-dwelling sitatunga antelope but importantly features a heritage encounter to the local people and craft center that enables you to explore the local way of life. Retreat from the 2 hours walk back to the lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Accommodation Options
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Mid-range Lodge: Chimpanzee Guest House
Budget Lodge: Kibale Forest Camp Or Rwenzori View Guest House
Day 13: Transfer back to Entebbe Airport or Kigali Airport
After breakfast, embark on the transfer back to Entebbe airport or Kigali airport for your late flight out the back home country.
COST PER PERSON SHARING TWIN/DOUBLE ROOMS
| Cost per person sharing | Price(USD) Budget Safari | Price(USD) Moderate Safari |
| 1 person | Contact us for the price | Contact us for the price |
| 2 people | ||
| 3 people | ||
| 4 people | ||
| 5 people | ||
| 6 people |
Includes One chimp, gorilla, golden monkey permit per person, boat ride 2 game drives, all volunteering activities, Bigodi swamp walk, Meet & greet services, airport transfers to/from Entebbe or Kigali airport, all accommodation and meals, bottled water on a safari vehicle, services of driver/guide, all park entry fees and all other set activities in the itinerary.
Excludes: Visas, personal travel insurance and items of a personal nature, Charter/Scheduled flights also optional extra. Plus all expenses of personal nature like tips, drinks, etc.
