A 5 DAYS GORILLA TREKKING SAFARI

The five days Gorilla Trekking Safari take you to two of Uganda’s amazing national parks, see animals of the Savannah on a game drive and boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park and go trekking Mountain gorillas Bwindi Impenetrable National Park during this unforgettable adventure. This Gorilla trekking Safari gives you a chance to explore Queen Elizabeth National Park found in Western Uganda at the backdrop of the Rwenzori Mountains offers a melody of wonders including over 95 species of mammals as well as over 600 bird species. This biodiversity hotspot was gazette in 1952 as Kazinga National Park and presently extends for an area of 1978sq.Km.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park located in South-Western side of Uganda, is one of the most popular gorilla trekking destinations sheltering more than half the World’s surviving population of mountain gorillas with more than 40 families, 20 of which are habituated for trekking. Bwindi Forest Impenetrable was gazette into National Park in 1991 and was later declared a UNESCO Site in 1994.

Proposed Itinerary for 5 days Gorilla trekking Safari.

Day 1                    Transfer to QENP                           6-7 hrs

Day 2               Game drive and Boat trip                       N/A

Day 3           Ishasha Game drive and transfer to

BNP                                     N/A

Day 4            Gorilla trekking and Cultural visit              N/A

Day 5             Transfer back to Kampala                         8-9hrs

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park.

After an early breakfast, you be picked up by our professional guide to kick off your journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park via Kampala- Masaka highway. This 7-8 hour’s journey involves two stopovers and the first one is at the Uganda Equator crossing in Kayabwe here you spend at least 30 minutes taking photos of this remarkable landmark and experimenting with how water drains (clockwise or anti-clockwise) when placed in the Nothern and Southern hermispheres. You will continue with the journey until IgongoCulttural Centre and Country Hotel for your mouth-watering local/traditional and international dishes as well as an optional tour of the local Museum known as “Erijukiro” Museum to have a view on some of the original artifacts of the Ankole people. You will then continue through Mbarara the land of milk and honey, Bushenyi where the cool air and lush vegetation will leave you open- mouthed, yet your arrival at Queen Elizabeth National Park will introduce you to real Paradise.

Location: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

Accommodation Options

                          Budget: Irungu Forest Safari Lodge/ Bush Lodge

Midrange: Twin Lake Safari Lodge/ Wilderness Safari Camp

                          Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge/ Elephant Plains Game Lodge

Day 2: Game viewing and launch trip

Get up early for breakfast and start the game drive by 6:30 am for a chance to encounter the lions and leopards returning from their hunt. The Queen’s mile as well as Kasenyi tracks within the vast Savannah plains reward tourists with the opportunity of sighting numerous wildlife species including side striped jackals, elephants, buffaloes, Uganda Kobs, warthogs, bushbucks, waterbucks. A game drive doesn’t mean that your options will be limited to wildlife but also introduces you to the numerous bird species like Chapin’s flycatcher. Martial eagles, black bee-eaters and many others. Return to the Lodge to fresh-up, lunch and relaxation.

In the afternoon, you will head for the launch trip along the Kazinga Channel, lasting about 2 hours and will be filled with surprises like spotting huge Nile crocodiles and hippos lazing on the banks of the channel as well as Uganda kobs, elephants and buffaloes drinking or cooling their bodies during the hot sunshine. Birds in large numbers will also be spotted during the cruise and the must-see species are the African fish eagles, pink-backed pelicans, African skimmer and Martial eagles among others. Continue to the Lodge for a quick snack and have a brief evening game drive to spot the nocturnal mammals such as leopards, lions and hyenas.

Location: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

Accommodation Options

Budget: Irungu Forest Safari Lodge/ Bush Lodge

                          Midrange: Twin Lake Safari Lodge/ Wilderness Safari Camp

                          Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge/ Elephant Plains Game Lodge

Day 3: Ishasha Game drive and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After your early breakfast, you will start your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park through sector, on the Southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park, passing through Ishasha sector guarantees you of encounter you of encountering the mysterious tree-climbing lions resting on fig tree branches and other animals especially Uganda kobs as well as buffaloes grazing within the vast savannah plains. You will have your lunch in Kihihi towards Buhoma sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National park and check in at your lodge. Freshen up and relax.

Location: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation option:

Budget: Ride 4 A Woman/ Bakiga Lodge

                     Midrange: Silverback Lodge/ Gorilla Mist Camp

                     Luxury:Buhoma Lodge/Gorilla Safari Lodge

Day 4: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi and evening Cultural visit

Breakfast will be served early so that you can find your fellow gorilla trekkers at the Park Headquarters at 7:00 am for briefing. Be briefed on how to behave when in the presence of Mountain gorillas and your expectations of the activity. Be assigned to the gorilla family and move or be driven to the trailhead to start the 1-7 hours’ trek in the thick jungles to search for the allocated gorilla family. The trek is usually challenging and involves going through muddy trails, scratching and misty vegetation but the face-to-face encounter with the mountain gorillas and spending one hour with them is a rewarding experience. After spending quality time with them, descend to the trailhead and back to the lodge for lunch.

After enjoying your lunch and relaxing, head for a relaxed evening walk to the nearby Batwa community to have an insight on how they lived in the forest before eviction. You will see their traditional houses; see how they use sticks to make fire and be entertained in their traditional dances.

Location: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation option:

Budget: Ride 4 A Woman/ Bakiga Lodge

                      Midrange: Silverback Lodge/ Gorilla Mist Camp

                     Luxury:Buhoma Lodge/Gorilla Safari Lodge

Day 5: Transfer back to Kampala/Entebbe for your flight

Start the most important meal of the day from the Lodge earlier before checking-out and leaving for Kampala or Entebbe. This 8-9 hours’ journey involves one stopover in Mbarara Town for lunch and continuing straight to Kampala/Entebbe International Airport for your flight (if it’s at 21:00 hours and beyond). Alternatively, if your flight is earlier, you can depart through Kigali International Airport which is 3-4 hours away. The End of Gorilla Trekking Safari.

COST OF THE PACKAGE

Budget $1700    Midrange $2060       Luxury $3450     Minimum 5pax Per Person

PACKAGE INCLUDES

Gorilla trekking permit

Boat Cruise and Game drive

Airport transfers

Top and Bottom of the falls

4*4 Road transport with English speaking local guide/ driver

Accommodation & all mentioned meals

All park entrance fees

Drinking water in the vehicle

EXCLUDES

International Visas

Accommodation while in Kampala

All expenses of personal nature such as tips and drinks

VISAS

Most nationalities require a visa to enter Uganda which can be obtained on arrival at $50 per person, single entry.

Passports must be Valid for a minimum of 6 months

HEALTH

Yellow fever and malaria prophylactics are required

Officials have a right to reject entry if you are found to have or show signs of communicable diseases.

FLIGHTS

Its imperative that you confirm your onward/ return flights. Please contact our office for assistance.