3 Days Gorilla Trekking Experience in Uganda
This 3 Days Gorilla Trekking Experience in Uganda: will take you to the ultimate gorilla experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which is also among the oldest forests in Uganda. The word “Bwindi” generally means “darkness” and when you get the opportunity of walking through this forest you will get to know why it was called so. The park is also a home to over 10 habituated gorilla families. Coming across one family is a life time experience whereby you will be able to enjoy their daily activities given one hour in their presence.
However, this park also habours other primates like the chimpanzees (not easy to spot), black and white colobus and even on a lucky you can come across the forest elephants. On the other hand, the park also offers bird watching with an estimation of over 350 bird species, 14 not recorded anywhere else in Uganda and migratory birds are present from November to April.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Depart Entebbe/Kampala – Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast, you will be picked up by one of our representative from Great Nest Image Safaris and later start off your journey. The park is basically located in the southwestern part of Uganda. However, you will have your first stopover at Mpambire drum makers where you will get to know about these cultural instruments.
While here, feel free to take videos, photos as well as buy some souvenirs for remembrance back home. Your next stopover will be at the Equator for refreshments, equator experiments, also feel free to buy some souvenirs. You will continue with your journey to Mbarara town where you will have your lunch. You will thereafter proceed to the Park arriving late evening and checking in direct to your for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation
- Gorilla closeup lodge
Meals & Drinks
- Full board
Day 2: Gorilla trekking- Batwa Cultural Experience
Having your early morning breakfast, you will head to the park headquarters. While here, you will be briefed by the park rangers about the dos and don’ts before going for the gorilla trekking. Later, you will be divided into a group of 8 individuals and after, start off your gorilla trekking guided by the park rangers. Upon locating a gorilla group, you are allowed an hour in their presence as you enjoy their daily activities. Feel free to take photos as well as videos of this wonderful an forgettable moment for remembrance back home.
Later in the evening, you will visit the Batwa community which will expose you to their culture basing on how they live, dance, as well as listen to their forest stories which will leave you amazed. The Batwa are generally the first people to live in this forest in harmony with these great apes until they were evicted out in order to reserve the forest for wildlife. Therefore, listening to their amazing forest stories and practices will highlight your day with wonderful cultural experiences. Otherwise, feel free to participate in any of their activities as you also take videos and photos of these unique people. Dinner and overnight stay at your lodge.
Accommodation
- Gorilla closeup lodge
Meals & Drinks
- Full board
Day 3: Transfer back to Entebbe/Kampala
After breakfast, you will check out of your lodge and start your journey back to Entebbe/Kampala. You will pass through rolling hills with terraces and having great views of the lush vegetation of the different areas. You will have lunch in Mbarara town then later continue to Entebbe/Kampala arriving late afternoon.
END OF SAFARI TOUR
Activities
- Gorilla trekking
- Batwa Cultural Experience
- Equator experience
- Visit the Drum makers
Birding watching
Birders with a limited amount of time in Buhoma are strongly urged to stick to the Munyaga River Trail. This which starts on the edge of the park behind the gorilla tracking trailhead and follows the same old road through the forest south of Buhoma as the waterfall trail. The open road also provides better birding opportunities than a narrow forest path and on a good morning you could hope to see over 60 bird species. Common species include; the great blue turaco, black bee-eater, red-tailed bulbul, bar tailed trogon, Doherty’s bush-shrike, etc.
Village walk
This 3 hour stroll through Buhoma and its margins immerses visitors in the customs and practices of the Bakiga and Batwa people. However, the tour takes in varied activities such as farming, brewing local beer, dispensing traditional medicines and concludes with dancing displays by members of the Batwa community.
Dance performances
Traditional dances, supplemented by rather contrived but enjoyable gorilla dances can be arranged on site or at any if the nearby lodges. However, there is no fixed charge but a significant donation will be welcomed, this is dedicated to helping educate orphaned and disadvantaged Bakiga children living in and around Buhoma.
Number of Days
3 Days/2 nights
Included
- Gorilla permit
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation including fuel
- All accommodation (included in the itinerary)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip/Airport transfer
- Bottled Drinking water
Excluded
- International flights
- Personal items
- Extra Meals
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Requirements
Generally, the Gorilla trekking permit costs 800USD per person and you get to spend only one hour with the mountain gorillas whereas the Gorilla Habituation permit costs 1500USD per person allowing you to spend four hours with the mountain gorillas. However, the gorilla trekking permit is inclusive of the park entry fee and should be paid in advance through Uganda Wildlife Authority Offices or through our Company.
Requirements for the safari
- Gorilla trekking permits.
- Proof of Yellow fever vaccination.
- Good physical, fit health and mental condition.
- Uganda Visa which can be got on arrival at the Airport.
- Travelers must be at least 15 years old on the day the trekking.
- Travel & Health insurance arranged from your home Country.
- Hiking shoes.
- Water proof Jacket.
- Long Sleeves shirt & Waterproof Pants.
- Warm Jacket.
- Good camera for photography