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Home > Destinations > Africa > Uganda > Uganda Gorilla Safari
Uganda Gorilla Safari
Viewing gorillas in the wild is a breathtaking and humbling wildlife encounter! Follow our team of expert guides and native trackers as you bushwhack through the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in search of a family of mountain gorillas. We plan two days of gorilla tracking so you have the best chances of finding one of several gorilla groups with an opportunity for observation up-close and personal. But Uganda is so much more than gorillas. You hike in the Kibale Forest, take game drives and boat trips in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and stay in Mbarara town to ensure that you see the full range of Ugandan wildlife and culture.Wildland Adventures travelers to Uganda support the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International through our Travelers Conservation Trust.
DAY 1 : ENTEBBE
Upon arrival into Entebbe you will be met at the airport and be transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay. If you arrive early in the day, a visit to the Entebbe Botanical Gardens is possible. Lake Victoria Hotel [meals on own]
DAY 2 : KIBALE FOREST-NDALI LODGE
Morning drive westward to Kibale Forest (approximately 7.5 hours). The route slowly ascends from the Lake Victoria basin into the lush rolling foothills of The Ruwenzori Mountains (Mountains of the Moon). Pass through villages and farmland where every imaginable fruit and vegetable of the tropics can be seen growing. Birding is excellent with varying ecosystems including rain forest, agricultural land, papyrus swamps, scrub land, and the famous tea growing area around Fort Portal and Kyanjojo. Overnight at Ndali Lodge. [BLD]
DAY 3 : KIBALE FOREST
Spend a full day exploring on foot in the Kibale Forest and Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. Our Kibale guides trek in this forest every day and many have helped researchers in their work. These expert guides know the life history of many of the different individuals and you'll learn about communication between chimpanzees and the importance of dominance in the families. This afternoon visit the Bigodi Sanctuary, created in 1992 by a community environmental group as a way to effectively use natural resources. Hike on well-maintained footpaths with community guides to look for 138 species of birds and eight species of primates including the black and white colobus and red-tailed monkey. Overnight at Ndali Lodge. [BLD]
DAYS 4-5 : QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK
Scenic morning drive (approx. 3.5 hours) to the Queen Elizabeth National Park, situated in the western region of the Great Rift Valley. This park includes a remarkable variety of eco-systems from semi-deciduous tropical forests to green meadows, savannah, crater lakes and swamps. Within the park a vast array of wildlife can be found including elephant, buffalo, hippo, leopard, hyena, bush hog and the famous tree-climbing lions of Ishasha. Ugandan cob, endemic to Uganda, are plentiful here. With few vehicles in the park the game viewing is incredibly private, allowing you to take your time and view animal behavior. On day 5 we include a cruise along the shores of Lake Edward and the Kasinga Channel. Buffalo crowd the banks along with hippo and over five hundred bird species, including the Shoe-bill stork, black bee-eater, eleven different species of kingfisher, several eagles and other raptors. Two nights accommodations at Mweya Lodge or similar. [BLD]
DAY 6 : MARAMAGAMBO FOREST
Delve deep into the Chambura Gorge this morning on a search for chimpanzees, which live in the gorge. After your trek, enjoy a scenic drive to the Maramagambo Forest (still within QENP). On this short walk, view secondary forest, waterfalls and bat caves where one can see thousands of bats and possibly pythons and Monitor Lizards catching bats. Game drive on the way back to your lodge. Overnight Mweya Lodge or similar. [BLD]
DAYS 7-9 : BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST
Proceed by vehicle approximately 4.5 hours to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, home to half of the world's population of mountain gorillas and designated as a World Heritage Site. Some of the gorilla families have been habituated to human presence, and it is possible to visit them in their natural habitat. Bwindi also contains many other primate species and offers more relaxing walks for visitors around the lower levels of the forest.
Prior to trekking, you will have an orientation at the park headquarters to become familiar with gorilla tracking ethics. It is very important to understand the importance of protecting the animals from communicable diseases to which they are very susceptible. It is crucial that under no circumstances are the gorillas to be touched by humans.
Spend your days in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest on two full day treks to view two different families of mountain gorillas. The search, with experienced trackers leading the way, can take up to eight hours although the gorillas are usually found after two to four hours. Some hiking areas lie at altitudes above 7,500 feet over rough and muddy terrain. Although the hike can be physically demanding, the beauty of the forest and surrounding scenery make the trek worthwhile. Once the gorillas are located all fatigue is forgotten, as the experience is often described as the most profound natural history experience in the world. Picnic lunches are provided and it is important to take plenty of water. Cameras and plenty of fast speed film are recommended. It can rain at a few minutes notice, hence water proof clothing is a good idea, along with zip lock bags for cameras and film. Return to camp for the evening meal and relaxation. Three nights accommodations at Gorilla Forest Camp or similar. [BLD]
DAY 10 : LAKE MBURO
Morning departure and drive (approx. 6-7 hours with stops) through southwestern Uganda, a stunning scenic area, to the Lake Mburo National Park. Lake Mburo is comprised of five different lakes, and is home to zebra, topi, and eland. A game drive in the Park is an option for this afternoon, or you might just want to rest at Mihingo Lodge and watch wildlife at the watering hole and salt lick below the pool. Mihingo Lodge is a peaceful and luxurious retreat adjacent to Lake Mburo National Park. Situated on over 200 privately owned acres, it features ten rooms which are built on wooden platforms and stilts, covered by a thatched roof. Suspended under the thatched roof is a spacious and comfortable tent equipped with en-suite bathrooms, including hot and cold running water, showers, and flush toilets. The main dining area is a large thatched structure built from rocks, the wood of olive trees, and native grasses. Below the dining area, an infinity swimming pool stretches out from the rocks and seems to disappear into the vast landscape beyond. Overnight at Mihingo Lodge [BLD]
DAY 11 : DEPARTURE
You have an opportunity for a morning game drive before continuing the drive (approx. 5 hours) to Entebbe. A dayroom at the Lake Victoria Hotel is provided in anticipation of an evening transfer to the airport for your international flight. Overnights at the Lake Victoria Hotel available at additional cost upon request. [BLD]
| - Prices, Departure Dates and Included Services - |
Days: 11 | Grade: III (click for grades definition) | 2009 Price: From $5195 per person. Land cost based on Group Size | Group Size | 2 | 3 | 4-5 | Cost per adult | $6350 | $5595 | $5195 | Cost per teen (15-18) | $6150 | $5395 | $4995 | Gorilla permits | $1000 | $1000 | $1000 |
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| Single Supplement: $825 (click for info) | *Minimum age to trek for gorillas is 15. Group of 6 is $4995, with $200 discount for teens. | | | | | 2009 Departure Dates | 2010 Departure Dates | | | (Available upon request) | (Available upon request) |
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| | | Included: Airport transfers, land transportation, accommodations and meals as specified (B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner), guide services, camp staff services, gorilla permit(s) and all park entrance fees, Wildland Adventures travel consultation and pre-departure services, and services of in-bound land operator for airline reconfirmation (when possible). | | | Not Included: International air, land services and meals not specifically described, tips and gratuities, airport departure taxes, personal expenses, or costs associated with changes in your itinerary for reasons beyond our control. We recommend and offer travelers insurance. | |
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