Gorilla Safari

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1:  Entebbe 

Arrive Entebbe and transfer to hotel. Overnight on a BB basis.

Day 2:  Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Uganda, or the ‘Pearl of Africa’, as it was famously dubbed by Winston Churchill, is characterised by relatively dry and flat savanna in the north, with verdant mountains in the West, and vast dense and remarkably lush forests in the central region. The nation is home to an astonishingly diverse range of African wildlife including the highly endangered mountain gorilla which can be found in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. A popular spot for wildlife watching is Queen Elizabeth National Park, which hosts four of the Big Five, a flock of flamboyant flamingos and the rare tree-climbing lions of Ishasha. Outdoor enthusiasts can get their adrenaline fix with plenty of whitewater rafting, kayaking, hiking, quad biking and horse riding facilities on offer. Add to this some friendly locals, a burgeoning cultural scene, and a capital city full of lively bars, clubs and restaurants, and it is easy to see why Uganda has gained itself a reputation as 'Africa's friendliest country'.

Located in southwestern Uganda, the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is said to be Africa’s oldest rainforest. It is world-renowned for its excellent gorilla-sighting opportunities. The rugged landscape features dense jungle, cascading waterfalls, sparkling mountain streams, deep valleys and steep ridges. This untouched forest has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its breathtaking natural beauty and unique ecological significance. Aside from the amazing gorilla interactions, there are other drawcards such as a network of forest walks, over 340 species of bird to spot and a variety of butterflies. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore the spectacular Virunga Volcanoes.

Day Itinerary

Very early morning transfer to Entebbe International for your flight to Kihihi. On arrival at the lodge, you may do an optional community visit. (Extra cost applies)

Day 3:  Bwindi Lodge, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

We will have an early start from the lodge, walking to the nearby park headquarters, where we receive a briefing and select our porters for the day. Then we’re off on a drive that may last anything from 10 minutes to 2 hours before we start our gorilla track. The tracking can be strenuous because of the steep slopes and the high altitude. Initially, we will walk along established paths, our ranger coordinating with the advance trackers by radio to guide us in to the gorillas last know location. As we get to where the gorillas are, we will leave the paths and begin hacking our way through the slippery underbrush. Our porters will stay back as only our privileged party of 8 and our ranger approach the gorillas to spend our magical hour with them. The hour passes all too quickly, and then it’s time to reluctantly make our way back to our waiting vehicles.

Day 4:  End of Itinerary

An early morning transfer back to Kihihi today to catch your scheduled flight back to Entebbe & onwards.