Africa
Gorilla Safari Trek in Uganda, 4 Days - From: $4,175
Trip Summary
The mountain gorillas in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest are part of a worldwide population of just 720 individuals. You will have the rare opportunity to observe these magnificent primates on this Uganda gorilla safari. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in southwestern Uganda in East Africa. The park is part of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site and comprises 331 square kilometers of jungle forests containing both montane and lowland forest.
Take safari treks in one of the richest ecosystems in Africa accessible only by foot. The gorillas we are allowed to track belong to one of six habituated family groups. Enjoy observing these gentle giants up-close, and in their own habitat with guides who are deeply familiar with the gorilla's surroundings and routines. Please note that the steep, highly vegetated terrain requires good physical fitness, and only children aged 15 are older are permitted to track gorillas.
Safari lodges have been selected with your complete comfort in mind, allowing you to enjoy your dramatic natural surroundings as you recall your magical mountain gorilla safari.
Highlights
- Spend 1 hour with the majestic mountain gorilla each of your two days of tracking
- Scheduled flights in and out of the Bwindi Impentrable Forest
- Forest walks and cultural visits
Trip Details
Per Person Double Occupancy Price:
| January - December | $4,175 |
Based on two guests traveling. Does not include gorilla permits. Permits are $1000 per person. Note that prices may be higher during peak Holiday travel time from mid-December through mid-January.
This 4-day safari is intended to be combined with another Bushtracks safari for a minimum 7-day adventure.
Departure Dates:
- Daily
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Entebbe
Today arrive at Entebbe International Airport. Take a scheduled flight to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Guests will have a choice of accommodations, depending on availability. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your safari camp or lodge.
Gorilla Forest Camp is nestled deep inside Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and is the ideal base for tracking and meeting the gorillas that live in Bwindi. Once in a while the gorillas even wander into the safari camp itself. Guests can dine under the stars and relax by the roaring campfire. On cooler evenings, the central cottage provides a warm shelter. The eight tents are just as impressive as the communal areas. Wooden floors and decks support comfortable warm beds, and each tent boasts a bathtub, ideal for soaking tired muscles after a day's gorilla tracking, that looks straight out into the jungle's canopy.
Buhoma Lodge commands spectacular and uninterrupted views of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, while being just a five minute walk from the start of the gorilla trekking point. Eight comfortable cottages have been carefully built, each with its own private verandah, allowing wonderful views of the forest canopy of the National Park. Inside the specious cottages you will find comfortable beds, a well appointed en suite bathroom with flushing toilet and a hot shower and also some rooms with bath tubs. An elevated lounge area, complete with bar and dining facilities, offers a cozy, comfortable environment, to discuss the day’s activities around the fireplaces which add atmosphere and warmth in the cool evenings.
Engagi Lodge is situated in a large tract of land contiguous with the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, and runs from the main Buhoma road down to the Munyaga River. The safari lodge consists of just 8 en-suite cottages, evenly spaced out and hidden in the foliage. Each cottage has either double or twin beds (complete with hot water bottles), a bathroom with flushing toilets, hot and cold running water. All have private verandas where guests can enjoy their morning tea or coffee as they watch out over the forest canopy.
Lodging: Gorilla Forest Camp/ Buhoma Lodge/ Engagi Lodge
Days 2 - 3
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Each morning, you will be met and escorted to the park headquarters where your gorilla safari will begin. The gorillas are completely wild but have become used to seeing a few humans after years of habituation. Many of the expert safari guides have been involved in this process since the beginning, and are able to explain the complicated etiquette involved in meeting a giant silverback. This is an opportunity afforded only to a select few, as just eight visitors are allowed to view each mountain gorilla group every day. Tracking through dense forest with steep slopes means that participants do need to be physically fit to enjoy this active adventure. Once the gorillas are located, spend a maximum of one hour with them before returning back to camp. Please note only children aged 15 and above can track gorilla. Following your trek, you may relax or enjoy one of the additional activities your safari camp or lodge has to offer.
Lodging: Gorilla Forest Camp/ Buhoma Lodge/ Engagi Lodge
Day 4
Departing Entebbe
Today you will depart your accommodation for a scheduled flight to Entebbe. On arrival in Entebbe, you will connect with departing evening flights out of Entebbe International Airport.