Journey Overview
This Uganda Gorilla Adventure Safari takes you exploring the jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable forest on a gorilla trekking adventure followed by an encounter with the indigenous tribes of the forest boundaries, the Batwa community.
This gorilla safari takes you by road from Entebbe International Airport, 9 hours across Uganda’s spectacular emerald plains, hills and valleys to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park’s southern sector, Nkuringo region.
The beauty of this rainforest is spectacular. The area offers a dramatic, sleepy forested landscape and is incredibly dense, but crisscrossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists. The thrill of spending time observing these gentle and endangered giants is an awesome, exciting experience to be long savored. Many find it to be a rare and moving opportunity.
Highlights
Discovering the southern region of the Pearl of Africa.
Unforgettable encounter with the Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
Meet, explore and learn from the local native communities.
Support sustainable tourism initiatives.
Know before you go
You’ll be visiting Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in Western Uganda, where the gorilla flourish.
This private custom made Africa safari is limited to a maximum of 6 travelers per vehicle, and 30 % deposit on confirmation.
We’ll keen to observe WHO, Government, UWA and our Covid-19 guidelines to ensure yours and our safety during this trip.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe International Airport
Arrival at Entebbe as per your international flights and transfer to No. 5 Boutique Hotel. In the afternoon, to complement the start of your Gorilla Adventure Safari in Uganda, you’ll take an optional excursion on Lake Victoria to Mamba swamps to catch sight of the elusive Shoebill Stork (giant bird that skipped evolution and kept a large beak that looks like a shoe).
Departure from the hotel at exactly 14h30/15h00 by car and local canoe to Mabamba Swamp, one of the best places for spotting the rare Shoebill Storks. Of course some fortune is needed but rarely does one leave the swamp without seeing one! Many other water birds have chosen this area as their home so birding is always very interesting.
Enjoy a relaxing sundowner on Lake Victoria and then return to your hotel.
Hotel/lodge : No. 5 Boutique Hotel
Meal : Lunch & Dinner on owns account
Day 2: Travel to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Start the Gorilla Adventure Safari with an early breakfast and travel to Western Uganda across the beautiful landscape of central Uganda: rolling hills, cultivated terraces, tropical rainforest and towards the end the majestic chain of the Virunga Volcanoes. Stop-over en-route at the equator, at Mbarara for lunch and Igongo Cultural Center.
The drive takes about 8 to 10 hours.
Hotel/lodge : Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Meal : Breakfast, Lunc and Dinner
Day 3: Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest south sector
The highlights of Gorilla Adventure Safari starts after breakfast, at around 7:45 Am, with packed lunch and drinking water you will be transferred to the National Park headquarters for the briefing on the dos and don’ts while with the gorillas. You then continue to the forest for the start of the actual gorilla tracking.
The beauty of this rainforest is spectacular. The area offers a dramatic, sleepy forested landscape and is incredibly dense, but crisscrossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists. The time taken and the terrain varies as per the movements of these great primates. The thrill of spending time observing these gentle and endangered giants is an awesome, exciting experience to be long savored. Many find it to be a rare and moving opportunity. The tracking can take place at Nkuringo or at Rushaga (1h00 drive from Nkuringo), as per the gorilla permits obtained.
Upon return, relax at the lodge and for those who like, at 5h00 Pm either stroll through the community center or drive up to the ‘Top of the World’ – the name given to the football field, high up in Nkuringo which offers amazing views over the peaks and forests around Nkuringo. A great way to stretch your legs after the gorilla tracking and to enjoy a sundowner.
Hotel/lodge : Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Meal : Breakfast, Lunc and Dinner
Day 4: Hike and canoe across Lake Mutanda, community tour and Buniga Forests (encounter with the Batwa)
This morning after an early breakfast, drive to Rubuguri junction (10k - 1h00) to start a nice hike across beautiful landscapes and local communities – a great opportunity to experience authentic village life (9km - 2h30). Upon arrival at Lake Mutanda you the ‘settle’ in a dugout canoe for 2 to 3 hours of gentle relaxed cruising across the lake, enjoying the beautiful panorama. Meet with your vehicle and drive back to Nkuringo.
Of course you could also drive directly from the lodge to the lake (20k – 1h30), enjoy the canoe ride across the lake and drive all the way back to the lodge again. Guests decide!
In the afternoon stroll down to the Buniga Forest Trail Walk, an informative project run by USAID and the local Batwa community. The Batwa tribe was forced to leave their home in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in 1991 when it was declared a UNESCO Heritage site for gorillas only. They had been living in the forest as nomadic hunter-gatherers for millennia, in perfect balance with the flora and fauna around. Moving out and suddenly living in communities with a completely different way of life has proven to be a huge challenge. They now survive as best as they can and earn a living explaining their previous life in the forest and their rich heritage.
Continuation of the walk through the community to visit the traditional herbalist and the black smith.
Hotel/lodge : Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Meal : Breakfast, Lunc and Dinner
Day 5: Drive back to Entebbe
After breakfast enjoy another glimpse of the misty jungle then start the drive back to Entebbe International Airport.
Hotel/lodge :
Meal : Dinner on own's account
