Wild Terrain Africa – 5-Day Mountain Gorilla Habituation and Trekking Experience Safari
Day 1: Pickup from Entebbe International Airport – Drive to Kampala City
Upon your arrival at Entebbe Airport, our friendly company representative and safari driver guide will warmly welcome you. You’ll then be transferred to Kampala City, where you will check in at your selected hotel. After settling in, you’ll receive a briefing about your exciting 5-day Mountain Gorilla Habituation and Trekking Safari. If time allows, your driver guide will take you on a tour of Twekobe Kabaka’s Palace, Amin Torture Chambers, visit the Old Kampala Mosque, and explore the Uganda National Museum. Dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation Options:
– Luxury: Skyz Hotel Naguru by Marriott
– Mid-range: Fairway Hotel & Spa
– Budget: Holiday Express Hotel
Meal Plan: Lunch / Dinner
Day 2: Depart Kampala City – Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
After an early morning breakfast, meet your driver guide at the reception as you embark on your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, renowned as the ultimate destination for a mountain gorilla experience in Uganda and Africa as a whole. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is home to approximately half of the world’s remaining mountain gorilla population. During the drive, you’ll make a stop at the Kayabwe Equator crossing point to capture memorable photos and continue through the Ankole region, known for its remarkable long-horned cattle. Lunch will be served in Mbarara City, after which you’ll proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Upon arrival, check in at your reserved lodge. Dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation Options:
– Luxury: Rushaga Gorilla Lodge
– Mid-range: Rushaga Gorilla Camp
– Budget: Rushaga Gorilla Haven
Meal Plan: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 3: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park – Mountain Gorilla Habituation
Following an early breakfast, your driver guide will take you to the Park Briefing Center, where you will receive guidelines, registration, and join others for your mountain gorilla habituation walk. This unique experience allows you to spend more time with mountain gorillas while they are being habituated to human presence, a process that takes between 2 to 3 years to complete. The forest walk is captivating and offers encounters with various wildlife species, including 9 primate species such as the rare L’Hoest monkey, vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, and numerous bird species. During the 4-hour habituation experience, you’ll be able to observe the gorillas as they become accustomed to people and capture as many photos as you desire. After the habituation walk, return to the information center to rest, enjoy refreshments, and receive your habituation certificate. Later, relax at your lodge. Dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation Options:
– Luxury: Rushaga Gorilla Lodge
– Mid-range: Rushaga Gorilla Camp
– Budget: Rushaga Gorilla Haven
Meal Plan: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 4: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park – Morning Mountain Gorilla Tracking – Drive to Lake Bunyonyi
Begin your day with an early morning breakfast and then proceed to the park headquarters for pre-tracking guidelines for your morning mountain gorilla tracking adventure. This experience offers the opportunity to observe well-habituated mountain gorillas and compare their behavior to those still undergoing habituation. You will also have a chance to encounter other wildlife species, with your ranger guide providing fascinating insights. Gazing into the eyes of these majestic mountain gorillas is a wildlife experience like no other. You will spend a full hour observing them, taking photographs, and learning more about their lives from your guide. After the trek, return to the park headquarters to collect your certificate, enjoy lunch and refreshments, and then drive to Lake Bunyonyi. Spend the evening relaxing while canoeing on Lake Bunyonyi and enjoying birdwatching. The lake is surrounded by lush, terraced hills and dotted with 29 islands, creating a stunning view.
Accommodation Options:
– Luxury: Birdnest Resort
– Mid-range: Arcadia Lodge Bunyonyi
– Budget: Bunyonyi Safari Resort
Meal Plan: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 5: Lake Bunyonyi – Return to Kampala City / Entebbe International Airport
Enjoy a morning breakfast and check out from your lodge. Embark on your return road journey to Kampala City or Entebbe International Airport, with lunch served en-route at Igongo Cultural Center. During your drive, you’ll have the opportunity to reflect on your unforgettable 5-day Mountain Gorilla Habituation and Trekking Experience Safari. Arriving in Kampala City, you will either be dropped off at your residence or taken to Entebbe International Airport to catch your return flight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast / Lunch
Inclusions:
– 1 Mountain Gorilla Habituation Permit per person
– 1 Mountain Gorilla Tracking Permit per person
– 5 days transportation in a fully equipped 4×4 safari vehicle (air-conditioned, 4WD, and Wi-Fi)
– Accommodation for 4 nights on a full board meal plan (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
– Professional English-speaking driver guide (other languages available upon request, subject to an additional fee)
– Canoeing on Lake Bunyonyi
– Equator landmark visit en-route
– All en-route meals
– Mineral water throughout your tour
– Return airport transfers
Exclusions:
– Personal travel insurance
– Personal travel visa
– Personal airfare
– Any personal expenses not included in the list of inclusions
Book This Safari
Wild Terrain Africa, a Uganda-based safari operator, is dedicated to crafting distinctive gorilla trekking expeditions and luxury African tours in Uganda and the broader East African region that leave a lasting impact on hearts and minds. Learn more about us and our offerings.
