Gorilla Trekking Bwindi National Park – BY ROAD

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Tour Overview

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Bwindi National Park, 331 sq km of protected forest, is located in southwestern Uganda, a magnificent verdant swathe across the steep ridges of the Albertine Rift Valley. This ancient rainforest World Heritage Site UNESCO is home to half of the world’s endangered population of mountain gorillas, about 460 from recent survey of 2018. Looking into the expressive brown eyes of these giants is surely the most exciting and poignant wildlife encounter Uganda has to offer. The gorilla eco-tourism activities are carried out from four entry points: the North (Buhoma), the East (Ruhija), the South-West (Nkuringo) and South East (Rushaga). Therefore, the choice of the lodges depends on the allocation of the gorilla permits. The distance from Entebbe to Bwindi is about 450 km and 9 hours’ drive, while the distance between Kigali and Bwindi is about 180 km and 4 hours’ drive.

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Safari Highlights

Gorilla tracking Experience

DURATION : 4 DAYS

Safari Destination : Uganda

Safari Destination : ALL YEAR ROUND

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Itinerary Details

Experiences off the beaten track.

Crafted for the bold + discerning.

Safari Day by Day details planned and crafted for you to help create ideas of what you want your adventure to be.

WE PROPOSE 2 OPTIONS FOR THE DEPARTURE OF THIS TOUR: FROM ENTEBBE (UGANDA) AND FROM KIGALI (RWANDA)

Itinerary option 1 from ENTEBBE (Uganda):

Day 1 – Entebbe

Bed & Breakfast

Arrival at Entebbe International Airport and transfer to the hotel for the overnight in BB, Boma Guest House / Karibu Guest House.

Day 2 – Entebbe – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Full Board.

After breakfast early morning at 7,30 am you leave Entebbe and drive southwards to Bwindi National Park. You will have stopover at the Equator and in Mbarara, the capital town of the Ankole region. You will see the typical acacia savannah and the terraced hills, where the people rear the Ankole cattle with long horns. The transfer is long, about 9 hours.
Lunch en route in a local restaurant.
Arrive by evening with dinner and overnight at Bwindi Engagi Lodge / Gorilla Safari Lodge / Ichumbi Lodge (C) Agandi Lodge / Bweza Lodge / Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge (E).
Upgrade Supplement for Trackers Safari Lodge / Mahogany Springs Lodge.

Note: Today transfer is variable, according to the location of the gorilla permits and road conditions and it is about 450 km for about 9 hours drive

Day 3 - Gorilla tracking in the Tropical rain forest

Full Board.

After an early breakfast and briefing from the guides of Uganda Wildlife Authority, set off for the gorilla tracking in the forest sanctuary. The activity starts at 8.00am and you join the other members according to the distribution of the gorilla families, only eight per family each day. You need to carry with you the packed lunch, enough drinking water, rain jacket in case of rain and trekking boots while the rangers will provide you with a walking stick. If you are not sure of your fitness you might hire a porter and pay him a tip to help you carrying the bag. It is unpredictable how long will take to find the primates as they freely move into the forest. However, the encounter with the gorillas, lasting for about one hour, certainly is a rewarding experience and an unforgettable one
Packed lunch for the day.
According to the time spent for the trekking, the rest of the day is free at leisure.
Dinner and overnight, Bwindi Engagi Lodge / Gorilla Safari Lodge / Ichumbi Lodge (C) Agandi Lodge / Bweza Lodge / Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge (E).
Upgrade supplement for Trackers Safari Lodge / Mahogany Springs Lodge.

Day 4 – Bwindi - Entebbe

Half Board.

After breakfast, return to Kampala at leisure.
Lunch en-route in a local restaurant.
Reserved for evening flights from Entebbe International Airport.

Extension - 1 Extra Day / night in Lake Mburo National Park

Day 4 – Bwindi – Lake Mburo National Park

Full Board.

After breakfast, drive to Lake Mburo National Park, a small game national park found in the central region of Uganda, the Ankole. This is the perfect stop over between Bwindi and Entebbe.
Lunch in a restaurant or at the lodge.
In the afternoon we organize a game drive in search for the beautiful impalas, elands, topi and many antelopes, buffaloes, zebras. Optional in the evening: night game drive.
Dinner and overnight at Rwakobo Rock Lodge / Kigarama Wilderness Camp (C) or Hyena Hill Lodge (E).
Upmarket Supplement Mihingo Lodge – Mantana Luxury Tented Camp.

Day 5 – Lake Mburo - Entebbe

Half Board.

After breakfast, at 7 am last game drive (optional: nature walk or boat excursion).
Lunch in a restaurant or at the lodge.
Then drive to Entebbe for your flight out from Entebbe International Airport.

NOTE: According to the time of the flights it may not be possible to do the morning activities, as the transfer is about 6 hours’ drive for a distance of about 290 km; we suggest to book flights after 8 pm.

Itinerary option 2 from KIGALI (Rwanda):

Day 1 – Kigali

Bed & Breakfast

Arrival at Kigali International Airport and transfer to the hotel for the overnight in BB, The Heaven Boutique Hotel / Amata N’Ubuki Boutique Hotel /Flame Tree Village Hotel.

Day 2 – Kigali – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Full Board.

After breakfast, drive to the border with Uganda in Cyanika.
Lunch en route in a restaurant.
In the afternoon you arrive near Bwindi National Park. Dinner and overnight at Bwindi Engagi Lodge / Gorilla Safari Lodge / Ichumbi Lodge (C) Agandi Lodge / Bweza Lodge / Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge (E).
Upgrade Supplement for Trackers safari lodge / Mahogany Springs Lodge.

Note: Today transfer is about 180 km for about 4 hours drive

Day 3 - Gorilla tracking in the Tropical rain forest

Full Board.

After an early breakfast and briefing from the guides of Uganda Wildlife Authority, set off for the gorilla tracking in the forest sanctuary. The activity starts at 8.00am and you join the other members according to the distribution of the gorilla families, only eight per family each day.

You need to carry with you the packed lunch, enough drinking water, rain jacket in case of rain and trekking boots while the rangers will provide you with a walking stick. If you are not sure of your fitness you might hire a porter and pay him a tip to help you carrying the bag. It is unpredictable how long will take to find the primates as they freely move into the forest. However, the encounter with the gorillas, lasting for about one hour, certainly is a rewarding experience and an unforgettable one. After the trekking you go back to the lodge at leisure.

According to the time spent for the trekking, the rest of the day is free at leisure.
Dinner and overnight, Bwindi Engagi Lodge / Gorilla Safari Lodge / Ichumbi Lodge (C) Agandi Lodge / Bweza Lodge / Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge (E).
Upgrade supplement for Trackers Safari Lodge / Mahogany Springs Lodge.

Day 4 – Bwindi - Kigali

Half Board.

After breakfast, drive back to Kigali.
Lunch en-route.
Reserved for afternoon or evening flights from Kigali International Airport. In alternative, add one extra night in Kigali and follow with the extension to Akagera National Park.

POSSIBLE EXTENSION: Akagera National Park 2 days 2 nights

Day 4 - Kigali

Bed & Breakfast

Overnight stay in BB in Kigali, The Heaven Boutique Hotel / Amata N’Ubuki Boutique Hotel /Flame Tree Village Hotel.

Day 5 – Kigali - Akagera National Park

Full Board.

After breakfast, departure from Kigali towards the East for the Akagera National Park. The park covers an extension of savannah of 1085 square kilometers and takes its name from the river that marks the border with Tanzania. The area is also characterized by the presence of many lakes, the main one being Ihema, then Lake Hago and Kivumba. Since 2010, the management of the park has seen much progress, including the repopulation of lions and the protection of some areas with fences.
Lunch en route or at the lodge.
In the afternoon we organize a boat excursion on Lake Ihema, a unique experience to observe water animals and birds, including hippos, Nile crocodiles and species of water birds. Evening game drive before going back to the lodge.
Dinner and overnight at Mantis Akagera Game Lodge on Lake Ihema.
Upgrade surcharge for Ruzizi Tented Lodge.

Note: Today's journey is approximately 3 hours by road for a distance of approximately 120 km.

Day 6 – Akagera National Park

Half Board.

In the afternoon return to Kigali. Reserved for departures from Kigali international airport.

Early in the morning we set off for a photographic safari along the northern slopes of the park. Among the most frequent animals in these savannahs are giraffes, elephants, buffaloes, zebras, impala antelopes. Spotted hyenas, leopards and lions are uncommon.

Packed lunch for the day.

Sustainability Policies

We have a “water policy”: we don’t use plastic bottles, but cans of water to be refilled in the vehicles; please bring with you your bottle water.
Our tours are “carbon neutral”, whereby our carbon emissions are computed and compensated through the reforestation project Every 5 Acres.
Travelers can “plant a tree” in the reforestation project “One traveler, one tree, one forest” with KAFRED.
We support Association for Conservation of Bugoma Forest (ACBF – bugomaconservation.org) for developing eco-tourism and income generating activities in remote communities in Uganda and for the conservation efforts to protect Bugoma Forest Reserve.
We promote local typical products of Uganda and avail them under the brand “Jungle Taste”.
We use and avail cotton bags during the tour to reduce and avoid use of plastic bags while shopping.
We select the best eco-lodges with whom we partner for a more sustainable approach.

Safari/Trip Inclusions

- Airport transfers - Full board accommodation - Ground transportation by a 4x4 Land Cruiser. - One gorilla permit per person USD 800 - English Speaking Driver/Guide - Water on board

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