Viewing gorillas in the dense Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a breathtaking and captivating wildlife experience! Follow your team of expert guides and native trackers as you hike through the rainforest that protects over half of the world’s remaining gorilla population. Complete your experience with the rare privilege of visiting a Batwa pygmy village while on the Uganda Gorilla Safari.
Contact UsDay 1 – Arrive Entebbe/Bwindi: Upon arrival (no later than 11 am) at Entebbe International Airport, you will be met and assisted to your 12:30 pm scheduled flight to Kihihi airstrip (or to Kisoro airstrip with the luxury option) (flight included). Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your safari lodge for a late lunch. Enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure. Dinner and overnight here. (Note: With the Luxury option, you will need a pre-night in at the Protea Hotel Entebbe because the flight to Kisoro airstrip on Day 1 is at 7:45 am. This extra night is included in the Luxury safari price per person, including breakfast.) (L, D, Dr)
Value Option: Volcanoes Bwindi Safari Lodge has eight stone and timber glass-fronted bandas with thatch roofs. Each banda has an en-suite bathroom with flushing toilet, double vanity, shower with hot and cold running water. Rooms have walk-in mosquito nets, 240v lighting, and a private balcony
Deluxe Option: Gorilla Forest Camp has eight large en-suite ‘tents’ which have two queen-sized beds and a bathtub looking out onto the forest. The camp is raised on a natural platform for open-air dining. Guests can sit around the cozy campfire at night and enjoy Bwindi’s crystal clear mountain sky.
Luxury Option: Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge guests stay in their own cottage. Built of local volcanic stone, every cottage has a large sitting room with fireplace, vast overstuffed armchairs, and hand-woven carpets. Each individual cottage features the work of one of Uganda’s most respected artists.
Day 2 – Bwindi/Gorilla Tracking Day: Gorilla Trek (permits not included and not guaranteed until secured with full payment)!! After breakfast, take a short drive to park headquarters and meet with local guides and trackers who will instruct you on the etiquette of gorilla trekking. Afterward, hike to the point where the gorillas were seen the night before and begin your trek. The trekking can take from 1-to-6 hours and climb to altitudes in excess of 7,500 feet. The terrain is rough and at times muddy. Although the hike is physically demanding, the beauty of the forest and surrounding scenery make the trekking worthwhile. Once the gorillas are located all fatigue is forgotten, as the experience is often described as being the most profound natural history experience in the world. Picnic lunches are provided, and it is important to take plenty of water. It can rain at a few minutes’ notice; hence waterproof clothing is essential, including zip lock bags for camera gear. Return to your lodge for your afternoon at leisure or arrange a community activity offered by your lodge/camp. Dinner and overnight at your lodge. (B, L, D, Dr)
Day 3 – Bwindi/Batwa Village Visit: After breakfast, you will be transferred to the Batwa tribe village tracking point for a visit to a Batwa Pygmy tribe village. The hike is steep, as they live high, high up in the mountains. It is a rare privilege to see this forgotten group of people. Only eight of the original Batwa remain in the village, and they are about four feet high and very nimble. The walk to their village is spiced with interesting information and anecdotes: the way the locals make banana gin, how they build their homes and the history of the Batwa. Alternatively, you can add a second gorilla trek today (permits not included and not guaranteed until secured with full payment)! Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight. (B, L, D, Dr)
Day 4 – Entebbe/Depart: After breakfast, you will be transferred to Kihihi airstrip (or Kisoro airstrip with the luxury option) for your scheduled flight back to Entebbe for lunch. Upon arrival, connect to your onward flight. (B, L)
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*All pricing per person based on double occupancy. Pricing varies based on travel dates, call for a customized quotation matching your travel needs. Changes to itinerary and pricing may apply. Price includes all accommodations, meals, some drinks, transfers, vehicles, park fees, guides and activities as indicated, and a $25 donation to a worthy African charity. Price excludes international flights, visas, tips, inoculations, travel insurance, and anything not specified above. We accept Visa, Master Card, Discover & AMEX. No refunds—see Terms and Conditions for details.
Our passion for Africa began with a dream of living on the continent – a dream realized. We explored parks, rivers, mountains and villages, learned about the flora and fauna, fell in love with everything, and came away wanting to share our passion for a remarkable continent. Africa Adventure Consultants was born of the desire to give more people the chance to experience Africa’s wonders. Let us guide you into the wilderness.
Africa is enormous. There are endless things to see and do, and it can’t all be done in one trip. That said, we realize that many people believe that a trip to Africa is ‘once in a lifetime’ (though many more end up realizing once is not enough!). What do you most want to see? What experiences have you been dreaming of? Visit our destination pages to narrow your choices down, browse our safari types to get a sense of the activities and styles available, or talk with a Journey Specialist to hone in on the areas that will deliver the journey of your imagination.
We know it can be hard to narrow down what to do on vacation, especially with the wealth of choices that are available on the African continent. That’s why we have created an array of sample itineraries to inspire your travel. Browse through them – you’ll find everything from family safaris to honeymoons to Kilimanjaro climbs – and find the places and activities that excite you. From there, you can contact a Journey Specialist to start the process of crafting a customized safari just for you!
You’re ready – it’s time to plan your safari! Contact one of our expert Journey Specialists and we will collaborate with you to craft your personalized trip.
