10 Days Triple Gorilla Tracking And Lake Bunyonyi Safari

10 Days

This triple gorilla tracking safari will bring you to the home to over 370 gorillas, accommodating almost a half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas. A tour to Bwindi Impenetrable park and Mgahinga National Park enables you get up close and personal with the rare and threatened gorillas.

Lake Bunyonyi on the other hand has a name that translates to the ‘place of little birds’ and it is indeed blessed with over 200 bird species including several varieties of weavers that nest by the lake-shore and on the many islands. It is also probably the best place in Uganda to spot otters.

Please do not hesitate to contact us for tailor made safaris and general inquires.

Overview

  •  Gorilla tracking
  • Nature Walk
  • Sceneries
  • Golden Monkey
  • Stopover at the Equator
  • Igongo Cultural Visit
    Lake Bunyonyi    

Itinerary

On Arrival at Entebbe International airport, you will be received and greeted by a representative of Equatorial Wild Safaris who will later transfer you to your Hotel in Kampala where you will spend a Night.

Dinner and overnight at Protea Hotel Kampala (High end) or Fairway Hotel (Midrange) or Red chili Hideaway Kampala (Budget ) Meal plan (Dinner)

A very early rise today and together with your guide you will transfer by private vehicle south-West to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You will stop over at the Uganda Equator for some photo shoots and a visit to the Craft Village. You will then head towards the western part of Uganda to the town of Mbarara where you will take your lunch and visit the Igongo cultural center.

After lunch you will go for a museum tour where you will get an insight into cultures of people in western Uganda then proceed to Bwindi impenetrable forest. Dine at your place of accommodation and relax the rest of the evening as you prepare for a thrilling experience of Mountain Gorilla Tracking the following day, the reality is that tonight you actually are sleeping within an African Rain-forest which is habitat to half the population of the world’s endangered Mountain Gorillas.

Dinner and overnight at Bwindi Lodge (High end), or Engagi Lodge (Midrange) or Buhoma Community Bandas (Budget end) Meal Plan (Dinner)

After an early breakfast, head to the Headquarters of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park for an orientation plus meeting the guides as well as separation into the groups basing on which gorilla group you are to be tracking.
From there you will set off for your thrill experience of the Gorillas in the Mist. Hiking within this mysterious and wonderful forest offers quite a lot to see as you make your way to see the Mountain Gorillas. The wildlife including additional primates, butterflies, mammals and birds, will certainly be very beautiful and really enhance this extremely special experience.

Buhoma region has the oldest habituated gorilla family in the whole of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and this family is called Mubare group. The family currently has 9 members a factor highly attributed to the Late Ruhondeza (who died in 2013).
Ruhondeza grew older and could not effectively defend the family leading to break ways that later weakened the family. By the time of Ruhondeza’s death, the family had only 4 members but after his death, a new silverback embarked on an aggressive campaign that has seen the group capture some individuals from other families to the tune of nine members. It is believed that with the ambition of the new silverback, the family is likely to grow in numbers. Other gorilla families that can be trekked from Buhoma region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park include Rushegura gorilla group which has 16 members and Habinyanja Group that has 19 individuals.

Time permitting; thereafter visit the famous batwa community for a community and cultural experience. You will learn about the traditional lifestyle of the Batwa, from brewing of the local beer to medicines made from this very forest.

Dinner and overnight at Buhoma Lodge (High end), or Engagi Lodge (Midrange) or Buhoma Community Bandas (Budget end) Meal Plan (Full Board)

After a healthy breakfast, you will take a nature walk into the forest to see several butterfly species, birds, trees and other primates among others. You will also be able to see some small waterfalls in the forest. After the walk return to your lodge to relax and pack up for the drive to Ruhija section.

After a sumptuous lunch you will drive south to the next section of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Arrive in time for dinner and an evening of relaxation at your lodge.

Dinner and overnight at Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge (High end), or Gorilla Mist Camp (Midrange) or Gift of Nature Lodge (Budget end) Meal Plan (Dinner)

Breakfast is set at 5.50am and departure at 6.15am as you have to report to the Ruhija park office by 7am. You shall take a lunch box since the Gorilla trek could go for a whole day. Also take at least 2 liters of water and a rain coat. Meet the ranger guides for the briefing taking about 30 minutes, then transfer to the starting point of the trek into Bwindi forest.

Ruhija is located in the Eastern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National park and has three gorilla families which include Bitukura gorilla family, Oruzogo Gorilla group and Kyaguriro group which is for research. Ruhija section of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is popular for bird watching and therefore if you trek gorillas in Ruhija, you stand a great chance of watching birds that you might not find in other regions. Ruhija is also popular for the Black and White Colubus monkeys that jump from one branch to another and are interesting to watch.

Enjoy the breathtaking views of the mystic Bwindi forest and the surrounding mountain scenery. After an hour spent with the gentle giants you shall travel back to the lodge. Spend the day relaxing at the lodge.

Dinner and overnight at Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge (High end), or Gorilla Mist Camp (Midrange) or Gift of Nature Lodge (Budget end) Meal Plan (Full-board)

After breakfast, depart from Ruhija and drive south all the way to Kisoro. Enjoy the beautiful scenery as you sit back and admire the Kigezi highlands, the sloppy terraces of Kisoro, thousands of plantations on the road side, views of the Virunga ranges and various lakes. Mgahinga is part of the Virunga Mountains having 3 major peaks Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabinyo.

Though this is the smallest park in Uganda it is richly endowed with a great photogenic scene, various primate species mainly the mountain gorillas, golden monkeys among others plus over 115 bird species including local forest Albertine species. Arrive at your lodge in Mgahinga in time for lunch and spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing.

Dinner and overnight at Mount Gahinga Lodge (High end), or Mutanda Lake Resort (Midrange) or Kisoro Tourist Hotel (Budget end) Meal Plan (Half-board)

Today enjoy surely. After breakfast, proceed for the morning briefing before enjoying the highlight of the trip- Gorilla trekking, which may last the entire day. Before briefing, your passport details will be required to make sure that you are eligible to trek mountain gorillas.
This will be followed by briefing from one of the UWA rangers about gorilla trekking, dos and don’ts and instructions to be followed on the trek, with the gorillas and after the trek. You will then be led to the forest to search for the mountain gorillas.
Mgahinga National Park has only one habituated mountain gorilla family called Nyakagezi which used to move between Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Mgahinga National Park but it is now permanently resident in Uganda. Once you find Nyakagezi Family, you will be allowed one hour with the gorillas.

We trek through the rain-forest and bamboo covered slopes, accompanied by a guide and trackers, in search of a mountain gorilla family. The walking can sometimes be tough and long, but when you catch a glimpse of the magnificent silverback, any discomforts will be quickly forgotten. When sighted, visitors will be guided to within 6 metres from the gorillas, sit around them for a whole hour while gazing into their big round eyes.

Dinner and overnight at Mount Gahinga Lodge (High end), or Mutanda Lake Resort (Midrange) or Kisoro Tourist Hotel (Budget end) Meal Plan (Full-board)

After breakfast, you will transfer to Mgahinga National Park headquarters for either full day golden monkey habituation experience or half day golden monkey trekking. You will be briefed about the dos and don’ts while with golden monkeys and then proceed to the mountain/forest for your trek. You will be allowed enough time with researchers if you choose to do golden monkey experience and only one hour if you choose to do golden monkey trekking.

Return to your lodge for relaxation, late lunch and later drive to Lake Bunyonyi arriving in time for dinner. Lake Bunyonyi surface is fresh with 25 degrees Celsius thus bilhazia free and safe for swimming. With 29 islands on it, the lake is surrounded by terraced hillsides and is a visitation darling of many foreign and domestic tourists. About 200 bird species have been recorded at the lake area since "Bunyonyi" also means "the place of many little birds".

The bird species include the White tailed Blue Monard, grey crowned cranes, the African Harrier Hawk, Herons and egrets, the Levillant cuckoo, the Cardinal Woodpecker and the Rufous-breasted wryneck. Weavers nesting on the Island, include the large golden, slender-billed Baglafetch, as well as the yellow-backed and spectacled weavers.

Dinner and overnight at Bunyonyi Bird Nest (High end), or Bunyonyi Safaris Resort (Midrange) or Bunyonyi Overland Resort (Budget end) Meal Plan (Dinner)

Because of the tiring experience in Bwindi and Mgahinga, you will take pleasure in some time to relax on the shores of this beautiful lake. An early nature walk around the environs of your lodge offers an excellent opportunity for bird viewing and appreciating the African sunrise and beauty of sceneries.

Return to the lodge for breakfast. After breakfast take a boat ride on the lake to visit neighboring pygmy tribes with their unique culture. While on the boat, birding is one fascinating attraction and the view of the overland is breathtaking. After an early lunch you will set off for Kampala, driving through Mbarara and arriving late in the evening.

Dinner and overnight at Protea Hotel Kampala (High end) or Fairway Hotel (Midrange) or Red chili Hideaway Kampala (Budget ) Meal plan (Dinner)

After a healthy breakfast, spend the morning relaxing from the long journey and packing for the journey back. Your guide will transfer you to Entebbe International Airport to catch up with your out bond flight back home or to your next destination.

Meal plan (Breakfast)

End of Tour

Inclusions

  • 3 gorilla permits per person
  • 1 golden tracking permit per person
  • Park entry fees
  • Lunch en-route
  • Boat Ride
  • Batwa visit
  • Cultural visits
  • All activities included in the itinerary
  • Transportation on a 4x4 vehicle
  • English speaking Driver
  • Accommodation and meals as per the itinerary

Exclusions

  • International Flights
  • Airport transfers
  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Cigarettes
  • Tips and porter fees
  • Activities not included in the itinerary

You can send your enquiry via the form below.

10 Days Triple Gorilla Tracking And Lake Bunyonyi Safari

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