4 Days Double Gorilla Safari Uganda
Your 4 days double mountain gorilla safari in Uganda with double trekking is a short Uganda gorilla holiday which allows you to track the rare mountain gorillas which is listed as the most critically endangered species by IUCN two times. This safari takes you to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park for over 527 kilometers approximately 10 hours’ drive from Kampala stretching at an altitude of 1160 to 2607 meters above sea level. You will be able to visit two different Gorilla Families.
Bwindi National Park was gazetted in 1991 and later declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. It mainly protects about 400 mountain gorillas of which 11 groups have been habituated and dedicated to tourism and research in the Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors. The lifetime experience can be obtained in any of the four main tracking areas and only 8 visitors are allowed to track one gorilla family in the company of UWA park ranger guides. The double gorilla tracking is enticed by the cultural safaris with the Batwa and the Bakiga people along with the recreational boat cruise and spectacular sightseeing on Lake Bunyonyi Island and the Kigezi highlands.
Safari Highlights
Day 1: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Make a stopover at the Equator crossing Kayabwe and Igongo Cultural Centre en-route for traditional lunch and transfer to Bwindi
Day 2: Gorilla trekking and in the evening performance of the Batwa or Bakiga at the lodge
Day 3: Second mountain gorilla trekking and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for evening chilling and overnight
Day 4: Return to Kampala
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer from Kampala to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Following breakfast in the morning, you will be picked by our experienced driver guide ready to set off for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park at around 6:30am. You will head southwest wards for 527 kilometres nearly 10 hours’ drive along Masaka road and make a stopover at Uganda Equator crossing Kayabwe where the world’s main latitude that separates the world into the northern and southern hemispheres can be encountered. This is one of the rare geographical sites which allows you to take as many photos as possible with one leg in the north hemisphere while the other in the southern hemisphere. Return from the break and proceed on your drive to Bwindi Forest.
You will have a traditional lunch at Igongo cultural centre which is about 12 kilometres from Mbarara Town for a local cuisine prepared in modern setting. The food is organically grown and freshly served. After, proceed towards the Kigezi highlands arriving in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in the evening for rest, dinner and overnight stay at luxury Accommodation: Chameleon Hill Lodge \ Buhoma Lodge.
Midrange Accommodation: Gorilla Mist Camp.
Budget Accommodation: Broadbill Forest Camp.
Day 2: Gorilla tracking and evening performance from the Batwa or Bakiga at the Lodge
Following breakfast in the morning, you will embark on your long awaited day to catch a glimpse of the rare mountain gorillas. You will first gather at the respective park headquarters for briefing in the morning and it is from here that you will be assigned a gorilla family to track. After, you will enter the jungle to look out for these incredible wild creatures. The walk is beyond ordinary as it involves crossing the thick forest which all requires a machete to clear way for you, hiking the challenging landscapes some of which are steep and slippery at times under the canopy of the mature forest that makes up the darkness even during the day. You will also be entertained by bird songs and catch a glimpse of the stunning flower.
The trek usually takes 2 to 8 hours or more but this depends on your speed, location of gorilla group, the nature of the terrain and other factors. Once you meet a group of these beautiful creatures, you have one hour with them, taking photos and exploring their behavior. After, you return to the starting point and connect to the lodge for rest. In the evening as you chill around the lodge you will be entertained by the Batwa or Bakiga traditional performances and later retire for your dinner and overnight at a different lodge \ Camp basing on the Gorilla Group that you will be tracking.
Meal Plan: FB
Day 3: Second gorilla tracking and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for Relaxation and overnight stay
Following breakfast in the morning, you will set off for the second gorilla trekking encounter where you have another chance to trek a different gorilla group and gain distinct experience compared to the previous one. The second gorilla trek gives you a chance to explore the rare mountain gorillas in depth including their behaviors the foraging and many more. After, you return and be transferred to Lake Bunyonyi for an evening boat cruise gaining the spectacular views of the 29 islands surrounded by the stunning Kigezi highlands dubbed the Switzerland of Africa prior retiring to rest at the lodge and have dinner and overnight at
Luxury Accommodation: Bird nest @Lake Bunyonyi Resort,
Midrange Accommodation: Entusi Resort \ Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort,
Budget Accommodation: Bunyonyi Overland Camp for budget.
Meal Plan: FB
Day 4: Return to Kampala
After your breakfast in the morning, you will set off for Kampala which is about 7 hours. You will have a stopover at Igongo cultural center and pass by Mbarara town for Lunch and later proceed to Kampala arriving in the afternoon which marks the end of your 4 days double gorilla trekking safari in Uganda.
END OF TOUR
The above 4 Days Double Gorilla Safari Uganda is Inclusive of:
- Gorilla trekking permits for two days each at $700 Per Permit
- Cultural encounters
- Boat cruise on Lake Bunyonyi
- Transport (Tour vehicle, English-speaking driver guide, fuel)
- Bottled water
- Full board accommodation for 3nights and meals
The above 4 Days Double Gorilla Safari Uganda is Exclusive of:
- Visa fees
- Personal Insurance
- Phone bills, personal laundry and other personal expenditures
- Tips
- Alcoholic drinks
- Souvenirs and other curio shop purchases