Going on a Mountain Gorilla Tour in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is the main activity, as it is home to nearly half of the world's remaining Gorillas. This led the government to decide to habituate these endangered species in order to prevent their extinction. Gorilla tracking tours were created to help protect these gentle giants, and tourists pay a fee to go on treks and view them in their natural, wild family habitat. When planning a Gorilla Safari in Uganda, it typically starts in Kampala or Entebbe – whichever one you spend the night at after arriving at Entebbe International Airport. Upon arriving at the airport for pick-up, you'll be briefed about the tour by a driver guide and office tour manager. The itinerary is as follows:
SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS FOR GORILLA TRACKING TOUR BWINDI:
Day 1: Kampala – Bwindi Gorilla Park
Day 2: Gorilla Tracking tour in Bwindi Forest.
Day 3: Bwindi – Kampala/Entebbe.
DETAILED ITINERARY:
DAY 1: Kampala – Bwindi Gorilla Park
As per yesterday's briefing, you'll be picked up from your hotel/residence at 6:30am to avoid the early morning traffic jam in Kampala. We'll then travel south-westward through the districts of Wakiso, Mpigi, and Masaka, so you can experience the daily life of central Uganda's communities. Afterwards, we'll head to Mbarara to have lunch at either Agip Motel or Igongo Cultural Center. From there we will continue onto Bwindi, through Bushenyi District and a southern section of Queen Elizabeth National Park-- if you're lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the Tree Climbing Lions, as well as Elephants, Topis, and Buffaloes! Enjoy views of Kigezi's lush greenery and rolling hills before finally arriving in Kanungu district and Buhoma (which is part of Bwindi Forest) by 5:30pm. You can then check into your reserved lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Meal plan: Lunch and Dinner
DAY 2: Gorilla Tracking Tour in Bwindi Forest
Wake up early tomorrow morning at 6:00am for a delicious breakfast, then proceed to the gorilla tracking tour briefing point. Here, you'll be provided safety guidelines and guides for tracking, which starts off at 8:00am. Don't forget to bring your packed lunch, drinking water, comfortable shoes, and a porter for your backpack with a walking stick. Gorilla trekking is one of the most incredible activities you can experience – seeing and photographing the gentle giants is awe-inspiring! The trek can take anywhere from 1 hour to an entire day depending on where the gorillas last fed. After tracking, return to the lodge for a relaxing evening – take a walk to meet the pygmy families in the outskirts of the forest then finish off with dinner and an overnight stay at the lodge.
Meal plan: Lunch and Dinner
DAY 3: Bwindi – Kampala/Entebbe
Before heading back to Kampala/Entebbe, make sure to have breakfast. Along the way we'll stop at Agip Motel/Igongo Cultural Center for lunch. After that, take a break at the Uganda equator for souvenirs, to stretch your legs, and learn a few facts about the equator. Finally, we'll make our way to the airport for your return flight home. Before boarding, have dinner with your office tour manager.
Meal plan: Half Board (Breakfast, Lunch)
NOTE: You may add a night on Lake Bunyonyi after tracking on day 2 where canoeing can be done before proceeding to Kampala in the morning of day 3.
The Safari package for Gorilla Tracking Tour Bwindi includes:
-Pick up and drop off at your hotel in Kampala/Entebbe.
-Gorilla Permit
-Cultural entertainment
-Park Ranger Fees
-English speaking driver guide
-En-route lunch
-Packed bottled water or Soda.
-Driver allowances.
-Park Entry fee
-Airport transfers
-Meals per itinerary
-All activities
The package tour excludes:
The expenses of personal nature like:
Airfare
Ugandan Visa
Luxury drinks
Laundry
Porter fee while tracking
Personal insurance
Personal shopping bills and cigarettes and any other item not mentioned above.
