Highlights: Kampala, Uganda Equator Crossing, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Lake Bunyonyi
Activities: Gorilla trekking, Batwa Cultural Experience, Boat cruise, Equator photography, Scenic Journeys
Overview
This trip takes you to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – habitat for over 200 mountain gorillas in Uganda. You will also have an opportunity to see other primates (the red-tailed monkeys, chimpanzees, baboons, black and white colobus monkeys among others), reptiles, butterfly species, chameleons, over 100 trees species, flowering plants, as well as over 200 bird species and Lake Bunyonyi one of the deepest lakes in Africa with various islands suitable for bird watching and amazing sunsets
Brief itinerary
Day 1: Kampala to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 2: Gorilla trekking & Batwa Cultural encounter
Day 3: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
Day 4: Return to Kampala
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After your breakfast, you will be picked by our guide from your place accommodation, briefed about the whole safari and embark on our approximately 9 hours to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in South Western Uganda. Whilst on the journey, we shall make a stop at the Uganda Equator the line that partitions the world into the southern and the northern hemisphere to take some photos. At this place, feel free to buy some crafts and souvenirs as you head to Mbarara town where you will have your lunch from. We shall continue our journey and we shall arrive in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the evening. Check in at the lodge, relax and have dinner as we prepare for the Bwindi gorilla trekking experience the following day.
Accommodation: Buhoma Lodge / Mahogany Springs (Luxury), Silverback Lodge / Engagi Lodge (Mid- range), Ruhija Gorilla friends’ camp/Rushaga Gorilla Camp (Budget) – Meal Plan: Dinner
Day 2: Gorilla trekking & Batwa Cultural encounter
After an early breakfast, park your lunch and head to the park headquarters where the rangers will give you a short briefing about the precautions to take, vital information about the Gorilla Trekking activity and given a chance to ask anything you and you’re off to track the gorillas. You will be divided in group of 8 according to your paces. You will then set off accompanied by a couple of armed game rangers into Bwindi Impenetrable Forest where mountain gorillas live for Gorilla Trekking. Depending on the day and where your specific family of gorillas are, it can take any time between 1 to 8 hours to find the gorillas and once you find them (and you’ll always find them), you get 1 hour to interact, take photos, and generally gawk at what you’re witnessing but gorillas need their space as they are wild animals. Also expect to walk long distances in muddy and steep conditions- this will require you to have a walking stick.
Later, return back to the lodge and in the evening, you can opt for a cultural walk in the neighborhood and enjoy the amazing Batwa experience (Batwa Pygmies) that is filled with cultural dances, storytelling and more exciting cultural activities which will leave you amazed.
Have dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Buhoma Lodge / Mahogany Springs (Luxury), Silverback Lodge / Engagi Lodge (Mid- range), Ruhija Gorilla friends’ camp/Rushaga Gorilla Camp (Budget) – Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 3: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
After breakfast you will depart for Lake Bunyonyi which is one of the deepest lakes in Africa with almost 32 Islands. Bunyonyi is a local word for “small birds” in reference to the several birds that live around here making it a favorite destination for birders. Upon arrival, you will go on a boat/canoe ride to enable you visit most of the islands such as Bwama Island also a wonderful destination for birders and the Akampwene (Punishment) Island which was used by the Bakiga people to drop their girls who got pregnant before marriage. After the Boat ride, return back to the Lodge for relaxation while you watch the beautiful sunset.
Alternatively you could take a nature walk which will help you to appreciate a great diversity of small birds here.
Accommodation: Bunyonyi Overland Resort (Budget), Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort, Lake Bunyonyi Eco Lodge (Luxury) – Meal plan: Half Board
Day 4: Return to Kampala
Enjoy your breakfast and checkout from the lodge and drive to Kampala having lunch en-route. You will arrive in Kampala in the evening.
End of Trip
Tour inclusions: Gorilla permit per person to be secured and paid for in advance, Accommodation and meals as per the itinerary, all tour activities as detailed in the itinerary, Park Entry Fees, Transport (in a 4×4 vehicle), Drinking water during the safari, Professional English speaking guide/driver and Touring
Tour Exclusions: Extra activities not mentioned in the itinerary
Items to carry
- Long comfortable shirts and trousers.
- Insect repellent.
- Hard gloves and a hat.
- Poncho/rain jacket.
- Water proof backpack.
- Snacks, lunch and enough drinking water.
