Gorilla Habituation in Uganda: Upclose to the Giants

7 Day Gorilla Habituation in Uganda

Welcome to Uganda and on these 7 days Gorilla habituation in Uganda safari, will take you to the most popular of all Uganda’s protected areas and that is the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It is the home of the endangered mountain gorillas and from there you will proceed to another gorilla national park but this time for a different activity which is mountain climbing. You will hike to the top of the most famous volcanoes found in the virunga massifs and it is Mountain Sabinyo. A hike to the top will reward you with a chance to stand in three different countries without a visa and there are Uganda, Rwanda and Congo.

You will then visit Africa’s second deepest lake for a relaxation and a boat trip to explore its hidden gems.

Important notes about our safaris:

Safari Customization

This Trip can be customized just in case it doesn’t suit your interest! Don’t hesitate to contact us.

Dates

This trip being a private tour, departure can be organized for anytime throughout the year subject to the availability of accommodation and transport.

Accommodation

The bookings with the hotels mentioned in the program depend on availability. Reservations will only be made after booking your safari.

In case the mentioned hotels are not available during the requested period, we will do our best to book a hotel in the same class for you- of course after consulting you.

Gorilla and Chimpanzee permits

It is not possible to ‘reserve’ gorilla and chimpanzee permits. Therefore, we can only buy them after your bookings/down-payment and it all depends on availability.

Transport

We bring quality to your fore sight, with great customized safari vehicles (4×4) for easy wildlife viewing. All clients will have a dedicated window seat. Your professional driver/guide will be at your disposal for questions or translations.

Highlights of this trip:

Volcano Hike
Lake Bunyonyi
Gorillas in Bwindi

Inclusions:

Transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle
All fuel for the safari
Hiking fees
Gorilla permits
Full board accommodation
An English speaking driver/guide
Park entrance fees

Exclusions

Air tickets
Visas
All personal expenses
Tips
Laundry
All activities not mentioned on the itinerary
Medical insurance

Day 1: Arrival and transfer to your lodge for overnight

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our EBS Tours & Safaris driver/guide and be transferred to your lodge for overnight.

Accommodation: Via Via

Meal Plan: Not included

Day 2: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Today after having your breakfast early in the morning, you will be briefed about the journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park by your guide and after transfer to Bwindi via the Kampala-Mbarara-Kabale highway with a stop at the Equator for pictures and in Mbarara for lunch.

After you will proceed to the park and check-in at your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Broadbill Forest Camp

Meal Plan: All meals.

Day 3: Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi

Today marks the day when you will trek deep into the thick rainforest of Bwindi to see gorillas in their natural habitat. You will decide to either do the standard trek which lasts for an hour or do the habituation experience where you will spend 4 hours with gorillas in the thick forests.

The price of a standard gorilla trekking permit costs US$700 per person and the habituation permit goes for US$1500 per person.

You are advised to go with packed lunch and plenty of drinking water at least 2 liters. The trek takes about 2-3 hours or longer and then you will return at your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Broadbill Forest Camp

Meal Plan: All meals

Day 4: Batwa Community and transfer to Kisoro

Today after having your breakfast, you will take on a community tour where you will experience the Batwa community that used to share the same place of living with gorillas in the forest before it was gazette as a protected area.

The Batwa people will show you how they used to live with wild animals, how they used to get food and their day to day lives.

After the community tour, you will transfer to Kisoro town just outside Mgahinga gorilla National Park for lunch, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Kisoro Mondi Lodge

Meal Plan: All meals

Day 5: Full-day Volcano Hike in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Today very early after having your breakfast at the lodge, your guide will take you to the park headquarters for briefing about the Volcano hike. Mountain Sabinyo is one of the Volcanoes that make the Virunga Mountain range and it is one of the three that are found in Mgahinga gorilla National Park.

It has three peaks but the highest is at 3669m elevation and a hike to the top of it rewards tourists with great views of Kigali city on a clear day and the Goma city of Congo and of course standing in three countries at the same time.

You are advised to check your physical fitness before the hike, and you are also advised to go with packed lunch, plenty of drinking water, rain jacket, hiking shoes, hiking stick.

You will be given two armed ranger guides that will be on your disposal for every question that you will ask and the security on the hike.

Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight,

Accommodation: Kisoro Mondi Lodge

Meal Plan: All meals

Day 6: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi from Kisoro and sunset boat trip

Not so early today after having breakfast at your lodge, you will be taken to the most beautiful larva dammed lake in Africa. Lake Bunyonyi is located just 2 hours of driving from Kisoro and it is the second deepest lake in Africa after Lake Tanganyika of Tanzania.

It is dotted with 29 different islands with each very rich in history. You will have lunch at your lodge and in the evening take on the boat to explore the hidden gems of this beautiful lake.

The boat tour takes about 2-3 hours and you will return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Crater Bay Cottages

Meal Plan: All meals.

Day 7: Transfer to Kampala for your departure

Today after breakfast you will embark on your journey to the airport with a stop at the equator for lunch and soveinor shopping with a quick snapshot and then head straight to the airport for your journey back home.

Please make sure your flight on this day is late in the evening or at night because it is somewhat far driving from Lake Bunyonyi to Entebbe.