What to Bring for Gorilla Tracking
Good walking boots, wet weather clothing, and warm layers for the evenings – it gets cold and damp at this altitude. The sun is still fierce during the day – even when overcast – so be sure to still wear sunscreen and a sun hat. You may also want to bring waterproof bags to protect cameras and other equipment when hiking. Water and snacks will be provided.
Safari Summary
Day 1. Leave Kampala for Mgahinga National park
Day 2. Tracking Gorillas and Batwa culture encounter
Day 3. Drive back to Kampala.
Safari Overview
The 3-days Photographic safari will take you from Uganda’s capital (Kampala) to the smallest national park just 33.7 km2. The park is among the outline of the Virunga volcanoes with 3 volcanoes; Muhavura, Gahinga, and Sabinyo and it adjoins Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National park in Congo. The 524km journey on the surfaced highway runs via Masaka, Mbarara, and Kabale to Kisoro. The park is home to 76 mammal species including endangered mountain Gorillas and Golden Monkeys and has unique birdlife. The safari will give a chance to encounter the gorillas and the Batwa who have been in the park for generations and they demonstrate how they used to survive in the forest.
Day 1. Depart from Kampala for Mgahinga National park.
You will be picked by our driver guide from your overstay hotel who will brief you about the trip and make sure you are set for the safari. Then you will drive to Mgahinga in southwestern Uganda via Masaka, Lyantonde, Mbarara, and Kabale to Kisoro. You will have a stopover at the equator for the experience and then you will proceed and have lunch in Mbarara. After lunch, you embark on the journey to the highlands of Kigezi. Between Kabale and Kisoro is a winding drive through the hilly terrain dotted with beautiful terraces.
Meal Plan (L, D)
Accommodation: Luxury- Gahinga Lodge
Midrange- Lake Chahafi Lodge
Budget- Amajambere Iwacu Camp
Day 2. Tracking Gorillas and Batwa culture encounter
After an early breakfast, our driver will drive you to Mgahinga National Park headquarters arriving in time for briefing about the dos and don’ts of gorilla tracking. You will then be led to the forest to search for the mountain gorillas following a trail of trampled and snapped vegetation across the mountain to spend an hour in the company of the mountain giants. It takes 3-4 hours. After tracking, you will have lunch, and after lunch visit the Batwa who will demonstrate the techniques of hunting, gathering honey, and medicinal plants. They will also demonstrate how to make bamboo cups. Guests are invited to the sacred Garama Cave, once a refuge for the Batwa, where the women of the community perform a sorrowful song that echoes eerily around the depths of the dark cave and leaves guests with a moving sense of the richness of this fading culture.
Meal Plan (B, L, D)
Accommodation: Luxury- Gahinga Lodge
Midrange- Lake Chahafi Lodge
Budget- Amajambere Iwacu Camp
Day 3. Drive back to Kampala.
After breakfast, you will set of for Kampala and have lunch en route. Our driver-guide will drop you at your hotel or airport if you have a late evening flight.
Meal Plan (B, L)
Inclusions
- Ground transport per private 4WD safari vehicle
- English speaking driver/guide
- Airport transfer
- Equator stopover
- Gorilla permit
- Accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary
- Meals as described in the itinerary
- Bottled mineral water in the safari vehicle
- Entrance fees and ranger fees for national parks
- Activities and excursions mentioned in the program
- VAT for hotels and lodges outside Kampala
Exclusions
- Expenses of personal nature such as drinks, tips, telephone calls, laundry etc
- Personal insurance
- Souvenirs
- Tip/gratitude
- Visas and international air tickets
- Any other items which are not included in the itinerary
A deposit of 40% is required when booking this safari.
The remaining balance will be charged 40 days prior to departure.
For any bookings within 40 days of departure, the full trip amount will be charged upon booking.
Why Book with us?
- Our Safaris Depart any day
- Unbeatable prices
- Authentic African experience
- Customizable safari packages
- Accommodation and meals inclusive
- Professional guides
Best time to go
The best wildlife viewing months in Uganda are during the Dry seasons from June to August and December to February. Primate walks in the forest are a big part of any safari in Rwanda.
The habitat of rain forests is, by default, very wet, and one can’t avoid rain completely.
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