3 Day Gorilla Trekking Express Safari - Uganda Accommodated Safari
An exhilarating short break through some of Uganda's most beautiful scenery, into the deep rainforests of the south, for the ultimate wildlife encounter with mountain gorillas.
Brief Itinerary
Days 1 & 2: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Day 2: Gorilla Trekking Day 3: KampalaTour Highlights
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Gorilla Trekking
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (L / D)
After being picked up from our Kampala hotel we travel south-west from the capital, following the shore of Lake Victoria on a day's drive down to the Kigezi Highlands. We pass marshes and small towns before reaching unsealed road and making our way through remote villages and deep valleys of banana plantations to the heavily forested slopes of Bwindi. Tonight we stay in a lodge close to the park gates from where we'll begin our exciting trek tomorrow morning.
Day 2: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Gorilla Trekking (B / L / D)
After an early breakfast we head to the park gates for a briefing with our ranger, when we meet our guide and trackers. We can also check we have the correct clothing and footwear for the excursion. Our trek begins and we make our way into the forest. The beauty of the forest is spectacular - steeply forested and incredibly dense - but is criss-crossed with numerous animal trail, allowing access to trekkers. The time taken and the terrain we cross varies with the movements of these great primates but the chance of seeing the family at the end of your endeavours is incredibly high. Once having located the gorilla 'family', we sit and watch them for one hour - the time regulated by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Gorillas are extremely sociable and interactive primates, and groups normally number 12-20 individuals led by an 'alpha male', sometimes known as the 'silverback' (on account of the silver hair on his back which is attained on maturity). Although not the closest related primate to Man, at close quarters the gorilla is remarkably human-like - particularly in the social interaction between family members and in the 'play' activity in which the young engage. Photography is permitted although not with a flash, and there are restrictions in regard to video cameras. After the effort of finding the animals the privilege of spending time with these gentle apes makes it all worthwhile and is without doubt one of Africa's greatest wildlife encounters.
After spending time with the gorillas we head back to the base camp for a late lunch and a relaxing afternoon. You may like to re-enter the park for a guided forest hike with a park ranger or take a community tour of the local village to visit the local school and 'banana brewery' where the local tipple 'banana gin' is made!
Day 3: Kampala (B / L)
We leave early this morning for our day's drive back to the capital. The return journey to Kampala takes you back through the Ugandan countryside one last time with wonderful memories of your brief encounter with the mountain gorillas. There will be a stop for lunch en route and expect to arrive in the city early evening.
