Table of Contents
Safari Overview:
The 4 Days Gorilla Safari will take you to Mgahinga Gorilla national park located in south western Uganda; the park is covered by Virunga Mountains and contiguous with the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The safari will offer you an opportunity have memorable encounter with the world endangered species of the mountain gorillas protected in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The interesting gorilla Safari which will start in Kampala will then connect you to Lake Bunyonyi dubbed the lake of a thousand islands in Uganda.
Safari Highlights:
Day 1: Transfer from Kampala to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Day 2: Early Morning Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga
Day 3: Early Morning Batwa Trail and Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
Day 4: Transfer from Lake Bunyonyi to Kampala.
Description:
Day 1: Transfer from Kampala to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Immediately after an early morning cup of coffee, depart from Kampala and drive south west through Masaka-Mbarara High way to Kisoro. The drive will take you through Uganda Equator at Kayabwe where you will have stopover for an impressing water experiment and photo shot. Thereafter, advance with the drive to Igongo Cultural Centre for a second stopover for thrilling Ugandan traditional lunch. Thereafter, enjoy the beautiful scenery as you sit back and admire the Kigezi highlands, the sloppy terraces of Kabale, thousands of plantations on the road side, views of the Virunga ranges and various lakes in Kisoro. On arrival to the park, the driver guide will drive direct to your pre-booked lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Volcanoe Mountain Gahinga Lodge (Luxury/Upmarket) Mucha Hotel (Standard/Mid-Range), Amajambere iwacu Camp (Budget/Basic)
Day 2: Early Morning Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga
On this particular day, you will wake up very early in the morning, take a relaxed early morning breakfast and thereafter transfer to the Park headquarters for registration and early morning briefing from the park officials about the dos and don’ts of Gorilla Trekking in the hilly forested trails of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. After briefing, the ranger guides will lead you to the hilly forested trails of Mgahinga to trek the Mountain Gorillas and this can take between 2-8hours depending on the movement of the apes. The steeply forested landscape is incredibly dense but crisscrossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to trekkers. Once you come close to the apes, you will be given one magical hour to View and interact with these stunning apes plus taking photographs. Thereafter the one hour, retire back to your lodge for late lunch and relaxation.
Accommodation: Mountain Gahinga Lodge (Luxury), Mucha Hotel (Standard/Mid-Range) Amajambere Iwacu Camp (Budget)
Day 3: Early Morning Batwa Trail and Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
Following an early morning breakfast, embark on exploring the Batwa trail. The Batwa Trail is such an incredible experience as it takes you through the thick forests of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. During this Batwa trail tour, the Batwa local guide will demonstrate to you their hunting techniques; how they used to gather honey; point out medicinal plants and demonstrate how to make bamboo cups. The tour will lead you to sacred Garama Cave- once home to the Batwa King, where the women of the community perform a sorrowful song which echoes eerily around the depths of the dark cave, and leaves you with a striking and moving sense of the richness of this fading culture. Thereafter fully exploring the Batwa trail, you will retire back and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Birdnest @Lake Bunyonyi Resort (Upmarket/Luxury), Lake Bunyonyi Eco-resort (Midrange/Standard) or Byoona Amagara Island Retreat (Budget/Basic).
Day 4: Transfer from Lake Bunyonyi to Kampala.
After an early morning breakfast, you will embark on drive transfer from Lake Bunyonyi to Kampala drive distance of 437 kilometers about 8-9hours drive without stopovers. The long drive will take you through the impressive sceneries of south western Uganda dotted with local home steads and beautiful Ugandans. After coving distance of 199kms, you will have stopover for Traditional Lunch at Igongo Cultural Centre .On your way, you will by-pass Mpigi village, famous for the Royal Drums Makers and of course the Ugandan Equator, where you will have stopover for photo shot and shop for a souvenir, water experiments. Thereafter, continue with the drive to Kampala. On arrival to Kampala, the driver guide will drive you direct to your lodge or Entebbe international Airport for your Scheduled flight back home.
