The flying gorilla trekking and wildlife tour in Uganda heads to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park. Bwindi Impenetrable national park is home to the mountain gorillas in Uganda. Queen Elizabeth National Park is a wildlife sanctuary with boundaries of amazing features especially the rift valley, Rwenzori ranges and more. Request A Quotation
From Kampala or Entebbe, you can fly to do gorilla trekking and game safari a journey that is time saving especially when your safari is starting on arrival from your international flight. Majority of Uganda National Parks are located in destinations that require driving a long distance to get to them.
Scheduled daily domestic flights from Entebbe or Kajjansi airfield are open to the public each day and these head to different safari destinations all over the country. Booking a transfer vehicle to the different destinations is necessary.
Summary Of Flying Gorilla Trekking And Wildlife Uganda Safari for 6 days
Day 1 Fly to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Kihihi Airstrip or Kisoro)
Day 2 Gorilla Trekking Safari in Bwindi
Day 3 Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 4 Game Drive and Launch trip in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 5 Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge
Day 6 Departure
Detailed Itinerary of 6 Day Flying Gorilla Trekking And Wildlife Safari in Uganda
Day 1 Fly to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park ( Kihihi Airstrip or Kisoro)
Check in at the airstrip in Kajjansi or Entebbe airport and fly to Kihihi or Kisoro Airstrip. The domestic flights from Kajjansi airstrip or Entebbe Airport take about 1 hour and a half or more depending on factors prevailing including weather changes. Enjoy the bird’s eye view of the countryside of Uganda
Transfer to your lodge from the airstrip. It is best to use the airstrip that is conveniently located closer to where your gorilla trekking accommodation is booked. Bwindi forest is divided into four areas Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo and each of these has different categories of accommodations available for tourists to book.
Accommodations of Bwindi: Gorilla Forest Camp, Engage Lodge, Nkuringo Safari Lodge, Bwindi View Guesthouse, Nshongi Camp.
Day 2 Gorilla Trekking Safari in Bwindi
Rise up early morning for breakfast then move to the ranger station with your gears packed in a backpack. Hire a porter to help lift off your shoulder the weight of these gears so that you can move faster. Each tourist at the briefing station is allocated a gorilla trekking family to follow according to the number of families found in this area.
As you start the gorilla trekking adventure, request for a supporting stick because at time you have to hike the slopes to the trail leading where the gorilla family was last seen the previous night. Even though time of finding the mountain gorillas is unpredictable, having some level of patience keeps you’re hopes of seeing the mountain gorillas high.
Instead of fully focusing on locating the mountain gorillas, looking out for other features around Bwindi impenetrable National Park brings keeps your mind busy and before you know it time elapses quickly.
Look out for other resident primates of Bwindi forest as about 10 species have so far been recorded. Some resident primates of Bwindi forest include L’Hoest, black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys and more.
When you meet the mountain gorillas only one hour is allowed with them which you need to maximize to the best of your interests. Some tourists have remarked that being a few meters from the mountain gorillas brings chills and it is easier to forget the challenges encountered along the way.
Do not forget the guidelines of gorilla trekking so that there is no reason that can trigger the mountain gorillas to charge or run into hiding. Gorilla trekking in Africa is a once in a life time adventure.
As you get away from the mountain gorillas, do it without appearing suspicious then walk back to your lodge.
Day 3 Transfer To Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, embark on the journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park which is about 4 to 5 hours drive but very scenic. Different routes can be used to get into Queen Elizabeth National Park from Bwindi but some include via Ishasha sector in the southern part of the park known for hosting the tree climbing lions.
Along the way, you may spot a variety of wild animals including topis, herds of elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs and more.
Queen Elizabeth National park sits on the floor of the western arm of the great East African Rift Valley. The Rwenzori Ranges form a backdrop for Queen Elizabeth National Park and different vegetation zones are found in the park.
Check into your lodge
Accommodation Queen Elizabeth National Park : Jacana Lodge, Bush Lodge, Mweya safari Lodge, Simba Safari Camp
Day 4 Game Drive and Launch trip in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Get up for an early morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Different tracks can be used to explore the park but the Kasenyi track is famous for offering better chances of spotting lions in action as they prey on the Uganda kobs that are common residents here.
While on game drive you may spot leopards, waterbucks, bushbucks, hyenas, topis and more. The tracks in Queen Elizabeth National Park at times are rough but you need to drive a 4×4 wheel drive vehicle which is terrain resistant in good condition and sufficient fuel.
Later in the day, a relaxing launch cruise on Kazinga channel especially after a long earlier in the day’s game drive under the scotching sun. The Kazinga channel is a link between Lake Edward and Lake George. Schools of hippos love granting and splashing the water in the channel and serried crocodiles can be spotted enjoying their time in the water.
Take photos during this 3 hours return launch trip then get back to your lodge
Day 5 Chimpanzee Trekking In Kyambura Gorge
After breakfast, head to Kyambura gorge for chimpanzee trekking. Kyambura gorge is situated on the floor of the rift valley about 40 meters deep and is part of the forested section of Queen Elizabeth National Park. A community of chimpanzees are living in this area but tourists have to hike to find them.
When you locate the chimpanzees only one hour is allowed with them but watch them mimic the human daily life with the available tools in their vicinity. Look out for other resident wild animals that live in the gorge.
Get back you tour lodge.
Optional activities to do in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Visit to Lake Katwe the ancient salt mining industry in Uganda
Community visit to the fishing sight like Katunguru and more
Crater lakes tour where you may find more than 27 crater lakes both wet and dry craters.
Nature walk in Maramagambo forest where you may spot a colony of bats roasting, blue copper lake, an array of birds and more.
Day 6 Departure
After this Uganda safari, bord the domestic flight to Entebbe or Kajjansi to catch up with your flight back home. Alternatively, you may drive to Entebbe airport to catch up with your flight back home.
Guidelines to Booking a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda
Choose when to do gorilla trekking safari in Uganda tentatively or confirmed dates
Find gorilla permit availability per your date of preference but you must purchase them as soon as you can because they sell out due to their limited supply. Each day maximum 8 gorilla trekking permits are opened to the public per day.
It is best and more convenient if you book the gorilla trekking permit earlier to avoid panic at the last minute when all of them sell out. The demand for gorilla trekking permits gets high especially in the high season that is usually June to September to December to February.
For convenience, Purchase the gorilla trekking permit as soon as you confirm availability to avoid last minute disappointments.
Keep your body fit for gorilla trekking adventure as the topography of the area where mountain gorillas live is generally rugged resulting from volcanic actions that affected this area. At times the mountain gorillas spend time on the slopes or deep in the valleys so you have to follow them by hiking.
It if best to stay in a tight gorilla trekking team so that the gorillas do not mistake you for ambushing them. Even when you recognize some odd behavior while with the mountain gorillas, do not panic but stay calm as you wait for new guidelines from the ranger guides. Adhere to new gorilla trekking rules so that you do not cause the gorillas to rage.
Can Mountain Gorillas Get Dangerous During Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla are generally cool primates as their natural characters however they have mood swings too. When agitated, the mountain gorillas may hoot, do chest thumping, throw fruits, runs into hiding and more. Rarely do these primates show such kind of behavior to visitors but do not be tricked by their serene appearance
Sometimes the ranger guide may instruct tourists to shoe submission, pretend to chew foliage, stay still, stay in a tight group as you watch the gorilla family and more. At times the gorilla’s mood may change because of an attack from another wild gorillas family, family rivalry and more.
Try to avoid actions that may trigger the mountain gorillas to rage.
Can I Keep up with the mountain Gorillas or they are too fast
Mountain gorillas do not move very fast despite the fact that the forest is their natural home with no boundaries to stop them. A gorilla family live in a particular feeding location until food is proved insufficient to satisfy the entire group then they move. Gorillas live in cohesive families under the leadership of a dominant silverback gorillas that controls most of the family activities.
Even when the mountain gorillas move, they do not go far from their previous location and this is why the ranger guide leads the gorilla trekkers following the trail where these primates were last seen the previous day.
Gorilla habituation process is used to help gorilla families get used to human presence without altering their nature. Each gorilla family goes through this process prior to opening it to the public which may take sometime but this time is what enables the mountain gorillas to withstand humans for at least an hour.
Note that seeing the mountain gorillas is guaranteed no matter the season that is dry or wet.
When is the best time to do flying gorilla trekking in Uganda
Any day is gorilla trekking in Uganda and scheduled flights are open daily to the airstrips in Uganda that is Kisoro or Kihihi. The dry season however is most preferred time to do gorilla trekking in Uganda that is June to September and December
The mountain gorillas spend most of their day closer to the ground in search for food to take them throughout the day and night. The trails distributed in the forest are drier and quicker to explore in the dry season.
Other forest inhabitants can also be spotted easily in the dry season since more sunrays penetrate the forest dense canopy creating a favorable ambience. Even though taking photos or filming during gorillas trekking have a beautiful effect.
The wet season is great for doing flying gorilla trekking in Uganda although sometimes flights may be altered incase of bad weather. The wet season which is March to May and November normally attracts less tourists to engage in gorillas trekking or any other Uganda safari activities but it is an advantage for those interested in experiencing gorilla trekking with less disturbance.
Gorilla trekking and other Uganda safari activities are open to the public any time of the year with no extreme weather conditions expected.
Why do Flying Gorilla Trekking Safari with Arch Safaris And Tours
Arch Safaris And Tours is a professional safari company with over 8 years of organizing African safaris. Each African Safari we plan is barked by the desire to create everlasting memories with our clients and make their trip a dream come true while offering value for money.
We lift off your shoulder the burden of having to save for the gorilla trekking safari and dealing with ground with ground work too. For every step of planning this flying gorilla trekking trip we are with you to deal with all necessary bookings and provide advise to the best of our knowledge. Trust us with your gorilla trekking safari and we turn your dream into a reality.