Overview
After the Massai-Mara Safari in Kenya, you can connect to Uganda for gorilla tracking by taking a road trip passed Maraba-Busia Border into Uganda or Fly to Entebbe Airport from Jomo Kenyatta Airport in Kenya daily.
Day 1: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Early in the morning, your driver guide will pick you from your overnight hotel and drive you to Bwindi forest National Park. This drive may be quite long but interesting as you enjoy a stopover at the equator to perform the water experiment, stand on both sides of the earth at the same time to perform the water experiment, take photos before proceeding to the countryside. As you go through the lush green hills of Kigezi enjoy the amazing view of the valleys, the meandering rivers that flow at the bottom. Arrive in the evening ready for dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Gorilla forest camp/ Gorilla Resort/lake Kitandara camp/Buhoma community Bandas
With a light weight waterproof backpack inclusive of your gorilla tracking gears, head to the ranger station after breakfast. Join others for briefing at the station by the Uganda wildlife Authority ranger guide who will later lead you into the forest to start searching for the gigantic brown eyed mountain gorillas.
The search for food makes the mountain gorillas mobile and this is why the time you take to find the mountain gorillas is unpredictable. As you walk along you may have an opportunity to seeing other primates like blue monkeys,olive baboons, vervet monkeys, red tailed monkeys, grey tailed mangabey, black and white colobus monkeys, golden monkeys to mention but a few. For birding experience, this safari gives you double opportunity to identify some of the unique bird species that roam in the park.
When you get closer to the family of the mountain gorillas, you need to compose yourself to meet them. They are interesting to be close to and entertaining too. Watch them play, groom the infants, juveniles hope from one place to another, the silverback keeps watch of the family. Take photos to keep memories of this extra ordinary experience and after an hour, return to the lodge to relax.
There is an optional visit to the pygmies whose life full depended on Bwindi forest for survival till the early 1990s when conservation of the mountain gorilla habitat by the government became reason to relocate them. To keep there ancient cultural candle burning they demonstrate there past way of life to there visitors through amazing stories and unique traditional performances. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Head to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, get ready to transfer to Queen Elizabeth National park. This drive may go through Ishasha sector which is situated in the southern part of the park. This is home to the famous tree climbing lions, oribi, herds of buffaloes, Water bucks, herds of elephants and so much more that you may be lucky to find. Taking this route also depends on the condition of the bridge as at times when it rains heavily, the bridge is washed away by the Ishasha River. In this case, you have to take the alternative route.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is endowed with breathtaking views of the snowcapped Rwenzori ranges, numerous birds including foreign migrants that move into this park, prides of lions are also present, elephants, herds of buffaloes and so much more. Enjoy a game drive as you go into the park and check into your lodge.
Accommodation: Mweya safari Lodge/ Jacana lodge/Simba Safari Lodge
Day 4: Game Drive And Launch Cruise
Early in the morning, you may have the chance of see early risers embark from there overnight hideouts to start the day while the nocturnals return home to rest. The Northern sector of the park is busy with numerous crater lakes both dry and wet, thousands of animals find it comfortable to feed here. During this ride, you may have the chance to see some hyenas, pride of lions, leopards, elephants, herds of buffaloes, water bucks, bush bucks, Uganda kobs , birds, to mention but a few.
Having enjoyed your lunch, proceed to the pier for the super launch cruise on Kazinga channel. Kazinga channel connects Lake Gorge and Lake Edward but it is the congregation of both birds and animals in the park. The banks of this channel are always visited by animals like herds of buffaloes, lions, elephants, huge flocks of birds punctuate the shores inclusive of foreign migrants that run away from winter. The varying vegetation cover at the shore is mesmerizing.
Return to the lodge and relax.
Day 5: Drive To Entebbe Airport
Africa is endowed with some interesting unique primates, wildlife, lakes, rivers and so much more that you need to see. In one African safari, you have the opportunity to be part of this life time experience.
What You Have to Know about Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda
Book a gorilla trekking Permit to allow you entry into the park and join other trekkers.
Arrange your Gorilla tracking gears that will assist you to enjoy while looking for the gorillas in the jungle.
Transport options to the Bwindi National park are available like a road trip or a fly-in gorilla tracking safari.
Spending a night closer to the area where your gorilla permit was booked is very instrumental in getting you to the ranger station in time for briefing. This means, you must book where to stay which is close to this family.
Even though Mountain gorillas are huge, dark furred they are serene animals.
Mountain gorillas are susceptible to human diseases so be kind and declare your sickness in case it’s a communicable disease. They may catch it in case you get closer to them which may cause them to fall ill and die. Participate in there conservation for generations.
Tracking boots and a pair of stocking to protect your feet from getting injured.
A sound proof flash-less camera to keep memories of this incredible gorilla safari live.
Long trousers and long sleeved shirt to protect your legs and body from biting nettles.
Pack some Insect repellant to keep stinging insects away from your skin
A pair of garden gloves to secure your grip when you slide in the wilderness. Hard cash to exchange so as to pay for a porter who will assist you carry your gorilla trekking gears or give you a push when tired