Short gorilla safari in Uganda – Fly-in (4 nights)
Overview
The short gorilla safari flies you from Entebbe to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for a gorilla trekking adventure.
- An 1-hour flight between Entebbe and Kisoro airport and marvel at southwestern Uganda’s rugged landscape views from the plane’s window.
- Traditional dug-out canoe rides across Lake Mutanda and walks through remote villages and terraced gardens for an authentic African off-the-beaten-path experience.
- Spend three nights at the idyllic Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, nestled in trees and beautiful gardens on a ridge with incredible views over Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, the rugged frontier region, and across the entire Virunga Mountains chain. The bush lodge has excellent guest services and a gourmet selection.
- With the visitor center a five-minute walk away, trek into the impenetrable jungle with local guides and porters to meet a family of mountain gorillas and spend one precious hour observing their basic cultures.
- Meet the native Batwa forest people, learn about their ancient forest cultures, listen to their tales, and dance to their tunes.
For adventurers with less time on holiday or those connecting their journey with a wildlife safari in Kenya, Tanzania or South Africa, the 5-day short gorilla safari in Uganda is the perfect, once-in-a-lifetime off-the-beaten-track holiday expedition.
The trip starts in Entebbe, using a small domestic plane flies you across the southwestern Tuscan-like landscape to a serene forest lodge on the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. You’ll spend three nights in a forest cottage with spell-bound views of the Virunga Volcanoes, the rugged Rift Valley, and the steamy forest canopy. On the second day, you’ll be guided into the pristine jungle to find a mountain gorilla family and spend one electrifying hour silently observing their evolutionary life.
You’ll also explore the rugged rural region on foot, with immersive walks through communities and terraced gardens. Engage with the Batwa native community on a forest trail, showcasing their ancient cultures, drama, hunting and survival skills when they occupied the gorilla-filled jungles.
Included/Exclude
- Local English-speaking guides/driver
- AMREF evacuation cover, and government taxes
- Activities & excursions as shown in itinerary
- Land transfers in 4x4 safari truck
- Accommodation & Meals as indicated in itinerary
- Tourist Visa (apply online at visas.immigration.go.ug)
- Accommodation & Meals as indicated in itinerary
- Trekking permit & park fees (worth USD 800 pp)
- Land transfers in 4x4 safari truck
- Local return flight (Entebbe - Kisoro) USDÂ 580 pp
- Activities & excursions as shown in itinerary
- Extra meals, snacks, gratuities, souvenirs, service tips
- Travel insurance
Tour Amenities
Tour Plan
- Stay back at the lodge and relax, read a book, join a cooking class or take a walk around the property and talk to some locals.
- Go back into the mysterious jungle to meet with the gorillas for a second time. Maybe for a more extended stay, we like to call the habituation experience. But remember, you must have pre-booked the trekking permit.
- Drive down to Lake Mutanda for a traditional dug-out canoeing experience with some of the most enchanting views on the volcano lake.
- Forest walk either on a Batwa Forest Trail or on a Circular Trail through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, this time not for gorillas but everything else ethereal about the jungle.
- Go on a sundowner picnic on top of the world with 360-degree spellbinding views of the hilly landscapes. It's a walking distance from the lodge.