Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a verdant magnificent swathe of rain forest across the steep ridges of the Albertine Rift. It is a treasure chest of flora and fauna with ten Gorilla groups currently available to be tracked by visitors. American zoologist George Schaller, one of the first people to study gorillas in the wild, once said: “No one who looks into the eyes of a Gorilla, gentle and vulnerable, can remain unchanged. So prepare yourself for your date with the Gentle Giants!
Tour Plan
Day 1 – Arrival in Uganda
You arrive at Entebbe International Airport – located on a peninsula that juts out into Lake Victoria, where a representative from Protea Hotel Entebbe or Uzuri Uganda Safaris welcomes you and transfers you to the hotel, located near the airport, for your overnight stay.
Day 2 – Morning flight to Kisoro/Kihihi
This morning, after your breakfast, your guide will be at hand to transfer you to the airport for your morning Aerolink flight to either Kihihi or Kisoro airstrips in the vicinity of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – the home of the Mountain Gorillas. At Kihihi or Kisoro, a driver/guide from Uzuri Uganda Safaris will pick you up and transfer you to Mahogany Springs Safari Lodge or Similar. After check-in, you have the rest of the day to yourself. Afternoon: Go on a guided nature walk ($25 p.p) to meet the Ugandans who neighbour the park. You get to learn a thing or two about the culture of the people, so depending on which nature trail you take, you will have a chance to meet the traditional healer and learn how the Bwindi forest (a UNESCO heritage site) is used to treat people for various ailments. You could also visit a local school if the school term is in session.
Day 3 – Gorilla Tracking & Relaxation
Have an early breakfast preferably at 6.30am and be ready to transfer to the park headquarters. With packed lunch in your carry-on, your guide will deliver you to the tracking start point before 8:00 am for registration and a briefing from the rangers on what to expect before commencing your trek. The guides will then take you through the bush, pushing your way through the undergrowth, looking for where the family of gorillas you are tracking spent the night. (Tracking/trekking can take from half an hour to 5 hours – a reasonable degree of fitness is required as well as a sturdy pair of walking shoes). When you finally locate the family that you are tracking, sit in the forest among the gorillas, listening to them grumble to each other, and marvel at the sheer size of the dominant male; the Silverback. After the mandatory 1 hour is up, the rangers will lead you back to the starting point. Your guide will return you back to the lodge. You will have the rest of the day to yourself.
Day 4 – Fly to Entebbe & Departure
This morning, enjoy breakfast and depart for the airstrip from where you will fly back to Entebbe Airport on a 9.00am flight – arriving back at Entebbe in the mid-morning. At Entebbe, connect to your international flight and depart for home.
