4 – DAY DRIVE GORILLA SAFARI

Day 1: Arrival

Welcome to the Pearl of Africa! Arrival at Entebbe Airport where you will be welcomed and transferred to your hotel (5-10 minutes). Overnight at Note: the airport pick up will be arranged by your guest house or hotel.

The Boma – Entebbe
This welcoming guesthouse is situated on the outskirts of Entebbe and only 5 to 10 minutes from Entebbe Airport. It is a tastefully restored colonial homestead consisting of comfortable bedrooms. Each of them is decorated along African themes and has their own private bathroom. A diners’ bar is set in a landscaped garden with lake views. The main house includes a private dining veranda and living room for overnight guests.

Day 2: Entebbe – Bwindi Forest NP (540km/9-10hrs drive)

After an early breakfast transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park the home of the endangered mountain gorillas . Check in at the lodge and enjoy a delicious lunch. In the afternoon you will have the opportunity to relax and prepare yourself for the next day. Or go for an optional (guided) forest walk for a first introduction with Uganda’s unique flora and fauna. Mahogany Springs. (B-L-D)

Mahoghany Springs Bwindi National Park
Mahogany Springs is located at a 2 minutes’ drive from the headquarters in Buhoma. It offers eight individual bandas with 2 double beds, en-suite bathroom and a private terrace with panoramic views of the forest and surrounding land. The main building includes a craft shop, large bar area, relaxing lounge area with fireplace, restaurant and a large veranda.

Day 3: Gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Park (North)

Arise early today and prepare for the highlight of your safari, an unforgettable encounter with the Gentle Giants!

Following breakfast, transfer to the national park offices where you will be allocated a gorilla family in groups of 8 as well as a gorilla tracking guide. After a pre-tracking briefing by your guide touching on the gorillas generally, your assigned gorilla family as well as appropriate safety precautions, you drive to the trailhead for the start of a thrilling adventure. Expect to walk between 2 and 8 hours in steep and sometimes muddy conditions with rain overhead, which can be tough and require a degree of (average) fitness. However, the thrill of coming face to face with a giant Mountain Gorilla silverback completely makes up for the effort!

Please remember to bring your passport for registration, appropriate, water proof hiking boots and a light rain coat. To protect from stinging nettles, we recommend long pants and long sleeved tops. A pair of old gardening gloves can help grabbing onto the vegetation while most hotels/lodges provide a walking stick that comes in very handy especially when hiking downhill. A small waterproof backpack is an excellent idea to carry a light snack, bottled water as well as protection for your camera.

Upon sighting the gorillas, you spend the allowed one hour with them as they go about their daily life; feeding, moving, playing, raising their young and sometimes wrestling by the juveniles – it is a totally unique and unforgettable experience!
Dinner and overnight at Mahogany Springs. (B-L-D)

Day 4: Bwindi NP – Entebbe – Departure

Today we will depart the impenetrable forest of Bwindi and head back to Entebbe International Airport and connect to your international flight.(B,L)

Travel tip: Combine your gorilla safari with the vast savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park or the beautiful scenery at Lake Mburo National Park. Or just spend a day extra in the impenetrable forest!