5 Day Uganda Gorillas and Game Safari From Kigali

OVERVIEW

5 Days / 4 Nights

This 5 Day Uganda gorillas and game safari from Kigali is for those interested in exploring Uganda mountain gorillas in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park as well as spectacular wildlife in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Our 5 Day Uganda gorillas and game safari from Kigali gives you an option of doing one gorilla trek or one gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi. In Queen Elizabeth National Park, you will have time for game drives as well as a boat cruise on Kazinga channel that has the highest concentration of hippos in Africa and many other wild animals that flock this channel for water not forgeting avariety of birds. If you love wildlife and gorillas, then our 5 Day Uganda gorillas and game safari from Kigali is indeed ideal for you.

ITINERARY

Morning/Transfer: You will be picked from Kigali International Airport/Any Hotel in Kigali to start your journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park is western Uganda. The journey will take you through Kabale with its rolling hills, Bunyaruguru popularly known for its crater lakes.

Afternoon and Lunch: You will have Lunch at a Local Restuarant after crossing the border into Uganda, Proceed to enjoy a stunning view of the rift valley as you enter Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Evening/Accommodation: You will arrive at your Lodge for a short relaxation before heading to Kasenyi Plains for an evening game drive. On your game drive, you will have an opportunity to sport several animals including antelopes, buffaloes, Elephants, and if lucky big cats like lions and leopards. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Drive time: Approximately 6 hours

Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation:

Budget: Bush Lodge

Mid Range: Buffalo safari lodge/ Elephant Hab Lodge/ Parkview safari lodge

Luxury: Elephant Plains Lodge/ Kyambura Gorge Lodge
Morning: This morning you will head to back to the plains of Kasenyi for a morning game drive to try to find what could have missed the previous day.

Afternoon and Lunch: Lunch will be served at the lodge and after you will head to the jetty along kazinga channel for the afternoon boat cruise. This cruise offers you chances of viewing animals like: hippos, water birds, elephants, buffaloes, crocodiles and many other wildlife which flock the channel for drinking water.

Evening: You will spend your evening at the Hotel, relaxing, Swimming, and Later Dinner and Overnight

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation:

Budget: Bush Lodge

Mid Range: Buffalo safari lodge/ Elephant Hab Lodge/ Parkview safari lodge

Luxury: Elephant Plains Lodge/ Kyambura Gorge Lodge
Morning/Transfer: After your breakfast, you will drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to almost half of the world’s most endangered mountain gorillas. Trekking mountain gorillas is a lifetime experience and seeing them in their natural habitat is truly rewarding.

Afternoon/Lunch: You will enjoy Lunch break at a Local restaurant

Evening: You will arrive at your lodge in the late afternoon for relaxation followed by dinner and overnight.

Drive time: 5-6 hours

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation:

Budget: Rushaga Havens Lodge/Bakiga Lodge

Mid Range: 4 Gorillas Lodge/Gorilla Leisure Lodge

Luxury: Gorilla Heights Lodge/Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge/Kiho Lodge
Morning/Briefing: After breakfast and with your packed lunch, you will walk to the park headquarters for briefing about gorilla trekking. Your guide will take you through all the dos and don’ts while with mountain gorillas and after that, you will be transferred to the starting point of your gorilla family. Please note that gorilla family allocation depends on your interests, fitness and age. Please inform your guide of your interests and he will try to request for the gorilla family of your choice before you start the trek into the forest. Gorilla trekking can be strenuous and a certain level of fitness is required.

Trek and Observation: Gorilla trekking can take from 30 minutes to three quarters of the day so one needs to prepare for both. You guide will try to provide information about trees, birds and other wildlife in the forest until you reach a given gorilla family of gorillas. You will be allowed only one hour of photography and observing mountain gorillas as they go about with their daily day activities

Afternoon/Lunch: You will have your packed Lunch while still in the forest, then trek back to the park headquarters to pick your certificates and Proceed to your Lodge.

Evening: You will spend evening at Leisure, you can opt to visit the Community or relax. then Later dinner and overnight.

Accommodation:

Budget: Rushaga Havens Lodge/Bakiga Lodge

Mid Range: 4 Gorillas Lodge/Gorilla Leisure Lodge

Luxury: Gorilla Heights Lodge/Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge/Kiho Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Morning/Transfer: After breakfast, you will drive back to Kigali Airport for your flight out of Uganda marking the end of your 3 Day Uganda gorilla safari from Kigali.

Afternoon/Lunch: You will have en-route Lunch at a Local restaurant and then proceed to Kigali, you will have stops to shop at Local crafts, take Photographs etc. Depending on your program you will be dropped off at your Hotel/Airport to end the trip.

Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch

Drive Time: 4-5 hours

THINGS TO CONSIDER

Gorilla permits: We encourage you to book gorilla permits in advance so that we secure your trekking spot. Gorilla permits are served on first come first serve at Uganda wildlife Authority. Please contact us so that we book them for you.

Cost of the gorilla permit: The gorilla permits in Uganda cost USD800 for Non-Foreign residents, USD700 for East African Foreign Residents, USD500 for Rest of Africa Residents and UGX300,000 for East African Citizens, cost applies for trekking in Both Bwindi impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park

Gorilla trekking Regions: Bwindi has 4 gorilla trekking sectors namely Buhoma, Ruhaga, Nkuringo and Ruhija. We shall book for you accommodation in respect to the permits location.

Physical Fitness: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi can be physically demanding, a certain level of fitness will be required, please ensure you are in good health and have a certain level of fitness before you leave your country.

Packing List: Please ensure you have comfortable walking/ hiking shoes that can handle the terrain in Bwindi, a rain Jacket, gloves, Camera, Binoculars,

Age Limit: The Minimum age for gorilla trekking in Uganda is 15 years and above, please ensure all travelers are aged 15years and above.

Accommodation Options: Please choose the accommodation that suits your budget, Bwindi has all options of Budget, Midrange and Luxury.

Means of Transport: You can opt to fly or drive to Bwindi, Flights take 1-2 hours, and driving takes 8-9 hours drive to Bwindi. For budget clients, we recommend use of safari vans, then others can opt for Safari Land Cruisers. All vehicles are comfortable with enough leg room, AC and are driven by our professional driver guides.

Best time to visit: Bwindi can be visited all year round for gorilla trekking, The most prefered time is June to September, December to February because they are the drier months of the year.

Gorilla trekking Regulations: Uganda Wildlife Authority has rules and regulations to adhere while on your gorilla trek.

Chances of Seeing the Gorillas: The chances of seeing gorillas are 98% because there are trackers who follow the movement of gorillas on a daily basis, they communicate to the Park guides and you walk in the direction they are.

Choose a gorilla family: You can choose your preferred gorilla family of the day of the trek, if you prefer a close/ easy trek due to your fitness level, please request it and communicate to your guide.

Gorilla Habituation experience: Bwindi has an option of spending 4 hours with the gorillas called gorillas habituation, the is only possible when you book a gorilla permit that costs USD1500 for Non- foreign residents, USD1000 for East African Residents, and UGX750,000 for East African Citizens

Other activities: There are several activities you can do in Bwindi namely Birding, Batwa cultural experience, Nature walks, Community visits. All these can supplement your gorilla trek in Bwindi.

Trip cost estimate: The cost of the 3day gorilla tour ranges from USD1300 to USD2860 per person, based on your travel style which is Budget to Luxury. The cost Includes gorilla permit, accommodation, Meals, transport, and all services.

About Bwindi: Bwindi impenetrable National Park is a UNESCO world heritage site, with half of the worlds gorilla population, it has more than 20 Habituated gorilla families in regions of Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija and Nkuringo.

PRICING PER PERSON

1 Person	USD 2,769
2 Persons	USD 2,090
3 Persons	USD 1,940
4 Persons	USD 1,870
5 Persons	USD 1,820
6 Persons	USD 1,800

Cost Includes: Airport transfers, gorilla permit (USD 800 per person per trek), game drives, boat cruise on Kazinga Channel, transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle, fuel for the round trip, services of an English-speaking driver guide, all park entry fees, and drinking water in the vehicle.

Cost excludes Visa Fees, and all expenses of personal nature such as drinks, tips, or simply anything else not included in the itinerary.