7 Day Lake Mburo, mgahinga gorillas, golden monkeys and Lake Bunyonyi

OVERVIEW

7 Days / 6 Nights

This 7 Day Lake Mburo, Mgahinga gorillas, golden monkeys and lake Bunyonyi safari is ideal for those interested in primates, game drives as well as marine safaris. It visits Mgahinga National Park for mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, Lake Mburo National Park for game viewing and boat cruise on the lake and to Lake Bunyonyi for canoe excursion on Uganda’s deepest lake.

ITINERARY

Upon arrival, you will be met by Encounter Africa representative who will transfer you to a Guest House in Entebbe. Depending on the time of arrival, you will be briefed about this tour and what you can do while in Entebbe.

Drive time: Approximately 10 minutes

Lodging: Boma Guest house Entebbe(Budget) or Hotel Number 5(Midrange) or Protea Marriot Entebbe/Entebbe Forest Lodge(Luxury)

Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast
Your 7 day Lake Mburo, Mgahinga gorillas, golden monkeys and Lake Bunyinyi starts with a drive to Lake Mburo National Park passing small towns along Kampala-Mbarara road arriving in time for lunch, short relaxation en route game drive and a boat cruise on the lake This tour provides an opportunity to stop at the Equator crossing for photography and some experiments to prove that indeed this is center of planet earth. After lunch and short relaxation, you will be driven to the lake to meet your captain of the day who will take you for a two hour boat excursion. Lake Mburo boat cruise is an opportunity to see hippos, crocodiles, water bird such as the African fish eagle and the rare African fin foot. Many animals such as buffaloes and antelopes gather here to drink some water so an opportunity to enjoy wildlife most especial marine animals. After your boat cruise, you will enjoy an en route game drive and then retire to your overnight Lodge.

Drive time: Approximately 4-5 hours

Lodging: Rwakobo Rock(Budget) or Kigarama Wilderness lodge(Midrange) or Mihingo Lodge/Kigambira safari lodge(Luxury)

Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, we start our drive to southwestern Uganda. We will pass through small towns, like Mbarara, Ntungamo to Kabale and then to Kisoro. This journey is very scenic due to low lands, rolling and terraced hills of Kabale and Kisoro Districts. Lunch will be served en route and will arrive in time for overnight and Dinner.

Drive time: Approximately 6-7 hours

Lodging: Ichumbi Hotel Kisoro(Budget) or Chameleon Hill Lodge(Midrange) or Gahinga Lodge(Luxury)

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After an early breakfast, our driver will drive you to Mgahinga National Park headquarters arriving in time for briefing. Before briefing, your passport details will be required to make sure that you are eligible to trek mountain gorillas. This will be followed by briefing from one of the UWA rangers about gorilla trekking, dos and don’ts and instructions to be followed on the trek, with the gorillas and after the trek. You will then be led to the forest to search for the mountain gorillas. Mgahinga National Park has only one habituated mountain gorilla family called Nyakagezi which used to move between Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Mgahinga National Park but it is now permanently resident in Uganda. Once you find Nyakagezi Family, you will be allowed one hour with the gorillas and then return back to the Lodge for your overnight.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Packed Lunch and Dinner

Lodging: Ichumbi Hotel Kisoro(Budget) or Chameleon Hill Lodge(Midrange) or Gahinga Lodge(Luxury)
After breakfast, you will transfer to Mgahinga National Park headquarters for either full day golden monkey habituation experience or half day golden monkey trekking. You will be briefed about the dos and don’ts while with golden monkeys and then proceed to the mountain/forest for your trek. You will be allowed enough time with researchers if you choose to do golden monkey experience and only one hour if you choose to do golden monkey trekking. Return to your lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Lodging: Ichumbi Hotel Kisoro(Budget) or Chameleon Hill Lodge(Midrange) or Gahinga Lodge(Luxury)

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, you will drive to Lake Bunyonyi which according to existing information is the deepest lake in Uganda. Formed as a result of lava damning, the lake has many island each with its rich history. It’s one of the nice places to relax after your gorilla trek. At lake bunyonyi, you may choose to take a canoe ride on lake Bunyonyi to explore the many Islands in the lake, go hill hiking for those who are fit enough and visit the Batwa community in Kabale. Retire to your Lodge for Dinner and overnight.

Drive time: Approximately 2 hours

Lodging: Lake Bunyonyi Roc Resort( Budget) or Birdnest Resort(Midrange)

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

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

This safari is available on a private basis, so you can contact us for a quote. Provide us with details of how many people you will be in a group, when you intend to travel, and one of our specialists will reply to you as soon as we receive your email.