Mountain Gorilla Safaris

country:	Uganda
trip type:	Walking safaris, introductory walking
departures:	Departs 1-2 Saturdays a month throughout the year
price:	From £940 (8 days) excluding flights. Local payment US $250. Gorilla Permit £260

Gorilla watching trips

the amazing things you'll be doing

If you are short on time but who have always wanted to see some of the rarest primates on the planet, then this is the trip for you. We travel from Entebbe to the south-western corner of Uganda, Bwindi, to spend time with the majestic highland mountain gorillas in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Passing incredible landscapes, meeting local Ugandans and visiting a chimpanzee sanctuary on a small island on Lake Victoria are other highlights of this trip. Coming face to face with endangered gorillas in their own environment is a real privilege and an experience that will be indelibly etched in our minds. There is no real way to describe the intimacy of getting close to these giants – for many, it is a deeply moving experience. Quite simply trekking to visit mountain gorillas is one of those ‘must do’ things and Uganda offers an incredible opportunity to achieve this.

Unlike most other companies we pre-purchase gorilla permits from the Ugandan authorities to ensure that we are able to offer them for each departure. Please note that the Ugandan government may revoke or change permit conditions at any time (including after purchase) without prior notice.

From our joining hotel in Entebbe, our customised safari vehicle, takes us on our journey through Uganda. We stay in local hotels or tented camps that are fairly basic, but all offer hot showers at the end of the day. A local leader escorts us during our safari, giving us a valuable insight into the cultural aspects of the country and the local ways, whilst expert trackers help us in our quest to find the mountain gorillas.

Mountain Gorilla Trek

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Gorilla Trekking - Bwindi Forest

Lake Bunyoni

Bushara Island

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary

This operator gives clients the option of offsetting carbon emissions on all of its holidays. In conjunction with Climate Friendly we have established an appropriate cash amount for each of our holidays, based on the type of transportation used and the distances travelled. This amount is donated to Climate Friendly and used to support new renewable energy projects that prevent greenhouse gases from entering our atmosphere. The amount required to offset this holiday is £2 - this does not include your international flight.

day-by-day itinerary

Day 1:	Entebbe. Today is an arrival day, so you are free to arrive at any time and make your way to the joining hotel in Entebbe. A pre-departure meeting is held at 6pm at your hotel.
Day 2:	Entebbe - Mbarara. Leaving Entebbe our journey takes us through some interesting countryside and crossing south over the equator, where we stop for a photo and to learn all there is to know about being equidistant from the earth’s poles. Continuing into the Ugandan highlands we observe rural life all around us. Passing herds of Ankole (African longhorn) cattle and cassava and banana plantations, our local guide will be able to answer any questions we may have. We reach Mbarara in the late afternoon, where we stay overnight in a basic hotel. Mbarara is a large university town with an interesting history.
Day 3:	Mbarara - Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. From Mbarara we travel to Bwindi, located on the doorstep of the darkly named Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The drive from Mbarara to Bwindi offers glimpses of rural Ugandan life and the stunning scenery of south-western Uganda. We spend two nights at the national park rondavels, enveloped by the jungles of the World Heritage-listed Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Here we have a free afternoon to prepare for our trek tomorrow or participate in an optional activity. You may wish to wander around the local village or take a forest walk into the park to one of the cascading waterfalls nearby.
Day 4:	Gorilla Trek - Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. This morning we meet our specialist gorilla guides for a brief safety talk and further information about the gorilla trek and the national park. Our guide is fluent in English and will pass on information to us that to ensure that we understand more about the gorillas and how they live. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest covers an area of 330 square kilometres and is located in the far south-west of the country where Uganda, Rwanda and DRC (Congo) meet. This pocket of huge primeval forest is one of the most biologically diverse areas on earth. It has an eco-system that defines the very essence of the continent and has therefore been designated as a World Heritage site. We set off with our guide into the forest in search of these magnificent apes. The gorilla families may either be close or further afield and they may also be on the move, whilst we are trekking. The forest floor is damp and laden with leaf mould, matted vegetation and fallen vines, which serve to trip you up as you clamber up and down the slippery slopes in search of a glimpse of the elusive gorillas. The altitude reaches a maximum of just under 2000 metres, but this can still be a long and tough climb in damp and humid conditions. We are likely to get within metres of the family we are tracking and will be able to spend an hour observing these magnificent primates. Please note that gorillas are very susceptible to human diseases and you should advise your guide if you are suffering from a cold or anything similar. It would be irresponsible to risk the health of even one of the last 700 remaining mountain gorillas that are still living in their natural habitat. Returning to base, we can either unwind and celebrate our unforgettable gorilla experience or take up an optional activity in Bwindi.
Day 5-6:	Bushara Island Camp. After our amazing experience of viewing the gorillas, a morning drive of three to four hours takes us to the shores of Lake Bunyonyi, where we board a motorboat to transfer to Bushara Island Camp. The camp is surrounded by lush tropical gardens and eucalyptus trees and is a haven for a myriad of birds. We arrive at lunchtime and spend two nights here so there is plenty of time to enjoy optional activities, such as cultural tours or fishing. For those wanting to kick back after the trek can relax at the canteen (bar) or go swimming in the lake. The accommodation here is in permanent tents/cottages, with lake views and shared bathroom facilities. All bedding is provided.
Day 7:	Entebbe. We journey back to Entebbe, where we stay for the night after arriving late in the afternoon. Our guide knows the best spots for a great meal and also a visit to a bar to try the local brew called ‘waragi’, which is a unique Ugandan banana gin.
Day 8:	Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary - Entebbe. To conclude our visit in Uganda we travel by boat to Ngamba Island on Lake Victoria, where we visit a chimpanzee sanctuary. Covered by rainforest, this island is home to 39 orphaned chimpanzees and here we have the opportunity to observe these cheeky primates close to their natural habitat. We suggest you arrange a packed lunch from your hotel the night before, as only drinks and dry snacks only are available on the island. Remember to bring a hat, sunscreen and swimming gear. After leaving Ngamba Island, you are taken back to our hotel in Entebbe, where our tour ends. Please note that accommodation is not included tonight. If you are flying out of Entebbe this evening, please ensure your flight does not depart before 6pm.

Award winner

This tourism business won an Award in our 2007 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards - organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine, of the Royal Geographical Society

how this holiday makes a difference

This trip is focused on respecting and benefiting the local people and the environment of this country. On this trip you will be lead by an experienced local leader passionate about their country's history, heritage and natural beauty that will help you to get 'under the skin' of their country and see it through the eyes of a local. This trip stays at locally run accommodation; we eat at local restaurants and travel on local transport. This ensures the financial return to the local economy opens up training and employment opportunities - and allows for informal and meaningful interaction between our travellers and local people.

We are constantly seeking new and innovative ways of neutralising our impact on the environment. We will become the first Australian adventure tour operator to offer a voluntary carbon offsetting option on the land component of all its tours, as well as the accompanying flights. Our Community Trust provides funds for local community projects and initiatives that promote responsible and sustainable tourism development in the destinations in which we operate. First and foremost, but not exclusively, the Trust supports projects and initiatives that advance education and employment within the tourism and hospitality industry. The Trust operates on a not-for-profit basis, with every cent of funds donated by us, our staff and our travellers, going to the nominated projects.

The maximum group size on all of our adventures is 16 passengers – with exception of some African trips (24 max) and in the Polar Regions, where our ship carries a maximum of 110 passengers. Travelling in small groups ensures we make significantly less impact on the natural environment, as well as breaking down many of the communication barriers presented by a larger group. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and time to make your own discoveries. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as gaining an understanding of the respective cultures you visit.

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