Gorilla safari in Uganda
“Two days tracking gorillas, the chance to see chimpanzees, game drives and boat trips to spot hippos, lions, leopards and elephants – this Ugandan small group safari packs in lots of wildlife!”
Highlights
Entebbe | Jane Goodall Institute on Ngamba Island | Bwindi | two tracking excursions to see mountain gorillas | Ishasha and Mweya sections of Queen Elizabeth National Park | cruise along the Kazinga Channel | Kibale Forest National Park | chimpanzee trackingDescription of Gorilla safari in Uganda
This 10-day small group safari gives you the opportunity to track Uganda’s endangered mountain gorillas twice (on payment of supplement at time of booking). The trip begins in Bwindi, where you go in search of three habituated family groups of gorillas, lead by experienced trackers. From here, travel to see the savannah game of Queen Elizabeth National Park, home to incredible tree-climbing lions. Finally, visit the forests of Kibale to track and see chimpanzees.Throughout the safari there are opportunities for a number of nature and community walks in the areas that you visit and you’ll stay in great properties, including lodges and camps. This is a year round trip. There are short rains from October to November and mid March to end of May, but rain usually only falls for an hour or so and the rest of the day is pleasant. Weather conditions do not affect your chances of coming across gorillas and whenever you track these beautiful animals, there is a 95% chance of encountering them.
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about this holiday or need help finding one we're very happy to help. The Travel Team.
01273 823 700 Calling from outside the UK? rosy@responsibletravel.comCheck dates
This will be running in 2020, dates to be confirmed soon.
Vouchers
Accepted
Holiday type
This holiday is operated by a primate specialist
Typically trips are expertly guided by a leading specialist with a good knowledge of the area to be visited. Primates are the main focus of attention however most safaris also incorporate other fauna and flora highlights of the destination as well. Primate specialist trips are conducted by local guides and drivers.Responsible tourism
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we screen every trip so you can travel knowing your holiday will help support conservation and local people.
Eco-friendly lodges and camps are used to minimise the effects on the environment and surrounding wildlife.Our direct contribution to conservation is evident in that from each gorilla tracking permit sold a percentage goes directly back to the park staff and local communities. This has resulted in a number of positive results:
- Properly equipped park staff can now provide the endangered mountain gorillas with the protection from poachers, deforestation, etc that they require. In recent years this has meant that the mountain gorilla population has increased from 650 to 700 individuals! This is one of the most successful stories of wildlife conservation!!
- Local populations now have the support to set up their own small enterprises (local craft shops etc)
- Increased controlled revenue into the regions has resulted in a much more stable local economy If travellers would also like to contribute to the protection of primates throughout the world please request further details regarding our “Protect the Primates” wristbands from which all proceeds go to the conservation of endangered primates.
We aim to minimise our impact on the environment as much in the UK as we would do in any of our destination countries. We do this through recycling of any office waste including paper, plastic, cans, glass, refuse, in partnership with the Borough of Brighton and Hove.
Whenever possible we use accommodation that savors every drop of precious water, from using environmentally friendly flushing toilets and to savoring rain water for washing, to using solar power heating. Accommodation when travelling will vary, but we do try to be as environmentally friendly as possible, promoting the use of locally eco-lodges where we can. Please bear in mind that it is not always possible to find eco-friendly accommodation in some remote destinations; if this is the case then we make every effort to alert the management of the accommodation in question to ways of improving their service with the environment in mind. We try to use shared excursions and transfers, minimising the carbon emissions from the vehicles used.
The Impacts of this Trip
All of our trips are conducted by local guides and drivers who specialise in this region of Africa. Through the employment of local staff, money is fed directly back into individual families and villages that would otherwise not benefit from tourism.
The purpose of our safaris is to contribute to local populations, communities and projects. We give our travellers advise on how to interact with the local population, flora and fauna in order to minimise any negative impact. We advise people not to bargain just for the sake of it and because it is the "thing to do", you should pay what you feel the object is worth to yourself and the vendor, bearing in mind local cultures, society and standard of living.
Environment
Eco-friendly lodges and camps are used to minimise the effects on the environment and surrounding wildlife.Our direct contribution to conservation is evident in that from each gorilla tracking permit sold a percentage goes directly back to the park staff and local communities. This has resulted in a number of positive results:
- Properly equipped park staff can now provide the endangered mountain gorillas with the protection from poachers, deforestation, etc that they require. In recent years this has meant that the mountain gorilla population has increased from 650 to 700 individuals! This is one of the most successful stories of wildlife conservation!!
- Local populations now have the support to set up their own small enterprises (local craft shops etc)
- Increased controlled revenue into the regions has resulted in a much more stable local economy If travellers would also like to contribute to the protection of primates throughout the world please request further details regarding our “Protect the Primates” wristbands from which all proceeds go to the conservation of endangered primates.
We aim to minimise our impact on the environment as much in the UK as we would do in any of our destination countries. We do this through recycling of any office waste including paper, plastic, cans, glass, refuse, in partnership with the Borough of Brighton and Hove.
Whenever possible we use accommodation that savors every drop of precious water, from using environmentally friendly flushing toilets and to savoring rain water for washing, to using solar power heating. Accommodation when travelling will vary, but we do try to be as environmentally friendly as possible, promoting the use of locally eco-lodges where we can. Please bear in mind that it is not always possible to find eco-friendly accommodation in some remote destinations; if this is the case then we make every effort to alert the management of the accommodation in question to ways of improving their service with the environment in mind. We try to use shared excursions and transfers, minimising the carbon emissions from the vehicles used.
Community
The Impacts of this Trip
All of our trips are conducted by local guides and drivers who specialise in this region of Africa. Through the employment of local staff, money is fed directly back into individual families and villages that would otherwise not benefit from tourism.
The purpose of our safaris is to contribute to local populations, communities and projects. We give our travellers advise on how to interact with the local population, flora and fauna in order to minimise any negative impact. We advise people not to bargain just for the sake of it and because it is the "thing to do", you should pay what you feel the object is worth to yourself and the vendor, bearing in mind local cultures, society and standard of living.
Climate
3 Reviews of Gorilla safari in Uganda
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 04 Mar 2019 by Susan Gale
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Hard to name one as there were so many: seeing a Silverback climb a tree, watching a Leopard prowl, finding lionesses in a Euphorbia tree, and many more
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Take more tip money; definitely have a porter for the gorilla hikes, do everything on offer
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes absolutely, paying the local villagers to be porters, visiting communities, having flasks of fresh water rather than plastic bottles (in some lodges but not all).
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Really excellent, it was fun, exhilarating, great hotels, treks and game drives, good food and lovely people
Reviewed on 08 Jan 2012 by Judith Towell
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The whole holiday was memorable for all the best reasons but probably the most outstanding were the 2 days spent with the Mountain Gorillas. A memory that will live with me 'til the end of my days!
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be prepared for one of the best holidays of your life!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes. All the lodges employ local people and they all seemed to be determined that there would be minimum impact on the environment.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
MAGNIFICENT!
Read the operator's response here:
Great to here that the trip lived up to expectations! We pride ourselves on offering unique once in a lifetime trips and are always happy to help with any future travel plans!
Reviewed on 11 Sep 2010 by Patrick Taylor
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Having a silverback pass me by within arm's length. The trackers had told all of us how far to keep from any gorilla - he obviously wasn't concerned about this at all. Two wonderful treks with very generous hours allowed for us to be with the gorillas. Plenty of opportunities to observe and photograph animals of all ages. I don't feel reborn but spirits soared and have not fully come down yet.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be patient. Rwanda is wonderful country with many experiences to reward what may seem longish journeys - particularly that to Nyungwe Forest where Colobus monkeys are very interesting and there is much else to enjoy. Do use sticks and porters when available. They do make progress easier as well as giving needed income. Visit genocide sights if possible. Not at all easy but will help understanding of what Rwanda has been through and the burden of memory that many people must still carry.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Most obvious help in Virungas where tourist income does seem to be helping fund schools and other facilities, as well as providing employment. I appreciated opportunity to take some gifts to school there. Teachers seemed happy to receive them.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Unforgettable experience in country very different from my own. I met some very gentle and helpful people who added much to my enjoyment. All travel arrangements went smoothly and as expected. Given the chance, I would love to return to Rwanda.
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