Itinerary Highlights
- Spending time with one of Bwindi's habituated family groups of Mountain gorilla - an unforgettable wildlife experience!
- Comfortable accommodation and excellent hospitality
What's Included
- Flights
- Accommodation Throughout
- Travel Guide
- Transfers
5 nights from £4,395 per person
Derek Schuurman
Travel Specialist
A short fly- in visit to Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park to spend time with the incredible Mountain gorillas, while based at the comfortable Buhoma Lodge***. This makes for an excellent add-on to any Eastern African safari, and/or to a beach extension in Zanzibar or the Kenyan coast.
Those who might be interested in doing the 4-hour Gorilla Habituation Experience, should stay at Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge in Bwindi South as this is closest to where the appropriate Gorilla groups are located. Do contact us for details - we will be delighted to assist.
Itinerary
Day 1 Depart from London to Entebbe
Depart from London to Entebbe on an overnight flight.
Day 2 Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
On arrival in Entebbe in the early morning, you will be met and assisted with connecting on the light aircraft flight to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Flight duration is 2 hours.
On arrival at the Kihihi airstrip, you will be met and transferred in a comfortable, private, 4-wheel drive vehicle to the lodge. Drive time is about 90 minutes.
Stay for 3 nights at the comfortable and well-run Buhoma Lodge****, set on the slopes of the forest, in an en suite cottage with all meals included.
You might wish to go for a guided nature walk today - there is a flat trail leading from the lodge eastwards into the park, along which you can see an abundance of small wildlife including Colobus, Blue and L'Hoest's monkeys, perhaps a Duiker or two, a myriad colourful and rare rainforest birds such as Ross's turacou, the beautiful Black bee-eater and many species of Sunbirds and Weavers.
*** If you want to do the 4-hour Gorilla Habituation Experience, call us for details - this would mean staying in Bwindi South (Nkuringo), not in the Buhoma sector of the national park.
Day 3 Gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
The lodge is conveniently located five minutes from the UWA Park HQ where the 07h00 gathering point for gorilla tracking experience is. Here you will meet your guide, have a briefing from the head ranger on what to expect before heading up the densely forested slopes to search for the endangered Mountain Gorillas, the global population of which is estimated at some 1100+ individuals. The trekking is relatively strenuous and be as quick as 45 minutes or it might take up to six hours, at relatively high altitude. Once you find the gorilla family, you are allowed to spend an hour with them for conservation reasons. It is a thrilling and unforgettable wildlife experience!
Staying at
Buhoma Lodge
Day 4 Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Because your golden hour with the gorillas passes so quickly as to feel like 5 minutes, we strongly suggest you consider a second gorilla trek today.
Other advantages of having a second gorilla trek are that just in case you do not manage to see them on your first attempt, you have a backup excursion. (Success rate exceeds 90% but nature can never be guaranteed).
There are other activities on offer, such as a birding walk through the Buhoma sector of the forest, relaxing at the lodge or an optional visit the local Batwa community to learn about the original people of these once great rainforests, who were later displaced and marginalised and for who the Forest Peoples' Programme have been doing extensive work.
Staying at
Buhoma Lodge
Day 5 Flight from Bwindi - Entebbe and departure
Today you will be transferred by road back to the airstrip for your afternoon light aircraft flight to Entebbe International Airport, where you check in for your onward flight (either overnight back to London via Nairobi, or, if you prefer, to another Eastern African destination - ask us for details and a quotation for any extensions).
Derek Schuurman
Travel Specialist
Pricing Information & Dates
5 nights from £4,395 per person
Itinerary Dates
Pricing
1st Jun 2023 -
31st Oct 2023
31st Oct 2023
£4,395
Derek Schuurman
Travel Specialist
Price Includes
- Return International Flights as per the itinerary
- All airport taxes and security charges
- Accommodation and meals as specified
- Transfers as specified
- Activities and excursions as specified
- All entrace fees on sightseeing tours as specified
* Return international flights in economy class seating from London to Entebbe
* internal flights between Entebbe and Bwindi
* three nights at Buhoma Lodge*** with all meals
* private road transfers and
* one Uganda gorilla permit per person.
Single supplement £490
*** This can be changed to Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge if you are keen to do the 4-hour Gorilla Habituation Experience there.Call us for details.
Price Excludes
- Travel Insurance
- Any meals not specified in the itinerary
- Tips and gratuities
- Optional excursions
Excludes: Uganda visa, drinks, any additional activities, items of a personal nature.
Pricing Notes
We highly recommend our clients get a second Gorilla permit ($670 in Uganda including transfers to/from the park HQ)
Those who prefer to stay in Bwindi South (Nkuringo) can also do the four hour Gorilla Habituation Experience there: for this, the permit costs US$1,500 per person. Ask us for details.
Why Choose Us?
Passionate travel experts
- We've been leading wildlife travel since our first South Africa tours over 25 years ago
- Our Travel Specialists have lived in their specialist area for years
- We work with local guides to immerse you deeper in our diverse range of experiences
Personal & tailor-made
- You'll speak to your own expert who'll share their first-hand knowledge
- We'll make your itinerary seamless with 24/7 emergency contact available
- Your Travel Specialist will listen to ensure you have the best chance of seeing the wildlife you love
Responsible by nature
- We take care to actively contribute to the conservation of environments we visit
- For select countries, we make a charitable donation on your behalf when you make your booking
- We've partnered with conservation experts and NGOs to curate responsible tours
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office check www.gov.uk/travelaware
