Gorilla tracking | Stunning views

This express gorilla tracking fly-in safari is for travelers who want to see mountain gorillas but are not willing to spend so many hours on the road. You will save time, get an excellent view from the clouds, and commune with the gorillas. We combine reliable domestic flight service, ground transfers and comfortable accommodation at GFC / Mahogany Springs to make this an unforgettable and hassle-free experience.

PACKAGE INCLUDES

• Airport transfers upon arrival & departure irrespective of the airline and time of arrival OR departure.
• Two-way Entebbe – Kihihi Domestic flight
  • Transfer from Kihihi Airstrip to lodge
  • Transfer from lodge to gorilla tracking area and back
  • Transfer from lodge to Kihihi Airstrip
  • Accommodation as listed in the program
• Park & conservation fees as per the package
  • All meals at your accommodation
• World finest local, professional English-speaking driver guides
  • Packed lunch for the gorilla tracking
  • 1 gorilla permit per person (US$800)
• Binoculars and field guide books provided in the safari vehicle.
• A porter during the gorilla tracking (someone who carries your daypack)
  • Tips and gratuities to rangers, driver/guide, porter, hotel staff, etc
• All expenses of personal nature (e.g. drinks, laundry, optional activities, etc).
• Service charges, hotel taxes and Government taxes as per NOW

PACKAGE EXCLUDES
• International air fares and entry visa to Uganda
• Personal (medical/travel) insurance
ITINERARY

Day 1: Airport pick up.
Upon arrival at the airport, you will be picked up from Entebbe airport by a representative who will transfer you to protea hotel for your accommodation for tonight.

Depending on the time of your arrival, you might be able to do some optional activities in Entebbe like a visit to the Botanical gardens or the Ugandan Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC).

Journey Time: 10 minutes
Accommodation: Protea Hotel by Marriott.
Meal plan: Meals included

Day 2: Fly to Kihihi- Bwindi impenetrable forest.
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to the Entebbe International Airport for the morning/midday scheduled flight to Kihihi Airstrip, making sure you check in 1 hour before departure time listed on your flight ticket which we provide. Upon arrival at the airstrip, you will be met by your guide who will transfer you to your lodge for check-in followed by lunch. Afternoon at leisure, this will be the day of unwinding as you look forward to the trek the next day. Alternatively, you can decide to book any of many optional activities in and around Buhoma town and the lodge; This includes; Body massage offered by a masseuse from the lodge,  a tour of Buhoma village, and witnessing the local people as they make local baskets, and crafts, You may also witness the locals as well as they distill their local Gin from bananas, you can book a guided walk in the rainforest, or visit the Batwa (pygmy’s people) who are the original forest dwellers who were hunters & gathers. Mountain gorillas and the Batwa lived alongside one another in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest until 1992. To protect the gorillas, the Batwa were forcibly evicted from that forest when it became a national park and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a decision made jointly by the United Nations and the Ugandan government. Later you will return back to the lodge for a hot shower, before dinner.

Departure time from Entebbe: 07.45am
Arrival Time: 9.30am

* Timings may vary depending on aircraft routing.
* Flights are subject to the prevailing weather conditions and strictly morning flights.

In Kihihi our guide will be waiting for you, holding a signpost with your name. He will transfer you in about 1:45 minutes to the lodge. You’ll sleep in one of their nice self-contained safari cottages / Tents

Journey Time: 2:45 hours
Accommodation: Mahogany Springs / GFC
Meal Plan: Meals included

Mahogany Springs
Mahogany Springs offers privacy and serenity blended with optimal comfort in a spectacular setting. At Mahogany Springs it is the little touches that make the big difference, from the tiny details in the design of the lodge through to the unrivalled service levels provided by the highly trained management team.

All the rooms at Mahogany Springs are suites. These suites are spacious with large double doors and beautiful windows. Each suite has its own private terrace with panoramic views of the surrounding area. All suites have large en suite bathrooms with open terracotta shower. For added comfort and peace of mind all the suites have an advanced mosquito net system that wraps around the entire area of the beds.

Day 3: Gorilla Tracking

Early morning breakfast will be served at the lodge. Thereafter you will be transferred/walk to the ranger’s station for pre-gorilla trekking de-brief. Your trekking can either start at the ranger’s headquarters or you can be transferred by your safari vehicle to a different starting point. While trekking, we recommend you drink lots of water, wear comfortable boots suitable for steep muddy slopes, light rain jacket as Bwindi National Park has unpredictable weather. Walking sticks will be offered to those who need them at the park headquarters or at the lodge. You will trek through the steep, densely forested hills assisted by optional hired porters and guides then finally you will come across the gorilla’s family camouflaged in the vegetation something which is really inspiring and privileged moment. The forest also hosts five other species of primates, 113 species of mammals, over 200 species of butterflies and 360 species of birds.Upon sighting the gorillas, you will spend one hour with them as they go about their daily life; feeding, moving, playing, raising their young, and sometimes wrestling by the juveniles – it is a totally unique and unforgettable experience! Later you will descend back to the starting point where you will have your picnic lunch and be rewarded with a graduation certificate, thereafter and you will be transferred/walk back lodge for an afternoon at leisure or visit Ride 4 a woman.

Accommodation: Mahogany Springs / GFC
Meal plan: All meals

Day 4: Return to Entebbe
Today after early breakfast, you will be transferred to the airstrip, making sure you check in 1 hour before departure time. Your flight back to Entebbe normally takes 2.5 hours, but could take longer when Aerolink has more pick-ups on the way than planned,

You will be transferred to protea hotel for Lunch and overnight then afternoon you will go for the Shoebill Mabamba excursion.

Overview

The Shoebill Stork Balaeniceps Rex is one of Africa’s most Sought-after bird. The prehistoric dinosaur-looking bird is named after its large bill that looks like a shoe, with a hook at the end of its beak. This large bird usually stands up to 4.5 meters in height and with a wingspan of 8 meters is surely sight to behold. Its solitary in nature and can be usually seen in its swampy habitat, standing patiently searching for lung fish. The bird is listed as Vulnerable as they are less than 5000 adults left in the world. This is due to environment degradation and encroachment of the swamps by humans interested in farming. Getting to see this amazing species in the wild is one of the Must-not miss birding activity we run in Uganda.

Departure Time from Kihihi: 9.45 am
Arrival Time at Entebbe: 11.25 am

Accommodation: Protea Hotel by Marriott.
Meal plan: All meals

Day 5:  Entebbe to Back home

Today after early breakfast, you will be transferred to the Entebbe international Airport, making sure you check in 3 hours before departure time, so from here you will fly back to USA.

FOR GORILLA TREKKING

Note: Bwindi area is located at 1,160 – 2,607 meters above sea level and is chilly early morning and evening. While trekking, it can rain unexpectedly, hence waterproof clothing is a good essential including zip lock bags for cameras and film. You will also need boots that can cope with some mud.

WHAT TO BRING FOR TREKKING

1. Face mask as per COVID 19 rules
2. Long trousers.
3.      Long-sleeved shirts.
4. Socks you can tuck them
5. Comfortable hiking boots.
6. Aback pack to carry your things.
7. Camera with enough memory and fully charged.
8. Some Money for tipping the porters and the guides.
9. walking stick though you can get one from the lodge where you are staying
10.  Energy snacks, water, and a packed lunch, you will be given from the lodge.
11.  You need Rain gear, a Safari hat, Garden gloves, and some people carry along Gaiters.
12. You need to hire a porter; they are waiting at the trekking starting point.

TREKKING RULES

1. Keep your voice low.
2. Don’t litter the forest.
3. Don’t touch the Gorillas.
4. Flash photography is not allowed.
5. One hour is allowed to view the Gorillas.
6. One group is trekked by a maximum of eight guests per day.
7. If a Gorilla charges, don’t run away shouting, please stay calm.
8. During this time of Covid, you are required to wear a face Mask
9. Eating, drinking, or smoking is not allowed when you are near Gorillas
10. Book early in advance because there is high completion of Gorilla permits.
11. In case you need to use the toilet, please consult your trekking guide, he has a solution for you.
12. Once you meet the Gorillas keep a distance of 32 feet, though once in a while the Gorillas might come closer to you.

                     END OF SAFARI