Safari Highlights: Gorilla Tracking & Birding In Bwindi, Batwa Experience
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park boasts of 90 mammal species, the famous mountain gorillas, a range of primates, as well as 23 Albertine Rift endemic bird species, including the African Green Broadbill, the Bar Tailed Trogon etc.
Day One: Kampala – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Travel Time: Approx. 8 hours
After breakfast, your guide will pick you from Kampala and drive you to Bwindi impenetrable national park. The ancient rainforest of Bwindi spans 321 sq. km and boasts 90 mammal species, the famous mountain gorillas, a range of primates, as well as 23 Albertine Rift endemic bird species, including the African Green Broadbill, the Bar Tailed Trogon etc.
You will stop en route to look at the Royal Drum makers, see the Equator where you can stand in both hemispheres simultaneously. From there you continue through the terraced hillsides of Uganda arriving to Bwindi in the evening in time for dinner.
Accommodation options:
Northern Bwindi
Luxury: Gorilla Forest Camp or Mahogany Springs
Medium: Engagi Lodge or Heaven Lodge
Budget: Buhoma Community Rest Camp
Southern Bwindi
Luxury: Clouds lodge
Medium: Rushaga gorilla Camp
Budget: Gorilla Valley Lodge
Day Two: Gorilla tracking
The next morning you set off for gorilla trekking. Hiking through the thick, verdant, rainforest to eventually come across the gorillas in their natural habitat, is an amazing and unforgettable experience. Actual trek times can vary; these are wild animals after all. If time permits there are a diverse range of activities which are unique to Bwindi which you can participate in during the afternoon.
Optional Activities:
Batwa Trail: During this moving tour, the Batwa demonstrate hunting techniques; gather honey; point out medicinal plants and demonstrate how to make bamboo cups. Guests are then invited to the sacred Ngarama Cave, once home to the Batwa King to be entertained by traditional music and dance.
Village Walk: Overlooking the imposing hillsides of Bwindi Impenetrable forest, with the mist swirling over the summits, this is one of the most dramatic settings for your cultural tour! Among others, meet a traditional healer, who not only treats the sick, but uses his knowledge to conserve and educate about the various medicinal plants.
Bwindi Community Hospital: Started by a Canadian doctor BCH revolutionized health care for the Batwa and the Bwindi community. This free hospital tour provides insight into the region and issues that the local community member’s face.
Waterfall Walk: Walk along the Congolese border and Bwindi to see the magnificent waterfalls and the incredible scenery.
Day Three: Bwindi – Kampala
Depart Bwindi early in the morning to catch your return flight home in either Entebbe or Kigali.
Cost inclusions:
- All Meals and accommodation as per the itinerary.
- All ground transportation in a comfortable 4×4 vehicle.
Park entrance fees. - Services of a full time English speaking driver/guide.
- Water while on safari.
- All airport pick-ups and drops.
- All activities at stipulated in the itinerary.
- And all government taxes/levies.
Costs Excluded
- Gorilla permit $700, optional activities or forest walks
- Phone calls and bar bills
- Personal insurance
- Laundry
- Air fare
- All other Services of a personal nature.
- Driver guide’s gratuity.
Important:
Gorilla tracking is dependant on the permits availability at the time of your booking. Gorilla permits in all parks are on a very high demand and we advise that you book them as early as possible.With the current Covid19 pandemic, travelers should come with a negative test certificate done at least 72 hours to arrival. We continue to follow all the Ministry of Health / World Health Organisation Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) throughout the safari period.