Gorillas Luxury Fly In Private Safari

Tour Highlights: 

• Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
• Gorilla trekking, 2nd day optional

Day 1

Early morning collection from your Entebbe hotel for your flight on a light aircraft to Kihihi airstrip which takes just over an hour. Transfer through local villages and along mountain roads to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a World Heritage site (a drive of +- 90 mins).

Considered the most diverse forest in Uganda, Bwindi is one of the richest ecosystems in East Africa and home to over 120 mammals, 345 species of birds, 200 species of butterflies and 160 species of trees. The park contains an estimated one half of the world’s population of endangered Mountain Gorilla, making it an extremely valuable conservation site.  

Set within the National Park and just steps away from the Gorilla Trekking headquarters, Buhoma Lodge offers cosy accommodation in wooden chalets with uninterrupted views of the pristine rain forest canopy. Renowned for its warm welcome and attentive service, Buhoma is an eco friendly lodge operating on solar power, and constructed from sustainable local materials. Each of the ten chalets boasts a private verandah and enormous windows, giving magical forest views.

Overnight at Buhoma Lodge with all meals and local drinks included   www.ugandaexclusivecamps.com

Day 2 

Gorilla Tracking – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Few words can describe the thrill of today’s lifetime experience! Coming face to face with mountain gorillas is a rare wildlife encounter that is exhilarating, humbling and enthralling. Experienced guides and trackers will accompany your party on an early morning trek into the dense rain forest on the steep mountain slopes.  Please note that gorilla tracking is strenuous with treks ranging from 45 mins up to eight hours, at high altitudes in hot African conditions. The thrill of the hour you spend quietly observing these gentle giants once you find them is so worth the trek to get there! Although mountain gorillas are wild animals and sightings cannot be guaranteed, viewing success rates are over 95%.    

Head back to Buhoma Lodge for a complimentary massage after your trek, or explore the surrounding Bwindi community.

Overnight at Buhoma Lodge with all meals and local drinks included  

* Please note that days 2 and 3 are interchangeable depending on when we can secure gorilla permits *

Day 3

Those with additional pre-purchased permits will depart for a second gorilla tracking experience. Guests not tracking have the day free to explore the Bwindi area – optional activities include forest walks, a visit to a local school/orphanage/hospital or Batwa pygmy village, and some local curio shopping.

Overnight at Buhoma Lodge with all meals and local drinks included  

Day 4 

Transfer to the airstrip for your return flight Kihihi to Entebbe. Continue onto the International Airport for your return flight home, or local hotel for overnight.

End of services

Package Includes:

• Meet & greet service
• Return airport transfers
• Flight Entebbe – Kihihi – Entebbe
• Transfer from airstrip to Buhoma / and return to Kihihi
• 3 nights accommodation at Buhoma Lodge including all meals and local drinks (not premium brands)
• Transfer as required for gorilla trekking point*
• Comprehensive passenger / public liability insurance

*Note:  If trekking at RUHIJA there is an additional transfer cost to be paid, this will be discussed at the time of booking. Baggage allowance on internal flights is 15kg.

Package Excludes:

• Gorilla Permit USD 600 per person (USD 700 from July 2020)
• All international flights and airport taxes
• Personal expenses such as porters, drinks, tips, visas and travel insurance
• Services/activities/meals not included above

Please note – two gorilla trekking options are available on this itinerary. Please specify your permit requirements at time of booking.

GORILLA TREKKING AREAS & PERMIT ALLOCATIONS

On our scheduled departures, we typically buy permits for Buhoma & Ruhija, which are accessible from Buhoma area.  One of the Buhoma families, and the Ruhija families, require a road transfer to the start point.  This does not deviate from the enjoyment of the trek (and could be considered as enhancing your trip as you are seeing a different part of the region).  Furthermore, your permit may be organised for day 3, or 4, of your safari.  It will depend on availability at the time of purchase.

OPTIONAL EXTRAS:

POPULAR TRIP EXTENSIONS:

MURCHISON FALLS: River Nile, game drives, chimpanzee trekking, fishing, bird-watching.  Suggested add on 3-4 nights.

KIBALE: Chimpanzees and other primates, forest walks, crater lakes.  Suggested add on 2 nights.

JINJA: Source of the Nile, adventure activities including white water rafting, bungi jumping, quad biking. Suggested add on 2-3 nights.

ENTEBBE: City life and local craft shopping, boat cruises or fishing on Lake Victoria, Botanical Gardens, Uganda Wild Life Education Centre/ Ngamba Island.

We offer 6, 8 and 10 day small group, set departures as well as combination Uganda/Rwanda trips. We are also experts at designing your own tailor made trip to meet your exact personal interests.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS: 

Yellow fever inoculation is compulsory & malaria prophylactics are recommended. For gorilla trekking it is imperative that you are healthy and free of any disease or virus – officials do have the right to refuse entry if you are found to have or show any signs of communicable illnesses.  Should you opt to spend time participating in any UWEC Wildlife Integration programme, you may require additional inoculations and health clearances. 

VISA REQUIREMENTS: 

Most nationalities require a visa to enter Uganda. All visitors who require a visa should apply through the online application system prior to arrival at https://visas.immigration.go.ug.  Cost is USD 50,single entry.  Passports must be valid for a minimum of 6 months after return date of travel, or 12 months in the case of UK nationals, and have at least 3 blank pages in it.  The newly established EAC Visa allows entry into Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya for one fee of USD100 – handy if you are visiting all three regions.

TRAVEL INSURANCE: Is compulsory for all guests travelling with Wild Frontiers.