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Gorilla and
Wildlife
This
safari starts and ends in Entebbe. It can
also be done from Kigali in Rwanda, or from
Kampala in Uganda [The Bwindi gorilla permit
is included in the safari cost].
Bwindi
Impenetrable Forest National Park is located
in south-western Uganda on the edge of the
western rift valley. It is one of the largest
natural forests in East Africa, with both
montane and lowland forest. About half of
the world's population of mountain gorillas
- about 300 animals - are found in Bwindi.
Three families are habituated at Buhoma
– Mubare, Habinyanja and Rushabura (6 permits
per day are available for each of these
gorilla families); and one family is habituated
at Nkuringo (4 permits per day are available),
making the park accommodate 22 trackers
each day. Tracking commences every morning
from the park headquarters at 0830 hours,
but clients should report to the headquarters
at 0800 hours ready for a detailed briefing
from the guides on gorilla etiquette. Gorilla
tracking is a year-round activity, irrespective
of season. The rain forest is moist, and
it rains very often in Bwindi, even in the
dry season. Porters are available to carry
clients’ belongings (at a charge of between
$3-$10 per porter per day) Bwindi is rich
in other primates, including chimpanzee
and blue monkey. Butterflies are the most
conspicuous of the rich insect fauna of
the park, with more than 200 species. There
is a large variety of trees, dense undergrowth,
an extensive stand of bamboo and a number
of swamps. There are also a number of nature
trails in the park to explore this primeval
African forest - to the waterfall, along
the Rushura trail for some sweeping views
towards Lake Edward and the Rwenzoris; and
to the Mubwindi swamp near Ruhija for some
unusual bird species.
ITINERARY
DAY
1
Arrive at Entebbe International
airport. Meet, greet and transfer to Imperial
Resort Beach Hotel for overnight (BB)
DAY
2
Drive on the southbound road; passing
charming attractions en route: look at royal
drum makers, enjoy the Equator, stop at
the roadside markets to enjoy some fruit
and vegetables. Lunch en route. Continue
to Buhoma in the thick, impenetrable Bwindi
Forest via Kabale. Arrive late afternoon.
[Approximate driving time: 9 hours] O/N:
Bwindi Tented Camp or Buhoma Homestead (FB)
DAY
3
Go gorilla tracking (subject to
availability of gorilla permits at time
of booking), carrying a packed lunch. You
will be accompanied by a guide and porters
who will carry your shoulder pack for you.
You will then set off to the thick forest
in search of gorillas. The terrain can be
difficult, with steep slopes covered in
dense vegetation that gives the park its
name. In addition, the altitude of 5200
feet and more means participants do need
to be physically fit. The time taken to
track the gorillas varies enormously, from
as little as half an hour to as much as
8 hours before one returns to camp. Difficulty,
however, is not impossibility and coming
face to face with the great primates is
well worth it! O/N: Bwindi Tented Camp or
Buhoma Homestead (FB)
DAY
4
Start for Mbarara, enjoying natural
attractions en route. Proceed to Lake
Mburo National Park, Uganda’s most conspicuous
park, with zebra, leopard, hippo, antelope
and many birds. Lunch on arrival. Boat trip
on Lake Mburo. Time permitting, an evening
game drive. [Approximate driving time: 5
hours] O/N: Mantana Mburo Camp (FB)
DAY
5
After breakfast, drive to Kampala
arriving early afternoon and transfer to
Entebbe airport for your flight (HB). [Approximate
driving time: 5 hours]
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