4-Night Gorilla Madness Safari

Day 2: Batwa Experience

You will be transferred back to Entebbe airport in time for your 7:00 am flight for Kisoro Airport. you will fly in a small plane over scenic Uganda, and take in the aerial views of lake Victoria and the spectacular hilly landscapes below. This is one of Africa’s most scenic flights. The duration of the flight is approx. 1hr 15 mins and takes place in a Cessna grand Caravan. Your personal driver will meet you upon arrival at the small Kisoro Airport where he will transfer you by road to Gorilla Safari lodge.

Leaving Kisoro Airport you will enjoy a 2–3 hour adventurous road transfer to Gorilla Safari Lodge, which is located on the edge of the verdant Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

Meander your way past hilly tea plantations, muddy roads fringed by banana trees, coffee plantations and carpets of lush greenery smothering vast tropical landscapes. Dotted across the region you’ll stumble across small villages, reed huts and friendly locals. Expect awe-inspiring views of misty horizons hovering over pristine crater lakes as you head up into the hills. Your driver will stop en route so that you can take in the views. Feel free to ask him questions about the area.

Uganda certainly lives up to its reputation as being the “Pearl of Africa” and this drive introduces you to the remote, untouched beauty of this country. After an eye-opening journey into paradise, you will find yourself at the jungle-style entrance of Gorilla Safari lodge – a warm and welcoming haven on the fringe of the jungle forest.

Settle in, enjoy lunch and take in the atmosphere before heading out on your afternoon activity.

Afternoon Activity: Batwa experience

This is a unique experience that goes hand-in-hand with getting to know the history and culture of the Bwindi Forest. The Batwa Pygmy group were the original keepers and guardians of the tropical rainforest. When the forest was declared a national heritage site, and gazetted, the Batwa were expelled from the forest.

This group used to harness honey, use plants for medicinal purposes, and hunt forest animals using spears. They now live on the outskirts of the forest and mix with local communities. They survive on contributions from tourists, and from selling their local wares. Get to know their history, enjoy a few demonstrations, and watch their traditional dances. While en route to the Batwa people you will have the opportunity to shop for local curios.

Return to the lodge for Dinner

Enjoy dinner and discuss the procedure for the next day.

Day 3: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi

Today is the day you will enjoy a gorilla trekking experience. you can choose the degree of difficulty when it comes to trekking. You need pre-arrange your trekking time. there are two slots – morning and afternoon.

• Get up early, have a full breakfast and amazing Ugandan coffee. You will walk the short 8-minute walk to the starting point for the briefing with the rangers and porters.
• At the briefing point, you be assigned to a Gorilla family and a ranger to lead your group for the trek. You have the option of employing a porter to carry your gear (advisable) Porters have walked in excess of 3 hours to the briefing point in the hopes of being selected to accompany you on your trek.
  by supporting them, you are also supporting the local communities.
• A packed lunch is provided. You will stop en route to enjoy your lunch.

Return to the lodge for some downtime. treat yourself to a gin and tonic, share stories about your gorilla experience and then have dinner.

Day 4: Gorilla Habituation

You’ve spent hours with a particular gorilla family, trekked through the jungle and have knowledge of the terrain. it’s now time to become acquainted with the truly wild mountain gorillas of Bwindi. these massive primates and giant silverbacks dwell high-up on the slopes of the volcanoes in the jungle, and rarely come into contact with humans.

The habituation trek involves joining researchers on a hike to visit the identified wild Gorilla groups. The idea is to for the gorillas to get used to the presence of humans, and identify our presence as non-threatening.

You will be briefed about your gorilla trekking adventure at the starting point (same as for the gorilla trekking) after which you will be led by experienced gorilla trackers on the slopes of the jungle laden volcanoes of Bwindi.

About the Gorilla Habituation:

The Gorilla Experience means spending all day on a trek in the forest which includes 4 hours with a gorilla family. It is only available in Uganda (Rushaga) where our lodge is located. This is an intimate, one of a kind, experience where you are with researchers, trackers, rangers, conservationist, all part of getting a gorilla family used to human presence, a process which takes ± 2-3 years.

Day 5: Last Day

Wake up early and enjoy a full breakfast before departing by via road for Kisoro airport. Fly from Kisoro to Entebbe. Land at Entebbe before your international flight, check in and depart Entebbe.