4 DAY FLY-IN GORILLA HABITUATION SAFARI BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK
Of the over 800 mountain gorillas worldwide, Bwindi National Park is home to almost half of the gorilla population. There is no better place for observing these gentle giants from a close distance than Bwindi Impenetrable National Park! Thanks to the wildlife conservation program, the number of gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest only has increased from 300 to 400 in recent years, which include nine different families that are habituated for tourism purposes. Apart from the famous residents, the dense forest hosts nine other primates.
Trip Highlights
This tour starts and ends in Entebbe
DAY 1: ARRIVAL AT ENTEBBE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO the hotel for relaxation
DAY 2: ENTEBBE TO BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK
DAY 3: GORILLA TRACKING IN BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK
DAY 4: BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK – ENTEBBE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – DEPARTURE
TOUR ITINERARY
DAY 1: ARRIVAL AT ENTEBBE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO the hotel for relaxation
Welcome to the Pearl of Africa! Arrive at Entebbe Airport, where you will be welcomed and transferred to your hotel
DAY 2: fly from ENTEBBE TO BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK
After an early breakfast transfer to Entebbe International Airport for a domestic flight to Western Uganda, departing at 07.00. to Kihihi Airstrip (expected arrival at 08.10 / 08.55 hr.), you will be transferred by road in about two hours (34 km) to the home of the endangered mountain gorillas. Check-in at the lodge and enjoy a delicious lunch. In the afternoon you will have the opportunity to relax and prepare yourself for the next day. Or go for an optional (guided) forest walk for the first introduction to Uganda’s unique flora and fauna.
DAY 3: GORILLA TRACKING IN BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK
Arise early today and prepare for the highlight of your safari, a Gorilla habituation experience. The first of its kind in the world, spend 4 hours with the gorillas to see how they are habituated.
Following early morning breakfast, transfer to the national park offices, where you will be allocated a gorilla family in groups of 8, as well as a gorilla tracking guide. After a pre-tracking briefing by your guide touching on the gorillas generally, your assigned gorilla family, as well as appropriate safety precautions, you drive to the trailhead for the start of a thrilling adventure.
Expect to walk between 2 and 8 hours in steep and sometimes muddy conditions with rain overhead, which can be tricky and require a degree of (average) fitness. However, the thrill of coming face to face with a giant Mountain Gorilla silverback ultimately makes up for the effort!
Upon sighting the gorillas, you spend 4 hours with them as they go about their daily life; feeding, moving, playing, raising their young and sometimes wrestling by the juveniles – it is a unique and unforgettable experience!
Afterwards, you hike back to base, where your driver will be waiting to transfer you to the lodge for a deserved shower and dinner at Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge.
DAY 4: BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK – ENTEBBE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – DEPARTURE
Today we will depart the impenetrable forest of Bwindi and head back to Entebbe with the morning flight. At Entebbe International Airport, connect to your international flight. Timings may vary depending on aircraft routing.