Simply Uganda Gorillas and Game

Depart from London Heathrow to Entebbe on an overnight flight via Nairobi

On arrival in Entebbe airport, your professional driver-guide will welcome you. You will be transferred to Boma Hotel where you stay overnight with breakfast included. Ask us for details about possible optional excursions for the afternoon, depending on your interests. (One which we recommend, is a dugout excursion into Mabamba Swamp to seek the prehistoric-looking Shoebill and other aquatic birds).

You will be transferred to the airport for the two hour light aircraft flight to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. (This saves a 10 hour drive). On arrival at the airstrip you will be met and transferred by 4WD vehicle to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Stay for 3 nights at Buhoma Lodge in a spacious en suite cottage with all meals included. Even in the grounds of the lodge, some stunning birds such as the Ross's turacou (pictured) may be spotted - this species has been known to nest around the lodge.

The lodge is a mere five minute walk to the gorilla trekking centre. After breakfast you will be escorted to the National Parks headquarters to meet your guides for your gorilla trekking experience. An early morning trek into the forest on the slopes of the volcanoes, led by experienced trackers will bring you amongst a family of Mountain Gorillas. These massive primates are extremely rare, only approximately 800 in the wild. Trekking may be fairly strenuous; up to six hours or longer is not uncommon – at relatively high altitude. Mountain Gorillas are wild animals, as such sightings cannot be guaranteed, however the success rate is well over 90%. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is located in South-western Uganda, covering parts of Rukungiri, Kisoro, and Kabale Districts. It is situated in a hilly countryside, which, together with some remnant lowland forest outside the boundary, constitutes an important water catchment area for many rivers, supplying the agricultural land of the surrounding region. This is the richest forest in Uganda, in terms of the number of plant species, as the area is one of the few large expanses of forest in East Africa where lowland and montane communities merge. The valley bottoms contain a dense ground cover of herbs, vines, and shrubs with only a few trees hence its name, the impenetrable forest. This is one of the richest faunal communities in East Africa. There exists about one half of the world’s population of the endangered mountain gorillas.

Today you will have the opportunity of an optional second gorilla trek or choose to admire the views from this beautifully located lodge in the rain forest. The lodge has various activities to offer such as a forest walk or a community walk. During forest walks, look out for resident monkey species including the large Blue monkey. (pictured)

Today is your optional second gorilla trek, or alternatively you could go on a birding walk through the forest, visit the local Batwa Pygmy community. This afternoon you will be transferred to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park which will take about 2-3 hours for an overnight stay at Ishasha Wilderness Camp with all your meals, park fees and game drives included.

Today you will spend the morning and afternoon out on game drives in search of the famous tree climbing lions found in this part of the park. Stopping for lunch back at the lodge.

Today you continue about 3 - 4 hours north into the Mweya sector of the national park for 2 nights at Mweya Lodge. A full day of game viewing in search of the more elusive animals you may have missed the day before. You will also be taken on a launch cruise on the Kazinga Channel, well known for its wildlife and aquatic bird life.

This morning you will be transferred by road to Kasese airstrip for the mid-morning light aircraft to Entebbe international Airport. Check in for the mid afternoon flight back to London Heathrow via Nairobi.

Arrive back in London.