Fly-In Gorilla Tracking Safari in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Uganda
Bwindi
National Park, located in south western Uganda on the edge of the Great
Rift Valley, is considered the most diverse forest in Uganda. The area,
one of the few large expanses of forest in East Africa, where lowland
and mountain habitats meet, contains a dense ground cover of herbs,
vines, and shrubs. Home to over 120 mammals, 345 species of birds, 200
species of butterflies, and 160 species of trees, Bwindi is one of the
richest ecosystems in East Africa. The park contains almost one half of
the world’s population of the endangered Mountain Gorilla, making it an
extremely valuable conservation site. Bwindi is also home to several
endangered bird species with very limited ranges, and acts as an
important catchment area for many rivers, supplying water for
agriculture in the surrounding region.
Day 1: Transfer to Bwindi
Fly
on a scheduled (daily) flight to Kihihi Airstrip. Upon arrival at
Kihihi, you’ll be met by a Hotel representative and driven to Crested
Crane Bwindi Hotel. Check in at the Hotel 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 or
village community walk for a first introduction with Uganda’s unique
flora and fauna.
Forest Walk (Optional)
Embark
on a walk through tropical rainforest with experienced guides. Enjoy
scenic views, visit the falls, the sights and sounds of the rain forest,
ample opportunities for bird watching and glimpses of the many monkey
species as they move through the forest canopy.
Village Community Walk (Optional)
Embark
on a community walk through the local villages surrounding Bwindi
Impenetrable Forest. Optional activities include visits to a traditional
home, local orphanage or school, banana brewing demonstrations and even
meeting traditional medicinal healers. This three to four hour walk is
easily tailored to your individual schedule and interests.
Overnight and Dinner at Crested Crane Bwindi Hotel
Please let us know at the time of booking if you would like to participate in one of these activities.
Day 2: Gorilla Tracking – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Following breakfast at the lodge, get your
gorilla tracking
attire on, pick packed lunch, water and transfer to the park offices.
You’ll convene with the rest of the travellers for gorilla trekking
briefing and allocation of the gorilla families.
After
briefing, you’ll transfer to the starting point and head into the
forest to track your habituated gorilla group. En route to the gorillas,
your guide will point out signs of previous gorilla activity, including
dung, nests and chewed bamboo shoots. Your gorilla tracking will be an
exciting journey along forested slopes, entwined vines, bushes and
bamboo before you eventually reach the gorilla family.
The time
taken to track the gorillas can be as few as 2 hours to as many as 8
hours. Once the gorillas have been located, your group will be allowed a
maximum of one hour with them. Coming face-to-face with a mountain
gorilla is a truly humbling and emotional experience. This is a
fantastic and privileged opportunity to get up close and personal with
Uganda’s Mountain Gorillas.
Dinner and Overnight at Crested Crane Bwindi Hotel
Note: It is possible to include an additional day in Buhoma on this itinerary
with an option to experience a second gorilla trek. This makes the
itinerary a 4-day fly-in safari. Please request this option on our web
inquiry form.
Day 3: ReturnTo Entebbe
After breakfast, you’ll transfer to Kihihi for your return flight to Entebbe.
End of our services.
If
you plan to spend additional time in Uganda, this safari can be
tailored to your wishes to include some of the many activities available
in Entebbe and throughout Uganda.
You
could visit Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary or the Uganda Wildlife
Education Centre; Take a short trip to Jinja – the Adventure of East
Africa offering grade 5 white water rafting, quad biking and bungee
jumping!
Contact us today to book this Fly-in Gorilla Safari via info@travel256.com or call our travel reservation team on +256701367970.
