The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, located in southwestern Uganda on the eastern edge of the Albertine Rift Valley, is one of the most biologically diverse areas on Earth.
Half of the world’s population of highly endangered mountain gorillas live within its borders. The forest has been recognized by Unesco as a World Heritage Site for its biological significance.
The majestic forest houses 120 mammal species, 220 butterfly species, 27 frog species, and 350 bird species, of which 23 are endemic to the Albertine Rift and at least 14 are found nowhere else in Uganda. Included among the mammals are forest elephants and yellow-backed duikers. While mountain gorillas are the most notable of the forest’s primates, other residents include chimpanzees, blue monkeys, l’Hoest’s monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, and black-and-white colobus monkeys.
The forest’s birds include the great blue turaco, black-billed turaco, black bee-eater, African green broadbill, handsome francolin, African black duck, and Cassin’s grey flycatcher.
Meet your driver/guide at your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala at 6 a.m. Undergo your safari briefing. Get on board to begin the journey to the wilderness. Our first pitstop will be at the Equator Point where you will participate in the ‘water demonstration’ routine and take pictures. After the brief stop, we will continue with the journey and break for lunch in Mbarara Town. After lunch, we will proceed through snaking routes of the popular Kigezi Highlands also known as “Switzerland of Africa” towards Bwindi. As you access Bwindi Forest, you will savor the freshness of the forest-breeze and marvel at the jaw-dropping Kigezi hills that literally touch the sky. You will check-in at your reserved lodging facility for dinner and bed.
Activity duration may vary
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
The day you have been waiting for this whole time is finally here. As dawn reveals the full beauty of the forest at your accommodation, you ought to wake up for an early breakfast. There is no time to waste. Pack your lunch and attend a briefing by the head-ranger. Get hold of your walking stick and rally behind your allocated ranger/guide and follow the path of evolution as you track one of man’s closest relatives. Bwindi Forest is a unique and dramatic forest that supports abundant wildlife. The highlight above all is the gentle-great apes. Follow rules and regulations as the guide leads the way to the gorilla sanctuary. Once you get to where the gorillas are, keep calm and watch them play, feed, and swing from one tree branch to another. In the kingdom of the Mt. Gorillas, avoid camera flash; don’t get too close (keep at least 7 meters away) and don’t make unnecessary noise. By this time, your guide has briefed you on the different sounds and gestures to employ while in the company of these gentle giants.
The maximum time allowed with a mountain gorilla family is strictly One Hour, after which the ranger shall lead you back to the base. Upon return, you will receive your tracking certificate. It is one of the most legit safari certifications as you will not only have seen an animal that sparks man’s imagination like no other but the whole activity is physically demanding – something worth a celebration at the end.
With your certificate in hand and a souvenir – if you choose to buy one – return to your lodging facility with the great memories of the time spent with the great apes.
Activity duration may vary
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Time to say adios. After breakfast, bid farewell and join your driver guide on a long-picturesque drive with a break for lunch en-route back to Kampala or Entebbe.
END OF SERVICE
Activity duration may vary
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
SAFARI MINIBUS
Group Size |
1 PAX |
2 PAX |
3 PAX |
4 PAX |
5 PAX |
6 PAX |
SRS |
Lodge |
$2580.00 |
$2040.00pp |
$1920.00pp |
$1860.00pp |
$1820.00pp |
$1800.00pp |
$180.00 |
Mid |
$2350.00 |
$1790.00pp |
$1670.00pp |
$1610.00pp |
$1570.00pp |
$1550.00pp |
$200.00 |
Budget |
$1940.00 |
$1530.00pp |
$1410.00pp |
$1350.00pp |
$1310.00pp |
$1290.00pp |
$60.00 |
LAND CRUISER
Group Size |
One Person |
Two Persons |
Three Persons |
Four Persons |
Five Persons |
Six Persons |
SRS |
Lodge |
$3000.00 |
$2250.00pp |
$2060.00pp |
$1960.00pp |
$1910.00pp |
$1870.00pp |
$180.00 |
Mid |
$2780.00 |
$2000.00pp |
$1810.00pp |
$1710.00pp |
$1660.00pp |
$1620.00pp |
$200.00 |
Budget |
$2360.00 |
$1740.00pp |
$1550.00pp |
$1450.00pp |
$1400.00pp |
$1360.00pp |
$60.00 |
Accommodation:
Lodge – Buhoma Lodge or similar
Meal Plan: Full board
Mid – Silverback Lodge or similar
Meal Plan: Full board
Budget – Buhoma Community Camp or similar
Meal Plan: Full board
Road transport throughout the trip.
A gorilla tracking permit.
Meals and per the choice of lodging category.
English-speaking driver/guide.
A liter of bottled water per day.
Accommodation in Bwindi as per your preferred lodging category.
Visas/Entry Permit for Uganda if required.
Pre & Post Tour Accommodation in Kampala or Entebbe
Personal Insurance Covers.
Tips, Beverages, and Souvenirs
All items of personal nature
Please note that gorilla tracking is a strenuous activity and one should be physically fit to enjoy this tour. Minimum tracking age is 15 years (exceptions can be made if the child is 14, approaching 15 and has expressed maturity and physical strength to track the mountain gorillas). Anyone with signs of communicable diseases will NOT be allowed to track.
While possession of a gorilla permit is a guarantee of tracking and sighting the gorillas, the quality of the gorilla tracking cannot be guaranteed. Maximum time allowed with the gorillas will NOT exceed ONE hour.
We strongly recommend that you bring the following: Rain poncho (lightweight), long-sleeved shirt, waterproof trousers, sturdy hiking boots, leather gardening-type gloves, sunscreen, insect repellent and any necessary medications. Still Cameras and Video Cameras are allowed.
SAFARI REQUIREMENTS:
Warm and light clothes
Sunscreen
Insect repellent
Some cash to cover personal expenses like soft and alcoholic drinks
Walking/hiking shoes
You may carry cameras and binoculars if you possess them.
Enough dose for those who may be on medication.
An extra pair of glasses for those with eye defects.
Sunglasses and hat/cap.
Basic personal items in general.
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