Gorilla Express
$4520
per person
Gorillas, gorillas and abundant wildlife. This safari is aimed at those who are a short on time, but keen to see some game as well as gorillas on their safari.
You will have ample time to trek endangered mountain gorillas twice, as well as enjoy abundant game viewing in Queen Elizabeth National park. On this
hosted FLY IN safari we include domestic flights to save those long journeys by vehicle. Luxury accommodation, friendly hosts, professional guides and custom made safari vehicles promise to make this the trip of a lifetime. Aside from incredible gorillas and game, Uganda boasts some of the top bird watching in Africa, with over 1000 different species including the remarkable grey crowned crane and a host of endemic forest birds.
INCLUDES:
Meet & greet services,
Airport transfers to/from Entebbe airport,
Domestic flights from EBB-KIHIHI return,
Accommodation in top quality hotels / lodges,
Park fees QENP,
Meals on safari as shown above,
Bottled water.
Hosted throughout by a representative.
Ishasha Community visit included.
Community fee donation Ishasha & Buhoma.
Flight value approx. USD500.
*Note Buhoma Lodge & Ishasha Wilderness Camp include local drinks, should a different lodge be used instead, the rate would NOT include drinks.
EXCLUDES:
Visas
Drinks not mentioned above
Tips
Personal travel insurance and items of a personal nature.
Gorilla permits currently USD600 per person per trek.
Optional excursions as listed.
Note: Should gorilla permits be booked at Ruhija, there is an additional shared vehicle transfer fee of USD 140 /vehicle return.
+ $795 / single supplement
-
Destination
-
Departure
Entebbe/Entebbe -
Return Time
1900 +/- -
Dress Code
Neat Casual -
Included
AccommodationAirfare/taxesAll TransportBottled waterDeparture TransferEntry FeesGroup EquipmentInclusions as per ItineraryMost mealsProfessional GuideTaxes -
Not Included
Alcohol & soft drinksArrival TransferItems of a personal nature ie Laundry/telephoneOptional excursionsPermitsTipsTravel InsuranceVisas
Our gallery
1
Day 1: Arrive Entebbe
On arrival at Entebbe International Airport you will be met by our representative and transferred to
Hotel No.5 Set in the shores of Lake Victoria, Entebbe is a small town that is easy to explore on foot
or local boda bodas (motor bike taxis).
Explore the markets, hunt for souvenirs or crafts, meander through the Botanical Gardens or relax with a boat cruise on Lake Victoria. You’ll find a wide variety of restaurants, bars and clubs where you can sample the local beer, catch a game of football and meet the friendly locals.
Overnight at Hotel No.5 or similar, with breakfast included.
2
Day 2: Entebbe - Kihihi - Bwindi
This morning’s flight on a light aircraft to Kihihi airstrip takes just over an hour. Transfer through local
villages and along mountain roads to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a World Heritage site (a drive of +
-90 mins). Considered the most diverse forest in Uganda, Bwindi is one of the richest ecosystems
in East Africa and home to over 120 mammals, 345 species of birds, 200 species of butterflies and 160 species of trees.
The park contains an estimated one half of the world’s population of the endangered Mountain Gorilla, making it an extremely valuable conservation site. Set within the National Park and just steps away from the Gorilla Trekking headquarters, Buhoma Lodge offers cosy accommodation in wooden chalets with
uninterrupted views of the pristine rain forest canopy. Renowned for its warm welcome and attentive service, Buhoma is an eco friendly lodge operating on solar power, and has been constructed using sustainable local materials. Each of the ten wooden chalets has a private verandah and enormous windows, giving spectacular views. Awaken to chattering forest birds, and watch out for the occasional mountain gorilla that has ventured right in to visit the lodge.
Overnight at Buhoma Lodge with all meals and local drinks included
3
Day 3 : Gorilla Tracking
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Few words can describe the thrill of today’s lifetime experience! Coming face to face with mountain gorillas is a rare wildlife encounter that is exhilarating, humbling and enthralling. Experienced guides and trackers will accompany your party on an early morning trek into the dense rain forest on the steep mountain slopes.
Please note that gorilla tracking is strenuous with treks ranging from 45mins up to eight hours, at high altitudes in hot African conditions.
The thrill of the hour you spend quietly observing these gentle giants once you find them is so worth the trek to get there! Although mountain gorillas are wild animals and sightings cannot be guaranteed, viewing success rates are over 95%. Head back to Buhoma Lodge for a complimentary massage after your trek, or explore the surrounding Bwindi community.
Overnight at Buhoma Lodge with all meals and local drinks included
Please note that days 3 and 4 are interchangeable depending on when we can secure gorilla permits
4
Day 4: Bwindi - Free Day
Those with additional pre-purchased permits will depart for a second gorilla tracking experience.
Guests not tracking have the day free to explore the Bwindi area –optional activities include forest walks, a visit to a local school/orphanage/hospital or Batwa pygmy village, and some local curio shopping.
Overnight at Buhoma Lodge with all meals and local drinks included
5
Day 5: Bwindi - Queen Elizabeth NP
Depart Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park this morning and travel to Ishasha in the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park (a 2-3 hour drive), with a brief stop enroute at a community project near Ishasha Village. Located in the western arm of the Great Rift Valley, the park is home to a wide variety of wildlife including elephants, leopard, lions, hippos, buffalo, Uganda kob, baboon, and many species of birds.
With both a riverine and savannah habitat, the southern Ishasha area includes the massive Maramagambo, one of the largest surviving natural forests in Uganda, and is home to the tree climbing lions typically found in the area. Afternoon game drives will be enjoyed in the Ishasha area, looking for the huge herds of buffalo, elephant, Uganda kob and of course the famous tree-climbing lion typically found in the area.
Overnight at Ishasha Wilderness Camp including all meals and local drinks
6
Day 6: Bwindi - Entebbe End of Safari
Transfer to the airstrip for your return flight to Entebbe. Please do not book an international flight out of
Entebbe before 19h00 in case of delays. End of services.
*Please note: The flight EBB-KIHIHI-EBB has been included in above price. TOTAL BAGGAGE WEIGHT LIMIT is 15kg in soft bags. XL seats may be organised, but there is a surcharge. Please check at time of booking whether the flight price has increased which will be beyond our control, and a small surcharge may be applicable. Additional accommodation and day tours/excursions may be booked on request.
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS:
Yellow fever inoculation is compulsory & malaria prophylactics are recommended.
For gorilla trekking it is imperative that you are healthy and free of any disease or virus –officials do have the right to refuse entry
if you are found to have or show any signs of communicable illnesses. Should you opt to spend time participating in any
UWEC Wildlife Integration programme, you may require additional inoculations and health clearances.
VISA REQUIREMENTS:
Most nationalities require a visa to enter Uganda. All visitors who require a visa should apply through the online application system prior to arrival at https://visas.immigration.go.ug. Cost is USD 50,single entry. Passports must be valid for a minimum of 6 months after return date of travel,and have at least 3 blank pages in it.The newly established EAC Visa allows entry into
Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya for one fee of USD100 –handy if you are visiting all three regions.
TRAVEL INSURANCE:
Is compulsory for all guests travelling.
Upcoming Travel Dates
-
-
- 20 September 2019
- 27 September 2019
- 18 October 2019
- 25 October 2019
- 08 November 2019
- 20 December 2019
-