7 Day Gorilla Safari & Mount Sibunyo Climb

DAY 1 : ENTEBBE

On arrival into Entebbe Airport having traveled under your own flight arrangements, please make your way to the arrivals hall where you will be met by your driver who will be holding a paging board with our logo on.

You will be transferred to the hotel for a stay for one night.

In the afternoon (departure from the hotel must be latest 14.30/15.00 hours) you will be taken by road and local canoe to Mabamba Swamp, one of the best places for spotting the rare shoebill storks. Of course some fortune is needed but rarely does one leave the swamp without seeing one! Many other water birds have chosen this area as their home so birding is always very interesting.

Enjoy a relaxing sundowner on Lake Victoria and then return to the Guest House.

Overnight:  PAPYRUS GUEST HOUSE.

DAY 2 : MGAHINGA GORILLA NATIONAL PARK

After an early breakfast, transfer to Entebbe International Airport for the AeroLink flight to Kisoro across central Uganda and offering a view of the country beautiful landscape of mountains, hills, cultivated terraces, tropical rain forest, bamboo forests and the majestic chain of the Virunga Volcanoes.

Upon arrival in Kisoro your driver will meet and transfer you to Mgahinga National Park where you commence the Golden monkey trekking activity.

The walking tour continues with a Trek into the bamboo zone on the lower slopes of the volcanoes to track Golden Monkeys, an endangered species that is only found in this remote part of Africa.

Overnight at MGAHINGA LODGE.

DAY 3 : MGAHINGA GORILLA NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast you will be taken to Mgahinga National Park head quarters for briefing to the start a Volcano climb of Mount Sabinyo which forms part of the Virunga Mountain range. Mt. Sabinyo, at 3,669m, takes around eight hours to cover the 14km round trip, following a steep ridge up to the peak this trek will be conducted in the company of your specialist walking guide and a park ranger.

Mount Sabinyo, known locally as ‘Old Man’s Teeth’ because of its serrated rim, an extinct volcano and at 3645 meters it is one of the region’s highest peaks.  The views are spectacular.

Overnight at MGAHINGA LODGE.

DAY 4 : BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST

After breakfast depart Mgahinga National Park. Transfer to Kisoro town and with your walking safari guide start the. 90 minutes – 4km walk  to Lake Mutanda Sheba’s Camp (or drive 30 minutes to the lake).  You then “settle” in a dugout canoe for 2-3 hours of gentle relaxed cruising across the lake, enjoying the beautiful landscape and searching for otters.

Paddle the canoe yourselves or relax and enjoy the views as your canoe guide propels you through these beautiful waters dwarfed by the towering misty mountains.

After lunch at a restaurant on the lake shores, continuation on foot till Rubuguri (9km – 2/3 hours) where you meet up the vehicle and drive for another 10 km up to the Lodge in Nkuringo (approx 1 hour).   Of course you can also be picked up by the vehicle at the lake and drive all the way up to the Lodge. Guests decide!

Overnight: NKURINGO BWINDI GORILLA LODGE (Private cottage with balcony).

DAY 5 : BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST

Enjoy the wildlife encounter of a lifetime as you trek the majestic Mountain Gorillas.  You will be checked into the trekking HQ by our driver/guide who will ensure you are allocated to an appropriate trekking group.   Each group consists of 8 trekkers plus the ranger, park guard and trackers/porters.  Full guidance on trekking will be issued upon booking.

The beauty of the Bwindi rain forest is spectacular.  The area offers a dramatic, steeply forested landscape and is incredibly dense, but crisscrossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists. The time taken and the terrain vary as per the movements of these great primates. The thrill of spending time observing these gentle and endangered giants is an awesome, exciting experience to be long savored.  Many find it to be a rare and moving opportunity.

Upon return, relax at the lodge and, for those who wish, at 5.00 pm either walk through the community or drive up to the “Top of the World” – the name given to the flat area located high up in Nkuringo which offers amazing views over the peaks and forests around Nkuringo.  A great way to stretch your legs after the gorilla tracking and to enjoy a sundowner with views of 6 volcanoes on a clear day.

Overnight:  NKURINGO BWINDI GORILLA LODGE.

DAY 6 : BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST

This morning after a hearty breakfast, enjoy birding in Nombe Pocket Forest – it was part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and it is still quite impenetrable, however it was cut off from it as people needed more land to live on and cultivate. It can be reached on foot (approx. 1 hour to go and 2 hours to come back) or by vehicle and the visit lasts approx. 2 hours, depending on the interest of guests.

Lunch at the lodge and at 2.00 pm departure to Buniga Forest Trail Walk, an informative project run by USAID and the local Batwa community. The Batwa tribe was forced to leave their home in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in 1991 when it was declared a UNESCO Heritage site for gorillas only. They had been living in the forest as nomadic hunter-gatherers for millennia, in perfect balance with the flora and fauna around. Moving out and suddenly living in communities with a completely different way of life has proven to be a huge challenge. They now survive as best as they can and earn a living explaining their previous life in the forest and their rich heritage.

Your walk also takes you through the community to visit the traditional herbalist and the black smith.

Overnight:  NKURINGO BWINDI GORILLA LODGE.

DAY 7 : END OF ITINERARY

Early breakfast and transfer to Kisoro Airstrip for your morning AeroLink flight to Entebbe.   A dayroom at PAPYRUS GUESTHOUSE will be included however meals are payable direct.  At your leisure you will be transferred to the airport for your International flight home booked under your own arrangements.

From:  USD $3,830 per person  (based on 2 people sharing).

Please contact us for solo traveler rates.

Price Includes

Private vehicle transfers, light aircraft flights to Kisoro and Entebbe, 1 x Golden Monkey trek per person, full day Sabyinyo Volcanoe hike (guided), 1 x Gorilla trek per person, accommodation, all meals, guided community walk, BATWA pygmies cultural encounter, private canoe excursion on Lake Mutanda, park fees, VAT and medical evacuation cover.

Price Excludes

International flights, visas, travel insurance, drinks, laundry service, massage treatments, tipping and porter hire.