Mountain Gorillas of Uganda Experience - Independent

Welcome to Uganda. This Independent Experience starts at Entebbe airport where you will be met by our local representative and transferred to Lake Mburo National Park. Please make sure that you arrive in time for an 11am departure. If you are planning on staying in Entebbe prior to your Independent Experience you can arrange to be collected today from your nominated hotel (at 10am) instead of the Airport. Drive approximately 5 hours to the park, stopping on the way to stand in both the northern and southern hemispheres at the equator line. After entering the park, you’ll enjoy a game drive on the way to camp, arriving in the early afternoon. Extensive acacia woodland and five lakes make up Lake Mburo National Park, an area that is home to a stunning array of wildlife. It’s the best place in the country to see eland (the largest species of antelope), as well as zebra, topi, impala and several types of birds that gather around acacia trees. This afternoon you’ll take a boat ride on Lake Mburo. The lakes provide a home for hippos, crocodiles and a variety of waterbirds – the swampy fringe region provides a hideaway for secretive species such as sitatunga and red, black and yellow papyrus gonalek. Tonight’s simple but comfortable tented camp is located in the centre of the park. Placed in varied settings, some rooms are situated in a forest, some with a lake view, and some on rocky outcrops. Animals gathering in the valley will give you fantastic game viewing opportunities, and you can relax and watch wildlife at a waterhole below the pool.

This morning you’ll enjoy an early breakfast, leave the national park and continue on to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (approximately 6 hours), your base for the next two nights. Your lodge here combines excellent local hospitality with seclusion in this enchanting wilderness area. The forest’s moniker is very apt – this is extremely rugged and dense woodland which dates back over 25,000 years and is one of the most biologically diverse rainforests in the world. If time allows, in the afternoon you’ll take a walk to a beautiful waterfall within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Look out for the wildlife that will surround you – numerous birds, butterflies, and maybe monkeys. Then return to camp to enjoy a sumptuous dinner this evening.

A short morning drive takes you to the park headquarters, where you’ll be briefed on the gorilla trek by the Uganda Wildlife Authorities. The 330 square kilometre Bwindi Impenetrable Forest was declared a World Heritage site in 1994 because of its incredible biodiversity. This small pocket of primeval forest in the Virunga Mountains protects about half of the world's remaining 700 mountain gorillas, as well as providing a home for chimpanzees and several species of monkeys. Gorilla trekking is highly controlled with only 24 gorilla trekking permits available each day. Once a trekking group encounters one of the gorilla families, only one hour is granted in the presence of the great apes before trekkers must leave, however reluctantly. Be aware that the trek can be strenuous and may reach altitudes of almost 2,000 metres above sea level. Depending on weather conditions, some of the paths can be slippery and these paths themselves can change depending on the location of the gorillas. Therefore it is very hard to predict how long you will need to walk for, but a very good level of fitness is recommended for this trek. You can usually get very close to the mountain gorillas, and watching their movements is like seeing a mirror image of yourself. Be mesmerised and feel the emotions as you watch them eat, sleep, groom and play – the giant silverback surveying the scene as the smaller ones laze in the trees or play like children. You’ll enjoy a picnic lunch on the trek. At the end of the day the comforts of the hotel beckon, along with a chance to reflect on what is sure to be a truly memorable day.

All good things must come to an end and so must this short safari with a return to Entebbe (approximately 8 hours). This is broken up by a stop along the way to have a picnic lunch. You will arrive this evening at your hotel in Entebbe. Maybe take the option to celebrate this memorable experience with a final dinner with the group.

This trip comes to an end after breakfast. You can depart at anytime today for your journey onwards.

Note: A departure transfer to Entebbe Airport is included. Please ensure you have given your flight details to your booking agent approximately 15 days prior to departure.