4 Days Gorilla Trek Uganda & Habituation
4 Days Gorilla Trek Uganda & Habituation
Trip Overview
Participating in both gorilla tracking and gorilla habituation is fantastic offering different experiences to those who choose to do it. The demand for habituation permits is so high since only 4 permits are issued per day unlike with regular trekking where 8 permits are issued per group. The habituation experience is highly recommended for photographers and wildlife researchers.
You can spend 4 hours with the semi-habituated gorillas and only one hour with the habituated groups. While this sounds great, do remember that the semi-habituated group can be far less relaxed while the habituated groups are more likely to be relaxed, giving you the true experience of interacting with the gorillas in their normal setting.
Remember to carry a Walking stick from the briefing point and gardening gloves are essential. Gaiters are not necessary but can be useful in preventing your bootlaces from being caught/undone by the thick undergrowth. At least 2 liters of water, a packed lunch, and snacks are advisable. Porters are of great help and highly recommend them since we can’t guarantee how the terrain will be during tracking.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Travel to Bwindi impenetrable park
A representative from Insights Safari Holidays will pick you up from your accommodation at 7 am, brief you about your habituation safari, and off to Bwindi. It is approximately 540km / 9 hours of driving to the Southern sector. The drive is quite long but worth it with much more to see on the way you may even see the zebras and impalas grazing in Lake Mburo Park. You will have a stopover at the equator for photography and the experiment and another stopover in Mbarara town for lunch. Continue with your journey arriving at your accommodation in the evening.
Lodging: Mahogany Springs Hotel/Buhoma Haven Lodge/Buhoma Community Rest amp
Meal plan: Half board
Day 2: Gorilla tracking day
After breakfast at the lodge, you will go to the park headquarters for a briefing from the Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger guides. After the briefing, the rangers will lead you into the thick impenetrable forest to start your search for the endangered rare species of Mountain Gorillas.
Upon reaching the area where these famous species are, you will only interact with them for only one hour and you should always keep maximum silence while with these Gorillas. You are free to take photographs and so on. To find the Gorillas, it’s such a tiresome experience since it can take you almost 3-8 hours to find them. However, once you meet these gorillas, you will easily forget the hatches you have gone through to find them and instead save the good memories you will experience with them. After the interaction, you may choose to take a community walk or simply relax at your lodge. Dinner and overnight stay.
Lodging: Mahogany Springs Hotel/Buhoma Haven Lodge/Buhoma Community Rest amp
Meal plan: Full board
Day 3: Gorilla habituation day.
Gorilla habituation experience happens in the southern sector of Bwindi impenetrable national park called Rushaga. After breakfast, the driver guide will transfer you to the briefing point where you will receive instructions on how to conduct yourself while in the forest. The habituation experience gives you more time to learn about the life of gorillas in the forest and in total you are free to spend 4 hours in the presence of gorillas. The idea is to get gorillas a little bit used to humans in their habitat to allow for gorilla trekking in the future. After this experience, you will transfer to Lake Bunyonyi.
Lodging: Mahogany Springs Hotel/Buhoma Haven Lodge/Buhoma Community Rest amp
Meal plan: Full board
Day 4: Boat ride and return to Kampala.
Enjoy a delicious morning breakfast, and set out for a boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi where you will go around various islands with sights of terraced hills, birds, and alike. Thereafter start your journey to Kampala having lunch en-route reaching there late evening. End of safari!
Tour includes
- Bottled drinking water
- Fuel and vehicle
- English speaking guide
- Meals
- Accommodation
- Gorilla trekking permit
Exclude
- Alcoholic drinks
- Laundry
- Items of a personal nature
- International airfares
- Travel Insurance
- Tips and gratuities
Safari Vacations and Travel Services is a Local tour operator based in Uganda with its head offices in Entebbe. Moreover, Safari Vacations and Travel Services is a business for Ugandan natives. We specialize in life-changing experiences, sustainable tours, and holidays for all East African countries. Also, we are members of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators and with registration from the Uganda Tourism Board. We have a good and long working relationship with the Uganda Wildlife Authority. We are making booking your gorilla permits and gorilla trekking safari easy. Safari Vacations and Travel Services is also high in Trip Advisor reviews.
