5 Days Uganda Gorilla and Cultural Tour
5 Days Uganda Gorilla and Cultural Tour
The 5 days Uganda Gorilla and Cultural tour is a unique safari experience leading adventurous tourists to the rarely visited Mgahinga National Park within the Virunga Conservation Area in southwestern Uganda. Mgahinga is Uganda’s smallest National Park but the country’s second most popular gorilla trekking destination after Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
This Park is one of the most stunning places Uganda has with numerous mammal species including the Mountain gorillas and golden monkeys as well as over 23 Albertine Rift endemic bird species.
When it comes to cultural encounters, this Park is one of the places you will never regret visiting with the existence of the Batwa pygmies.
Itinerary highlights
- Day 1: Arrival and transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
- Day 2: Mountain Gorilla Trekking and rest.
- Day 3: The Batwa Cultural Trail.
- Day 4: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi and boat cruise/canoe ride.
- Day 5: Return to Kampala or Entebbe.
Day 1: Arrival and transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Upon arrival at the beautiful Entebbe International Airport or after breakfast at your place of residence. You will be picked by our safari guide to begin your journey to the stunning Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Make sure to be ready by 6:30 a.m. to drive westwards and have your first stop at the Uganda Equator for 30 minutes to take photos and take part in some of the prepared experiments.
Continue with your journey while enjoying the spectacular views of the lush hillsides, vast banana plantations, the long-horned cattle of Ankole people, and terraced Kigezi highlands with a lunch break within Mbarara Town. Proceed straight to the Park arriving in the evening for dinner and overnight.
Lodging: Mount Gahinga Safari Lodge/Mucha Hotel/Amajambere Iwacu Camp.
Meal plan: Half board
Day 2: Mountain Gorilla Trekking and Rest
Have breakfast and drive to Ntebeko Park Headquarters for a briefing. Please note that your passport details will be required during a briefing to make certain that you are eligible to trek the Mountain gorillas.
Together with a UWA ranger, guide, porters, and 7 other visitors start the trek for the Nyakagyezi gorilla family which will last anywhere between 1 hour and 3 hours. When found, spend one hour learning the group members’ unique characteristics, take photos, and later return to the starting point for the trekking certificate.
One thing not to miss during this trek is the sweet sound of the birds, other curious primates, unique tree species, reptiles, and Amphibians encountered during the trek.
Have lunch and use the entire evening to rest or interact with fellow guests at the Lodge, explore other amenities of the Lodge, or do other activities at the facility.
Lodging: Mount Gahinga Safari Lodge/Mucha Hotel/Amajambere Iwacu Camp.
Meal plan: Full board
Day 3: The Batwa Cultural Trail
Just like other activities at the Park, wake up to an early breakfast. Your driver will pick you up from the Lodge to the briefing point. The Batwa trail was launched in Mgahinga in 2011 to allow visitors to explore the extraordinary culture and tradition of the Batwa pygmies. After the tour, you will agree that it’s one of the most rewarding cultural tours you have ever undertaken.
This long and rewarding trail is usually by the Batwa guide and goes through the foothills of Muhabura and Gahinga Volcanoes to discover the hunter-gatherer lifestyle of the Batwa people.
You will learn about their ancient hunting techniques, and traditional honey-gathering methods, and be led to the local pharmacy (traditional herbalist) to see some of the plants/roots/leaves used in traditional medicine.
Interestingly learn how they make Bamboo cups, and see the wild fruits, leaves, and roots used to make soup. This will away your mind by the way fire is made by rubbing sticks and is climaxed by a visit to Ngarama Cave (former food store, Royal Palace, court of Law, meeting place, and hiding place during ancient battles).
Return to the Lodge for Lunch, relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Lodging: Mount Gahinga Safari Lodge/Mucha Hotel/Amajambere Iwacu Camp.
Meal plan: Full board
Day 4: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi and boat cruise/canoe ride
Enjoy breakfast and check out of the Lodge for a transfer to Lake Bunyonyi, the deepest Lake in Uganda. Also found in Southwestern Uganda and a stone’s throw away from Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. This is your ideal relaxation spot after a hectic gorilla trek through the mountainous Virunga Conservation Area.
Arrive on time for check-in, lunch, and later the boat cruise to some of the Islands including Punishment Island. Here unmarried pregnant girls were left to die.
Look out for beautiful bird species such as the grey-crowned cranes, little egrets, Hadada Ibis, harrier hawks, Malachite kingfishers, slender-billed Baglafecht, and cardinal woodpeckers among others. Retire to the Lodge for dinner and overnight.
Lodging: Birdnest Resort/Bunyonyi Safaris Resort/Bunyonyi Overland Resort.
Meal plan: Full board
Day 5: Return to Kampala or Entebbe.
Have breakfast and check out of the Lodge for a return journey to Kampala, Entebbe, or even Kigali City. Transfer to the Airport or a Hotel upon arrival.
End of the Uganda Gorilla and Cultural Tour
Tour includes
- An English-speaking driver-guide
- All park entrance fees
- Full board accommodation
- Pick up and drop off
- Vehicle and fuel
- Bottled water
- Gorilla trekking permit
Tour excludes
- Air flight tickets
- Visas
- Optional activities not included on the itinerary
- Personal expenses like buying souvenirs, crafts, drinks, laundry services, and tips among others.
- Alcoholic drinks
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.
