Visiting South Africa After Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Visiting South Africa after Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Visiting South Africa after Gorilla trekking in Uganda. To end your safari in South Africa with a gorilla trek in Uganda, you will need to plan the logistics to ensure a smooth transition from your safari to the trekking experience. This plan allows you to enjoy your safari in South Africa and end with the unique experience of gorilla trekking in Uganda to meet the Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Here’s How to end your safari in South Africa with a Gorilla trek in Uganda:
Flight from South Africa to Uganda
Direct Flights: Book a direct flight from Johannesburg (O.R. Tambo International Airport) to Entebbe International Airport in Uganda. Airlines like Uganda Airlines, South African Airways, and others offer direct options.
Connections: If direct flights aren’t available, you may find one-stop flights through cities like Nairobi, Addis Ababa, or Kigali. The most preferable one is flying to Kigali. There’s a 4-5 hour drive from Kigali to Bwindi Impenetrable or Mgahinga National Parks. This is better than the 8-9 journey that you may be embarking on from Entebbe.
Planning Your Gorilla Trek in Uganda
Choose Your Trekking Area, whereby Uganda has two main gorilla trekking locations:
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: famous for diverse gorilla families and more lodging options.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park: Smaller, with one gorilla family but offering a unique and less crowded experience.
Permit Booking: Gorilla trekking permits are essential and you book them in advance, especially for Bwindi. Each permit costs about $800 for international visitors and $500 For South African Citizens.
Select Your Trek Type:
Regular Trekking: On this Tour, you will spend 1-hour encounter with the habituated gorillas during the standard gorilla trekking.
Gorilla Habituation Experience: Spend up to four hours with a gorilla family as part of a habituation team (USD 1,500). You will spend 4 hours encountering the semi-habituated gorillas during the gorilla habituation experience
Travel to Bwindi or Mgahinga
Fly from Entebbe to Kihihi or Kisoro.You’ll take a domestic flight from Entebbe to Kihihi (for northern Bwindi) or Kisoro (for southern Bwindi and Mgahinga). AeroLink and Bar Aviation offer daily flights, and from either airport, you’ll need a transfer to your lodge.
Drive from Entebbe or Kampala: Alternatively, you can arrange a private road transfer. This scenic drive takes about 8-10 hours. You can however choose to land in Kigali. There’s a 4-5 hour drive from Kigali to Bwindi Impenetrable or Mgahinga National Parks. This is better than the 8-9 journey that you may be embarking on from Entebbe.
Accommodation and Safari Add-Ons
Book Accommodation Near Your Trekking Point: Lodges near Bwindi and Mgahinga vary from luxury to budget. Staying closer to your trekking starting point minimizes morning travel time. Contact us, we shall organize accommodation near the starting point within your budget.
Consider Additional Experiences
Golden Monkey Trekking: In Mgahinga, you can trek to see golden monkeys, offering a unique primate experience.
Local Community Visits: Enjoy cultural experiences with Batwa pygmy communities near Bwindi.
Lake Bunyonyi: Unwind post-trek with a relaxing stay by Lake Bunyonyi, popular for its beautiful islands and serene views.
Return to Entebbe and Departure
After your trek, head back to Entebbe either by domestic flight or road transfer. From Entebbe, book a return flight home or continue onward to another destination.
Summary Itinerary to end your safari in South Africa with a Gorilla trek in Uganda:
- Day 1: Finish the South African safari, and fly to Entebbe, Uganda, or Kigali, Rwanda
- Day 2: Travel to Bwindi for overnight.
- Day 3: Gorilla trekking.
- Day 4: Optional second trek or do another activity.
- Day 5: Depart for your international flight or continue your journey.
What is included in a gorilla trekking Tour?
This Tour includes gorilla permits, accommodation, and transport to and from Entebbe or Kigali to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. We prefer assisting with all components of the tour or your holiday. This helps in a way that while traveling with us in Africa, your holiday is stress-free. You’ll have trusted the experts to do it for you. Let’s look at all individual components of our summer holiday gorilla trekking safari.
Gorilla permit and what is included or excluded
A gorilla permit is a card that the Uganda Wildlife Authority issues. It allows you to go to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park home to endangered mountain gorillas to have a chance of viewing them for one hour. Gorilla permits are only valid for the date you book and once it expires, you use it. Make sure that you are available on the day of trekking. This gorilla permit includes spending one hour with a certain habituated mountain gorilla family. During this one hour, you will be allowed to take still photos as well as simple videos. Please read our dos and don’ts while with mountain gorillas.
You will also listen to an informative talk from your guide or the day. Included as well are the services of a ranger guide and tourism police to guarantee security in the forest. The ranger from Uganda Wildlife Authority will be carrying a gun probably an AK47 to scare away any stray animal that may misbehave along the way. Park entry fees for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and or Mgahinga National Park are also included in the pre-purchased gorilla permits and are valid for 24 hours.
Transport to Gorilla Destinations
Safari Vacations and Travel Services operates a fleet of both Luxury Land cruisers for our high-end clients and Customized safari vans for those who want to spend less but travel comfortably. All our vehicles are 4×4 and are customized for the rough terrain in Africa. They come with drinking water and are driven by well-trained and professional local driver guides. We will make sure that your travel with us is comfortable and foots the bill.
Flying to Kigali, Rwanda, or Entebbe International Airport, Uganda
You will have the option of flying into Kigali or Entebbe to visit Uganda, Rwanda, or Congo for gorilla trekking. Many people prefer flying into Kigali and trekking mountain gorillas in Bwindi. The main reason for this is to avoid long drives involved from Entebbe. Check our Uganda safaris from Kigali and get back to us. Those that fly into Entebbe will enjoy a scenic drive that will see you stop at the equator crossing, a chance to have a look at the ankle long-horned cows as well as the rolling hills of Kigezi. Whichever Airport you will use, we will assist in airport transfers as well as the transport to and from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Why Book your Gorilla Tour in Uganda Through Safari Vacations?
Safari Vacations and Travel Services has positioned itself as one of the leading tour operators offering authentic and value-for-money gorilla treks to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga National Park, Virunga National Park and Volcanoes National Park. We endeavor to provide accurate and timely information that you can rely on to organize Gorilla trekking on New Year in Africa. Our staff is always on standby to assist you with all the arrangements, and if you need more information about our service, please visit our website for more information and options about How to end your safari in South Africa with a Gorilla trek in Uganda.
