A gorilla and golden monkey trekking safari offers a chance of sighting mountain gorillas and golden monkeys which are both endangered species and endemic. The 4 days gorilla and golden monkey trekking safari will lead you to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Gorilla safaris are life experiences which are not encountered elsewhere expect Uganda, Rwanda and DRC. The safari is arranged depending on the midrange merits, can be tailored for either luxury or budget travelers. The safari starts right from Kampala/ Entebbe and drive to southwestern Uganda, Kigezi region.
The means of transportation is road using the land cruiser 4×4 safari vehicle and the accommodation is midrange lodges/hotels. Every day of the trip starts with breakfast, has lunch en-route and ends as planned in the detailed itinerary.
Trip Summary
- Day 1: Tranfer from Kampala to Mgahinga
- Day 2: Trek mountain gorillas, visit the Batwa community
- Day 3: Golden monkey trekking and Lake Bunyonyi
- Day 4: Drive back to Kampala
Major activities
- Gorilla and golden monkey tracking
- Batwa community Visits
- Lake Bunyonyi boat cruise
Destinations;
- Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Lake Bunyonyi
Transportation;
- 4×4 Land Cruiser with rooftop pop-up
Detailed Trip
Day 1: Transfer from Kampala to Mgahinga
The first day of the trip, this is a transferring day from your lodge/ apartment/ hotel in Kampala to southwestern in Kisoro district. It’s a full day of driving, should have two stopovers along the drive at Kayabwe equator and Mbarara city for lunch. Reaching Kisoro its evening hours, check-in at your lodge for dinner and overnight. It’s better to consider having enough sleeping time for the body to relax and be refreshed for trekking the gorillas.
Accommodation: Lake Mutanda Resort (half-board)
Day 2: Trek mountain gorillas, visit the Batwa community
Early morning following the delicious breakfast, will drive to the starting point before 7:30am. Following a briefing, will be assigned an armed ranger guide who lead in the search for the gorillas. Mountain gorilla trekking proceeds through the inflatable thick terrain of the forest, and all trekkers must be equipped (wearing long pants, jungle boots, carry at least 1 litter of drinking water and rain proof gears). Gorilla searching in the jungle can go from 30 minutes to 4 hours to find your assigned gorilla family and upon finding them you have an hour in their presence. Searching for the endangered giants.
After seeing the gorillas you will return to the starting point, enjoy your relaxed lunch and take a rest at your lodge. Then in the later afternoon hours will take a drive to the Batwa community for cultural entertainment.
Accommodation: Lake Mutanda Resort (half-board)
Day 3: Golden monkey trekking and Lake Bunyonyi
Following a delicious breakfast, will drive to the park headquarter for briefing and depart for golden monkey tracking experience under the lead of an armed ranger guide. Mgahinga Gorilla National is the only endemic forest for the rare and endangered golden monkeys. These beautiful monkey reside in the volcanic bamboos of the parks, and they are habituated amidst their shyness and are used to human presence. There an hour ahead of you of watching a community of over 30 habituated golden monkeys.
Then in the later afternoon in early afternoon hours drive to Lake Bunyonyi, one of the interesting places to relax on a gorilla vocation. Will take a boat ride visiting one of the islands probably can be a punishment island where traditionally girls who used to conceive pregnancy before marriage where punished. Such girls were taken to the island and left there, starved and died on the island. This is the historical significance of the island, then can return to your lodge, refresh with lunch, and relax for the rest of the day.
Accommodation: Arcadia Resort (half-board)
Day 4: Drive back to Kampala
The last day of the trip, enjoy a relaxed picnic breakfast at your lodge, then still in morning hours will depart for another day of a long journey driving back to Kampala. There is one expected stopover at Mbarara for lunch, and will reach Kampala by evening hours. Drop off will be either at Entebbe International airport or to your hotel in Kampala or Entebbe.
Trip inclusive;
- 4×4 safari vehicle
- All trip fuel
- All meals and soft drinks
- Park entrances
- Gorilla permits
- Boat ride
- Accommodation
- Driver guide
Exclusive;
- Visa and air ticket
- Laundry
- All hard drinks
- Souvenirs
- Tips