Gorilla tracking

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Gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Main topics of the program

  • Guided tracking and the meeting with one of the gorilla families in their natural habitat
  • Scenic drive from Entebbe to the mountainous areas of the south-west of Uganda
  • Sleeping in the rainforest for two nights and listening to all the sounds that come with it 
  • Opportunity of seeing tree-climbing lions, elephants and more in Queen Elisabeth  (weather and road-conditions permitting)
  • Opportunity of meeting the Batwa in a community walk (extra) 

Itinerary.

Day 1. Drive from Entebbe to Bwindi Impenetrabel Forest 

You will be picked early from your hotel and the trip will take you through a great variation of Uganda landscapes such the small scale farms along the Masaka road. There is a stop for photos at the Equator. After some distance away from Masaka the landscape opens up to grassy undulating hills. This is the cattle country of Ankole where most of the milk and beef of Uganda is produced. Near Lake Mburo you may see some Zebra and Impala grazing near the road, they migrate from the nearby national park. After a lunch-break at Mbarara the drive will proceed to Bwindi, the actual route depending on which area the tracking permits have been secured from. In most cases the tracking is done in Buhoma, and the road getting there is either via Rukungiri or via Kabale. Arrival is late in the afternoon or early evening.

Day 2. Gorilla tracking

This is the very day for the Gorilla tracking. After an early breakfast you will meet at the assembly point for briefing before the tracking commence. The driver/guide will help you to arrange this. After the briefing the group comprising a maximum of eight permit holders, will start the tracking. Once you have reached the gorilla family you will have an hour with it for photographs, or just watching the family members in a day of their life - a fantastic experience. Sometimes the tracking takes only a few hours, sometimes longer, it all depends on how far the family is, and how it moves. 

After the tracking is done you may decide to do other activitites such as the Batwa experience and community tour (in Buhoma). It is an extra that you may arrange once you have return from the tracking. 

Day 3. Return drive via the Ishasha sector in Queen Elisabeth National Park 

The return drive may, if weather and road-conditions permit, be taken through the Queen Elisabeth National Park. The road through the park stretches for a long distance and chances of seeing many wild animals such as elephant, buffalo, antelope and birds are definitely high. You will also be passing the Ishasha sector, one of few places in the world where tree-climbing lions can be seen. 

The package does not include the entrance fee for the Ishasha Wilderness area but this may be organized if planned in advance (for details of costs please see listing below). It is also necessary to start the drive earlier from Buhoma to balance the delay in time. 

You will reach Entebbe (or Kampala) in the late afternoon or early evening and you will be dropped at your hotel. You are adviced not to have a flight booked the same evening since delays often are unavoidable.

Choice of accommodation. 

We usually stay at Buhoma Community Rest Camp, on budget, as they are not as overprized as many lodges are in Buhoma. It is a community program and the money goes back where, as we see it, it belongs. It is also one of the very few lodges that is located inside the rainforest and where gorilla may come close and be viewed from the veranda. 

Medium and luxury accommodation are also available 

Included

  • Gorilla Permit (value USD$600)
  • Accommodation
  • All meals from lunch day 1 to lunch day 3
  • All transport from and back to Entebbe/Kampala with a qualified driver that will also be your guide during the trip

Not included

  • Your personal equipment
  • Drinks that are not included in the meals
  • Tip to drivers and guides

Extra options

  • Batwa and community walk, booked if time allows after tracking (price may vary but usually USD$20-40 depending on time)
  • Entering the Ishasha Wilderness of Queen Elisabeth National Park. The fee is USD$40 per person for foreign plus Uganda shillings 65.000 for driver and car. Please note that this option must be planned in advance, and agreed with the driver and other passengers, as it means leaving earlier from Buhoma.  


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The guide explains about the family of Habinyanja, above, and below there is a general briefing for all groups (3) tracking

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A mother with a young one



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Yes, you should not get too near but sometimes it is unavoidable as the animals don´t always listen to rules


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The Silverback - head of family


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The Silverback resting on his stomach while the younger ones are playing

© Sunset Entebbe 2021