Fly-In Gorilla Safari 4 or 6 Days This short safari will take you deep into Bwindi National Park, where you can see Africa s last remaining population of Mountain Gorillas in the wild. This itinerary can be done as a short, Uganda-specific trip, or incorporated into a longer tailormade option including other regions of East Africa, such as Rwanda, Tanzania, or Kenya. Ask us for suggestions. Highlights of the Fly-In Gorilla Safari: o Discover Uganda by air o Convenient departure from Entebbe International Airport o Scenic flight with daily departures and no minimum number of participants o Unforgettable meeting with the Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest o Stylish safari lodges and optional upgrades o Possibility to return to Kampala by air or road o Attractive offers for low season travel Day by Day Itinerary Day 1: Arrive Entebbe On arrival at Entebbe Airport, you will be met and transferred to The Boma, your accommodation in Entebbe for one night (BB). The Boma Hotel The Boma is Entebbe's original and most exclusive hotel, set in tropical gardens in a leafy suburb, a few minutes drive from Entebbe Int. Airport. The rooms combine modern comforts with the charm and character of the original 1940s home. The hotel restaurant is private. Your Financial Protection All monies paid by you for the air holiday package shown [or flights if appropriate] are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is ATOL 3145. For more information see our booking terms and conditions.
Day 2: Entebbe Bwindi National Park Early this morning you will be transferred to Entebbe International Airport to check in for the domestic flight to Western Uganda. Flights depart at 0830 hrs and arrive 1030hrs at Kihihi Airstrip. From here you will be transferred by road (1 hour) to Bwindi National Park, the home of Uganda s endangered mountain gorillas. Check in at your lodge for two nights (FB) and enjoy a delicious lunch. In the afternoon you will have the opportunity to relax and prepare yourself for tomorrow s gorilla tracking, or you might choose to take part in a (guided) forest walk, providing a relaxing introduction to Uganda s unique flora and fauna. Mahogany Springs Mahogany Springs is one of the newest lodges in Bwindi National Park. Located just 2 mins drive from the park headquarters, it offers 7 luxury bandas each with ensuite bathroom and a private terrace overlooking the forest. Located on the pristine waters of the Munyanga River and facing the Impenetrable forest the natural setting of Mahogany Springs is beautiful. Upgrade option to Gorilla Forest Camp Gorilla Forest Camp is a luxury tented camp situated deep in Bwindi Forest, perched on the side of a mountain, and in prime gorilla territory. It is a small, intimate lodge, with eight tents, each with two queen-size beds, and private bathroom with a bathtub and view of the surrounding rain forest.
The bar and dining cottage overlooks the forest and has a raised natural platform allowing for open air dining. Day 3: Gorilla Trekking Today marks the highlight of your safari: a meeting with the gentle giants of Bwindi! Expect to walk a long distance in steep and muddy conditions, sometimes with rain overhead, before you encounter any gorillas. But whatever the travails en route, the experience of observing a gorilla family at close range as they eat, play and rest makes it all worthwhile. After breakfast you will gather at the ranger station to meet your guide and to be allocated a gorilla group. You will be briefed by your trackers and then drive to the trail head for the start of your adventure. Keen hikers will love the trekking in the beautiful ecosystems of the park. It is difficult to predict how many hours you will hike, as the gorillas roam freely through the forest. While sightings are not guaranteed, it is exceptionally rare that hiking groups do not see the gorillas. However, you may have to spend much of the day in search of them. Weaving through overhanging vines, mosscovered hagenia and giant lobelias that thrive in this tropical climate, the experienced trackers who spend their entire lives in this forest will bring you close to a family group. On sighting the gorillas you will stay with them for a magical hour as they go about their daily life: feeding, playing, resting and raising their young. Coming face to face with a giant silverback is truly one of the greatest wildlife experiences on earth! Mountain Gorillas are a subspecies of the Eastern Gorilla, the largest living primate on earth. Numbering only about 700 individuals worldwide, this large hominid share 95% of their genes with humans and is now listed on the IUCN Red List of critically Endangered Species due to habitat loss, poaching, disease and war. Return to the lodge for dinner and a well-earned rest.
Day 4: Bwindi National Park Lake Mburo National Park After breakfast we depart the impenetrable forest of Bwindi and head to Lake Mburo National Park. With a game drive we enter the park and head towards our accommodation with panoramic views over the plains. Dinner and overnight in your lodge (FB). Mantana Tented Camp Mantana Tented Camp is a classic camp in typical African safari style. It is set in a commanding hill-top position overlooking Lake Mburo and its surrounds. All 10 guest tents and the restaurant and bar area are set on raised wooden platforms that provide stunning views of the Lake. The tents are furnished with comfortable beds and en suite bathrooms. Upgrade option to Mihingo Lodge Mihingo Lodge is a peaceful and exclusive retreat adjacent to Lake Mburo National Park. Its ten rooms are built on wooden platforms on stilts, each covered by a thatched roof, and housing a spacious and comfortable tent. Each tent is en-suite, with hot and cold running water, shower, flush loo, and a stunning view! The luxury tented rooms are well-spaced, enabling guests to enjoy the tranquil environment in complete seclusion. Placed in varied settings, some rooms are situated in a forest, some with a lake view, and some on rocky outcrops. The main dining area is a large thatched structure built of rocks, the wood of dead weathered olive trees found on the land, and native grasses. Below the dining area, a swimming pool stretches out from the rocks. From the dining and pool area, guests can enjoy the view of a westward oriented valley and its stunning evening sunsets over Lake Mburo National Park. Day 5: Lake Mburo National Park Entebbe We have an early start to the day with guided safari walk. Lake Mburo is the only national park in Uganda where you can experience a safari on foot. Following the walking safari, return to the lodge for breakfast and with a game drive on our way out we depart the protected area and drive back to Entebbe. Overnight at the Boma. (BL) Note: If you prefer, if your flight departs late in the afternoon or evening, it is an option to be dropped directly at the International Airport and cancel the last night in Entebbe. Day 6: Departure Today your tour ends. Unless extending, you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight home.
Price Guide: The cost of this itinerary is from 1595 per person, based on twin share and subject to availability at the time of booking. For more information, or if you would like to enquire about a tailor-made holiday combining part or all of the above itinerary, please contact us. Includes: o Airport transfers o Domestic flight o Ground transport in a private 4WD safari vehicle for days 4 and 5 with an experienced English speaking driver/guide o Accommodation and meals as described in the itinerary o Park fees o Gorilla permit (USD $600 per permit) o Activities mentioned in the program o AMREF Flying Doctors insurance Excludes: o International flights o Visa fee (USD $50) o Optional activities in Bwindi Forest NP and Lake Mburo NP o Meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary o Items of personal nature o Tips o Travel Insurance ask us for a quote Alternative option: Instead of returning to Entebbe by road it is possible to fly back to Entebbe International Airport on day 4. Scheduled flights depart at 9.45am and 14.05pm. Choose the most suitable time so that you are ensured of a convenient connection for your international flight. The cost of the 4 day itinerary, using standard accommodation, is from 1385 per person, based on twin share and subject to availability at the time of booking.