6-Day Uganda Gorilla Adventure (Fly-in), Kampala

About this activity

This Uganda gorilla adventure explores the untamed jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to find a mountain gorilla family and spend one electrifying hour silently observing their evolutionary life in the wild. You’ll travel by air across southwestern’s Tuscan-like landscape and stay at an exclusive forest hideaway on a ridge above the pristine rainforest.

The adventure includes an off-the-beaten-path experience in the remote villages surrounding Bwindi. You’ll take a traditional dug-out canoe across a gorgeous lake surrounded by breathtaking mountainous views. Walk through cultivated gardens of steep slopes, passing villagers ploughing the gardens, and hike through remote villages with kids chanting their excitement on seeing you.

You’ll also have a chance to explore the region on foot and cross the jungle on a 7-km trail. The trail offers a dramatic, steeply forested landscape and is incredibly dense but crisscrossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists.

Nature and Wildlife Tours Multi-day Tours Bus Tours Private and Luxury Private Sightseeing Tours Safaris Car Tours Involves Animals

At a glance

Duration: 6 days
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–6
Guide: English
Operated by: Nkuringo Safaris Ltd

Ages: Adults (16–75 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Hike and canoe excursion on lake mutanda
Included: Lunch
Included: Gorilla tracking permit per person
Included: Dinner
Included: Breakfast
Included: laundry services at Nkuringo bwindi gorilla lodge
Included: 4X4 Landcruiser with an English driver guide

Not included

Not included: Uganda Entry Visa fee
Not included: Gratitudes and Tips
Not included: Non- Premium Drinks
Not included: Optional activities mentioned in the above itinerary Shoebill excursion
Not included: International air flights

Itinerary

Day 1 · Arrive in Entebbe (Optional - Shoebill Tracking)

Stop 1

2 hours

Take a speed canoe on Lake Victoria to find the prehistoric Shoebill among the Mabamba Swamps. If you're fortunate, you'll see the incredible bird but also, you can spot other swamp inhabitants instead.

Papyrus Guesthouse Entebbe - Garden Room

Day 2 · Fly Entebbe to Kisoro with Aerolink (Community Hiking & Canoeing on Lake Mutanda)

Kisoro

one hour

Walk from Kisoro through the city market, communities, villages, and terraced gardens to Lake Mutanda for a canoeing adventure.
Lake Mutanda

2 hours Admission included

Take a canoe ride across one of the most stunning rifts valley lakes with incredible scenery. Your ride will be guided in a dug-out traditional canoe across Lake Mutanda.
Stop 3

3 hours Admission included

After your canoe ride, have lunch at Mutanda Lake Resort and continue on an optional 9km nature walk to Rubuguri Junction for pick-up to transfer to the lodge.

Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge (Mid-Upscale Luxury)

Day 3 · The Gorilla Trekking Experience

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

7 hours

Eat an early energy-giving breakfast, preferably fruits and cereal; you’ll need the energy during your trek. You’ll get a lunch pack at the lodge, and your driver will have you at the Nkuringo visitor center by 7:30 am for the briefing session. After the briefing, the warden selects travelers in groups of eight people and assigns a gorilla group based on their physical ability. He’ll also offer you a walking stick and advise you to take a porter. For 20 bucks, please take one of the locals; you may need them to pull you muddy slopes or carry your backpack—besides, it’s a great way to support the surrounding communities.

You will then join two armed rangers and an expert guide on the trekking trail till you disappear under the unmarked forest canopy. The trek can be quite challenging and can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours to locate the habituated gorillas.

You’ll be allowed to spend 60 minutes with the gorillas when you find them.
Stop 2

2 hours Admission not included

Spend the rest of the evening relaxing at the lodge or take an evening sundowner to the top of the world - the name given to the football field, high up in Nkuringo which offers amazing views over the peaks and forests around Nkuringo. A great way to stretch your legs after the gorilla tracking and to enjoy a sundowner.

Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge (Mid-range to Luxury)

Day 4 · Community Tour, Nature Walk

Stop 1

3 hours Admission included

This morning after a hearty breakfast, enjoy birding in Nombe Pocket Forest – it was part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and it is still quite impenetrable, however, it was cut off from it as people needed more land to live on and cultivate. It can be reached on foot

Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge (Mid-High Luxury)

Day 5 · Hike Across Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

5 hours

This part of the adventure will immerse you in the majestic enchantments of the ancient wilderness, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

With luck on your side, some of the backwood dwellers like chimps, forest elephants, duikers, forest buffalo, and various primates will cross your path. Otherwise, look out for the unique overgrown plant species and dazzling colorful butterflies of over 300 species. Birds such as African green broadbill, great blue turaco, Grauer’s swamp warbler, Turner’s Eremomela, Shelley’s crimson wing, and Chapin’s flycatcher flying under the canopy will definitely capture your eye.

You’ll cross rivers, streams, shaky bridges, climb fallen stumps and walk through damp forest floors connecting you to sapiens’ origins. However, at the other end, your driver will be ready to whisk you off, driving you through dreamy landscapes and delivering you to your luxury forest cottage hagging above the impenetrable jungle you just conquered.

Mahogany springs Lodge (Mid-high Luxury)

Day 6 · Fly Kihihi to Entebbe

Kihihi

2 hours

Transfer from Mahogany springs Lodge to Kisoro airstrip for your local flight to Entebbe. The flight takes 1 hour.

Meeting point and pickup

You can be picked up from your accommodation or go straight to the meeting point.

Meeting point

Please let us know which hotel in Entebbe we can pick you up.

End point

Please let us know which hotel in Entebbe we can pick you up.

Pickup points

Entebbe Airport

Our driver will be at the airport to pick you up from the exit and transfer you to the lodge in Entebbe.

Using your ticket

All flight times are approximate and subject to change due to weather conditions and weight restrictions.

Hotel pickups commence approximately 30 - 60 minutes prior to this time

Cancellation

Free cancellation

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.

If you cancel	You get back
At least 6 days before	100%
At least 2 days before	50%
Less than a day before	0%

Good to know

Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Minimum age is 15 years
Multi-lingual guide available at extra fee
Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
Availability for shows cannot be checked without making a booking. Credit cards will only be charged upon confirmation of show availability
Passport name, number, expiry and country is required at time of booking for all participants
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately