OVERVIEW
Gorilla Trekking - Camping or Lodge Safari
Visit the critically endangered mountain gorillas in an intimate, personal hiking experience, along with an included chimpanzee trek and a relaxing boat ride to view the roaring powers of Murchison Falls.
Gorilla adventures and chimpanzee encounters in Uganda
Cross into the kingdom of mountain gorillas in Uganda and navigate through the dense jungle to meet these critically endangered primates in person. An experience like no other, this journey highlights the gorillas but also includes an additional excursion to the famous Budongo Central Forest Reserve to track chimpanzees in their canopy homes and enjoy a relaxing boat ride along the Nile. Your journey begins with a visit to Murchison Falls National Park, where the Nile crashes through a narrow gorge, creating one of the most dramatic waterfall backdrops in Africa. Along the way, we pass the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary with the opportunity for a rhino walk, a successful conservation story up close. At the heart of the Budongo Forest, you step into East Africa's largest mahogany forest in search of chimpanzees. With a knowledgeable guide at the forefront, this trek provides insight into the lives of these elusive creatures, followed by a cruise on the Nile. Along our scenic route, we make our way to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Here, the vast views set the tone for the natural splendor that lies ahead. After crossing the equator, you reach Lake Bunyonyi, a peaceful highland lake dotted with islands, and your base for the highlight of the tour: gorilla trekking or hikes to see the endangered golden monkeys. In this remote region, where only a few hundred mountain gorillas still live in their forests, and with the elusive nature of the endangered golden monkeys, it is both rare and profound to encounter them in their misty woodland habitat. Whether you're trekking through Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda or nearby reserves in Rwanda or the Democratic Republic of Congo, your visit directly supports conservation and local communities. Between days, relax by the lake, explore nearby villages, or enjoy optional excursions such as boat rides and mountain biking. From the tranquility of Lake Bunyonyi, the adventure shifts to Lake Mburo National Park, a paradise for bird watchers with opportunities for walking safaris, night game drives, and cycling among zebras and antelopes. Finally, the journey ends in Jinja, where the Nile flows out of Lake Victoria. Whether you opt for white-water rafting, bungee jumping, or an idyllic sunset boat ride, Jinja offers the perfect finale to a route filled with extraordinary encounters, serene beauty, and unforgettable memories of the untamed heart of Africa.
Daily program: Encounter the gorillas in the wild
Day 1 – Masindi – Murchison Falls National Park
After meeting your team, we head towards Murchison Falls National Park. Also known as Kabaraga Falls, Murchison Falls is a waterfall found along the great Nile and located in Murchison National Park. The park is recognized as one of the best national parks in Uganda. After settling into our accommodation in Masindi, your guide will inform you about the activities for the following day.
Day 2 - Masindi - Budongo Central Forest Reserve
The Budongo Forest is the largest mahogany forest in East Africa and houses the largest number of chimpanzees in Uganda. It is estimated that there are between 600 and 700 chimpanzees in Budongo, and this morning we will meet our chimpanzee guide who will accompany us on our hike through the forest in search of the chimpanzees. We will also enjoy a boat ride in the park. Note: Since the chimpanzee trek is limited to 12 guests per trek, if there are more than 12 guests on one tour, the trek will be divided into morning and afternoon. Therefore, you may first participate in the wildlife observation activity, followed by the chimpanzee trek or vice versa. Please expect flexibility.
Day 3 – Lake Kikorongo
This morning we leave Masindi and drive to the outskirts of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Our accommodation for the night is on a hill overlooking Lake Kikorongo.
Day 4 – Gorillas (Lake Bunyonyi)
Crossing the equator again, we travel south to the beautiful scenery of Lake Bunyonyi. With eager anticipation, we prepare for the upcoming gorilla trekking excursion, and this evening we will receive a briefing on what to expect.
Day 5 – Gorillas (Lake Bunyonyi)
The mountain gorilla is extremely endangered and although the exact numbers vary, it is generally believed that only about 650 are left. Visiting the gorillas is a great way to support their future on Earth, as the money spent on permits is used for their protection. An extremely important part of the future conservation of the remaining gorillas lies in community development work – as local communities change their attitudes towards wildlife and begin to protect rather than hunt, the future of the mountain gorilla is secured. Since the permits to visit the gorillas are extremely limited, we need flexibility both in the itinerary and in where we actually visit them. The home of the mountain gorillas is in complete contradiction to man-made borders and their habitat spans Uganda, Rwanda, and the DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo). Whenever possible, we choose the national park in Uganda, but this depends on the availability of permits. If we do not receive permits to visit the mountain gorillas in Uganda, we will inform all passengers in advance that the trip will lead to Rwanda or DRC. On your free day in Bunyonyi, you will have the opportunity to take part in certain optional activities. You can also hike or explore the area by mountain bike.
Day 6 – Gorillas (Lake Bunyonyi)
Although two days are scheduled for the gorilla trekking, you will spend only one day on the trekking tour. The other days are meant to create a sufficiently large time window to obtain permits and allow the entire group to trek if more than six of you participate in the tour.
Day 7 – Lake Mburo
We leave the beautiful Lake Bunyonyi for another of Uganda's stunning waters – Lake Mburo. Lake Mburo is located in Uganda's Ankole sub-region, near the town of Mbarara, and covers an area of about 260 square kilometers, surrounded by gentle hills, open grasslands, and forested areas. With over 350 documented bird species, Lake Mburo National Park is a paradise for birdwatchers. The park's diverse ecosystems, including acacia forests, savannahs, and wetlands, provide optimal habitats for numerous bird species, including the rare and oddly-looking shoe bill.
Day 8 – Kampala
This morning we leave the Ankole region and make our way back to Kampala, crossing the equator on the way. Your tour ends with the arrival in the city.
PRICE
from€1629.00 / person✓ Trip includes
✕ Trip does not include
- Meals (7x breakfast, 8x lunch, 7x dinner)
- Overnight stay in fixed accommodations/lodges/stationary tents
- Trained, English-speaking tour guide (unless otherwise noted)
- Transport in an overland truck and 4x4 vehicle
- Information on preparing for the trip & tour booklet
