How To Spend 7 Days in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

How To Spend 7 Days in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Seven days in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: how should one spend them? About half of all mountain gorillas in the world are found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Locally Bwindi means Impenetrable; the park fits this moniker. Situated in the rocky Kigezi Highland in South Western Uganda, Bwindi Forest preserves a continuum of lowland to montane forest.

Areas of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

The large Bwindi impenetrable forest was split up for gorilla trekking into the Ruhija, Buhoma, Nkuringo, and Rushaga sections.

Every gorilla trekking site in Bwindi falls either in the Northern or Southern Bwindi Sector. Every location also has gorilla trekking families visited daily limit of eight visitors. To visit any of the above gorilla families, one must have a current gorilla trekking permit. Uganda Wildlife Authority grants Gorilla licenses based on first come first policy.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the best African bird site hence birding in Uganda cannot be complete without it. Many birds spend their days in this forest: Rwenzori Batis, Red-faced Woodland, Western Green Tinkerbird, Collared Apalis, and others.

In Bwindi impenetrable National Park, visitors may engage in gorilla trekking, gorilla habituation experience, bird viewing, nature and forest walks, village walks, Batwa experience among other tourism activities. Here is how one may spend seven days in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Seven-day safari in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park highlights

Drive to Bwindi Forest National Park first day

Day 2 Trekking in Bwindi Forest National Park: Gorilla

Day 3 Birding in Bwindi National Park

Second Birding Day on Day 4

Day 5 Buhoma Community Walk and cultural event

Day six departure

Details of the seven-day Safari in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Day 1 Road to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Early in morning, leave Kampala to go to Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park. The park is located Southwestern Uganda and has a thick forest cover.

Stop in Kayabwe to do the water experiment, snap pictures standing near the Equator, then resume your trip. Break off on lunch on the way. You could come across a group of baboons on the road; their ongoing interactions with people must cause them to develop human behavior such as grasping or begging.

About 530km, this travel from Kampala to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park might take eight hours.

The altitude changes as you go closer to the woodlands. At 1160 meters-2607 meters above sea level, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is The park has temps between 7 degrees Celsius to -20 degrees Celsius. Late evening, arrive to the park and check in at your facility.

Booking in and outside Bwindi Impenetrable National Park allows access to many lodging options. While most provide complete board amenities, campgrounds have restaurants.

Several lodging options for gorilla treking in Bwindi National Park include of

To list just a few are Clouds Lodge, Gorilla Forest Camp, Buhoma Lodge, Mahogany Springs, Engage lodge, Volcanoes Lodge, Gorilla View Lodge, Silver Back Lodge, Bwindi View bandas, Mantana Tented Camp, and Lake Kitandara Camp.

Second Day Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Head to the ranger station for briefing after packing your gorilla trekking equipment in a waterproof light bag. Along with other hikers, the ranger guide will walk you through the gorilla trekking guidelines: just one hour is permitted with the mountain gorillas; no polluting the forest is allowed.

Usually not feeding far from the previous day’s site, follow the path where the gorilla trekking family was last seen.

Apart from the mountain gorillas, many other primates include black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, olive baboons share the forest.

Among the species you may see passing by are White-tailed Ant thrush, Red faced Woodland Warbler, Archer’s Robin-Chat, Kivu Ground Thrush, Rwenzori Batis, Strange weaver.

Juveniles want to show off but do not touch any when you find the gorillas; change into a fresh mask and watch the family members reach out to grab some bamboo. Do not go against the advise of the ranger guide; the silver back may be seen from his hide.

As many pictures as you can, preserve your moment on an African gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi forest.

Come back to your cabin to review after a tough day in the wild.

Day three birding in Bwindi Impenetrable National park
An early rising allows you to capture the early birds as they de-nest. Especially in the Mubwindi Swamp, the birding kingdom of Bwindi Forest is Ruhija gorilla trekking area. Remember to bring packed lunch; return time is somewhat late.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offers secure refuge for a range of birds, including Albertine endemics. Even the little birds in the papyrus reeds may be found with your binoculars and birding tools.

Among the species you might be able to distinguish by voice or appearance are Cinnamon-Chested Bee eaters, Africa Sooty Fly catchers, Petite’s Cuckoo shrike, Canopy and Mid-storey flocks, Grauber’s Warbler, Banded prinia.

Go back to your resort and unwind.

Day 4: Second Birding Day inside Bwindi Forest National Park
Eat breakfast and then go for another birding expedition in Bwindi forest. Bwindi forest is the refuge for Africa Birder; it demands another day to find birds you could have missed yesterday. Go with your gadgets and goodies.

More birds like odd weavers, Eastern Mountain-Greenbul, Montana nightjar, Fraser Eagle-owl, Rwenzori hill Babbler, White-headed Woodhoope, Blue headed and regal sunbird, stuhlmann’s starling and Luehder’s Bush shrike might be found here. You might see more than one hundred bird species all day long.

Retrace your steps to your accommodation for some rest.

Day five Buhoma Community Walk and Cultural Show
An opportunity to discover the rich legacy of the people living around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Under a local guide, go on a communal stroll throughout the nearby communities. This local group does a three-hour village stroll.

Learn and participate in the daily activities of the rural people living near Bwindi. Visit a farm, banana brewery, or traditional healer on trip.

Early on organization allows traditional dancers to perform a vibrant dance break. You may join the fiesta to work some muscles.

Your visit to this village directly helps to sensitize the residents on the value of mountain gorilla protection. Among the few development initiatives benefiting the local community that the funds support are water, road repair, and construction of schools.

Refer back to your lodging.

Day 6 Departure day After gorilla trekking and birding in Bwindi impenetrable National Park proceed to Entebbe Airport to join up with your home return aircraft.

How to get Gorilla Trekking Permits for National Park Bwindi Impenetrable

Our Tours expert verifies availability from Uganda wildlife Authority when you submit us an inquiry for a gorilla trekking package with the dates you would like to conduct this safari. Our turnaround time is twenty-four hours.

Forwarding comments results in only confirmed booking of the gorilla upon payment. The Uganda Wildlife Authority operates under a first come first, served basis wherein no permit is obtained without paying.

Any time, Gorilla permit availability status varies as few permits are sold to the public daily despite with great demand. Sales are based on region of trekking, and each area contains gorilla families permitting a maximum eight-person visit. A Uganda gorilla trekking permit is $800 per person per trip.

Getting To Bwindi Forest National Park

Making it to Bwindi by Road
There are many paths accessible to anybody planning gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park some of which are:

From Kampala to Kabale then from Kanungu to Buhoma
From Kampala to Kabale, this tarmac route spans 414 kilometers; it then winds around 150km over Kanungu and Kanyantorogo.

Queen Elizabeth National Park from Kihihi to Buhoma

This is the best path if you have a safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park but must undertake gorilla trekking. Within Queen Elizabeth National Park, the Bwindi forest is around 160km from Mweya and 64km from Ishasha sector. There are plenty of enroute opportunities to see tree climbing lions.

From Kampala via Ntungamo to Rukungiri to Kihihi, Buhoma
From Kampala, this is the most direct route; it takes around eight hours without breaks. After around 390 kilometers on the turmac route to Rukungiri, keep on a murram road to Buhoma for 82km.

Kampala from Kabale to Rujija through Buhoma
About 95 kilometers, this route is more isolated running from Kabale via Rujiha and Buhoma. The road is in really terrible state.

From Kampala to Kabale then Nkuringo

From Kabale, Nkuringo is around 250 miles on a meandering murram road over 4 hours.

Sometimes visitors stop at Kisoro, 80 kilometers from the Nkuringo gorilla trekking site. Since this route is around 35 kilometers, anybody may camp here and go gorilla trekking the next day. The trip takes one hour and a half or so.

Planned flights to Kisoro or Kihihi Airstrip under a charter

Every day domestic flights start from Kajjansi Airstrip or Entebbe Airport to Kihihi. Since at times during the high season airlines are overbooked, you may guarantee a spot on the booked flights in advance.

Charter planes may be booked in advance for more private up-market gorilla trekking trips, but all required processes have to be planned. Since the planes do not land in Bwindi, one must transfer by car to the resort. All of these schedules call for pre reservations.

Why Should One Visit Africa Safaris?

East Africa’s proven Destination Management company is Katlandsafaris. For the last 15 years, we have been in the business of planning unforgettable events and have established a staff highly driven about their work. We have the knowledge and contacts required to realize your safari fantasy. We highly score on trip advisor and are completely licensed by the Uganda Tourism board. Get in touch to get specifics.

How To spend 6 days In Mgahinga National Park

How To spend 6 days In Mgahinga National Park.

Discover how you may spend six days at Mgahinga National Park. Though there is much to do outside of Mgahinga National Park, the centerpiece of the park is gorilla walking. Comprising 33 sq km of territory situated by mountain Muhabura, Mgahinga, and Sabyinyo, Mgahinga National Park is the smallest National Park in Uganda.

Trekking to the summit of one of the mountains provides a great perspective of wild surroundings. Rare Albertine endemics among other birds spend the day prowling the woodland.

Mostly Bafumbira, who are farmers, and Batwa, whose survival relied on the forest until 1990s when they were expelled, local villages around Mgahinga national park.

Six Day Safari Plans for Mgahinga National Park Highlights
Drive to Mgahinga National Park on day one

Day 2 Gorilla hiking in Mgahinga National Park

Day three Golden Monkey Trekking

Day 4 Trekking in the Muhavura Mountains

Day 5: Visit Batwa and Garama Cave

Day 6 Depart from Entebbe Airport

Details of the six-day safari in Mgahinga National Park Day 1 Drive To Mgahinga National Park
Rising early to get to Mgahinga National Park spares you from congested city center traffic during peak hours. From Kampala, the capital city center, this is a 540 kilometer trip that takes around 8 hours without stops. Stretch and relax throughout breaks to help you travel. Keep your cameras nearby to capture images of several sceneries like plateaus, Equator point, magnificent valley and hill slope gardens, birds, olive baboons and so much more that appeals to your eye.

You start to dip in height as you get near the Mgahinga National Park and see a thick canopy. Arriving the park late evening, expect to check in.

There are a variety of lodging options from Luxury to Midrange to Modest buildings. Your budget will determine where you sleep. The most of these lodging provide complete Board services.

Among the lodging facilities in Mgahinga National Park are Traveler’s Inn, Volcanoes Camp, Kisoro Tourist Hotel

Day Two Gorilla Trekking inside Mgahinga National Park
Walk to Ntebeko Visitor Center for orientation after breakfast. Remember to take the appropriate gorilla trekking gear as well as lunch as return time is unclear. The ranger guides walk you through all the guidelines of gorilla trekking, including not feeding the mountain gorillas; in case you have a communicative illness, volunteer to remain behind as gorillas are rather vulnerable to human infections and so much more.

The only known habituated gorilla family in Mgahinga national park available for visitors is Nyakigezi gorilla trekking family. Usually, the ranger guide follows the path going to the location where the gorillas were last seen yesterday.

Among other primates, look for black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, blue monkeys, pottos monkeys, L’hoest to name but a few.

Along with members of the IUCN red list the Albertine endemics that can cross your path, an assortment of birds makes the journey vibrant. Among the species found in Mgahinga National Park are Handsome Francolin, Malachite Sunbird, Lagden’s Bush Shrike, Rwenzori Turaco, Kivu Ground Thrush.

Your ranger guide will advise on changing into a cleaner mask to meet the gorillas once you find them. Gorilla guidelines were strengthened after the COVID-19 epidemic to stop any communicative disease from spreading to them.

Try not to encircle the gorilla family as this may lead them to feel ambushed; stand at least eight meters away. As memento of this amazing gorilla trip in Uganda, take pictures using a sound proof flash less camera.

Gorillas observe the regulations as they are acclimated to be in human proximity for just one hour. This gives mountain gorillas time free from human intervention to search for the daily food. Retrace your steps to your lodging in peace.

Day three Golden Monkey Trekking inside Mgahinga National Park
Golden monkey trekking starts early in morning with a ranger guide briefing. Remember to take your binoculars, camera, and hiking tools like these. insect repellants, tracking boots to name just a few.

Their incredibly busy lifestyle makes them among the most fascinating monkeys to observe. They keep you on your heels all through the walk. The physical size of this monkey exceeds that of the others in the jungle. They covered, particularly the lower back, with light brown fur.

Despite their shy yet energetic temperament, some Golden monkey troupes have been used to live with people. This process of habituation has also benefited by frequent visitor trips.

Children fifteen years of age and above may also go Golden Monkey Trekking under adult supervision. Photographs help to retain memories with these unusual animals.

Day 4 Tour Batwa and Garama Cave
Spend this day in Batwa territory accompanied by a Mutwa guide. From the foot of Mountain Muhavura, follow the Batwa path to Garama cave. Discover the Batwa pygmies’ traditional way of life, which relied on the forest prior to eviction in 1990s for mountain gorilla preservation.

You will learn about Batwa old life and culture during this walk. The Batwa council chamber was the 342 meter long Garama cave near Mgahinga National Park’s boundary. After invading the Bafumbira, Batwa sought cover in this cave.

Recently the Garama caverns serve as a remembrance of life passing and the theater for traditional Batwa performances.

Day 5 Hike Mountains in National Park Mgahinga
Hike to either Muhavura Mountain, Gahinga Mountain, or Sabyinyo Mountain, which comprise the Mgahinga heights first thing in the morning. From the summit of any one of these mountains, you get a 360-degree perspective of Uganda, Rwanda, and the D.R. Congo border.

Staring from Ntebeko, hiking Gahinga Mountain takes around six hours throughout bamboo forest to reach a wetland buried in the crater.

The Sabyinyo mountain walk might take eight hours to and from. Peak 1 comes first, then Peak 2, on this mountain made of three peaks. Peak 2 atop a short peak overlooking picturesque falls down deep canyons on either side. Peak 3 negotiates a hard and muddy climb. From the top formed by these summits, you may simultaneously see Rwanda, D.R. Congo, and Uganda.

Day Six Leave Mgahinga National Park
Spend six days in Mgahinga National Park then travel to Entebbe Airport to join up with your return flight.

Book Gorilla Permit for Mgahinga National Park
Mgahinga gorilla permits are offered depending on available gorillas, unlike reserving gorilla permits for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Sometimes the Nyakigezi gorilla family in Mgahinga National Park crosses across to Rwanda Volcanoes National Park.

Every gorilla permit is $800 per person day on the hike.

Book Golden Monkey Permits for Mgahinga National Park
Every day the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) grants golden monkey trekking permission. One permit is $100 a day.

When Should One Plan Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga National Park?
Gorilla trekking is available all year long depending on the members of Nyakagezi family attendance. While rain falls often without notice, the months March through May and November through December provide heavy rain that causes swampy land.

Finding gorillas by hiking the hillsides becomes somewhat difficult at this time as fewer sun rays reaches the thick canopy to dry the ground.

Drier with less undergrowth showing to the paths are June through September and January through February. Gorilla hiking safaris in Uganda have these best times.

How One Gets To Visit Mgahinga National Park
By means of roads Kampala leads one to Mgahinga National Park from Kabale to Kisoro. Apart from enroute breaks, this travel takes around eight hours. The murram route takes two hours to reach Ntebeko gate and goes around mountains.

Mgahinga National Park may be reached crossing via Kisoro from Rwanda Kigali airport then Cyanika border.

Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi air strip allows one to arrange charter and daily scheduled flights.

Items To Bring For Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga National Park
A great gorilla trekking safari in Africa is one where one packs less and light with appropriate gear. You should create a list of clothes and gear that would make your safari fun.

Monitoring boots suitable for mountain climbing the Mgahinga slopes during gorilla treking.

Two binoculars can let one get a better view of the gorillas and other forest residents like falls, birds, and monkeys.

long sleeved shirts and pants in tones fit for the jungle. Political grounds forbid millitary camouflage in Uganda.

Insect repellants help protect your skin from potentially damaging stinging insects.

Some snacks to keep you going throughout the bush; make sure you discard no wrappers there as well.

Two garden gloves will help you to grab creepers tighter while sliding on a hill.

A light brim hat will shield your head from soaking dew on the broad leaf surfaces.

Hard money to convert into Uganda shills for local purchases include porter hire, souvenir shopping

a sparely charged battery for your camera to run low on.

Please contact KatlandSafaris and also check our out-of-trip Advisor page to learn more about how to spend six days in Mgahinga National Park and what our past customers have to say about our service.

Fair price for a 5 day Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee safari

Fair price for a 5 day Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee safari.

How much should safaris cost if one wants to see chimpanzees and gorillas in the Wild? Among the most fascinating and unforgettable safaris you will ever undertake is five days Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee safari. Another name for it may be the Uganda primate safari.

Your safari will bring you to Kibale woodland National Park and Bwindi impenetrable National Park. Including Gorilla and chimpanzee licenses, transportation, lodging, service fees, and without hidden expenses, the fair pricing is. The expenses are broken out here to help one project the price of five days Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee safari.

For five days Uganda’s gorilla and chimpanzee safari, what are the activity costs?

Gorilla hiking in Bwindi
One of the pleasures of five days Uganda’s gorilla and chimpanzee safari is gorilla trekking, which is walking in the jungle to see a certain habituated mountain gorilla family. Before gorilla trekking starts, Gorilla trackers/advanced teams/rangers follow these gorillas using numerous indicators and techniques; they get up extremely early every morning and go to the jungle in hunt of these mountain gorillas.

They track them naturally—by clapping, for example—using crazy noises. Once they locate them, they will notify the park headquarters. Following their dos and don’t advice, the guide will then proceed to walk and trek in the jungle under direction from the trackers.

This offers you 99% chances of seeing the gorillas in their native habitat in either Nkuringo, Buhoma, Rushaga or Ruhija gorilla areas. Depending on availability of permits, you may choose to conduct gorilla treks either at the start of your safari or at the conclusion.

Your trip on a 5Day gorilla and chimpanzee safari depends on gorilla permits. The activity selected between gorilla habituation experience and gorilla treking determines the cost of the gorilla permits. For Non-foreign Residents, the Gorilla Trekking licenses in Bwindi cost USD800 per person; for East African Residents, USD700; for East African Citizens, USD300,000. The gorilla Habituation lets you spend four hours with the gorillas and permits cost USD1500 for Non-Foreign Residents, USD1000 for East African Residents and Uganda shs. 750,000.

The habituation experience between Rushaga and Nkuringo areas in the south of Bwindi. The price follows the Uganda Wildlife Authority Tariff for 2021 and 2022. The gorilla permit price includes the admission costs into the bwindi forest, guiding fees into the forest for the day, and conservation value as bwindi contains the remaining half of the mountain gorillas worldwide.

Trekking in Kibale woodland National Park among chimpanzees

One of the activities available on a five-day Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee safari is chimps’ treking. The activities let you see the chimpanzees in their natural habitat and are very fascinating. Referred regarded be the Primate capital, Kibale National Park has the largest Chimpanzee population in Uganda.

Visitors are subsequently let to begin the walk to the forest till they reach the chimpanzees, guides and Park rangers always protect the safety of the customers while in the forest. The journey begins with briefing at the Park headquarters with dos and don’ts.

Those who want to visit the chimpanzees that are already habituated to humans depend especially on their permission, which only permits one hour of viewing and remaining with the chimpanzee once you locate them. Three sessions for chimpanzee treks in Kibale Forest National Park Specifically, morning session beginning at 8:00 am; mid-morning session beginning at mid-day; afternoon session beginning at 15pm all year.

Planning a five-day Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee safari depends much on the permits for chimpanzee trekking. The chimpanzee licenses are offered at Uganda’s wildlife Authority’s offices; the price is inclusive of admission and guiding expenses.

The UWA-Tariff for 2024-2025 states that Uganda shillings 250,000 per person for East African citizens, USD300 per person Non-Foreign Residents, USD250 per person Foreign Residents pay for their chimpanzee Trekking permit. Since chimpanzee permits sell out during the busy season, they must be booked ahead of your intended visit and treking dates.

For five days Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee safari, what is the cost of transportation?

Choice of transportation, gasoline, driver guide allowance, airplane ticket and vehicle hiring for five days safari determines the cost of transportation.

The quickest way to get Kibale National Park/Bwindi is via daily flights, which only take around one hour and fifteen minutes. The flight costs from USD 273 per adult from Entebbe international Airport or Kajjansi into Kasese Airstrip.

It is around 5 hours’ drive from Entebbe/Kampala to Kibale National Park and approximately 8-9 hours from Kampala to Bwindi; you may therefore take a road trip to Kibale National Park and Bwindi for 5 days gorilla and chimpanzee safari and round trip without backtracking.

Although the travel seems lengthy, it is rather fun as you may stop on the way to see some interesting sites. Fuel for the round trip of five days gorilla and chimpanzee safari ranges from USD300 depending on the car you choose to use; we only use 4×4 vehicles for transportation considering the state of our roads in the park; the vehicles are quite comfortable and spacious for your safari experience.

On a five day Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee safari, what is the reasonable cost of lodging?
In Bwindi, we advise lodging in the area where you are hiking and where permits show easy access to the park headquarters. The Bwindi lodges, campgrounds, and hotels vary from inexpensive to luxury; the rates run USD 70 to 100 per person per night. You may stay at Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Four Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Havens resort, Nkuringo’s Gorilla Lodge, Cloud Mountains gorilla lodge and Gorilla Heights resort in Rushaga.

Staying in the Buhoma sector is possible at Buhoma Lodge, Mahogany springs Lodge, Bwindi Lodge, and Gorilla forest camp. You may stay in Ruhija sector at Trekkers Inn Lodge, Bakiga lodge or even at Lake Bunyonyi or lodges in Kabale town. Although there are several lodges in Bwindi, they must be reserved ahead of time as they are completely filled during busy season.

There are many possibilities for you to choose where to stay in Kibale forest national park; from low-cost to luxury hotels, all with services worth your money spent. The most of the lodges are located on the edges of the forest, cottages with views of the crater lakes or woodland, so you will have to travel a few minutes to the park headquarters.

Luxury alternatives include Ndali lodge, Crater safari lodge, Kyaninga lodge, and Papaya; then, Primate Lodge and Turaco tree tops for a middle-class stay; you may stay at Chimpanzee Forest Guest House, Isunga lodge and Kiable forest camp for budget guests. The most near settlement to Kibale forest is Fort Portal settlement, which offers lodging as well.

Why book Uganda gorilla and chimpanzee safaris via Encounter Africa?
Originally offering safaris to Uganda and Rwanda, Katlandsafaris has now grown to provide adventures with fantastic primates to Tanzania, Kenya, and D R Congo.

Over the last 10 years, we have gradually established a team including youthful and vibrant employees under direction of seasoned senior managers and directors who are Ugandans and driven about what they do.

Should you get in touch, one of our employees will help you to depend on reliable and timely information. Travel Advisor and safari reservations show great ratings and reviews for KatlandSafaris.

Cultural and community activities around Lake Mutanda

Cultural and community activities around Lake Mutanda.

Discover local and cultural events surrounding Lake Mutanda for post- gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable National Park. Around 20 kilometers north of the district seat in Kisoro, southwest Uganda, Lake Mutanda is situated in Kisoro District.

Nestled 1,800 meters (5,900 feet) in the foothills of the Virunga Mountain Range, Lake Mutanda From Lake Mutanda, one can see the three volcanoes in the range—Mountain Muhabura, Mountain Sabinyo, and Mountain Gahinga—that lie somewhat in Uganda. The lake has a number of islets. The Rutshuru River empties the lake from northward to Lake Edward.

What can one do near Lake Mutanda?

Paddleboarding or Canoe Trip
One of the nicest things to do at Lake Mutanda is canoeing; you will have time to explore the lovely lake and its amazing surrounds. Ride in a conventional dug-out canoe. On a sunset boat tour, have a glass of wine; on one of our stand-up paddle boards, discover the calm lake Mutanda.

visit Mukozi Village
To see Kyangushu Island with its traditional burial site and the charming settlement of Mukozi, you will boat or Cultural stroll. The nursery school’s youngsters will kindly greet you; see a traditional healer and a craft maker. Your vacation will end with a taste of something bizarre in the neighborhood tavern.

Trail of Batwa and Garama cave
The Batwa pygmy people are a must-do trail; they are Uganda’s indigenous people who used to live in the forest prior to evacuation in order to preserve wildlife and the environment. Their language, customs, dances, way of life will let you appreciate their culture.

You will pay a nominal charge for this meeting; this may be arranged at the Resort or ahead of time with Katlandsafaris. You will explore the Garama cave, which is rich in history and currently home to bats.

swimming and tanning in the sun
One of the few lakes devoid of bilharzia in Uganda, Lake Mutanda is hence suitable for swimming. Have a plunge, lounge in our gardens, or enjoy a morning yoga class.

Traveling to Mutanda Island
This tour may be scheduled at the resort in your spare time; Mutanda Island boat voyage takes two to three hours to reach Kyangushu’s burial location; Mutanda Island, the largest and only inhabited one, will follow.

One may see breathtaking views of the Congo border, Lake Mulehe, and Bwindi inaccessible jungle. To save expenses and have more fun, you may also go on this excursion with other Resort residents.

Hiking the Volcano in Mgahinga National Park
For those who like hiking, Lake Mutanda is near the gahinga Ranges—Mountain Sabyinyo, Mountain Gahinga, Mountain Muhabura—you may choose to climb one of the mountains depending on your degree of fitness.

Following a rocky slope up to the summit, Mountain Gahinga, the smallest mountain at 3474m, takes roughly six hours to ascent and descend; Mountain Sabinyo is at 3,669m and follows. Top crowned by a swamp-filled crater and enormous lobelia. At 4,157m Mountain Muhavura is the highest summit; the 15km round trek takes eight hours.

Once reaching the summit, hikers are rewarded on a clear day with views of the Virunga Volcanoes, Lake Edward, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and the summits of the Rwenzori Mountain.If you are fortunate enough at Mgahinga National Park, your volcano hiking adventure offers a chance to witness many tree types, birdlife, Forest Elephants, Primates and Gorillas.

Tracking golden monkeys in Mgahinga National Park
Another pastime one might engage in around Lake Mutanda is golden monkey tracking. Also uncommon primates worldwide, golden monkeys are fortunate to still exist in Mgahinga national park. One of the main activities in the park that distinguishes Mgahinga Gorilla National Park as unique is Golden Monkey Monitoring.

Based on the Uganda Wildlife Authority Tariff of 2024-2025, two populations of golden monkeys have been settled for trekking; their permit is USD 100. Starting early in the morning at 7:00 am, the walk proceeds with a briefing at the park headquarters on dos and avoid rules while in the forest.

Later on, you begin your stroll into the forest under park guides and Rangers till you come across the golden Monkeys and are allowed to spend one hour seeing them. Only Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda have the golden monkeys found in East Africa.

How one arrives to Lake Mutanda?

You might choose a car journey from Kampala/Entebbe, which takes about nine to ten hours into the Kisoro area. From Kisoro town, the 45-minute picturesque journey The Lake offers will let you view a lot: the Equator, people and businesses, the stunning scenery.

Since the Resort from Kigali is even a short trip of around 5-6 hours and you have a lot to see on the route, you can easily get there from Kigali via Cyanika Boarder between Uganda and Rwanda.

Another option is to fly into Kisoro Airstrip from Entebbe international Airport/Kajjansi; the airstrip is somewhat near to the hotels and resorts along the Lake. Daily domestic flights run by domestic airline operators with morning and afternoon timetables.

Why would one book with Katlandsafaris near Lake Mutanda?

At Lake Mutanda, the rest of Uganda, and the East African area generally, Katlandsafaris provide incredible opportunities. For our reduced packages and also customised travel advice, get in touch with us.

Our magic in arranging real experience comes from the fact that we have gradually established a team blended with youthful and vibrant people supervised by highly experienced senior managers and directors who are Ugandans and enthusiastic about what they do.

On trip Advisor and safari reservations, KatlandSafaris is highly recommended and reviewed to enable you to benefit from the experiences of the other guests who have flown with us.

Cultural activities around Kibale National Park

Cultural activities around Kibale National Park.

Discover here cultural encounters surrounding Kibale National Park. Covering the districts of Kabarole, Kyenjonjo, Kamwenge and Kyegegwa, Kibale Forest National Park is found in western Uganda. About 1500 chimpanzees, bird species, Tree species, reptiles, Monkeys, butterflies, Mammals and other creatures call Kibale Forest National Park, a tropical forest home.

Driving from Kampala/Entebbe takes four to five hours. Uganda Wildlife Authority looks after the park. See Contact Katlandsafaris to customize your cultural vacation into an unforgettable encounter in Kibale forest national park.

What kinds of cultural events surround Kibale National Park?

Walking Through Bigodi Wetlands
Located near Kibale National Park, the Bigodi Wetland is rich in scenic beauty and wildlife; it is thus a must-see site. Among the more than 300 kinds of birds housed here are Hornbills, Turacos, Parrots, Cranes, Kingfishers, and many more swamp endemics.

Eight other species of primates call the refuge home: the Black and White Colobus, Red Colobus, Red Tailed Monkey, Grey Cheeked Mangabey, Olive Baboon, L’hoest Monkey, Vervet Monkey, and Blue Monkey.

Other creatures include otters, bushbucks, and sitatungas find paradise in the wetland as well. As they lead you over the verdant surroundings, local and informed guides will provide an instructive tour. This is the ideal chance to see the forest paths, boardwalks, and atop a tree house nestled high in the canopy the animals.

Bigodi cultural stroll
One of the cultural events available near Kibale National Park is the Bigodi cultural walk, where you will tour the evocative hamlet of Bigodi under one of our expert English-speaking field-guides. Depending on group speed, the walk will last three to four hours.

Your curiosity will lead you to first see a traditional healer who will gladly impart his expertise on spirits, herbs, plants, and local medications. Second, the guests will pay visits to the houses of old men and women who chronicle fascinating birth, marriage, ceremonial, clan, and traditional life events.

Find out more about the background and problems this growing rural Uganda community faces. Along the road, you will also be able to visit a local church and Bigodi’s trade area, a hub of rural life and activity, and experience the Ugandan education system.

Seeing the Crater Lakes outside of Kibale National Park
Many of the more over 100 crater lakes in the Kabarole area, which Kibale National Park contains, are located outside of the forest. Visitors to Fort Portal and Kibale National Park find enormous appeal in the crater lakes; among of them include Kigere Crater Lake, Bikere Crater Lake, Kyaninga crater, Ndali crater, Lake Saka crate, and many more.

There is kayaking, swimming, fishing in some of the crater lakes; their local rich histories pique your curiosity. One of the most fascinating pursuits available near Kibale Forest National Park.

The Kingdom of Tooro and Palace Go to Fort Portal. Neighbouring the Kibale forest National Park, the Batooro people of Town are the head quarter of Tooro Kingdom and have a monarch living in the city centre Palace.

Leading cultural feature in the town is the Palace; also there are the Nyakasura caverns with enormous historical significance, the Toro Kingdom Parliament, and karambi tombs where the royals are interred. You may also learn about the batooro people’s customs, cuisine, dances, way of life.

Traveling to the Nyakasura Caves
Nyakasura, 7 kilometers from Fort Portal Town on Fort portal-Bundibudgyo route in Kabarole District, including the amabeere Ga Nyina Wiru caverns. About forty minutes separate the caverns from Kibale Forest National Park.

The site is wonderful; you will trek to the caverns with guides halting on various points till you reach the rocky caves with the waterfall. The caverns are very historical; the head of the Chwezi dynasty resided here.

The Nyakasura caverns provide the finest view as they are near the Rwenzori Mountains, waterfalls, volcanoes, and other streams. One of the traditional pursuits available near Kibale National Park is nyakasura cave exploration.

Traveling to Farms and Tea Plants
One of the biggest distributors of tea in Uganda, the Tooro area where Kibale National Park is located has several tea plantations.

Most of the plantations are on the foot of Mountain Rwenzori and around Kibale National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park. When you visit the Park, you may also see interesting Native people’s animal farms and banana crops.

How one may visit Kibale Forest National Park?

Road access to the Kibale forest national park is around 4-5 hours’ drive from Kampala/Entebbe. The car drive winds through the lovely western Uganda landscape, the estates, and the kind Uganda people. Early morning at 8:00 am, our road tours fight off traffic and arrive in the afternoon at the hotel or camp/lodge you have booked.

Alternatively, fly to Kasese Airstrip and then spend two hours and less traveling to Kibale forest national park than on a road trip. Aerolink Uganda runs morning and afternoon flights to Kasese Airstrip from Entebbe international Airport, considering your itinerary you can choose chattered or scheduled flights to do cultural activities around Kibale forest National Park. Daily domestic flights to Kasese Airstrips in Queen Elizabeth national park.

Where near Kibale National Park might one stay?

There are many possibilities for you to choose where to stay in Kibale Forest National Park; from cheap to luxury lodges, all with a service worth your money paid for. You will have to travel a few minutes to the park headquarters as most of the lodges are located on the out skirts of the forest that cottages face the forest or crater lakes.

Luxury alternatives include Ndali lodge, Crater safari lodge, Kyaninga lodge and Papaya; then, Primate Lodge and Turaco tree tops for a middle-class stay; you may remain chimpanzee forest guest house, Isunga lodge for budget guests. The most near settlement to Kibale forest is Fort Portal settlement, which offers lodging as well.

Why book with Katlandsafaris Cultural events around Kibale National Park?
Originally focused on planning incredible experiences for Uganda and Rwanda, Katlandsafaris now extend to provide safaris to Tanzania, Kenya, and D R Congo. For the last 10 years, we have slowly developed a team blended with youthful and vibrant people mentored by highly experienced senior managers and directors who are Ugandans and enthusiastic about what they do.

Should you get in touch, one of our employees will help to provide you reliable, current information inside the five minutes. On trip Advisor and safari reservations, KatlandSafaris is very well regarded and evaluated. See our website for a customised cultural vacation to Kibale Forest National Park.

How safe is it to fly from Entebbe to Mgahinga National Park

How safe is it to fly from Entebbe to Mgahinga National Park.

One of the top gorilla locations in Uganda located in southwest Uganda, flying to Mgahinga National Park is rather safe and doable. Flying allows you to reach the Hotel/Park sooner than spending the full day driving, therefore saving the time to spend on potentially taxing road travel. Since flying is the quickest means of reaching Mgahinga National Park in Uganda, most visitors have chosen to fly.

Fly in Airstrips inside Mgahinga National Park.

Fly in safaris for Mgahinga National Park and all other safari locations in Uganda are arranged by Encounter Africa. One major Airstrip in Mgahinga National Park lets you land on your safari tour to this fantastic Park. Driven thirty minutes’ distance to the park headquarters and other Mgahinga National Park adjacent hotels/lodges, the Airstrip is known as Kisoro Airstrip.

Depending on the airline operator you choose to employ, flights to Kisoro might leave Entebbe international Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip. Depending on the route, the trip takes over two hours to Kisoro. Kisoro has only morning flights as the nature of the weather guarantees customer safety on board.

Another way to go to Mgahinga National Park is via Kasese Airstrip in western Uganda. While on your safari to visit the Gorillas Chimpanzees, Hiking and cultural interactions, we can customize for you flights to every National Park.

Operating flights Kisoro Airstrip nearest to Mgahinga National Park are three main flying firms. Leading firm Aerolink Uganda flies daily from Entebbe international airport to Kisoro. Operating from Kajjansi Airstrip to Kisoro, Eagle flying and Fly Uganda are the other flying carriers.

These businesses may all also do planned and chattered flights. Our expert, seasoned, qualified English speaking driver guide will be waiting for you up on arrival at the any Airstrip for all the transfers and activities in the Park for a whole wonderful excursion. For your comfort and unforgettable experience, we only use 4×4 safari cars.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Mgahinga National Park is in East Africa’s Kisoro district, south western Uganda. Among the Virunga volcanic mountain range of Rwanda, Congo, and Uganda noted for Mountain gorilla safaris is Mgahinga gorilla national park.

Volcanoes national park in Rwanda, Virunga national park in Democratic Republic of Congo, and Bwindi Forest National Park in Uganda surround Uganda’s smallest national park.

Of the three volcanoes in Mgahinga gorilla national park—Mountain Gahinga, Mountain Sabyinyo, and Mountain Muhabura—all of which fall within the six Virunga Mountains Mgahinga National Park has the Golden Monkeys and the threatened mountain gorilla. Comprising lowland equatorial evergreen forest, tropical seasonal forest, montane rain forests and mountain bamboo, the park is a tropical rain forest.

Among Uganda’s ten National Parks for tourism, Mgahinga National Park is the second one designed for especially gorilla tourism. You should not miss this park while visiting Uganda; it is very beautiful. Uganda Wildlife Authority, a government agency in charge of all the conservation sites in the country, manages it.

What should one do and see at Mgahinga National Park?

Uganda is blessed with variety to see and experience; on your flying safari, Mgahinga national park is well worth your time and visit for the abundance of activities described below.

Trekking among gorillas in Mgahinga National Park
For lifetime gorilla treking experience, most visitors choose to fly from Entebbe to Mgahinga National Park. Another special location in Uganda for the wonderful gorilla tourism is The Park. Visiting the rare mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, gorilla trekking allows one to appreciate their beauty, movement, feeding, and manner of existence.

Amazing to see, the gorillas are reported to contain 99% of the human DNA. Every day hiking is possible in Mgahinga National Park because to one habituation gorilla family known as Nyakagezi gorilla family. Once you locate the gorillas, just eight guests are permitted to visit pay for only one hour of viewing.

You must have a valid gorilla permit obtained from Uganda wildlife Authority for your intended date of travel for USD800 for Foreign Non-Residents, USD700 for Foreign Residents, and Uganda shillings 300,000 for East African nationals if you want a successful gorilla trip in Mgahinga national park.

One day of the trip, you will drive to the Park Headquarters for a training on the rules to follow while in the forest and with the gorillas; expert guide and Park rangers will go with you into the deep rain forest on the mountain slopes.

The lifelong experience of seeing mountain gorillas in their native environment makes the trip—through thick undergrowth and up hard climbs— amply repaid. Sharing in their everyday life and seeing their daily routines, you will get a chance to be within 7-5 meters of these amazing apes.

After one hour of gorilla watching, you will be back at the starting site to pick up a certificate for a successful gorilla trip. Book with us your safe flying safari from Entebbe to Mgahinga National Park to see gorillas.

Trekking for golden monkeys in Mgahinga National Park

Furthermore uncommon primates worldwide are golden monkeys; Uganda is fortunate to have them still found in Mgahinga national park. One of the main activities in the park that distinguishes Mgahinga gorilla national park as a unique destination when you travel from Entebbe is golden monkey tracking. Based on the Uganda Wildlife Authority Tariff of 2024-2025, two populations of golden monkeys have been settled for trekking; their permit is USD 100.

Starting early in the morning at 7:00 am, the walk proceeds with a briefing at the park headquarters on dos and avoid rules while in the forest. Later on, you begin your stroll into the forest under park guides and Rangers till you come across the golden Monkeys and are allowed to spend one hour seeing them. The golden monkeys are limited in East Africa to Mgahinga National Park in Uganda and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.

Mgahinga National Park Volcano Climbing and Hiking
Mgahinga gorilla national park is also well-known for Volcano climbing of the Gahinga Ranges for individuals interested in trekking on flying safari. Depending on your level of fitness, you may choose to climb Mountain Sabyinyo, Mountain Gahinga, Mountain Muhabura or another of the three Virunga mountain chains.

Following a rocky slope up to the summit, Mountain Gahinga, the smallest mountain at 3474m, takes roughly six hours to ascent and descend; Mountain Sabinyo is at 3,669m and follows. Top crowned by a swamp-filled crater and enormous lobelia. At 4,157m Mountain Muhavura is the highest summit; the 15km round trek takes eight hours.

Once reaching the summit, hikers are rewarded on a clear day with views of the Virunga Volcanoes, Lake Edward, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and the summits of the Rwenzori Mountain.If you are fortunate enough at Mgahinga National Park, your volcano hiking adventure offers a chance to witness many tree types, birdlife, Forest Elephants, Primates and Gorillas.

Mgahinga National Park Batwa Cultural Experience
One of the attractions of the flying safari in Uganda, Mgahinga national park housed the Batwa Pygmies in the forest who were evicted as a conservation measure of the threatened apes and monkeys, is cultural experience.

As they present you to their traditional forest existence, the Batwa cultural encounter will expose you their distinct culture, dance, manner of life, cuisine they consume. The Batwa will lead into the forest in which they exhibit their traditional forest life—hunting, fruit picking, honey collection, ceremonial activities among others—along the walk.

These batwa paths pay a charge to help the lives of the nearby villages as well as to value culture. Donations to children and women’s organizations are widely valued as well as purchases of soverniors help the community. For an incredible flying journey, visit Mgahinga national park in conjunction with KatlandSafaris.

Bird viewing at Mgahinga National Park

For individuals fascinated in bird species, Mgahinga national park is one of the greatest activities available. Thus far there are around 79 bird species in the park, including numerous species native to the East Congo Montane area where Mgahinga is located.

The Dusky Turtle Dove, Cape Robin-chat, Kivu-ground Thrush, Olive Thrush, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Bronze Sunbird, Regal Sunbird, Blue-headed Sunbird, Rwenzori Batis, Black-headed Waxcomb Birding occurs in the canyon between Mountain Gahinga and Sabinyo as well as in the forest Age; the birding path is around four hour walk guided by guides to assist you identify the noises and the species. We do provide flying birding excursions with qualified guides armed with birding expertise.

Walking in the forest is nature.
Nature walk paths created by Uganda’s wildlife Authority for guided visits in Mgahinga National Park Depending on the time the tourist arrives, the guided walks may begin at any time of the day. During the excursions, you will be able to see the many more tree species, forest birds, marshes, and Lakes like Lake Mutanda, Lake Chahafi. You will be directed on many paths for an exciting encounter.

Where inside Mgahinga National Park should one stay?
There are many lodging options in Mgahinga National Park where you may spend your trip. Most of the lodges are located on the edge of the forest where one may clearly see the mountain ranges.

The Lodges go from Budget to Luxury; among them are the luxury hotel Gahinga Lodge, the lake Chahafi Lodge, and the midrange and budget-conscious Lake Muhele Lodge. Another choice is to stay in motels in Kisoro town; the town is about thirty minutes’ drive from the Park headquarters.

Why fly to Mgahinga National Park via Katlandsafaris?
Amazing adventures in Mgahinga National Park, the remainder of Uganda, and the East African area overall are provided by Katlandsafaris. Visit our website for our cheap packages and even customised adventures.

Our magic in arranging real experience comes from the fact that we have over time established a team combined with youthful and enthusiastic people mentored by well-experienced senior managers and directors who are Ugandans and passionate about what they do.

On trip Advisor and safari reservations, KatlandSafaris is highly rated and reviewed to enable you to learn about the experiences of the other guests who have flown with us.

10 Reasons Why Gorilla Trekking During Low Season is Better

Many visitors avoid gorilla trekking during the low seasons of March to May and October to November mainly because they cannot tolerate the rain that renders surroundings useless. But because the low season offers numerous benefits we discuss below, we believe it is best to hike mountain gorillas in the rain.

Get less expensive flights.

Less people from Europe and America in the area forces airlines to cut flying rates. Using the less expensive flights during the low season may help you save travel costs in these age when everything appears costly.

Discounted Transportation and Hotel Accommodation

While some lodges could closure during the low season, most operating hotels cut their room prices to get some business.

Besides, the wet season brings much cheaper transportation expenses. Service companies pack their cars throughout this period and would like to keep the machinery operational for less than let them rust away for.

Any travel savings would help you to enjoy gorilla trekking and other activities on the same trip by enhancing your vacation.

No Groups, More Room

There are no crowds implies you might enjoy services all to yourself. Having a corner of heaven all to yourself once in a while is great.

Travel during the low season to take advantage of all to yourself venues and activities. Given the great amount of guests in the peak season, the gorilla trekking tourist centers will seem empty.

With the safari lodge lounge almost vacant, you will have plenty of space to relax and stretch your feet.

Unlike strolling heel-to–toe, gorilla trekking allows you to immerse in nature with least interference from others. Fewer people also mean a higher chance of seeing the monkeys uninterrupted, which lets you engage with your local guide and capture images from all angles.

personal Services
For residents of towns around the gorilla parks, gorilla tourism is a vital source. The crowds in the busy season usually cause the service to lose its quality.

During the low season, when you visit East Africa, you won’t have this issue as the locals are warmer and treat the visitor more personally.

Traveling during the low season allows you the benefit of receiving personal and intimate attention from everything you pay for, including your driver, guide, lodging, and service providers.

Availability of Gorilla Permits
Planning a gorilla trekking trip while you are unable to get a gorilla permit is aggravating. But the low season lets you establish your intended vacation dates by saving you the back and forth effort of looking for permit availability.

Travelers have to schedule their trip around the gorilla permit dates including flights and lodging during high season. Low season availability lets you reserve last-minute as hardly many people are eager to go through the rainy season conditions.

You See More
Seeing more than in the busy seasons is another benefit of low season travel. Assuming you are hiking in the forest either before or after your gorilla trekking adventure, jumping to catch sight of other visitors and other locals crossing the same path.

That unusual monkey or bird will seldom be seen as they will naturally hide from the various unsettling noises and sights.

The less people and the degree of noise, the more uncommon animals and birds enter the open and you will be able to photograph them in their natural state.

Improved Neighborhood Links

Low seasons are also when business is out of the thoughts of the residents; it is their time to relax, hence they are more receptive to you.

This is consequently a time to engage with residents and pick up a little of knowledge about their history and way of life. This might be difficult during active peak seasons.

The Weather Not That Bad

While many tourists will choose not to visit East Africa in April and May, downpours are brief and strong, leaving wonderful light conditions for the remainder of the day.

Usually lasting two hours, the rain might cause disruptions to your trip. Still, you have the remainder of the day to complete your gorilla trekking trip under pleasant conditions.

Besides, you would be escaping the strong heat of the dry season that makes gorilla hiking impractical at high elevations.

If you like wildlife watching after the gorilla walk, plains temperatures are pleasant and warm; the rains provide plenty of water to rivers and waterholes.

Rivers flow with water, landscapes are rich and verdant, and during low seasons young animals run beside their parents. Perfect for photographing spectacular settings and strong sunsets are low seasons.

A great opportunity to get pictures with striking clouds contrasted with rich mountainous terrain is the low-season gorilla safari.

You’re not hurried as much.

Usually walking at the slowest speed among guests, gorilla trekking guides lead them throughout the bush. In the peak season, everyone follows the pace of one person—fast or sluggish. There is a hurry to locate the most fulfilling spot to see the gorillas throughout the trip. For some individuals, all these requests to suit other visitors might be irritable.

With the route and guide to yourself, you most likely are the only visitor on the low season trek. It helps the guides to know you and will enable you to see the gorillas at your speed.

The Gorillas Are Right Beside
Because of availability of fruit, mountain gorillas feed on the lower slopes close to the buffer zone during the rains. It is difficult to locate their preferred food in the dry season as they must go to a higher altitude where it is colder.

You will travel lesser distances and locate the gorilla family in the rainy season, therefore saving hours of hiking that can stretch past mid-day. Sometimes in the low seasons, particularly in the Buhoma Sector north of Bwindi, the gorillas enter the camps and thrill visitors.

Booking Your Low Season Gorilla Trekking Safari In the low season, Africa Safaris Limited remains operating and offers first-rate travel operator services. Especially if you are on a budget, we will offer you reasonable prices on transportation and lodging as well as safe gorilla trekking permits in Uganda and Rwanda.

To get a low-budget quotation to observe gorillas during the low seasons, contact us.

Gorilla Trekking Holiday During High Season, Booking Mistakes To Avoid

Gorilla Trekking Holiday During High Season, Booking Mistakes To Avoid.

Although it’s somewhat difficult to book a gorilla trekking trip during the main season of tourism, it is still the finest time for safaris in Uganda and Rwanda. Many visitors to the gorilla area indicate that the finest locations to stay, gorilla permits, and means of transportation will be in great demand months in advance.

Usually spanning June to September, the prime season for gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda corresponds with dry weather to draw many visitors.

Ignorance of the nuances of organizing a gorilla vacation during the busy season may lead to serious errors likely to have a negative impact on the trip. Fortunately, if you are planning a gorilla trekking excursion during the busy season, we can assist you avoid those typical errors.

Start scheduling months in advance instead than waiting last-minute.

Last-minute booking for gorilla trekking trips in the busy season is strongly discouraged as you are likely to be disappointed obtaining gorilla permits.

With only around 300 daily available in Rwanda and Uganda, gorilla permits are strictly controlled. Still, the total number of persons interested in the gorillas is much more than the permits that are on hand.

Some people reserve two years ahead to get peak season passes and be able to go when the temperature is right. Thus, start organizing your vacation six to twelve months ahead to prevent running after the tickets with everyone else.

If you don’t book early, the High season also implies you will have trouble securing reasonable accommodation and transportation. On a gorilla trekking trip, where to stay and how to get there are basic needs; you cannot begin to prepare for them until you have a date on the permit.

Plan nothing else on your trip until you have the gorilla permit.

Your tour operator will toss dates at you when booking the gorilla permit for the busy season in search of availability within your date range. Those who mistakenly reserve lodging before obtaining the permit date will have to change their plans later, therefore repeating the whole booking procedure.

Give your tour operator ample time—at least one week—to locate gorilla permits fitting for your trip date. Provide them a range of dates suitable for your trip schedule.

Start working on hotel bookings and travel between locations when you know you have the gorilla permits. Then, after you are certain the ground itinerary covers your trip, you may schedule your international flights.

You could discover that you have additional days in the nation to pursue another activity when you schedule your flights. Perhaps you might include additional vacation activities as a city tour, wildlife drive, or viewing of chimpanzees.

High season travel is not like low season travel.

Many people would decide to go during the peak season as it implies the weather is suitable for everyone.

There are limited dirt roads to the gorilla trailheads and you may reach gorillas only by foot. The dry season ensures that the roads are dry enough for a 4×4 car, hence walking in the forest will be lot simpler when the paths are dry.

Many would avoid visiting during the rainy season as nobody enjoys unpleasant weather during physically difficult activities. Although gorillas live in a jungle where it rains any minute, the dry months provide very little possibility of rain.

But during the rainy season, it often rains in the area, therefore even a seasoned visitor finds it rather difficult to go between locations and the gorilla trekking experience.

Usually, the dry season runs from June to August and from December to February. The wet season runs from October through November and from March through May. During the rainy season certain lodges might be difficult to reach.

Don’t hurry to book with a low-cost travel agency.

High season gorilla trekking vacations are clearly expensive. The benefit of many individuals traveling to generate more money that might protect service providers from low-income generating months is not lost.

That means being alert for a travel operator offering a low price for a gorilla trekking trip during the peak season. You could save costs, but the quality of services suffers.

Although anybody in Uganda may assist you with a gorilla safari, there are no assurances they will provide as compared to a certified and seasoned travel agency. Spend some time reviewing the firm you are considering to schedule your vacation. To be sure the business is reliable, ask AUTO, the Association of Uganda Tour Operators in Uganda.

Book Your High Season Gorilla Trekking Holiday Through Katland
To assist you through the planning phase, contact us. Over a decade of preparing high-season gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda and Rwanda, Katland Safaris Ltd. has effectively operated hundreds of tours annually. We would really like to do the same for you.

When Booking Golden Monkey Permits in Uganda and Rwanda, Avoid these mistakes

When Booking Golden Monkey Permits in Uganda and Rwanda, Avoid these mistakes.

Particularly travels to the Virunga Mountains, booking golden monkey permits is widespread among visitors to Uganda and Rwanda to see primates in their native habitat. Living on the slopes of the Virungas, the Golden monkeys resemble Chinese snob-nosed monkeys.

Often clambering for residual attention from the world-class mountain gorillas, who share their environment, are they?

On the Virunga Volcanos slopes, these sociable animals mostly consume bamboo (Sinarundinaria Alpina) found between 2,101-3,550-meter heights. Attracting visitors to these regions of Africa to see their adorable little faces, this is the only area you will discover these threatened tiny monkeys.

Habituated golden monkey families may be seen at Mgahinga National Park near the southeast point of Uganda or on the side of Rwanda from adjacent Volcanoes National Park. But you will need a ticking generally known as the golden monkey permit.

Particularly with Westerners on another continent, booking golden monkey permits in Uganda and Rwanda is hardly a stroll in the park. Sometimes costing money, travellers make various blunders attempting to arrange golden monkey safaris.

For this reason, in this essay we go over some typical errors to avoid when requesting golden monkey licenses in Rwanda and Uganda.

Not booking golden monkey permits via an operator.

Travel logistics are still a headache in Uganda and Rwanda as their infrastructure does not yet meet international standards. Traveling alone could cause unfortunate errors in planning.

While some individuals may arrange their own travel, it is advisable to use a tour operator to assist in purchasing the permission from UWA or RDB and also organize your whole vacation. Tour agents will handle your permits and provide appropriate advice as they know the operations of local service providers.

Usually, the operator will ask you your desired trip date and then look for permission availability. When they do, they will ask you to email them your passport copy along with the permit fee and payment. They will provide you a copy of the permission and begin organizing the other things for your trip once the reservation is made.

Though the golden monkeys get less attention than gorillas, reserving them is like arranging gorilla permits. The result availability is not very difficult.

Ordering the incorrect hiking passes for the incorrect location

Trekking golden monkeys is possible in Mgahinga National Park in Uganda and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Both of these locations also include gorilla treking. Many tourists mistakenly believe that obtaining a gorilla permit also grants access to the golden monkeys, which is untrue.

While hiking one of them may be rather fantastic, you cannot visit both on the same ticket even if you could run into the other.

Because of mountain gorillas, some visitors often mistake Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda for golden monkeys. Buying gorilla permits, they hope to see golden monkeys.

This is why we suggest visitors to book with a tour operator who would guide them on which permits to purchase and prevent the usual bugling error.

Not being ready for the encounter.

The golden monkey adventure calls for some athletic ability even if it is not as demanding as gorilla treks. Although guests could buy the event looking for a stroll over, they must climb somewhat a difficult distance to reach the little monkeys.

While Mgahinga has one group of around the same size, Volcanoes National Park offers two golden monkey groups totaling roughly 80-100 individuals for tourists. They search for the little buggers from the bamboo forest zone of the highlands, which calls for almost an hour’s climb up the mountainous slopes to reach. Although it is impossible to say exactly how long it takes to go to the monkeys, be ready for anywhere between one hour and three.

Starting at 08:00 am, the daily golden monkey hiking visits span nearly half of the day. You will join a small group of trekkers at the briefing point, at the visitor center of the park, accompanied by two armed park guards and a trekking guide.

Your guide will bring you through the initial forest vegetation until you find the bamboo zone and then be in radio touch with trackers on-site to make sure you see the golden monkeys.

Once you locate the golden monkey tribe, you will have exactly one hour to watch the cheeky monkeys. They could first be in bamboo trees and jumping all over the place, but after a few minutes they will descend to the forest floor where you can appreciate them close by.

Falling for a fraud and paying more than the quoted cost

For one trip, the golden monkey licenses in Rwanda and Uganda cost $100 for person. The permit lets guests see the endangered primates only one hour. Still, you can spend more time with the golden monkeys in Uganda if you reserve a $140 individual golden monkey habituation ticket.

One may easily misunderstand paying an operator more than the stated fee because the golden monkey licenses were less costly and less rare than gorilla permits. Recall that only RDB and UWA are authorised to sell the permits at the stated price, so you pay only the stated fee and nothing more.

Although there are plenty of golden monkey permits available, especially in the busy season, we advise reserving yours early so that you may simply handle the logistics and ensure the gorilla permit for the same journey. All required booking details, including lodging and travel, may be handled by Katland Safaris LTD.

Looking for more than what the permits cover.
Nothing more provided with the permits than the guided walk and ranger security. Therefore, avoid making the mistake of booking golden monkey permits hoping for lodging, food, or drinking water.

Booking a golden monkey ticket requires a minimum age of fifteen years. Up to sixteen (16) visitors may accompany two armed rangers, a senior tracker guide, and several porters to assist carry your equipment in a single trekking group.

The permit doe excludes meals, snacks, porter fees, lodging, drinking water, or for that matter anything beyond the trip time.

How can one purchase golden monkey permits?

Although availability determines booking golden monkey licenses, especially in hot seasons, availability is more certain than with gorilla permits. Online applications from Rwanda call for completing required forms, uploading relevant documentation, and paying the relevant costs online. Conversely, you must visit the UWA headquarters in Kampala to get golden monkey permits for Uganda.

Whether online or with a tour operator, all permit applications call for your complete information—including a copy of your passport leaf, contact email and phone number, and of course, whole payment of the amount. First come, first-serve forms the foundation of the system.

Last-minute bookings may cause disappointment.
Although a few people are interested in the primates and last-minute booking is usually accessible, it might sometimes disappoint you least expectedly. Perhaps the only time the permits were not available was the one you visited the park without reserving.

Generally speaking, particularly if they want the mountain gorillas and golden monkeys on the same trip, we suggest our visitors get purchase permits weeks ahead. Early booking guarantees obtaining both travel date permits for your trip.

Get the most recent booking information for Uganda and Rwanda permits by contacting our safari staff.

Not looking over booking terms and conditions before to booking.

One typical error that results in customers complaining about results when they could have theoretically prevented them is not reading booking conditions. Although it is usual to dismiss terms when learning anything, make exception when booking golden monkey permits in Uganda and Rwanda.

First of all, unless you reschedule not more than seven days before the visit date, golden monkey permits are valid two years from the purchase date.

Second, you have to make an advance book with whole payment; a partial cash deposit is not allowed.

Thirdly, every guest has to check-in at the tourist center with the golden monkey permit or booking reference number and passport for permit validation from 07:00 am to 7:30 am before the experience.

Fourthly, changes in your intended itinerary or unanticipated events allow you to postpone your permits. Subject to availability, you may do that not less than seven (7) days in advance with notification and once within 15 months after purchase or booking date.

Using Encounter makes booking golden monkey permits in Uganda and Rwanda simple.
With Katland Safaris LTD., book your golden monkey permits and safari tour in Uganda and Rwanda. We handle all the little details for a great primates experience, including additional required local logistics such travel plans, hotel bookings, and other activities.

We can arrange a fantastic trip in the Virunga mountains with you whether your goal is to walk golden monkeys and mountain gorillas on the same path.

Get a free quotation by contacting our safari team to assist you with planning.

When booking gorilla permits in Rwanda & Uganda, avoid these mistakes

When booking gorilla permits in Rwanda & Uganda, avoid these mistakes.

Booking gorilla permits starts the preparations for the spectacular gorilla trekking safari in Uganda and Rwanda. The permit is your permission allowing you guided access to the gorillas in their protected habitat. Apart from the passport, the gorilla safari depends on this vital travel document.

For many tourists, booking the permit might be intimidating since it entails back-and-forth correspondence and wire transfers of money. You may make plenty of blunders even using a tour operator to handle logistical issues.

To ensure a flawless planning procedure, we have thus found some of the most often occurring errors you may avoid when buying gorilla permits in Rwanda and Uganda.

Plan a gorilla safari only after you have a gorilla permit initially booked.

A carefully controlled tourism activity in Rwanda and Uganda, gorilla trekking allows just a small daily visitor count to a gorilla troop. Therefore, daily permit availability is little compared to the interested guests.

You may have to amend your bookings, therefore avoid reserving your lodging, flights, or anything else on your trip before you verify that you have the gorilla permit.

Steer clear of last-minute gorilla permit booking.

Last-minute booking of gorilla permits can terribly let you down. As was already noted, gorilla permits are rather rare, particularly during the busiest vacation season when many people want to visit Rwanda and Uganda.

To prevent disappointment, reserve yours three to twelve months in advance; permits might be sold out six months ahead.

Try not to acquire the permits yourself.

We highly suggest you to hire a certified tour operator even if some guests would rather reserve permits on their own. Tour organizations will assist you to postpone the permit to another date in case of unanticipated events and will shield you from the graphic local logistics involved.

Look out a reputable tour operator (registered with the Association of Uganda Tour Operators) that can schedule your whole vacation, including transportation, accommodation, and other activities to avoid this typical error.

Many guests trust Katland Safaris Ltd., which registered with AUTO and offers such services. To enable you to book your gorilla permits in Rwanda and Uganda, kindly contact us at with your accurate names and trip dates.

Make sure the reservation officer has the right names.

Giving the reservation office pseud names instead of your own name is a typical error in booking gorilla permits in Rwanda and Uganda.

You see, the permission corresponds with your passport information. Usually, the booker will want a copy of your passport in order to reserve a permit. Insist on providing them a copy even if they refuse to ask for the passport copy; the office will ask for your passport to confirm ownership and payment when you reach the gorilla trekking starting site.

Should the permit be in the name of another individual, the office could refuse your admission into the gorilla park. Therefore, be sure that the right names show on your gorilla permit before you start to get excited about the trekking trip.

Discounts on the gorilla permit cost are not something you can negotiate.
Governmentally appointed organizations sell gorilla licenses in Uganda at face value; Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). Every visitor over fifteen years may purchase the gorilla permits from RDB or UWA via a local tour operator at the stated fee.

While some tour operators may charge a sourcing fee, they cannot alter the permit’s price. UWA and RDB sometimes may post a cheaper pricing that everyone else will follow, but you cannot haggle over the price of a gorilla permit.

Currently, UWA charges US$800 (£495/€575) per person for gorilla permits to international non-residents. EAC citizens UGX300,000 per person; the one for foreign residents (with work licenses) costs $700,000.

The gorilla permit runs RDB at US$1,500 (£1,062/€1,232) per person.

Cancelling or leaving your permissions expire will cost you money.

On behalf of the holder, the gorilla permit holder or tour operator may change the date up to eight days before the tracking date. You regretfully cannot reschedule beyond the expiration date.

Up to two years ahead of the tracking date, one may reserve a gorilla permit and pay at least a thirty-percent deposit of the permit fee at the reservation.

Cancellation of your gorilla trekking permit fewer than eight days before the tracking date results in no reimbursement. Cancelling the permit ninety days earlier will bring you back 50% or less for days around the tracking date.

Hiring a local operator to manage the permissions for you will always help you avoid the rescheduling and canceling hassles.

Ignorance about gorilla permit distribution in Uganda is unacceptable.
Five gorilla trekking areas run by Uganda Wildlife Authority in Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks Ruhija in eastern Bwindi, Mgahinga head quarters, Buhoma Sector in the north of Bwindi, Rushaga and Nkuringo Sectors in the south, Operating separately, hundreds of kilometers apart, and with controlled numbers of gorilla licenses commensurate with the number of resident gorilla groups, the sectors are autonomous.

Make sure you avoid buying gorilla permits in Uganda without realizing which sector your tickets suggest. Otherwise, you cannot monitor gorillas in an area not mentioned on your permit.

Knowing the allotted sector will also enable you to book lodging close to the trailhead so it will be ready for the trip briefing.

One cannot reserve a particular gorilla group.
On their last trip, your acquaintance could have suggested a gorilla troop they liked seeing. Though many people make the frequent error of expecting the same, it is normal to desire the same. You cannot choose a particular gorilla group when scheduling your gorilla permits in Rwanda and Uganda.

Before you travel into the jungle, UWA officials designate the gorilla group to track during your morning briefing at the trailhead. Perhaps you might whisper your chosen gorilla group to the cop in ear. Still, it is difficult to sway the decision.

The simplest thing you can do is apply for a gorilla permit for the region where your desired gorilla group resides after choosing the trailhead for them.

Book with us and avoid these errors.

Booking your gorilla permits with Katland Safaris Ltd guarantees a good vacation in Uganda and Rwanda and helps you avoid typical blunders.

Licensed operators in Rwanda and Uganda, Encounter will also arrange your lodging, travel between locations, and any additional activity you like to add to your trip. To begin immediately booking your permits, contact our safari advisors.

Month: October 2024