4 Days Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari to Bwindi with a visit to the source of the Nile in Jinja
Gorilla Trekking and Nile tour: 4 Days of Uganda gorilla trekking in Bwindi and a visit to the source of the Nile in Jinja starts and ends in Entebbe/Kampala Uganda. It involves gorilla trekking, visiting the Batwa pygmies for a cultural experience, and the source of the Nile.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is found along Uganda’s border with the Democratic Republic of Congo and next to the Virunga National Park. The park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its biodiversity and importance to overall ecology. It is a water catchment area that feeds off numerous rivers and lakes. Bwindi forest covers an area of 124 square miles of lowland and montane forest. These vast forests are home to 163 tree species, 348 species of birds, and 120 mammals. Among the mammals in the park are chimpanzees, civets, elephants, giant forest hogs, golden cats, Colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, stripped jackals, and mountain gorillas. The key bird species are the cream-banded swallowtail and African green broad-bill. Half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas are found in Bwindi impenetrable forest and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda.
There are currently 15 habituated gorilla groups open to gorilla trekking in Bwindi. Bwindi is special from all the other mountain gorilla parks because of the high concentration of these gentle giants. This experience gives visitors more time with the primates and in the company of very knowledgeable international researchers.
The Batwa pygmies were the original inhabitants of the Bwindi impenetrable forest park before they were relocated outside the park to pave the way for mountain gorilla conservation.
Detailed Itinerary | Gorilla Trekking and Nile tour
Day 1: Pick up and Transfer to Bwindi National Park
Pickup will be from your hotel in Entebbe/Kampala Uganda, the journey would take 8 to 9 hours depending on the sector you would be doing the tracking. The driver will ensure that you stop at the equator crossing and then at Igongo Cultural Centre in Mbarara for Lunch. Once you get to Bwindi, refresh, shower, and enjoy the evening with friends around the hotel.
Dinner and overnight at Bweza Gorilla Lodge.
Day 2: Trekking with Uganda Gorillas – Batwa Pygmies Tour and Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi.
Briefing for gorilla trekking takes place at 7:30 am and is conducted by the Warden and his team of Rangers at the park offices. All gorilla trackers must be at the park by this time and attend the briefing which is an overview of what to expect during the gorilla trekking. A gorilla safari in Bwindi Forest offers you several gorilla groups to choose from. The Rangers will take into consideration your overall fitness. Gorilla tracking is challenging but you will find the experience awesome once you see the primates. It is always amazing to watch a family of mountain gorillas. You could spend hours just watching the little ones roll around and play. Mountain Gorillas are very playful and curious – don’t be surprised if they come too close to you. While with the gorillas, it’s important to listen to instructions from your guide.
Batwa Cultural Experience | Gorilla Trekking and Nile tour
After spending one hour with the gorilla family, you will be led back to the starting point where our Guide/Driver will be waiting to take you back for lunch at your hotel. You will head out to visit the Batwa Pygmy cultural community in the afternoon. As noted earlier, the Batwa originally lived in the forest but often had conflicts with the gorillas. The government decided to relocate them elsewhere to allow for smoother gorilla conservation activities.
After the Batwa Community tour, we will transfer and have a night on Lake Bunyonyi. This will help us cut the drive distance the following day by 3 hours to Jinja. Upon reaching Bunyonyi we will check into the lodge for evening relaxation as we admire the views of Lake Bunyonyi over a sundowner.
Dinner and overnight at Crater Bay Resort Lake Bunyonyi
Day 4: Transfer from Kabale to Jinja with a stopover at the Equator.
You will wake early to have breakfast as you wait for the driver to start the journey to Kampala Uganda. We will have a stopover at the Equator for Lunch and also take memorable pictures for the Safari. After Lunch we will embark on the Journey to Jinja, we will arrive in Time early for relaxation Dinner, and an overnight stay.
Dinner and overnight stay at Tusubira Village Cottages.
Day 4: Jinja City Tour and Visit to the Source of the Nile and Transfer back to Kampala.
Earl morning after breakfast, we will check out of the lodge and transfer to Jinaj town for a city walk, we will explore key features that make Jinja the adventure capital of Uganda. We will Visit the Railway museum, take a walk through the heart of Jinja, and end our Jinja city walk with a canoe boat ride to the source of the Nile. We will then transfer back to Kampala with a stop over on the way for Lunch and later a drop at the airport for your flight back home.
End of Safari.
Cost Includes
- Gorilla trekking Permits in Bwindi
- Nature walks in Bwindi Forest
- Transportation in a 4×4 van customized for safari
- Services of an English driver guide
- Fuel for the whole round trip
- Meals for the whole trip as described in the itinerary
- One night accommodation in Bwindi
- One Night accommodation on Lake Bunyonyi
- One Night accommodation in Jinja
- Batwa Community tour
- Drinking water on board.
- Stop at equator
- Lunch break to and from Bwindi
- Lunch break to and from Jinja
- Jinja City Walk
- Canoe Boat ride to the source of the Nile
- Visit to the source of the Nile
- Visit to the Mahatma Gandhi Monument
- All activities as described in the itinerary
Excludes
International Airfares and visas
Tips and gratitude
Expenses of a personal nature like alcoholic drinks.