5 days in Uganda: Gorilla and Golden Monkey special

Table of contents

Trip map

Travel itinerary

Please note:

Each element can be tailored to your needs and interests, from duration to type of accommodation and activities.

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali and transfer to Kisoro

Upon your arrival at the airport you will be met by our English speaking driver (or Italian speaking on request), who will take you to your chosen accommodation. Possible activities to be coordinated in relation to the chosen flight schedule.

• Accommodation medium/high range: Flame tree village
• Meals included: none

Day 2: transfer to Bwindi Rushaga

In the morning transfer to Bwindi, we will carry out the procedures to receive the visa to enter Uganda and we will have lunch during the transfer. We will arrive in the early afternoon in the Bwindi forest, in time for a tour of the village in anticipation of the Gorilla trekking of the following day.

Bwindi Impenetrable forest is located in the south western sector of Uganda at an altitude between 1160 and 2607 meters. It is a true tropical forest spread over mountains and valleys and is considered one of the richest forests in Africa in terms of biodiversity, and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the local language, “Bwindi” means “dark place” in reference to its impenetrable nature. The Park is home to around 350 species of birds, 200 species of butterflies, 324 different types of trees, 14 of which are found only in this park, so it is possible to go on “bird watching” excursions in an uncontaminated natural setting and meet the Pygmy communities living in the park.

• Medium range accommodation: Rushaga Safari camp
• High level accommodation: Gorilla safari lodge
• Meals included medium level : breakfast and dinner – half board
• Meals included high level: breakfast, lunch (box lunch) and dinner – full board
• Optional activity: visit to Rushaga village

Day 3: Gorilla trekking – transfer to Kisoro

Breakfast at first light, you will proceed to the headquarters of Bwindi Impenetrable forest for a briefing with the rangers, you will be placed in groups of maximum 8 people, before proceeding into the forest. Make sure you bring the Box lunch (mandatory and delivered by the lodge) and at least two liters of water, trekking shoes, k-way in your backpack. The duration of Gorilla trekking varies from day to day and from Gorilla family to another. You will be able to stay with them for an hour, from the time you’ll see the first Gorilla and it will be a unique thrill to see these animals within walking distance.

You can consult the rules and some indications about Gorilla trekking or other treks in the forest in the FAQ page.

We will then descend south into the Kisoro district, approaching Mgahinga National Park, where we will trek with the Golden Monkeys the next day.

• Mid-range Lodging: Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge
• High level accommodation : Mount gahinga Lodge
• Meals included medium level : breakfast and dinner – half board
• Meals included high level: breakfast, lunch (box lunch) and dinner – full board
• Hours spent on the road: about 2 hours and 20 minutes – 65 km
• Planned activities: Gorilla trekking

Day 4: Golden Monkey trekking

Wake up at dawn for the transfer to Mghainga National Park where the Golden Monkey trek will take place. You will enjoy wonderful views of the peaks of the Volcanoes National Park; be ready to take pictures especially of bird species such as the Ruwenzori Turaco, the colobus and especially the Golden monkeys that you will meet on the way.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (Mgahinga Gorilla National Park) is a National Park in southwestern Uganda, located near the town of Kisoro in the Virunga Mountains. It is adjacent to Volcanoes Park (Rwanda) and Virunga Park (DRC). The Park area includes three of the eight Volcanoes in the Virunga range: Muhavura, Gahinga (from which the park takes its name) and Sabinyo.With Bwindi Park, Mgahinga is one of only two parks in Uganda that is home to Mountain Gorillas. In the park there are two groups of Gorillas used to human presence, and therefore observable by tourists. In this Park it is possible to see the Golden Monkeys as well, that are endemic to this area adjacent to Virunga.

• Mid-range Lodging: Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge
• High level accommodation : Mount gahinga lodge
• High level accommodation : Mount gahinga lodge
• Meals included high level: breakfast, lunch (box lunch) and dinner – full board
• Programmed activities: Trekking to the Golden Monkeys

Day 5: Transfer to Kigali

In the morning transfer to Kigali, the departure time will be decided according to the flight
schedule that you have chosen; possibility to stop in the city to visit the genocide museum .
Return flight to be scheduled after 3 pm. Lunch and dinner not included.

• Meals included: breakfast
• Hours spent on the trip: about 4 hours – 170 km

Prices and services included

Sea getaway – Possible extension

You can combine your safari in Uganda with a beach option in Tanzania or Kenya. From Entebbe or Kigali you can take a direct flight to Zanzibar or Mombasa, staying in one of our selected lodges on the beautiful beaches of the Indian Ocean and relaxing for a few days before going back to Italy. The quote for the sea extension will be agreed by email during the organisation of your itinerary.

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