4 Days Gorilla Trek Uganda & Habituation
Highlights
Participating in both gorilla tracking and gorilla habituation is absolutely fantastic, offering different experiences to those who choose it. The demand for habituation permits is so high since only 4 permits are issued per day, unlike the regular trekking where 8 permits are issued per group. The habituation experience is highly recommended for photographers and wildlife researchers.
You can spend 4 hours with semi-habituated gorillas and only one hour with the habituated groups. While this sounds great, do remember that the semi-habituated group can be far less relaxed, while the habituated groups are more likely to be relaxed, giving you the true experience of interacting with the gorillas in their normal setting.
Remember to carry a walking stick from the briefing point, and gardening gloves are essential. Gaiters are not necessary but can be useful in preventing your bootlaces from being caught/undone by the thick undergrowth. At least 2 liters of water, a packed lunch, and snacks are advisable. Porters are of great help and highly recommended since we cannot guarantee how the terrain will be during the tracking.
Day by Day Itinerary
Travel To Bwindi Impenetrable Park
A representative from Phonex Expeditions Africa will pick you up from your accommodation at 7AM, brief you about your habituation safari, and take you off to Bwindi. It is approximately 540 km/9 hours' drive to the southern sector. The drive is quite long but worth it, with quite a lot more to see on the way; you may even see zebras and impalas grazing in Lake Mburo Park. You will have a stopover at the equator for photography and the experiment and another stopover in Mbarara town for lunch.
Continue with your journey, arriving at your accommodation in the evening for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation Options
Moderate Options: Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge
Luxury Option: Four Gorillas Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
Gorilla Tracking Day
After breakfast at the lodge, you will go to the park's headquarters for a briefing from Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger guides. After the briefing, the rangers will lead you into the thick impenetrable forest to start your search for the endangered rare species of Mountain Gorillas. The gorilla search always continues from the place where they were last seen the previous day. Upon reaching the area where these rare species are, you will only be allowed to interact with them for only one hour, and you should always keep maximum silence while with these gorillas. You're allowed to take photographs and so on. Finding gorillas is such a tiresome experience since it may take you up to 3-8 hours to find them. However, once you meet these gorillas, you will easily forget the hassles you have gone through to find them; instead, you will save the good memories you will experience with them. After the interaction, you may choose to do a community walk or simply relax at your lodge.
Dinner and overnight stay at your lodge.
Gorilla Habituation Day
Gorilla habituation experience in the southern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park called Rushaga. After breakfast, the driver guide will transfer you to the briefing point, where you will receive instructions on how to conduct yourself while in the forest. The habituation experience gives you more time learning about the lives of gorillas in the forest, and in total you're allowed to spend 4 hours in the presence of the gorillas. The idea is to make gorillas get used to humans in their habitat to allow for gorilla trekking in the future. After this experience, you will transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation Options
Budget Option : Bunyonyi Overland Camp
Moderate Option: Arcadia Cottages
Luxury Option : Bird's Nest Lodge
Boat Ride And Return To Kampala
Enjoy a delicious morning breakfast, and set out for a boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi, where you will go around various islands with sights of terraced hills, birds, and the like. Thereafter, start off your journey to Kampala, have lunch en route, and reach there late evening. We hope you have enjoyed your safari with Phonex Expeditions Africa. End of Safari!
No Accommodations
Breakfast and lunch included
What's Included
- Gorilla permits
- Bottled water
- English-speaking guide
- Park Entrance fees
- Boat rides
- Cultural tours
- All activities mentioned.
What's Not Included
- International airfares from/to home
- Entry visas
- Laundry services
- Tips
- Alcoholic drinks
Why Book With Us?
- Best service and support
- Totally disposed in all aspects
- Dedicated, trustworthy team
- Professional happy services
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