Uganda and Rwanda Gorilla Trekking

The Adventure Begins

Have you ever wanted to meet a chimp, lion, or elephant face-to-face? Today is your chance! Head out today to visit the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Center (UWEC). UWEC was opened in 1952 by the Colonial Government in Uganda. Today the Center’s veterinary staff and animal keepers work with the Uganda Wildlife Authority and local communities to help breed endangered species, treat injured, sick, or stressed animals. Depending on their individual needs animals are held for care or rehabilitated for release into the wild. Get up close and personal with our animal ambassadors, and have a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Spend up to three hours with your own personal tour guide on an exclusive journey introducing you to Africa’s animals and their habitats. Kids can enjoy biking, donkey, and camel rides. This unique experience is tailored to your interests and needs by your UWEC guide.

Nothing compares to an African sunset, particularly one over Lake Victoria on your very own private boat. Salute the end of another great day with good company and an ice-cold beverage. Keep your camera handy as you spot birds, and look out for resident African Fish Eagles as they swoop down to catch fish. Enjoy complimentary food and drinks, while you sit back and soak up the peaceful atmosphere.

En Route

A private transfer between the airport and your hotel in Entebbe is provided.

Board a flight in Entebbe with service to Bwindi. The flight duration is approximately one hour and 30 minutes.

The flight has a luggage weight restriction of 15kgs/32 pounds total for your luggage, for both your carry-on and checked luggage. In some cases a purse or backpack is not considered carry-on and will not be weighed as part of your weight restriction; however, this is not always the case so please pack lightly.

A private transfer from the airstrip to your accommodation in Bwindi is provided.

Lace-Up for Some Fresh Air

The pristine wilds of the mysterious Bwindi rainforest are home to countless species of resident wildlife, some only found in this very heart of Africa. Your lodge helps organize a number of excursions allowing you to truly experience this part of Uganda to the fullest. Take fascinating nature walks through this mesmerizing habitat and soak in the stunning scenery of this mountainous terrain. All the while, keep your eyes peeled for the mammals and countless birds that live deep in the forest. With more bird species per square kilometer than anywhere else in the world, this really is a bird watcher’s paradise.

Venture into the Outdoors

For one of the most unforgettable wildlife experiences of a lifetime, early this morning put on your hiking boots and head deep into the steamy jungles covering the peaks of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in pursuit of the rare mountain gorillas. The park is known to be one of the best places on the planet to see these fascinating primates. Your seasoned park guides search for the resident gorilla families and help you interpret local flora and fauna as you make your way through this pristine reserve. After hiking through the mesmerizing wilds of Bwindi you will be rewarded with a truly hypnotizing encounter with the gorillas. From a safe distance, spend an hour observing them in their habitat and feel a true connection with the natural world. The tracking may take between 5 and 8 hours, depending on the current conditions and location of the gorillas. In the evening, return for dinner and overnight at your lodge.

Please note that only persons age 15 and over are allowed to track the gorillas.  

A Dazzling Drive

A private transfer from Bwindi to Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda) is provided. The approximate transfer time is three hours.

While you are in our care your safety and security are our number one priority. As such, in the unlikely event of serious illness or injury, all clients are covered by “Akagera Aviation EMS” Evacuation Service. This is mandatory for anyone traveling to Rwanda. The policy covers the cost of the evacuation flight back to Kigali for treatment. This insurance policy however DOES NOT cover the cost of any medical treatment received. We highly recommend travel insurance for full coverage.

Nurtured by Nature

The Volcanoes National Park is located in the Virunga Mountains, a magnificent chain of dormant volcanoes in the north of the country. This area is home to the world’s last surviving mountain Gorilla population, currently a mere 700 individuals. After breakfast, you will depart the lodge and drive for approximately 1 hour to the Park Headquarters where you will meet with excellent local guides and trackers who will provide an informative session on the etiquette of gorilla trekking. After the session, the hike into the forest begins.

A full-day trek with your guide through the park is a reasonably strenuous activity that can last the morning or all day as you seek out the gorilla families. The guide will take you to where the gorillas were seen the night before and begin to track them from that point. The trekking can take from 1 to 6 hours and may involve a climb to altitudes, not in excess of 7,500 feet. The terrain is rough and at times quite muddy. Once the gorillas are located all the aches and fatigue of the trek are forgotten, as the experience is often described as finding a hidden natural treasure in the mist. Viewing time is limited to one hour, and only 8 participants are allowed per group. Visitors are asked to maintain a distance of 7 meters (about 22 feet) from the gorillas. Cameras and plenty of storage space are recommended. It can rain at any time in the forest, so waterproof clothing is advised for you, as well as relevant protection for your camera equipment. Please note that plastic (e.g. carrier/shopping) bags are illegal in Rwanda. Children under age 15, or people sick with a cold, flu, or other contagious illness, are not allowed to visit the gorillas.

PERMITS MUST BE PAID IN FULL AT TIME OF CONFIRMATION AND ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.

Until Next Time…

A private transfer from Volcanoes National Park to Kigali is provided. The approximate transfer time is three hours.

Come enjoy Kigali’s finest A la Carte dining experience at Hotel Milles Des Collines restaurant, Le Panorama. Located on the 4th floor, the venue offers an ideal ambiance for a romantic dinner for two or a group outing with a special gourmet menu accompanied by breathtaking views of rolling hills and the twinkling lights of Kigali.

A private transfer from your accommodation to the airport is provided.