GORILLAS AND WILDLIFE - BWINDI AND LAKE MBURO : CODE-UGT004
Gorilla Tour to Bwindi, Birds and Game in Lake Mburo | Visit Lake Bunyonyi (6 Days)
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is located in south-western Uganda on the edge of the western rift valley. It is one of the largest natural forests in East Africa, with both montane and lowland forest. About half of the world's population of mountain gorillas - about 300 animals - are found in Bwindi. Three families are habituated at Buhoma, Mubare, Habinyanja and Rushegura (8 permits per day are available for each of these gorilla families); and one family is habituated at Nkuringo (8 permits per day are available), making the park accommodate 32 trackers each day. Tracking commences every morning from the park headquarters at 0830 hours, but clients should report to the headquarters at 0800 hours ready for a detailed briefing from the guides on gorilla etiquette.
ITINERARY FOR GORILLAS IN BWINDI, GAME AND LAUNCH CRUISE IN LAKE MBURO PARK
DAY 1, Arrival
Arrive Entebbe airport. Meet, greet and transfer to Entebbe or Kampala for overnight
DAY 2, From Entebbe or Kampala to Lake Mburo Park
A gentle drive on the southbound road; passing charming attractions en route: look at royal drum makers, enjoy the Equator, stop at the roadside markets to enjoy some fruit and vegetables. Proceed to Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda's most conspicuous park, with zebra, leopard, hippo, antelope and many birds. Lunch on arrival. Boat trip on Lake Mburo. Time permitting, an evening game drive. [Approximate driving time: 5 hours].
DAY 3, Lake Mburo Park To Bwindi Gorilla Park
Early morning game drive. Continue to Buhoma in the thick, impenetrable Bwindi Forest via Kabale. Arrive late afternoon. [Approximate driving time: 5 hours].
DAY 4, Gorilla tracking!
Go gorilla tracking (subject to availability of gorilla permits at time of booking), carrying a packed lunch. You will be accompanied by a guide and porters who will carry your shoulder pack for you. You will then set off to the thick forest in search of gorillas. The terrain can be difficult, with steep slopes covered in dense vegetation that gives the park its name. In addition, the altitude of 5200 feet and more means participants do need to be physically fit. The time taken to track the gorillas varies enormously, from as little as half an hour to as much as 8 hours before one returns to camp. Difficulty, however, is not impossibility and coming face to face with the great primates is well worth it!
DAY 5, Lake Bunyonyi
After breakfast, drive to Kabale and on to Lake Bunyonyi. Afternoon relax at the sandy beaches of lake bunyonyi, explore the lake, visit various islands and the local communities.
DAY 6, Lake Bunyonyi to Kampala and on to the airport for your flight
Start for Kampala arriving early afternoon and transfer to Entebbe airport for your flight (HB). [Approximate driving time: 6 hours]
Gorilla tracking is a year-round activity, irrespective of season. The rain forest is moist, and it rains very often in Bwindi, even in the dry season. Porters are available to carry clients' belongings. Bwindi is rich in other primates, including chimpanzee and blue monkey. Butterflies are the most conspicuous of the rich insect fauna of the park, with more than 200 species. There is a large variety of trees, dense undergrowth, an extensive stand of bamboo and a number of swamps. There are also a number of nature trails in the park to explore this primeval African forest - to the waterfall, along the Rushura trail for some sweeping views towards Lake Edward and the Rwenzoris; and to the Mubwindi swamp near Ruhija for some unusual bird species.
Tour Ends.
