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5 Day Uganda Gorillas in Style
Highlights: Kampala, Lake Mburo National Park, Bwindi
Trip start: Entebbe
Trip end: Kampala
Price Range Starting at $3710 *
* GBP per person based on 2-4 people, double occupancy. Custom designed personal tour. Prices subject to change.

National Geographic Adventure Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth '98.33 Client Satisfaction Rating'

Winner National Geographic 'Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth'
2008 & 2009

Trip Summary
Map of Itinerary
Expand [+]

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in southwestern Uganda a magnificent verdant swathe across the steep ridges of the Albertine rift valley; this ancient rainforest is one of the few in Africa to have flourished and a home to half of the world's endangered mountain gorillas. Looking into the expressive brown eyes of these giants is surely the most exciting and poignant wildlife encounter Uganda has to offer. NOTE: Gorilla permit fees are sold on a first come first served basis. The park authority/management reserves the right to cancel any permit without any refund or further reference. Enjoy as a standalone africa vacation or as an addition to a safari.

Day Activities Hotel
Day 1
Kampala
  • Entebbe: Transfer - Private - Airport - Meet & Greet
Kampala Serena (B)
Day 2
Lake Mburo National Park
  • Transfer - Kampala - Lake Mburo National Park [Drive (3hrs)] - Vehicle/Guide
  • Lunch (included)
  • Lake Mburo National Park: Game Drive 1
  • Park Fee - Included
  • Dinner (included)
Mihingo (B,L,D)
Day 3
Bwindi
  • Transfer - Lake Mburo National Park - Bwindi [Drive (6hrs)] - 4x4/Guide
  • Lunch (included)
  • Afternoon at Leisure
  • Dinner (included)
Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp  (B,L,D)
Day 4
Bwindi
  • Bwindi: Gorilla Trek - Permit
  • Lunch (included)
  • Dinner (included)
Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp  (B,L,D)
Day 5
Kampala
  • Transfer - Bwindi - Entebbe [Drive (10hrs)] - 4x4/Guide
Depart 
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, 1/2d = Half Day, Al = All Inclusive

Trip Options
All of our itineraries may be customized as you wish, add extra days, change a hotel, see different sights. Contact one of our expert consultants for your free, no-obligation vacation plan.

Itinerary

Day 1 Kampala

Kampala is the capital of Uganda. With a population of 1,208,544, it is also the nation's largest city. The city grew as the capital of the Buganda kingdom, from which several buildings survive, including the Kasubi Tombs (built in 1881), the Buganda Parliament, the Buganda Court of Justice and the Naggalabi Buddo Coronation Site.

Welcome to Uganda! You will be met at the airport by an english speaking guide and transferred from Entebbe international airport to your Kampala hotel.

The elegant Serena Hotels continuously outdoes itself, and its location in Kampala, Uganda, is no exception. With rich green foliage framing the hotel’s façade, each of the 152 rooms look out on the 17 acres of garden or allow yourself to grow mesmerized by the 7m waterfall on the pool terrace. The hotel’s rooms each have an individual personality, working with cultural artifacts, native wood carving, and contemporary Ugandan design at its foundation. Dining is a fluttery, fairytale-like medley of bursting flavors and delights, from freshly squeezed exotic juices to Italian cuisine and of course, very impressive world cuisine. Make sure to stop by the Maisha Health Club and try out the skin treatments. Revered across Kampala, it is relied on by all who trust in the Serena Hotels name.

Overnight at Kampala Serena.


Kampala
Kampala
Outdoor Dining area at the Serena Kampala
Outdoor Dining area at the Serena Kampala
Day 2 Lake Mburo National Park

Lying in the one part of Uganda covered in extensive acacia woodland, Mburo has markedly different fauna to other reserves. Lake Mburo is the best place in the country to see the gigantic eland antelope, as well as zebra, topi, impala, and several acacia-associated birds. The five lakes within the park attract hippos, crocodiles and a variety of waterbirds, while fringing swamps hide secretive papyrus specialists such as the sitatunga antelope and red, black and yellow papyrus gonalek.

Transfer Kapala to the Lake Mburo National Park driving south westwards stopping at the Mpigi Drum Makers where you will watch the ceremonial drums being crafted using methods passed down through generations. Another stop at the equator to take photographs. Passing through papyrus swamps and tracts of tropical rainforests and the rolling plains of Ankole, continue on to Lake Mburo National Park.

Head out on your private game drive through Lake Mburo National Park. The park has different routes or "tracks" for game drives that allow you to explore the grasslands, water habitat, and hills of this park. Explore the Zebra track for views of: Burchell’s zebra (Equus burchelli) and other species like bushbucks, oribi and reedbucks. Then continue to Ruroko track: a drive through a wetland basin and thick acacia shrub and woodland, with olive trees and euphorbia species. Kopjes (rock outcrops) found along the Ruroko track, are home to elusive klipspringers to which the rock is the best habitat.

Your park fees are included for this day.

Mihingo Lodge is a quiet and luxurious retreat adjacent to Lake Mburo National Park. The Lodge has ten rooms which are built on wooden platforms and stilts, covered by a thatched roof. Suspended under the thatched roof is a spacious and comfortable tent equipped with en-suite bathrooms, including hot and cold running water, showers, and flush toilets. Each luxury tented room is nestled on a private piece of the lodge’s property, enabling guests to enjoy the tranquil environment in complete seclusion. Placed in varied settings, some rooms are situated in a forest setting, some with a lake view, and some on rock outcrops.

Overnight at Mihingo.


Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo National Park
Zebra
Zebra
View
View
Day 3 Bwindi

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a magnificent verdant swathe across the steep ridges of the Albertine Rift Valley. This ancient rainforest, one of the few in Africa to have flourished throughout the last Ice Age, is home to roughly half of the world's mountain gorillas. Looking deep into the expressive brown eyes of these gentle giants is surely the most exciting and poignant wildlife encounter that Africa has to offer. Hikes through the park will also explore Bwindi's broader biodiversity, a result of its immense antiquity and an altitude span from 1,160 to 2,607m. The national park has 90 mammal species, including 11 primates, of which the black-and-white colobus, with its lovely flowing white tail, is prominent. The forest birding ranks with the best in Uganda, with 23 highly localised Albertine Rift endemics present.

After an early morning game drive we depart for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The park derives its name from its thick vegetation with an immense variety of evergreen trees, festooned with lianas, epiphytes, which reach great heights in their search for sunlight plus half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas.

In the afternoon, enjoy some time on your own to relax.

The Gorilla Forest Camp is a luxury tented camp centered in the deep and steamy rainforest of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The park is host to around half of the world’s endangered mountain gorilla population. The 8 double tents offered by the camp are ideal quarters for those looking to track gorillas. The camp offers all the facilities of home, plus more. Décor is intricate weavings and hand carvings, with a personality for each room. Tents have romantic en-suites looking out on the forest, with bathtubs raised on little feet. Dining can be taken outside or indoors under candle light, with fires built on some evenings. Service and cuisine is top notch, with many giving in to indulgence. Others take part in nature walks and birding, and of course, gorilla tracking.

Overnight at Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp .


Bwindi
Bwindi
Room
Room
Day 4 Bwindi

Wake up very early and depart with picnic lunch to track the rare Mountain Gorillas (hiking boots required). The tracking may take between 5 and 8 hours. The Park Guides with you interpret the flora and fauna and the lifestyle of the Gorillas. Return in the evening for dinner and overnight at the lodge. Only persons age 15 and over are allowed to track the gorillas.

Overnight at Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp .


Gorilla Trek
Gorilla Trek
Day 5 Kampala

Transfer to between Bwindi and Entebbe International Airport driving through the scenic views and gift shops such as at Kinoni and Mpambire with lunch break en route. This drive is approximately 10hrs.

Departure from Entebbe International airport.

Overnight at Depart.



Trip Includes
Guaranteed departure - Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services

Trip Excludes
Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance

Trip Terms & Conditions

  • Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $250). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure. We accept payment via credit card, certified check, wire transfer or money order.
  • Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
  • Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
  • Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
  • Cancellations of confirmed bookings 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $350 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of deposit. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to 100% of program price.
  • Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.kensingtontours.com/terms-and-conditions
  • Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.