Gorilla Express

Day 1: Entebbe
Today is an arrival day, so you are free to arrive at any time and make your way to the joining hotel in Entebbe. A pre-departure meeting is held at 6pm at your hotel. Major airlines offer flights into Entebbe Airport, Uganda’s major airport, for the same or similar rates as flights to Nairobi, in Kenya. If coming from Nairobi, the two options for travel to Entebbe are a flight from Nairobi to Entebbe or an arduous 12 hour bus trip from Nairobi to Kampala followed by a one hour pre-booked transfer from Kampala to Entebbe. Please be aware that we are using local accommodation on this trip, which are quite basic by western standards.
Day 2: Entebbe - Mbarara
(Driving time: approx 5 hours) Leaving Entebbe our journey takes us through some interesting countryside and crossing south over the equator, where we stop for a photo and to learn all there is to know about being equidistant from the earth’s poles. Continuing into the Ugandan highlands we observe rural life all around us. Passing herds of Ankole (African longhorn) cattle and cassava and banana plantations, our local site guide will be able to answer any questions we may have. We reach Mbarara in the late afternoon, where we stay overnight in a basic hotel. Mbarara is a large university town with an interesting history.
Meals Included
Breakfast
lunch
dinner
Day 3: Mbarara - Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
(Driving time: approx 7 hours) From Mbarara we travel to Bwindi, located on the doorstep of the darkly named Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The drive from Mbarara to Bwindi offers glimpses of rural Ugandan life and the stunning scenery of south-western Uganda. We spend two nights at the national park rondavels, enveloped by the jungles of the World Heritage-listed Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Here we have a free afternoon to prepare for our trek tomorrow or participate in an optional activity. You may wish to wander around the local village or take a forest walk into the park to one of the cascading waterfalls nearby.
Meals Included
Breakfast
lunch
dinner
Day 4: Gorilla Trek - Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
This morning we meet our specialist gorilla guides for a brief safety talk and further information about the gorilla trek and the national park. Our guide is fluent in English and will pass on information to us that to ensure that we understand more about the gorillas and how they live. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest covers an area of 330 square kilometres and is located in the far south-west of the country where Uganda, Rwanda and DRC (Congo) meet. This pocket of huge primeval forest is one of the most biologically diverse areas on earth. It has an eco-system that defines the very essence of the continent and has therefore been designated as a World Heritage site. We set off with our guide into the forest in search of these magnificent apes. The gorilla families may either be close or further afield and they may also be on the move, whilst we are trekking. The forest floor is damp and laden with leaf mould, matted vegetation and fallen vines, which serve to trip you up as you clamber up and down the slippery slopes in search of a glimpse of the elusive gorillas. The altitude reaches a maximum of just under 2000 metres, but this can still be a long and tough climb in damp and humid conditions. We are likely to get within metres of the family we are tracking and will be able to spend an hour observing these magnificent primates. Please note that gorillas are very susceptible to human diseases and you should advise your guide if you are suffering from a cold or anything similar. It would be irresponsible to risk the health of even one of the last 700 remaining mountain gorillas that are still living in their natural habitat. Returning to base, we can either unwind and celebrate our unforgettable gorilla experience or take up an optional activity in Bwindi.
Meals Included
Breakfast
lunch
dinner
Day 5-6: Bushara Island Camp
(Driving time: approx 4 hours) After our amazing experience of viewing the gorillas, a morning drive of three to four hours takes us to the shores of Lake Bunyonyi, where we board a motorboat to transfer to Bushara Island Camp. The camp is surrounded by lush tropical gardens and eucalyptus trees and is a haven for a myriad of birds. We arrive at lunchtime and spend two nights here so there is plenty of time to enjoy optional activities, such as cultural tours or fishing. For those wanting to kick back after the trek can relax at the canteen (bar) or go swimming in the lake. The accommodation here is in permanent tents/cottages, with lake views and shared bathroom facilities. All bedding is provided.
Meals Included
Breakfast
lunch
dinner
Day 7: Entebbe
(Driving time: approx 6 hours) We journey back to Entebbe, where we stay for the night after arriving late in the afternoon. Our guide knows the best spots for a great meal and also a visit to a bar to try the local brew called ‘waragi’, which is a unique Ugandan banana gin.
Meals Included
Breakfast
lunch
Day 8: Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary - Entebbe
To conclude our visit in Uganda we travel by boat to Ngamba Island on Lake Victoria, where we visit a chimpanzee sanctuary. Covered by rainforest, this island is home to 39 orphaned chimpanzees and here we have the opportunity to observe these cheeky primates close to their natural habitat. We suggest you arrange a packed lunch from your hotel the night before, as only drinks and dry snacks only are available on the island. Remember to bring a hat, sunscreen and swimming gear. After leaving Ngamba Island, you are be taken back to our hotel in Entebbe, where our tour ends. Please note that accommodation is not included tonight. If you are flying out of Entebbe this evening, please ensure your flight does not depart before 4.30pm.
Meals Included
Breakfast