6 or 9 day Gorilla watching tour by African Trails

Tour Itinerary

There is a local payment of GBP£100/£150 payable to the driver on day one. £100 - 6 day £150 9 day. Price of £350 applies to 9 day. 6 day is £300

Trip Highlights

* Trekking the Highland Gorillas

* Exploring Kampala

Cooking

We take turns with the cooking. Two meals a day are included while on the truck. We normally have lunch out at local cafes on the way, lots of fun. Meals out are not included.

Camping

Those campsites that are more basic tend to be more scenic; that is especially in the game parks where basic toilets and cold showers are the norm. After a night at such camps we do our best to follow with a hot shower bar campsite. Although in the Masai Mara are two basic nights, but the wild beauty and the animals in the park more than makes up for this.

Changes

You should be aware that things change frequently in Africa; camps open and close, as do the roads. So there is a chance that the itinerary may have to be changed due to unforeseen circumstances.

Start & before the trip

We leave the camp at 8am on the first day of the trip. We recommend you arrive in Kampala the day before, however if you're there with a few days to spare there's lots to see and do around the city. You can explore the Kasubi Tombs of the Bugandan people or go to see the chimps on Sese Island.

Itinerary

Day 1: Thursday

We leave the campsite in Kampala at 8am. Heading southwest to Kabale town, gateway to the Mountain Gorilla Reserves, we spend the evening camped on the shores of Lake Bunyonyi the deepest Crater Lake in Uganda.

Day 2: Friday

Climbing through lush terraced hills to Kisoro, there are panoramic views of this unique Ugandan landscape on every turn. From the road we have outlooks over three countries - Uganda, Republic of Congo, Rwanda; and the Virunga Mountains - Mountains of the Moon, the home of the rare mountain gorillas.

Day 3: Saturday

From here we either go into Rwanda, DR Congo or Uganda. In groups of six to eight people with two guides we trek deep into the forest to find one of the gorilla families. The trek is an experience in itself, following your guides as they cut a path through the thick vegetation. The guides track the gorillas almost every day but even so, sometimes it can take eight hours to find them. You will be rewarded though by the sight of these human-like giants playing with their young, feeding, grooming and staring curiously back at you. We spend an hour observing these amazing animals - bring plenty of film.

Day 4: Sunday

Still on a high from our time spent with the gorillas, we head back to Lake Bunyonyi meaning 'place of little birds'. It is known, not only for its water birds, but also for its fresh water crayfish population. Lake Bunyonyi is a great place to relax, or for the more energetic you can canoe to one of the many islands dotting the lake, swim, or take in the scenery on mountain bikes.

Day 5: Monday

We return to Uganda's capital. Kampala is a modern bustling city leaving you no shortage of things to see and do. You may wish to visit the National Museum, the Kasubi Tombs of the Buganda people.

Day 6: Tuesday

The last day or our trip for a last minute explore around the city and then connect with your flights home.

You also have the chance to extend your holiday by a few days and join in with the activities on the Nile.

Day 7: Wednesday

Crossing the Owen Falls dam we arrive at Jinja on the shores of Lake Victoria. Our campsite for the next few days above Bujagali Falls is a welcome break from travelling, and we have a lazy afternoon to put up our tents on the grassy terraces overlooking the Nile River.

Day 8: Thursday

You can spend an action-filled day white water rafting down the Nile. As well as grade 5 rapids, this river has a lot of bird and wildlife to view while drifting between the rapids. The rafting is rounded off with a sunset BBQ and drinks, then back to camp to re-live it on video.

Day 9: Friday

There is no shortage of other activities in Jinja; head off on a quad bike, bungee jump, fish on Lake Victoria, take a guided village walk or give up a day of your holiday to volunteer for the local community education project. In the afternoon you will then be transferred back to Kampala to connect with your flights home or onward.

Side Trips you can do on this trip and Costs

Uganda Price

Mountain Gorillas $500

Rwanda entry if visited there $20

White water rafting on the White Nile below Bujagali Falls $95

Booze cruise - Lake Victoria $10

Bungee $55