This 4 Days Bwindi gorilla trekking and Lake Bunyonyi safari is an interesting adventure which will take you to Lake Bunyonyi which is the deepest lake in Uganda and also to the misty Bwindi impenetrable national park which is located in southwestern part of Uganda. During the safari you will have a face to face interaction with the endangered mountain gorillas which gives you an opportunity to learn more about their behaviors, lifestyle, watch them carry out their daily activities, take photos among others. Bwindi impenetrable national park is a home of about 19 habituated gorilla families which are found in four sectors namely Buhoma sector in the north, Nkuringo sector in the south, Ruhija sector in the east and Rushaga sector in the south.
Highlights of the 4 days gorilla trekking and Lake Bunyonyi safari
Day 1: Pick up and transfer to Bwindi impenetrable national park
Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Day 3: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for canoeing
Day 4: Departure to Kampala
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Pick up and transfer to Bwindi impenetrable national park
Depending on your location on the first day of the 4 days gorilla trekking and Lake Bunyonyi safari, you will be welcomed by our driver guide who will brief you about the safari and then start the journey to Bwindi impenetrable national park. The journey takes about 8 to 9 hours drive and on the way you will have a stopover at the equator where you will take photos buy souvenirs and then continue the journey with another stopover at Igongo cultural centre for lunch. After lunch you will proceed with the journey to Bwindi impenetrable national park and upon arrival check into the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Gorilla trekking,
After an early breakfast on the second day of the 4 days Bwindi gorilla trekking and Lake Bunyonyi safari, you will carry your packed lunch from the lodge and meet up with your driver guide to transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing about the rules and regulations to follow during trekking. After the briefing you will be divided into groups of 8 people where each group will be allocated a habituated gorilla family to trek and a park guide. Allocation of gorilla families in Bwindi impenetrable national park is done depending of various factors such as age, physical fitness and personal preference therefore in case you are not physically fit you are advised to communicate with your driver guide. Trekking of mountain gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable national park takes about 30 minutes to 7 hours depending on where the gorillas are located because they like to move from one place to another in search of food. During trekking you will be able to view other primate species such as l’hoest monkeys, chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, different plant species, birds among others. Once the mountain gorillas are found you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat which gives you an opportunity to observe their habits, behaviors, watch gorillas feed, breastfeed, groom young ones, take photos and record the breathtaking moments to show people back home after the safari. After the one hour encounter with the gentle giants you will trek back to the park headquarters where you will be rewarded a certificate for participating in gorilla trekking.
Day 3: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for canoeing
On the third day of the 4 days Bwindi gorilla trekking and Lake Bunyonyi safari, you will check out of the lodge and meet up with your driver guide to transfer to Lake Bunyonyi in Kabale. Lake Bunyonyi is the deepest lake in Uganda and second deepest lake in East Africa after Lake Tanganyika. Upon arrival you will go for an interesting canoe ride on Lake Bunyonyi where you will be able to explore some of the 29 islands such as the punishment and floating islands, learn more about its history, enjoy stunning views of the scenery, landscape, terraced farmlands, different bird species, animals among others. After the canoe ride you will drive to the lodge for lunch.
Community tour
After lunch you will go for a community tour where you will be able to interact with the Batwa and Bakiga people who live in the surrounding villages. during the community tour you will get an opportunity to learn about the local peoples way of living, visit their homesteads, farmlands, learn about their culture, history, listen to their ancient stories, taste their traditional dishes, enjoy their traditional entertainments among others. After the community tour you will return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Departure to Kampala
On the last day of the 3 days Bwindi gorilla trekking and Lake Bunyonyi safari, you will enjoy a relaxed breakfast check out of the lodge and meet up with your driver guide to start the journey back to Kampala. You will have en-route lunch on the way and enjoy great views of the countryside, Kigezi hills, plantations beautiful scenery among others. Upon arrival in Kampala your driver guide will drop you off at Entebbe international airport for your departure flight or drop off at any place of convenience.
End of 4 days Bwindi gorilla trekking and Lake Bunyonyi safari
4 Days Bwindi gorilla trekking and Lake Bunyonyi safari includes
- Gorilla trekking permit
- Canoeing on Lake Bunyonyi
- Community tour
- Services of a professional English speaking driver guide
- Full board accommodation
- Pick up and drop off
- Vehicle and fuel
- Bottled drinking water
4 Days Bwindi gorilla trekking and Lake Bunyonyi safari excludes
- Air flight tickets
- Visas
- Life insurance
- Optional activities not included on the itinerary
- Personal expenses like buying souvenirs, crafts, drinks, laundry services, hiring a porter, tips among others.
