6-Day Mgahinga Gorilla Trekking and Cultural Experience
per person
Our 6-day Mgahinga gorilla trekking and cultural experience offers an impressive experience of the unique wildlife species, such as the unique mountain gorillas, and visiting the forest custodians commonly known as the Batwa people. Other species to see include golden monkeys, forest elephants, and others, all found in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The park is located in southwestern Uganda along the border with Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The park is within the Virunga Conservation Area, home to the Virunga volcanoes and surrounded by three inactive mountains: Mount Gahinga, Mount Muhabura, and Mount Sabyinyo. The park is next to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Virunga National Park of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Safari Highlights
- Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport – Drive to Kampala city
- Day 2: Kampala city – Transfer to Mgahinga National Park
- Day 3: Mgahinga National Park – Morning Mountain gorilla trekking
- Day 4: Mgahinga National Park – Golden Monkey trekking – Evening Batwa experience
- Day 5 Mgahinga National Park – Mount Sabinyo Hiking – Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
- The 6-day Mgahinga gorilla trekking and cultural experience in the Mgahinga package price
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport – Drive to Kampala city
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will receive a warm welcome from our company representative and your driver guide, who will get you to your booked hotel in Kampala for a briefing. In case time allows, a brief Kampala evening tour will take you to the city’s historical sites, including the Gaddafi Mosque, Uganda National Museum, Kasubi Tombs, and Kabaka’s Palace, among others. Retire and return to the hotel, have dinner, and overnight.
Accommodation: Protea Hotel (Luxury)/ 2 Friends Guest House (Mid range)/ Papyrus Guest House (Budget)
Meal plan: DinnerDay 2: Kampala city – Transfer to Mgahinga National Park
Wake up early, have your breakfast, meet your driver guide and drive to Mgahinga National Park in southwestern Uganda, famous for its bamboo and rainforests, and home to mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. Visit the equator landmark to see unique water effects where the Earth splits into two hemispheres. Proceed with your journey and have lunch at Ishanyi Food Centre in Mbarara city before arriving at your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation:
Meal plan: Breakfast/ Lunch /DinnerDay 3: Mgahinga National Park – Morning Mountain gorilla trekking
After breakfast, guests will go to the park information center for a briefing on gorilla trekking behavior before starting the forest walk with a Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger. Gorilla tracking may take 45 minutes to 7 hours, depending on the gorillas’ movement and the trekkers’ pace. Participants can see various wildlife species, including birds and primates, with the ranger providing information. When encountering mountain gorillas, guests have one hour to observe them. After the trek, they return for a tracking award and refreshments, then head back to their lodge for lunch and an evening of relaxation, followed by dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Chameleon Hill Lodge (luxury)/Mutanda Lake Resort (mid-range)/Kisoro Travellers Rest Hotel (Budget)
Meal plan: Breakfast/ Lunch /DinnerDay 4: Mgahinga National Park – Golden Monkey trekking – Evening Batwa experience
After breakfast, you will gather your tracking equipment and meet your driver to go to the park information center for a briefing on tracking golden monkeys, a unique and endangered species in Uganda. The tracking lasts 4 hours, including 1 hour to observe the monkeys. After tracking, you’ll return to your lodge for lunch and relax before starting the evening Batwa trail experience. This trail highlights the traditional lifestyle of the Batwa, the indigenous people of the Mgahinga Gorilla and Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks. After this, you’ll return to your lodge for dinner and spend the night.
Accommodation: Chameleon Hill Lodge (luxury)/Mutanda Lake Resort (mid-range)/Kisoro Travellers Rest Hotel
Meal plan: Breakfast/ Lunch /DinnerDay 5 Mgahinga National Park – Mount Sabinyo Hiking – Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
Have breakfast, then your driver guide will take you to the park headquarters for a briefing with Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger guides about your hiking trip on Mount Sabinyo in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The hike starts on flat ground and goes through swamps and dense vegetation, including bamboo forests with golden monkeys and possibly mountain gorillas. At the summit, you will see Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo, and enjoy views of Lakes Kivu and Bunyonyi, and the Rwenzori Mountains. After the hike, you will descend and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Arcadia Lodge (luxury)/Bunyonyi Rock Resort (mid-range)/Itambira Island Resort
Meal plan: Breakfast/ Lunch /DinnerDay 6: Lake Bunyonyi – Morning boat riding – Return to Entebbe International Airport
After breakfast, you will meet your canoe guide for a briefing before a 2-hour canoe trip to several islands, such as Akampene Island, used by the Bakiga as a Punishment Island for girls who became pregnant before marriage. After visiting the island, you’ll return to your lodge, check out, and drive back to Entebbe International Airport, with lunch on the way.
Meal Plan: Breakfast/Lunch
6-day Mgahinga gorilla trekking and cultural experience in the Mgahinga Includes and Excludes
Includes:
- All airport pick-ups and drop-offs
- 1 gorilla permit per person
- 1 golden monkey permit per person
- All activities mentioned on the itinerary
- Ground transportation in a 4X4 safari vehicle
- Professional Speaking Guide
- All accommodation and en-route meals
- Bottled water
- Fuel for 6 days
Excludes:
- Travel insurance
- Travel ticket
- Travel visa
- All activities not included in the itinerary
- Extra meals
- Souvenirs and gifts
- Tips
- Drinks (alcoholic and soft drinks such as soda, juice, wine)