After an early breakfast, start your Gorilla Safari trip with a road trip journey across Western Uganda. Your driver/guide will make sure your 4x4 safari vehicle is clean and thoroughly disinfected. He'll also present his negative Coronavirus test certificate and after all the formalities whisk you off through the cultural hub, Kampala, towards western Uganda.

At your pace, look out through the window and let the African wind renew your face. But don't close your eyes too long for you might miss the beautiful landscape of central Uganda: rolling hills, cultivated terraces, Rwenzori mountain backdrop, tropical rainforest and towards the end the majestic chain of the Virunga Volcanoes. Stop-over en-route at the equator, at Mbarara (for lunch) and at Igongo Cultural Center.

This Gorilla safari trip drive takes about 8-10 hours and will pass through towns of Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale and cut off Kisoro to Nkuringo, southern side of Bwindi.

• Accommodation: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge (Private cottage) • Meal Plan: Full Board

After a sumptuous breakfast, at around 7:45 am, with packed lunch and drinking water, your private Gorilla Safari Trip Driver will transfer you to the gorilla Park Head Quarters trailhead for the briefing on the gorilla trekking dos and the don’ts.

Alternatively, you can walk the 1km distance for probably 8 minutes and be there in time for a briefing. During the briefing, a party 8 trekkers will be assigned a gorilla group (randomly).

After the briefing, your gorilla trekking party will be escorted by an two armed rangers and a tracker guide into the African jungle for your gorilla adventure. Remember to dress up in waterproof boots and carry a lightweight rain jacket for it may rain anytime. See this post for a packing list.

The beauty of this rain forest is spectacular. The area offers a dramatic, steeply forested landscape and is incredibly dense, but crisscrossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists. The time taken and the terrain vary as per the movements of these great primates.

Hiking through the misty jungle, encountering different animal and plant species on the trail will keep you on the edge until you finally find the gorilla family. You'll be allowed one precious hour with the gentle giants, this is why you are there, make sure you savor every second in that jungle because a lot of emotions will be triggered. M

The gorilla trekking will be done at Nkuringo or at Rushaga (1 hr drive from Nkuringo), as per the gorilla permits obtained.

After your Gorilla encounter and out of the jungle, relax at the lodge and, for those who like, at 5.00 pm either stroll through the natives community center or drive up to the “Top of the World” - the name given to the football field, high up in Nkuringo which offers amazing 360 views over the peaks and forests around Nkuringo. A great way to stretch your legs after the gorilla tracking and to enjoy a sundowner.

• Accommodation: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge (Private Cottage) • Meal Plan: Full Board

This morning after an early breakfast, drive to Rubuguri Junction (10k – 1 hour) to start a jungle hike across beautiful green African landscapes and local communities - experience indigenous African village life (9km – 2/3 hours).

Upon arrival at Lake Mutanda you then “settle” in a dugout canoe for 2-3 hours of gentle relaxed cruising across the lake, enjoying the beautiful panoramic views on the lake.

Meet with your private driver at the end of the canoe ride and drive back to Nkuringo. Of course you could also drive from the lodge directly to the lake (20k - 90 minutes), enjoy the canoe ride across the lake and drive all the way back to the lodge again. Your discretion will be sought here.

In the afternoon stroll down to the Buniga Forest Trail Walk, an informative project run by USAID and the local Batwa community.

The Batwa tribe was forced to leave their home in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in 1991 when it was declared a UNESCO Heritage site for gorillas only. They had been living in the forest as nomadic hunter-gatherers for millennia, in perfect balance with the flora and fauna around. Moving out and suddenly living in communities with a completely different way of life has proven to be a huge challenge. They now survive as best as they can and earn a living explaining their previous life in the forest and their rich heritage. The gorilla safari trip also explores through community to with a walk and a visit to the traditional herbalist and the black smith.

• Accommodation: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge (Private cottage) • Meal Plan: Full Board

After breakfast enjoy another glimpse of the misty jungle as your gorilla safari trip driver lazily drives you through the beautiful jagged mountain slopes of western uganda drive back to Entebbe airport. The drive takes about 10 hours.

Depending on your departure flight either enjoy day room/overnight at Papyrus Guest House or wait for your departure flight at the Airport. You will require a negative Coronavirus (Covid-19) test certificate given within 72 hours of your departure.

Upon request we can also book and quote 2 hrs of chimp tracking at Kalinzo Forest (possible at any time of the day) and/or reduce the long journey back to Entebbe by adding an overnight and some game drives in Lake Mburo National Park.

• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch; Dinner on own’s account.