5-Days Primate Trekking and Mgahinga Hiking

This 5-days Primate Trekking and Mgahinga Hiking starts in Kampala/ Entebbe and ends at Entebbe International Airport in Uganda. It involves meeting eye to eye with the magical mountain gorillas and the elusive golden monkeys in their natural habitat. You will also have the opportunity to have a clear stunning view of the three extinct Virunga Volcanoes, creating breathtaking scenery and thrilling hikes, including hiking the most spectacular Mount Sabinyo, reaching its summit offers you chance to stand in 3 countries at the same time including Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Mgahinga Gorilla Park is located in south western Uganda, established in 1991 and covers an area of 33.9km. It is Uganda’s smallest park with magical wonders, from the endangered mountain gorillas to the elusive golden monkeys. Beyond its rich biodiversity, including over 29 mammals, 250 bird species, several plants and trees among others. The park carries deep cultural significance since it was once home to the Batwa pygmies, the forest’s original inhabitants.

Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport- Transfer to Mgahinga National Park

Upon arrival, you will receive a warm welcome from our company representative and your assigned English-speaking driver guide, meet and greet and after transfer you to your hotel to freshen. After your safari driver will brief you about your 5-day gorilla, golden monkey trekking and hiking Mount Sabinyo. Start your drive southwards to Mgahinga National Park one of the only two gorilla parks in Uganda where one can meet the endangered mountain gorillas. Mgahinga National Park is the only park in Uganda where you can meet both the giant mountain gorillas and the beautiful golden monkeys.  The park distinguishes its self from other gorilla parks by having three volcanoes, namely Gahinga, Sabinyo and Muhabura, and the best destination to meet the Batwa people. It is a scenic journey that will offer you green vegetation cover and breathtaking landscapes along Masaka- Mbarara to Kabale Kisoro Highway. The journey takes about 9-10 hours from the capital Kampala, but expect to have some stops at Kayabwe Equator and at Igongo Cultural Centre for Lunch. After you will proceed with your journey up to your booked hotel/ lodge, check in and relax. Dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Mutanda Lake Resort/ Lake Mulehe Safari Lodg/ Kisoro Travellers Rest Hotel

Meal Plan: Luch/ Dinner

Day 2: Mgahinga Gorilla Park- Gorilla Trekking-Experience- Relaxation

Wake up early in the morning (0530am) to organize yourself, arrange the necessary equipment in preparation for mountain gorilla trekking and meet your safari guide to be transferred to the park information offices to join other guests to be briefed about mountain gorilla trekking dos and don’ts, how to behave in the presence of mountain gorillas and the expectations. The family to be tracked is called Nyakagezi mountain gorilla family that is unique and reliable for tracking, accompanied by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) ranger and the forest guide. We would recommend you to hire a porter to help you carry your packed bag and your other items you would need during mountain gorillas. After pre-mountain gorilla briefing session, start your forest walk in search for the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.

You will spend a maximum of one hour with the mountain gorillas and you will be free to capture as many photos and recording videos as you would want to keep your great memories with the mountain gorilla family in the jungle. After, return to the trekking start point to receive your mountain trekking certificate in appreciation of your contribution to the conservation of the endangered mountain gorillas in Uganda. Have refreshments and lunch and then drive to the lodge to relax. You will conclude your day 2 of 5-days Primate Trekking and Mgahinga Hiking safari with  Dinner and an overnight.

Accommodation option: Mutanda Lake Resort/ Lake Mulehe Safari Lodg/ Kisoro Travellers Rest Hotel

Meal plan: Breakfast / Lunch /Dinner

Day 3: Mgahinga Gorilla Park-Golden Monkey Trekking- Optional Batwa Experience

Rise up early in the morning have breakfast and  meet your safari guide and then drive to the park information centre of Ntebeko to meet other guests to attend the pre-golden monkey tracking briefing by the park ranger guides and the administrators to guide you about the rules and regulations during the tracking exercise. While searching for golden monkeys, there higher chances of seeing other wildlife species such as forest elephants, bush pigs, buffaloes, L’hoest monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, and several bird species. After exploring the golden monkeys, return to the park starting point to meet your safari guide and enjoy your packed lunch, relax for some time and return to your lodge. In the evening you will have an optional Batwa experience for your great memorable cultural experience.

The Batwa people used to stay in the forests of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga National Park before both places were made national parks to protect mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, and other wildlife species by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. So, this left the Batwa people homeless and living unhappy lives because they were not used to life without forests where they used to practise hunting small animals for meat and gathering fruits. Therefore, the Batwa trail was established to demonstrate the Batwa life style to the entire world and to preserve it for the Batwa future generation to know its ancestral origin. After, return to the lodge for dinner and an over night stay.

Accommodation: Mutanda Lake Resort/ Lake Mulehe Safari Lodg/ Kisoro Travellers Rest Hotel

Meal plan: Breakfast / Lunch /Dinner

Day 4: Mgahinga National Park- Hiking Mount Sabinyo (Volcano)

Your day 4 of 5-days Primate Trekking and Mgahinga Hiking will begin by waking up early and prepare your self with all the necessary equipment, have breakfast with packed lunch and after your driver guide will transfer you to the park offices for the briefing about the dos and don’ts of the hiking experience. Before the hike, one needs to register at the park office, sign the guest book and clear any payments. Hiking Mount Sabinyo begins with briefing. The Guide and Rangers will let you know what to expect, the history of the mountain and what to carry along. If you don’t reach the park offices on time, you are advised to descend back because it would be too late to complete the activity on time. All hikers are given a walking stick – take it like gold. Porters are available for hire for those who have heavy equipment such as cameras. You will be escorted by at least three locals. Apart from the official Guide, an armed ranger is always part of the team to scare away large mammals such elephants that graze on the slopes of the mountain. Upon reaching the summit, you will have once in a life time experience with unique panoramic breathtaking views of the Virunga Massif, viewing three countries of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo from one position. Retire and descend to the bottom of the volcano, meet your driver guide and return to your lodge. Relax as you wait for dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Mutanda Lake Resort/ Lake Mulehe Safari Lodg/ Kisoro Travellers Rest Hotel

Meal plan: Breakfast / Lunch /Dinner

Day 5: Return to Entebbe to Meet your return flight

You will  have an early breakfast and transfer to Entebbe to fly back home. This marks the end of your 5-Days Primate Trekking and Mgahinga Hiking. We hope to see you (or any referral) on your next visit. Thanks for choosing Caracal Explorers

Inclusion

• All airport transfers (pick up and drop off)
• All ground transport for 5 days
• 1 Gorilla trekking permit per person
• 1 golden monkey trekking permit per person
• All activities in the itinerary (except those mentioned optional)
• Full Board accommodation whilst on safari
• Bottled drinking water for 5 days
• Fuel for 5 days
• Service of an English-speaking professional driver/guide during safari
• A (4×4 WD) safari Landcruiser with a pop up
• A visit to Kayabwe equator Landmark/experience
• Evening A visit and boat canoeing on Lake Bunyonyi
• All park entrance fees and government taxes as per the itinerary.

Exclusion

• Visa ticket
• International airfares
• Travel Insurance
• Extra Meals, alcoholic drinks and soft drinks such as sodas, juice, wine, etc.
• Tipping
• Activities not mentioned in the itinerary
• Items of a personal nature i.e., telephone/internet usage, laundry, etc.
• Change in itinerary, in park fees, or other charges beyond our control.