6 Days of Cultural and Wildlife Safari in Mgahinga

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be welcomed by our company representative and your driver guide, who will transfer you to your hotel in Kampala for check-in and a safari briefing. If time permits, a brief evening tour of Kampala’s historical sites may be arranged, including the Uganda National Museum, Twekobe Kabaka’s Palace, Amin’s torture chambers, and the Old Kampala Mosque. Dinner and overnight stay are included.

Accommodation: Protea Hotel (Luxury)/ 2 Friends Guest House (Mid range)/ Papyrus Guest House (Budget)

Meal plan: Dinner

After breakfast, meet your driver guide and head for a scenic drive to Mgahinga National Park in southwestern Uganda, characterized by its bamboo and rain forests, home to mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. This area, known as “where Gold meets Silver,” also offers the Batwa trail experience, reflecting its historical connection to the indigenous Batwa Bushmen. Along the way, you will have a stop over at the equator landmark to experience the unique water phenomena and enjoy lunch at Igongo Cultural centre in Mbarara city before proceeding to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation:

Meal plan: Breakfast/ Lunch /Dinner

Following your breakfast, guests will go to the park information center for a briefing on gorilla trekking behavior before embarking on the forest walk with a Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) ranger guide. Gorilla tracking can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 7 hours, depending on the movement of the gorillas and the trekkers’ pace. During the trek, several wildlife species can be seen including bird species and other primates, with the ranger providing information along the way. Upon encountering mountain gorillas, guests have up to one hour to observe and study their behaviours as well.  After the trek, participants return to the information center for their tracking award and refreshments before heading back to their lodge for lunch and a relaxing evening, followed by dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Chameleon Hill Lodge (luxury)/Mutanda lake Resort (mid-range)/Kisoro Travellers Rest Hotel

Meal plan: Breakfast/ Lunch /Dinner

After a delightful breakfast, you will gather your tracking equipment and meet with your driver to head to the park information center for a briefing on golden monkey tracking, an experience centered around one of Uganda’s endangered and unique primate species. The tracking sessions last for 4 hours, including 1 hour of observation once the monkeys are located. After this, you’ll return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation before embarking on the evening Batwa trail experience. The Batwa, also known as Twa in Rwanda, are indigenous people of the Mgahinga Gorilla and Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks, recognized as “forest Keepers.” This cultural trail allows visitors to understand their traditional lifestyle and dependence on the forest. After the interaction with the Batwa, you’ll return to your lodge for dinner and a night stay.

Accommodation: Chameleon Hill Lodge (luxury)/Mutanda lake Resort (mid-range)/Kisoro Travellers Rest Hotel

Meal plan: Breakfast/ Lunch /Dinner

Have breakfast, and after 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, located in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, which is known for its spectacular hiking experiences. The ascent begins on flat terrain, progressing through swamps and dense vegetation, including bamboo forests that house golden monkeys and potentially mountain gorillas, forest elephants, and other species. The highlight of the hike is reaching the summit, where you can see three countries—Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo—simultaneously, with stunning views of Lake Kivu, Lake Bunyonyi, and the Rwenzori Mountain ranges. After enjoying the scenery, 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 /Dinner

After breakfast, you will drive to meet your local canoe guide for a briefing before starting a 2-hour canoe trip to Akampene Island. This island was used by the Bakiga communities as a Punishment Island for girls who became pregnant before marriage, serving as a harsh lesson on preserving virginity. After visiting the island, you’ll return to your lodge to collect your bags, check out, and begin your return drive to Entebbe International Airport, with lunch along the way, concluding your 6-Day Exploration of Mgahinga’s Unique Wildlife and Cultural Safari.

Meal Plan: Breakfast/Lunch

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 on the itinerary
• Extra meals
• Souvenirs and gifts
• Tips
• Drinks (alcoholic and soft drinks)