Uganda Gorilla Trek

Board a flight from Entebbe to Kisoro Airstrip, the most direct route to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Weave your way through scenic tea plantations and terraces are you make your way to the local Batwa.

Begin your trek into the mountain rainforest as your search for the famed ‘gorillas in the mist.’ For those with a little extra energy, a guided waterfall hike or village tour can be arranged.

Located in southwestern Uganda, the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is said to be Africa’s oldest rainforest. It is world-renowned for its excellent gorilla-sighting opportunities. The rugged landscape features dense jungle, cascading waterfalls, sparkling mountain streams, deep valleys and steep ridges. This untouched forest has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its breathtaking natural beauty and unique ecological significance. Aside from the amazing gorilla interactions, there are other drawcards such as a network of forest walks, over 340 species of bird to spot and a variety of butterflies. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore the spectacular Virunga Volcanoes.

Depart from the mist-shrouded jungle as you head to Lake Mburo National Park where you will enjoy a guided walking safari. In the evening, you’ll take a game drive to spot more of the parks inhabitants. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Situated in the southwestern region of Uganda, Lake Mburo National Park is an easily accessible, compact little gem. Renowned for its impressive biodiversity, Lake Mburo National Park shelters almost seventy mammal species and over 300 avian species in its forests, swamps and grasslands. This spectacular landscape features open plains of savanna interrupted by rocky ridges, forested gorges and lush dense woodland. Crocodiles, hippos and a myriad of water birds are found in and around the five lakes, of which Lake Mburo is the largest. Other commonly spotted wildlife include: impala, oribi, eland, zebra, buffalo, Defassa waterbuck, leopard, hyena, hippo and reedbuck.

Bid farewell to the beautiful park before you head to Entebbe for your international flight home. On the way, plan to stop at the equator line to snap a quick photo of yourself standing in two hemispheres.

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About Mountain Gorillas

A subspecies of the Eastern Gorilla (the other being the lowland gorilla), the mountain gorilla is the largest primate in the world and is also one of the most endangered. Poaching and habitat destruction has led to a situation in which there are only 840 mountain gorillas remaining in the entire world. Majority of these 840 reside in Rwanda and Uganda.

Unlike the smaller primates that spend a great deal of their lives in trees, mountain gorillas are ground-dwellers who prefer to live in open canopy forests where light reaches the forest floor. They are herbivores whose diet consists of roots, leaves, vines, stems and bamboo. Besides being capable of bipedal movement, gorillas are predominantly knuckle walkers who move about on all fours. Females choose their breeding partners based on their ability to protect them, and groups of gorillas range in size from anywhere between a mated pair to 30 individuals. On average, ‘families’ of gorillas are comprised of 9 individuals. The typical mountain gorilla lifespan is 35-50 years. Male mountain gorillas stand approximately six feet fall and can weigh up to 440lbs. Despite their size, mountain gorillas do not range widely and tend to keep a relatively small area of their habitat.

Personal Fitness & Health

It is not possible to predict just how long you’ll be hiking before you encounter a gorilla family. Some people spend as little as 40 minutes hiking before they come across gorillas, while others can spend up to seven hours. For this reason, it is recommended that all gorilla trekkers be in decent physical health and mental condition. Please note that as gorillas are susceptible to human borne illnesses, you are not permitted to participate in a gorilla trek if you are sick.

While the Gorilla Trek is the adventure of a lifetime, there is so much more to experience in Uganda. Extend your stay to participate in one of our Public Health or Business impacts!