103: Fly-in Gorilla & Wildlife safari

Ref: 103, 7 days

103: Fly-in Gorilla & Wildlife safari

$5160 per person

On this action packed fly-in wildlife safari you’ll experience tribal culture with the Batwa, spend time with mountain gorillas, search for big game and more.

This safari is packed full of wonderful experiences. You’ll enjoy 3 domestic flights at altitudes low enough to appreciate the stunning countryside and game-filled national parks below. You will visit beautiful Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and spend time with the mountain gorillas in their forest home. Experience tribal culture with the Batwa (‘forest-keeper’ pygmies). Relax beside the beautiful Lake Mutanda before experiencing game viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

This is an amazing holiday that could easily be added to another short beach, hiking or adventure holiday or even a visit to another East African country.

Highlights

Spend time with the enchanting mountain gorillas and our closest relative – the chimpanzees
Enjoy domestic flights with breath-taking views
Experience a unique African tribal culture with the Batwa forest-keepers
Explore Queen Elizabeth National Park in search of big game and a wealth of birdlife

Overview

Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport
Day 2: 07:00 flight to Kisoro Airstrip. Canoe ride on Lake Mutanda and relax at the lodge
Day 3: A lifetime experience; tracking and spending time with enchanting mountain gorillas
Day 4: Fascinating Batwa tribal experience
Day 5: Fly to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Chimp tracking at Kyambura gorge
Day 6: Dawn game drive. Afternoon boat cruise on Kazinga Channel
Day 7: Flight back to Entebbe

When is the best time of year to visit Uganda?

Although Ugandan seasons have become less predictable in recent years, peak tourist seasons usually coincide with dry seasons. When choosing your dates consider:

Uganda is an all-year round destination with a pleasant climate and temperatures averaging in the mid 20s⁰C. The huge variety in altitude means temperatures vary around the country (but this also means increased biodiversity)
Flight prices often increase in European/American holiday seasons
There are fewer tourists in low seasons so you can have the place to yourselves!
Many hotels offer all-year prices so the price of your visit may not change much between seasons
Most major roads going from the capital, Kampala, up-country are tarmac. Conditions on murram roads may worsen, to varying degrees, in rainy season
Rainy season can be good for birding as there is more food (bugs) available
If you are targeting certain birds, ask our advice on breeding and migration seasons
Should you plan to climb the Rwenzori mountains, dry seasons are best
Hiking may be better in rainy seasons when it is cooler

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Our gallery

Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be met by our representative who will take you to your hotel, a short drive away. Relax at the hotel and have dinner on the roof top terrace in the evening.

Accommodation: The Boma Hotel – Entebbe Meal plan: D

Day 2: Fly to Kisoro. Canoe ride on Lake Mutanda

The hotel staff will drop you back at the airport for your early 07:00 flight to Kisoro. On arrival you will be met by lodge staff and transfer to the lodge about 1 hour. Spend the afternoon enjoying a boat ride on Lake Mutanda in a traditional dug-out canoe visiting sites of interest around this beautiful, tranquil lake whilst listening to local historical and cultural tales. Then relax for the evening and prepare for the great jungle adventures.

Accommodation: Chameleon Hill Lodge – Kisoro Meal plan: B, L, D

Day 3: Gorilla tracking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

After a short briefing, your guides will take you into the forest in search of the gorillas. Once you find them, which can take a few hours, you will spend a magical hour watching them as they eat, play, groom and even snooze or you can follow them as they move through the forest. Later, you will Return to Lake Mutanda for a well-earned rest.

Accommodation: Chameleon Hill Lodge – Kisoro Meal plan: B, L, D

Day 4: Walk the Batwa Trail

Head out to visit the Batwa pygmy tribe, the traditional ‘forest keepers’. Walk for 5 to 6 hours on the gentle mountain slopes with a Batwa guide who will show you how the ‘forest keepers’ lived as hunter-gatherers before the forest was gazetted as a protected area. This unique community has a long and rich culture and you will spend time with them, visiting their area as they tell their interesting story of life in harmony with the forest. This activity helps to fund the Batwa’s life outside the forest.

Accommodation: Chameleon Hill Lodge – Kisoro Meal plan: B, L, D

Day 5: Fly to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Chimp tracking

Return to the airstrip in Kisoro for your 08:25 flight to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Transfer to your lodge and, after settling in, go chimp tracking at Kyambura gorge. Enjoy views over the Rift Valley from the road. There may even be time for a short game drive as you head back.

Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge – Queen Elizabeth National Park Meal plan: B, L, D

Day 6: Dawn game drive. Afternoon boat cruise on Kazinga Channel

It is worth getting up early today to catch the animals as they rise. Take a game drive in search of lion, elephant, leopard, antelope and more. Then take a leisurely boat ride along the banks of Kazinga Channel and look out for hippos, crocodiles, buffalo and the rich birdlife this area is renowned for.

Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge – Queen Elizabeth National Park Meal plan: B, L, D

Day 7: Flight back to Entebbe.

Have a relaxed morning at the lodge as you wait to head to the airstrip for your scenic 12:20 flight back to Entebbe where your tour ends. Your guide will pick you from the airport if your flight is late in the evening and transfer you to Entebbe town. Relax In Entebbe, visit a craft centre and you return to airport for your return flight home.

Meals: B, L

Please note: all timings and routings are approximate and subject to change at short notice. We can provide additional accommodation at the beginning and end of your holiday, depending on your requirements.

Lake Mutanda View from Chameleon Hill Lodge

Aerial view Katwe salt lakes in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda

Guide price: from US$ 5,160 per person

Based on 2 adults sharing a double room, in mid-range accommodation and travelling in a safari Land Cruiser (all our safaris and tours can be adapted to high-end, mid-range or budget versions)

The price for every safari depends on the number of people travelling, their ages, the time of year, whether or not international flights are included, the type of transport and accommodation used and the activities undertaken.

We calculate according to the specific dates of your booking because after we publish our itineraries some things may change. For example, hotels may increase their prices, exchange rates fluctuate, the government may introduce new taxes or some discounts may become available. Unfortunately, we also have to pass on surcharges imposed on us by, for example, airlines when fuel prices or airport taxes are unexpectedly increased.

We would be happy to prepare a quotation, based on your requirements. We normally include most costs in the price so all you need to bring with you is ‘pocket money’ for items like drinks, tips and personal shopping e.g. souvenirs.

Price includes

3 domestic flights each

1 gorilla and 1 chimp tracking permit each

A double room in mid-range, non-air-conditioned accommodation with a full board meal plan

Private safari vehicle with driver and fuel for this itinerary

All entrance and other fees for the activities included in the itinerary

Mineral water in transit

All government taxes

Price does not include

International flights

Visas

Travel insurance

Personal expenses: alcohol, laundry services and souvenirs

Tips (normally 5–10% and around $10 per day for your guide).

Booking

All bookings are governed by our Booking Conditions not the regulations in place in the different countries where our clients or their tour operators/travel agents come from.

Note: if you want to track gorillas, we recommend that you book your holiday as early as possible (6+ months) when permits are more readily available, so you can book and pay at leisure. Last minute permits can sometimes be found, especially if you are flexible with dates, but there will always be a rush to pay and secure them.

If you would like to book or adapt one of our safaris or tours or if you would like a tailor-made itinerary, please send us an enquiry form telling us about your requirements.

When we receive this we will check the availability of your preferred gorilla tracking permits (for a certain date and forest sector) and your accommodation. If changes are necessary, we will inform you and suggest alternatives.

Unfortunately, there is no system in Uganda for reserving permits, they can only be secured with payment and, once bought, they are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Once your itinerary is agreed, we will send you a booking form and an invoice for the full costs of any international flights, 30% deposit (40% for Rwanda) for gorilla and chimp tracking permits (this payment is non-refundable in any circumstances but permits can be rescheduled) and a 20% deposit on the rest of your holiday upon booking. Kindly send us a remittance note so that we know your payment is on the way and, once it is received, we can secure your preferred permits and confirm your booking.

If we are very unlucky and permits sold-out in the meantime, we will call you to suggest an alternative forest sector or date. Booking early should help to avoid this.

Full payment is due 90 days before arrival. If travel plans are not clear at this point, this payment can be reviewed and paid closer to arrival (at our sole discretion) or the holiday can be rescheduled.

Payments and Cancellation

We charge in US dollars. Payment is by bank transfer into our Standard Chartered USD bank account in Uganda.

For bookings from within Uganda, cash can be deposited on our bank account.

Payment instructions are given on our invoices.

If clients are unable to travel and their holiday has to be cancelled (for example if the Uganda Government closes the borders), we will reschedule their holiday, free-of-charge, within 1 year, for the same price. It may not be possible for us to obtain refunds from our suppliers and therefore we cannot guarantee being able to issue refunds to our clients.

When we book your safari, we have to pay non-refundable deposits on your behalf, for example to hotels. Therefore, we charge cancellation fees as follows:

If you cancel more than 90 days before your arrival date you lose your deposit

If you cancel 90 – 61 days before your arrival date you lose 50% of your total holiday price

If you cancel 60 – 31 days before your arrival date you lose 75% of your total holiday price

If you cancel 30 days or fewer before your arrival date you lose 100% of your total holiday price

We are subject to our suppliers’ cancellation policies. Payments already made to them cannot be refunded to you at any stage.

If one or more group members cancels, the price for remaining members may increase.

Cancellations must be made in writing and acknowledged by Venture Uganda Travel. Charges will be applied based on the date of our written acknowledgement.

We recommend clients include cancellation cover and Covid-19 cover in their travel insurance.

Insurance

AMREF flying doctors provide a medevac service in case of illness or injury during your safari. This costs $25pp for 31 days. We recommend this service and can include it in your package price.

Travel Information

Please see our Travel Information page for information on flights, visas, currency, packing lists, books and field guides, health and safety, emergency contacts and much more general information. If there is anything you cannot find just ask us (sales01@ventureuganda.org).

Responsible Tourism

See our Responsible Tourism pages for information about our approach to tourism and advice on how to travel responsibly.

For general advice please see our travel information webpage.

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103: Fly-in Gorilla & Wildlife safari