This short safari will entail the exciting gorilla trekking which is one of the most thrilling activities in Uganda and this time around, you will be in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and relaxing by the Lake Bunyonyi which is one of the most beautiful lakes in Africa as a spot to rest and relax with plenty of leisure activities. Expect to see mountain gorillas, monkeys, chimpanzees and baboons for primates; elephants, forest giant hogs, jackals and antelopes for animals; egrets, slender –billed baglafecht, weaver birds, herons, grey crowned cranes, regal sunbird, black-billed turaco, mountain oriole and many more for bird species, the Batwa and Bakiga people for cultural tours, and the rare vegetation which is Afromontane. All these put together will certainly make for a unique and beautiful experience on this safari. The trip will start from Kampala via Mbarara to Bwindi, to Lake Bunyonyi and finally back to Kampala.
Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
You will get to your agreed point and will be met by a driver guide from Glory Summit Tours who will also brief you on how your trip will be after which you will set off for Bwindi which will take 8-9 hours. During the journey you will make one stop at the Igongo Cultural Center for lunch and also learn a little bit about the Ankole culture after which you will continue to Bwindi and arrive in time for dinner and check in the lodge for the night.
Day 2: Gorilla trekking and Batwa cultural tour
You will wake up early and have breakfast and head to the briefing spot by 7:30am where you shall be given the guidelines and safety precautions to be followed by a guide to ensure a smooth trek before you head into the forest to experience it. Depending on the targeted Gorilla families given to you to trek, the trekking will take between 30 minutes-6hours, it’s in this time that you shall get to see the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, how they live, care for each other, care for their young, how and when they eat, all this will be done with a guide and armed ranger on route with you. During the trek you will be given water and a snack for when you need it. When done with the trekking, you will go back to your lodge and freshen up then have lunch. There after you will visit the Batwa people for a community tour. With the help of a local guide, you will be involved in different community activities like music, dance and drama, crafting and honey harvesting. Story telling will also be key as a way to learn the Batwa people’s history and what makes them an interesting group people. You will the return to the lodge, have dinner and end the day.
Day 3: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
You will wake up in time for breakfast and checkout, after which you will exit the park for Lake Bunyonyi which will take about 3-4hours. During this time you will enjoy the green scenic views and also have some picture moments as beautiful views must be captured for memories. You will get to your lodge at Lake Bunyonyi in time for lunch, after which you will check and rest before you set out for some canoeing and relaxation by the lake. You will head out for canoeing on Lake Bunyonyi with 29 islands to be visited, you will not miss out on the most popular island which is ‘Punishment Island’ and you will also get to see some birds like the grey shrikes, king fishers, herons, sunbirds, raptors, bee-eaters, widow birds and weavers and after you will relax by the lake and enjoy the sunset and this is breathtaking for a view. You will return to the lodge in time for dinner, after which you can relax and retire at will.
Day 4: Checkout and departure
You will wake up to a beautiful breakfast, and then check out of the lodge and prepare for your departure for Kampala and this will take about 9hours. You will have one stop over at the equator, for lunch, picture taking moments and exploring the craft village after which you will continue to Kampala and will be dropped off at the agreed upon point which will mark the end of the 4 day trip.
