Uganda - Up close with the gorillas

The best travel time for gorilla tracking is between December and February and from mid-June to early September. During these months, it hardly rains, and the temperatures are pleasant.

Gorilla tracking is a fascinating human-animal encounter because of the close relation to each other. Follow in the footsteps of the gentle creatures during this exciting adventure.

After landing in Entebbe, drive or fly to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, home of the majestic mountain gorillas. The endangered animals have only about 720 left globally, and around 340 of them live in the Bwindi National Park. Please note in advance that a guide is included in the “driving version” but not in the “flight version.” Your accommodation organizes your transfers, and professional guides and porters are available during the gorilla tracking.

Travel time Entebbe - Bwindi: approx. 8 - 10 hours / approx. 430 km

Flight time with transfers: approx. 3 - 4 hours

2 nights at The Haven with breakfast on day 1 and full board on day 2 in a standard room, Bwindi National Park Uganda

Wake up early and begin your gorilla tracking adventure! Treat yourself to a hearty breakfast in preparation for an unforgettable day of activities. Registration at the Uganda Wildlife Authority Ranger Station takes place at 08:00. After a short briefing by the ranger, the adventure begins! Tracking usually takes between three and six hours, so be sure to pack a pair of good running or hiking shoes. Only 24 people are allowed to hike per day, and the length of the stay is limited to approximately one hour so that the animals have as little disturbance as possible in their natural habitat. Please note: tracking takes place at an altitude of 2000 meters, so a certain level of physical fitness is required.

The rangers will lead you through the village gardens into a jungle-like forest. The guides will clear the way for themselves and you through the dense undergrowth with a machete. The mountain gorillas are observed 24 hours a day for their safety, and therefore, the rangers always receive information about the animals’ locations.

A black shadow shimmers from the bushes. A mountain gorilla sits in front of you, chewing on a delicious leaf. Their pitch-black eyes look in your direction. Admiration and fascination — many people use these two terms to describe their encounter with the gorillas.

Once you have located the gorilla family, you’ll leave your belongings behind before slowly approaching the gentle creatures with your camera. The guide will interpret the behavior of the animals to make sure it’s safe to approach. You can see females and their young, young males, and even the dominant silverback — an unforgettable experience. After about an hour with the animals, you’ll return to the base station.

Although the gorilla population is slowly recovering through “gorilla tourism,” they are still threatened with extinction. Since gorillas and humans share almost identical genetic material, we must not endanger the gorillas’ health with human diseases. To prevent transmission of diseases from humans to the gorillas, we advise a seven-meter distance from them.

Change of scene: In the afternoon, you’ll have the opportunity to see the Batwa, the indigenous people of the forest, do a traditional dance. This activity is an optional booking.

After a hearty breakfast, make your way back to Entebbe. Enjoy one last night in Uganda and prepare for your flight home tomorrow. Or how about an extension to Kenya’s dreamy coastline or Zanzibar island? We are happy to organize this for you!

1 night at The Boma**** with breakfast in the Standard Room, Entebbe, Uganda

Depending on your flight time, your accommodation will bring you to the airport. We hope you had an unforgettable stay with the fascinating mountain gorillas.

We are happy to organize an extension for you on-site or in another region. Contact us today! We will arrange your personalized dream trip for you.

itravel - for that moment.

The Haven, Bwindi National Park, Uganda (2 nights)

The small guest house is a gorgeous accommodation that offers stunning park views. In the rooms, you can enjoy a comfortable bed and a private bathroom. The friendly staff will take care of your every need, and you can look forward to delicious food.

The Boma****, Entebbe, Uganda (1 night)

The beautiful accommodation is only six kilometers from the international airport. There’s a pool, bar, lounge, and terrace where you can eat breakfast. In the rooms, there’s a private bathroom.

Duration of the trip: 4 days / 3 nights

Including

• 3 nights and meals according to the program

• 4x4 jeep and transfer to Bwindi and back to Entebbe (driving version)

• English-speaking guide

• 1 gorilla permit per person in Bwindi National Park

• AMREF evacuation insurance

Excluding

• International flights

• Visa if required

• Tips

• Optional entrance fees to national parks or similar

• Prices for optional tours

• Meals and drinks not included

• Personal expenses

• Laundry service

Notes

• German-speaking guide possible for an extra charge

• We recommend sturdy shoes, rainwear, and gloves so that you can hold onto branches without worrying about anything.

• Temperatures at high altitudes can be between 10° and 15°C.

• Children 15 years and older are allowed on this excursion. In exceptional cases and against a declaration of exclusion, children from the age of 12 are possible.