Overview
Our 3 Day Mgahinga gorilla trekking safari will take you to Mgahinga National Park in south western Uganda. Small and still marginalized by tourists and tour operator, Mgahinga National Park is the only park in Uganda where mountain gorillas co-exist with Golden monkeys hence a saying that its where “Gold meets silver”. Encounter Africa Safaris organizes gorilla tours to Mgahinga and our 3 Day Mgahinga gorilla trekking safari is meant for those who do not have enough time on their disposal but want to trek mountain gorillas. Our 3 Day Mgahinga gorilla trekking safari starts and ends in Entebbe with stops at the equator crossing for photography.
Summary of 3 Day Mgahinga Gorilla
trekking Safari
- Day 01: Pickup from hotel and drive to Mgahinga National Park
- Day 02: Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National Park
- Day 03: Transfer back to Entebbe Airport and end of our 3 Day Mgahinga gorilla trekking safari
Tour Summary
- You’ll go to Uganda Uganda
- This tour starts and ends in Entebbe (Uganda)
- You’ll visit Mgahinga National Park
- Activities:gorilla tracking
- Getting around:open-sided 4×4 vehicle & pop-up roof 4×4 vehicle
- A transfer from and back to the airport (or hotel) is included
- Additional accommodation before the tour departs and on the last day can be arranged for extra cost
Things To Consider
- Accommodation is Inclusive
- Small Group Safari: Max 6 People per group
- Tour Can Depart any day
- Tour can be customized
- Solo travelers can join this tour
- Age Limit: 15 years and above
Detailed Itinerary
Arrival
- You’ll be picked up from the airport (or hotel)
- Accommodation before the tour departs can be arranged for extra cost
Day 1: Start your 3 Day Mgahinga gorilla trekking Safari
You will be picked from your overnight hotel in Entebbe or Kampala by our driver guide who will brief you about your trip, make sure that you have all the necessary gear and paper work. You will then drive to Mgahinga National Park in southwestern Uganda with some stopovers at Mpambire royal drum makers to witness how drums are made from skins and wood. You will then proceed to the Equator crossing and then to Mbarara town for Lunch at Agip Motel or Igongo Cultural Center depending on the time at your disposal. After lunch you will take a scenic drive to Kisoro district starting with the flat lands of Ntungamo, and the rolling hills of Kabale to terraced hills and meandering roads to KisoroDistrick. You will arrive in time for a short relaxation, dinner and overnight at the lodge. Drive time: Approximately 9-10 hours Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner Lodging: Kisoro Travellers Rest Inn
Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga
After an early breakfast, our driver will drive you to Mgahinga National Park headquarters arriving in time for briefing. Before briefing, your passport details will be required to make sure that you are eligible to trek mountain gorillas. This will be followed by briefing from one of the UWA rangers about gorilla trekking, dos and don’ts and instructions to be followed on the trek, with the gorillas and after the trek. You will then be led to the forest to search for the mountain gorillas. Mgahinga National Park has only one habituated mountain gorilla family called Nyakagezi which used to move between Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Mgahinga National Park but it is now permanently resident in Uganda. Once you find Nyakagezi Family, you will be allowed one hour with the gorillas and then return back to the Lodge for your overnight. Meal Plan: Breakfast, Packed Lunch and Dinner Lodging: Kisoro Traveller’s Rest Inn.
Day 3: Drive back to Kampala/Entebbe International Airport
After breakfast, you will drive back to Kampala or Entebbe International Airport for your late departure flight out marking the end of your 3 day Mgahinga gorilla trekking safari.
Detailed Itinerary
Arrival
- You’ll be picked up from the airport (or hotel)
- Accommodation before the tour departs can be arranged for extra cost
DAY 1: Start your 3 Day Hot air balloon safari in Queen Elizabeth N P
You will be met by our representative at your hotel early in the morning from briefing to make sure that what you booked is same as what he has. You will then start your 3 day hot air balloon safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park at around 8:00 am. The drive from Kampala to Queen Elizabeth National Park is about 6-7 hours due to stop overs that you will make en route. Such stop overs may include Mpambire royal drum makers to observe how our traditional drums and chairs or stools are made, you will also stop at the equator crossing to have an opportunity of stepping in two hemispheres (North and south) at ago before proceeding to Mbarara town for a lunch break. From Mbarara town, you will drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park with stops to observe tea plantations, rift valley escarpments as well as crater lakes arriving in the evening for your dinner and overnight. Drive time: Approximately 6-7 Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner Lodging: Mweya Safari Lodge or Kasenyi Safari Camp
DAY 2: Hot Air balloon safari and afternoon boat cruise on Kazinga Channel
Queen Elizabeth Hot air balloon safaris start very early in the morning at 5:30am where all clients will be transferred to the starting point. As the balloon is being assembled, you will be served a cup of tea or coffee. At 6:30am, briefing will be done by one of the pilots followed by your flight which may last for about 45 minutes to one and a half hours depending on the conditions of the day. In this period, you will observer wildlife from above, rift valley floor and escarpments, crater and lift valley lakes plus Rwenzori and its associated features. You may land at around 7:30am where you will be served a bush break with wines and later given certificates. Transfer back to the lodge for relaxation, lunch and then to the jetty for your afternoon boat cruise on Kazinga channel. Kazinga channel is absolutely a highlight due to the fact that so many animals flock to this place to drink water. Your two hour boat cruise will allow you to sport different bird species, elephants, hippos, crocodiles, several antelopes, buffaloes and so much more more. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight. Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Lodging: Mweya Safari Lodge or Kasenyi Safari Camp
DAY 3: End of 3 Day Hot Air balloon safari in Queen Elizabeth NP
After breakfast, you will have an en route game drive as you drive back to Kampala or Entebbe Airport for your flight back home. Lunch will be provide en route. End of our 3 day Hot Air balloon safari in Queen Elizabeth NP.