Uganda Fly-In Gorilla Safari

Welcome to the pearl of Africa! After having arrived independently at Entebbe International Airport you will be greeted by a representative for your transfer to the Boma Guesthouse (5 to 10 minute drive) for your included overnight stay. Enjoy a comfortable night’s sleep in this tastefully restored colonial homestead in preparation for the adventures that lie ahead.

Overnight stay at Hotel No.5 with breakfast included.

Today your adventure begins in earnest as after an early breakfast you will be collected for your transfer to the airport for your included flight to Western Uganda. This scenic flight in an 11-seater small plane will take approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, and upon arrival at Kihihi Airstrip you will be transferred by road to the beautiful Bwindi National Park (1 hour drive). You will arrive at the luxury Mahogany Springs Lodge by early afternoon and enjoy a delicious lunch before enjoying some free time to explore the area. Set back on the pristine waters of the Munyanga River, Mahogany Springs is located just 2 minutes drive from the Bwindi National Park headquarters where we will be heading to tomorrow for our gorilla tracking experience. Guests can choose to spend some time relaxing and preparing for tomorrow’s excursions or join an optional guided forest walk in search of the area’s unique flora and fauna.

You can enjoy a beautiful dinner in the evening before settling into your luxury “banda” which features 2 double beds, an en-suite bathroom and a private terrace with panoramic views of the forest and surrounding land.

2 nights accommodation at Mahogany Springs Lodge with 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners.

Get ready for the experience of a lifetime! After an early breakfast you will join your transfer to the offices of the National Park where upon arrival you will be allocated a gorilla family, an 8-person group and a gorilla trekking guide. After a briefing into what lies ahead, including safety precautions and an introduction to the behaviour of the gorillas, you will be driven to the trailhead for the start of your thrilling adventure.

Depending on the gorilla family that you have been allocated the trek to see them can take anywhere from 15 minutes to 6 hours so patience and an average fitness level are required. The terrain can be muddy, and rainy weather is likely, but as you trek through the jungle the anticipation of seeing these gentle giants in the wild, along with the spectacular views and likely bird sightings on offer, is likely to be more than enough distraction from that. And we can almost guarantee that when you come face to face with these majestic animals the trek will soon become a distant memory!

Upon sighting the gorillas your group will be allowed one hour with them to watch them as they go about their daily lives; feeding, moving, playing, wrestling and feeding their young – this will be a totally unique and unforgettable experience!

Gorilla trekking experiences in Bwindi have been designed to ensure that numbers are kept to a minimum whilst still offering the experience of seeing these animals in the wild so that more can be done to protect them and ensure the species’ ongoing survival. The vast majority of your gorilla permit cost goes to protecting these vulnerable animals and ensuring that their population thrives. Without tourist visits there would be substantially less funds available to do this. Each of the habituated families of mountain gorillas are only allowed to be visited by one group of eight people per day, and only 72 visitors are allowed each day.

After your thrilling experience of witnessing the famous mountain gorillas up-close, your guide will lead you back to base where you will be transferred back to the lodge for a delicious dinner and the chance to reflect on what may well have been the greatest wildlife experience of your life.

After your memorable time in Bwindi National Park it’s time to head back to Entebbe as you depart after breakfast for your transfer to the air strip and return flight to Entebbe International Airport.