SIMILAR UGANDA SAFARI IDEAS
6 Days Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Safari - Flying
Flying Safari from Entebbe to Kihihi to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
4 Day Uganda Gorilla Habituation Experience (HEX)
Flying Safari from Entebbe to Kihihi to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
10 Days Uganda Gorillas & Wildlife Safari
Bwindi Forest, Queen Elizabeth, Kyambura and Kibale Forest
6 Day Murchison Falls Safari (Big Five Game)
Entebbe via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary - Murchison Falls N. Park
10 Day Gorilla Trekking & Masai Mara Safari
Entebbe, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Masai Mara National Reserve
13 Day Ultimate Uganda and Rwanda Safari
Entebbe, Queen Elizabeth, Kyambura Gorge, Bwindi & Volcanoes
14 Day Ultimate Uganda Highlights Safari
Entebbe, Murchison Falls, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi
4 Day Rwanda Gorilla Safari Express and Kigali Capital
Kigali Capital City & Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes N. Park
8 Day Chimps Gorillas and Savannah Wildlife
Kibale Forest Chimps, Queen Elizabeth N.P & Bwindi Forest
This Unique 4 Day Uganda Gorilla Habituation Experience (GHEX) safari offers a fantastic opportunity to spend an entire day amongst these remarkable gentle giants. Rather than gorilla trekking to an all-too-brief hour in their company, observe and photograph them throughout the morning and afternoon.
Highlights
- Spend a full day amongst a family of wild mountain gorillas
- Watch them interact, play and groom one another
- Have enough time to capture the perfect photograph
- Take part in the valuable task of habituating gorillas to the presence of humans
Trip Overview
There are just two gorilla families that are currently being habituated, in the dense foliage of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Take the Uganda Gorilla Habituation Experience and Trek deep into the trees in search of these sociable creatures, led by highly trained trackers and guides. Pick up the trail of clues that they have left behind as they roam through the forest.
After a challenging trek through this green wilderness, eventually reach the family’s location. Approach cautiously, getting close to these powerful yet intelligent creatures. Using non-threatening body language and the knowledge of the guides, put the dominant silverback at ease and allow him to assert his dominance.
Stay amongst the company of the gorilla family, watching as they slowly relax to the presence of humans. Still not fully habituated, it is only through this time-intensive approach that they will eventually become fully comfortable in the company of humans.
With hours to watch and listen to the gorillas as they eat, play and groom one another, this is a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in their world. Watch the intricacies of the social hierarchy unfold, see surprisingly human patterns of behavior develop and observe the unending consumption of plant matter that is necessary to sustain these powerful creatures.
Unlike a normal gorilla trek, Uganda Gorilla Habituation Experience (GHEX) offers something far more immersive, complex and powerful. The unrushed nature of the habituation trek allows for a far more relaxed appreciation of the everyday gorilla-family scenes that unfold amongst the trees of Bwindi. But it also presents photographers with the time they need to capture the perfect shot, making this ideal for those seeking to photograph gorillas.
For a more detailed itinerary with great ideas on what to do and where to stay, please get in touch with our experts.
Trip Summery
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe Airport
Day 2: Fly Entebbe – Kisoro Airstrip – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 3: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Day of Uganda Gorilla Habituation Experience
Day 4: Fly Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Entebbe
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe
Meet and greet and transfer to your preferred hotel in Entebbe, overnight on Bed and Breakfast
Overnight at Hotel Number 5
Day 2: Entebbe – Kihihi – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Pick up at 06.00am transfer to the airport, check in for your 07.00am (one hour) flight to Kisoro Airstrip, where you will find your guide for a transfer to Bwindi forest national park. Check in at your lodge. Overnight on Full Board.
Covered in thick tropical rain forest and often shrouded in mist, Bwindi provides a perfect habitat for mountain gorillas. Spread over a series of steep ridges and valleys it looks the part and having survived the last ice age is considered one of the most diverse forests in Africa. The birding here is big and colorful, the forest dark and inviting and the sense of adventure palpable.
After arriving, relax at the lodge or take an afternoon stroll through the local community.
You will be staying at Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, All inclusive
Day 3: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Full Day Gorilla Habituation Experience
Depart the lodge at 5:15am and drive to the park headquarters, which are about an hour away, for an introductory briefing. Afterwards, head into Bwindi Forest, towards the area where the gorilla family were last seen.
Trek behind the rangers as they follow footprints, dung, chewed bamboo and abandoned nests in search of the family. Once the gorillas have been located, leave any bags with the porters and quietly approach the family.
Spend four hours with the gorillas, as they become comfortable in the company of humans. Observe as they go about their daily routine, almost oblivious to the presence of outsiders. Watch them eat, play, sleep and groom one another.
Unrushed and completely immersive, this habituation experience is ideal for both wildlife lovers and photographers. Witness the social hierarchy of the family and the complex interactions that take place throughout the day, whilst also having the time to get that perfect photograph.
You will be staying at Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, All inclusive
Day 4: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Entebbe
After breakfast transfer back to Kisiro for your flight back to Entebbe. connect to your outbound international flight.
Fly back home
Accommodation
Entebbe — Hotel Number 5 — B&B
Bwindi — Nkuringi Bwindi Gorilla Lodge — Full Board
What is Included
- Accommodation in Entebbe on BB and FB while in Bwindi
- Return Domestic flight to Kisoro
- Sightseeing with private guide as per the itinerary
- Transfers as detailed
- GHEX gorilla permit per person
What is excluded
- Drinks
- Gratuities
- International Flights
- Travel Insurance
- Visa
- COVID TESTS