Mountain Gorilla Safari

Africa’s most extraordinary landscapes are in Uganda, where mystical Central African forests meet the sun-dappled savannas of the Great Rift Valley—and the result is prime safari country with an unmatched biological diversity.  We’ve created an incomparable journey—an amazing and active safari that explores it all. On Uganda’s dramatic forested volcanoes, we hike in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in search of mountain gorillas for the heart-pounding experience of seeing these near-mythical creatures in the wild. We also hike in Kibale Forest, with its bands of wild chimpanzees, and enjoy an absolutely breathtaking big-game safari across the golden grasslands of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Here the towering Ruwenzori Mountains make a fine backdrop for our sightings of elephant, lion, leopard, big herds of buffalo, and the largest concentration of hippos in the world.

Itinerary at a Glance

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Days 1-3
Kibale Forest National Park / Wild Chimpanzees

After an overnight in Entebbe, we head through Uganda’s gorgeous countryside to Kibale National Park, offering the highest density and variety of primate species in Africa. From lovely Ndali Lodge, set at a cool 5,000 feet in Kibale’s tropical rainforest, we track bands of wild chimpanzees as they play, squabble, and scamper across the treetop canopy, an unforgettable opportunity to observe these fascinating and intelligent creatures in the wild. We may also see other denizens of the park, including vervet, colobus, and red-tailed monkeys as well as grey-cheeked mangabeys.

Days 4-6
Queen Elizabeth National Park

In the western Great Rift Valley, vast Queen Elizabeth National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, features stunning and diverse ecosystems teeming with wildlife. We enjoy gameviewing by 4WD vehicle on lake-dotted savannas, walking and birding in the Maramagambo Forest, and a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, with its huge population of hippos—up to 30,000!

Days 7-9
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park / Gorilla Tracking

Bwindi, a remnant of a once-vast primeval forest, is home to 11 primate species including some 300 highly endangered and magnificent mountain gorillas—half of the world’s population. With specialist rangers, we hike through mountainous forested terrain at altitudes of 3,800 to 8,500 feet to track gorillas for the spine-tingling experience of watching these gentle giants at close range in their natural habitat. With two full days here, we’re ensured of encounters with these elusive creatures.

Days 10-11
Entebbe

Fly to Entebbe, with the afternoon free for optional excursions. Depart on Day 11 or join our Masai Mara Extension.

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What the Trip is Like

This trip is rated Level 3+, moderate. Our accommodations will be in comfortable hotels, safari lodges, and tented camps with spacious tents equipped with en suite facilities. The hikes to see the mountain gorillas can last anywhere from 3 to 6 hours over moderately steep, thickly forested, and uneven terrain, and the climate will be hot and humid. The shape you’re in will be an important factor in your enjoyment of these hikes.

We do our game viewing on bush walks and also by 4WD vehicle. During game drives in our 4WD vehicles, we guarantee window seating for all—there’s no taking turns on who gets the window seats. We use five-passenger Toyota Land Cruisers or Land Rovers (never minibuses!), and all vehicles have roof hatches for easy wildlife viewing and photography. A cooler of drinks and refreshments is carried aboard. And our 4WD vehicles can go virtually anywhere, an important feature when we’re tracking game. Please note that there are some long driving days over rough roads and dirt tracks. Any African safari is an adventure, and the traveler to Africa should bring along flexibility, a sense of humor, and an openness to the unexpected.

Explanation of Trip Levels