Category Archives: Gorilla Trekking

10/30/14

Bill Gates Supports Gorilla Conservation

According to All Africa news of 4th Aug 2010, one of the world’s richest people, Bill Gates was in Uganda for his second gorilla tracking Uganda adventure in the Impenetrable forests of Bwindi Gorilla Park. It was reported that Bill Gates and his wife Mellinda Gates were in Uganda from August 9 to 12, 2012. Mountain gorillas are critically endangered with only 720 left worldwide and these are inhabited in Virunga mountains, share between Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In Bwindi National park where Bill Gates was, there are about 480 gorillas which are half of the world’s total population. The other half is shared between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Gorilla Tracking is rapidly growing in Uganda and Rwanda. However, DR Congo is facing some challenges of political unrests of Bosco Ntaganda rebels in Virunga National Park.

Bill Gates is popular for being one of the richest people in the world and the Co-founder and the current chairman of Microsoft.  On all his visits of Uganda gorillas, he has done a great effort of funding the protection of endangered species. Early before his arrival and the wife, there was an advance team in Kisoro district near Bwindi National park to prepare where these guests were expected to launch their gorilla trekking safari.

This 56-year world entrepreneur was last in Uganda on a gorilla trek in 2004. Then, he came back in August 2012 for another gorilla trek. UWA official in Kisoro who preferred anonymity declined to divulge more details about the visit of Bill and Mellinda Gates in Bwindi National Park, Uganda. Also known as the Pearl of Africa, Uganda is so beautiful with many tourist attractions. The country first opened up its doors to tourists for Bwindi Gorilla Trekking in April 1993. Since then, Uganda tourism industry has been substantially boosted by annual revenue from the national park tucked away in southwestern Uganda.

The success of Uganda tourism is supported not only by mountain gorillas but also by over 10 National Parks and wild game reserves. Among these include Murchison Falls National park (The biggest), Queen Elizabeth National park, Kibale Primates Forest, Semilik National Park, Mount Rwenzori N.P, Mgahinga, Mount. Elgon, Kidepo Valley, and Lake Mburo National Parks and many wildlife reserves. These boost a number of tourism activities such as wild game viewing safaris, fantastic boat cruise, chimpanzees, and other primates tracking, forest walk, mountain climbing, community tours and many others.

10/21/14

Gorilla Valley Lodge Rates, Bwindi Forest in Uganda

Gorilla Valley Lodge- Bwindi Gorilla forest-Uganda

gorilla-valley-campGorilla Valley Lodge is strategically located on the Southern edge of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park on a hill near Rushaga, close to Rushaga Uganda Wildlife station. This is one of the Lodges with excellent services provided to all visitors.

The Lodge has 12 excellent rooms with spacious private bathrooms, Toilets, Dining/Waiting area beautifully situated in lowland evergreen Forest allowing breathtaking views of the African Eden, rich with wildlife, and at a close distance the majestic Virunga Volcanoes.

Every room has been lovingly furnished with twin beds and decorated in a modern retro style to suit the ecosystem. Bwindi Impenetrable National park holds the country’s tourism sector by hosting the chief tourist attraction of Uganda- Mountain Gorillas. To that note, therefore, there is no doubt, Gorilla Valley accommodates a large number of visitors.

Gorilla Valley Lodge is a slice of wilderness paradise far from the madding crowd; a place of renewal and reconnection with the natural world. And trust, one could never get closer to Bwindi! While at the Lodge, lucky visitors can be visited by the gentle giants of the forest- Gorillas and can be seen at your veranda while seated in your chair taking tea.

On the highest part of the hill is the location of the main building with a restaurant and bar. From here the view is amazing! In our lounge, you can relax by the fire but you can also make yourself comfortable on the veranda. In the restaurant, we offer the best of two worlds: an international buffet prepared by a professional Ugandan chef.

beds-gorilla-valleyActivities while at Gorilla Valley lodge include, Gorilla trekking, Nature walks to waterfalls, birding in the forest, cultural exploration in the Batwa community, Biking through Bwindi community, chilling off, and Gorilla Habituations.

Proposed Itinerary for 3 days Uganda gorilla safari with 2 nights at Gorilla Valley Camp/lodge

Day One: Transfer to Bwindi National Park

Breakfast at your hotel around Kampala or Entebbe, leave by 8:00 AM to western Uganda with a stopover at the Equator for photographs, en-route lunch in Mbarara Town, dinner, and overnight stay at Gorilla Valley Lodge in southern Bwindi National Park

Day Two: Mountain Gorilla Tracking Adventure

Heavy breakfast followed by a briefing from the park headquarters about mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park, the trek is quite strenuous and takes between 2-7 hours in the forest. This will depend on how the gorillas move in their natural habitat as they search for food. The evening can be for a community walk or forest walk, or drive to Lake Bunyonyi.

Day Three: Departure

Breakfast and drive back to Kampala / Entebbe Airport (8 to 10 hours drive). Or we can cross the border to Kigali International Airport in Rwanda, this is only 3 to 4 hours drive. This marks the end of your safari.

gorilla-valllye-lodgeCost of the 3-days gorilla safari with 2 nights at Gorilla Valley Camp

This will cost 1095 US Dollars, based on 2 persons and it includes a gorilla permit per person (600 US dollars each), private transport from Kampala and back, en-route meals and bottled mineral water for refreshment, 2-night accommodation at Gorilla Valley Lodge with meals, services of a professional English speaking driver/tour guide. Excluded are flights, accommodation in Kampala, and other personal expenses like tips for staff. If you are on a tight budget, you can choose not to book a guided trip and take a self-drive safari to Bwindi forest to see the gorillas. In this case, you can rent a 4×4 car in Kampala cheaply from tour operators on Kampala from US$40 per day (Toyota Rav 4) and US$70 per day Toyota Prado. For more information about escorted and self-drive safaris, send an email to info@cheapgorillasafaris.com.

10/4/14

4 Day Uganda Safari with 2 Gorilla Treks

Uganda safari Highlights

The 4 day Uganda gorilla safari offers a great opportunity to track the mountain gorillas twice in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Mgahinga National Park. You have an opportunity to track different gorilla families and compare the experience. On request, we can organize a 4-day gorilla safari with 2 gorilla treks in Rwanda and Uganda combined. Below is a day by day detailed itinerary;

Itinerary for 4 Day Uganda Safari with 2 Gorilla Treks

Day 1: Hit the road to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Home of Mountain Gorillas

gorilla-in-bwindi-forestIn the morning, we shall meet at your Hotel in Kampala / Entebbe, or meet at the airport on arrival, briefing about the 4-day gorilla safari and thereafter transfer to western Uganda via Masaka-Mbarara high way, stopover at the equator for an informative talk, coffee and lifetime memory photos, lunch en-route at Igongo cultural center or at Agip Motel in Mbarara town. After all those experiences and refreshments, drive to the impenetrable forest via amazing stunning banana plantations, Ankole long-horned cattle, and other vegetation with a view of panoramic scenery that beautifies the Kigezi region into the “Switzerland of Africa”. Check-in your lodge for your dinner and overnight; Buhoma Community Rest Camp / Gorilla Mist Camp / Wagtail Eco Camp / Broadbill Forest Camp / Nkuringo Gorilla Camp.

Day2: Gorilla Tracking Experience in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Heavy breakfast followed by transfer to the park headquarters for briefing from the park officials about gorilla tracking experience. After entering into the jungle to search the shy mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, when you encounter the great apes relax and experience them for one hour entitled to spend viewing their lifestyle. This experience can be half or full-day depending on the primates’ movement in this tropical forest. Carry yourself the hiking shoes, hut, insect repellent, sunscreen, rain gear, packed lunch, mineral water, snacks, and other requirements that may be needed once in the tropical rain forest. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Second Gorilla Trekking Adventure, Bwindi National Park

This is another day for the second gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi National Park! It is always more rewarding to visit a different gorilla family from the previous day. Return to your lodge for lunch, refreshment, and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi, a lava-dammed beautiful lake of wonders in Kabale, dinner and overnight at Bird Nest Resort, Arcadia cottages, or Byoona Amagala Island.

Day 4: Departure

Breakfast and hit the road back to Kampala with lunch in Mbarara town, arrive in Kampala late afternoon or early evening and our guide will transfer you to the airport to board your home flight.

End of the safari

08/18/14

3 Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest

Safari Highlights

The 3-day Budget gorilla safari in Uganda goes to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to almost half of the world’s last remaining population of critically endangered mountain gorillas. You will have a stopover at the Equator for photographs, then visit the local communities such as the Batwa people (Pygmies) in addition to mountain gorilla trekking. We can get cheap accommodation at Wagtail Eco Camp, Nshongi Gorilla Resort, Buhoma community Rest Camp, Nkuringo Gorilla Camp, and Gift of Nature lodge among others. There are also many accommodation hotels and lodges around Kabale town such as Bunyonyi Overland Resort, Byona Amagala Guest House, and Arcadia cottages, Kisoro town has Kisoro Travelers Rest Hotel and Tourist Hotel among others.

Detailed Itinerary for the 3 Day gorilla safari in Uganda;

Day One: Kampala to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Mgahinga National Park

gorilla-tour-bwindiIn the morning, meet at your hotel around Kampala, or at the airport on arrival, briefing about the 3 days gorilla safari and thereafter transfer to western Uganda via Masaka-Mbarara high way, stopover at the equator for an informative talk, snacks, and lifetime memory photos. Lunch en-route at Igongo cultural center or in Mbarara town.

After all those experiences and refreshment, drive to the impenetrable forest of Bwindi or Mgahinga in Kisoro (depending on your gorilla permits) via amazing stunning banana plantations, Ankole long-horned cattle, and other vegetation with a view of panoramic scenery that beautifies the Kigezi region into the “Switzerland of Africa”. Check in your lodge (as mentioned above) for your dinner and overnight.

Day Two: Gorilla Trekking Adventure

Heavy breakfast, then prepare for a briefing from the park officials about gorilla tracking. After entering into the jungle to search the shy mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, when you encounter the great apes relax and experience them for one hour entitled to spend viewing their lifestyle.

The trek can take half or full day depending on the gorilla movement in the forest. Carry yourself the hiking shoes, hut, insect repellent, sunscreen, rain gear, packed lunch, mineral water, snacks, and other requirements that may be needed once in the tropical rain forest. Return to the lodge for late lunch, if time allows, we can take a forest walk or community walk to nearby people, dinner, and overnight as on Day 1.

Day Three: Departure

Today, after our morning breakfast, we shall embark on our safari truck and trail back to Kampala with our lunch en-route, arrive in Kampala evening and our guide will transfer you to the airport to board your home flight or drop you off at your hotel around Kampala or Entebbe.

Alternatively, we can drive straight to Kigali the capital city of Rwanda, located a few hours drive via Katuna or Cyanika borders.

End of the safari