Gorilla Safaris

Tour and safari experts in Uganda. Come with us gorilla trekking, bird watching, or on a scenic & wildlife holiday. Try a mountain walking or climbing vacation. Visit some of the finest game reserves of Africa in the national parks of Uganda & Rwanda. We have many years of experience in conducting tours and safaris for both budget and luxury travelers in Uganda and Rwanda and promise you a first class service. Itineraries shown are examples of what we offer, we will be pleased to tailor safaris to your requirements. Our values are integrity, trust and customer satisfaction.

Uganda & Rwanda gorilla safari (three days)

Gorilla tracking is done in any of the following parks depending on permit availability:- Bwindi Inpenetrable Forest, Mgahinga National Park and Parc de Volcane, Rwanda .

Day One
Arrival and transfer to any of the above parks.

Day Two
Gorilla tracking in the mist.

Day Three
Transfer, as you choose, to Entebbe, Kampala or Kigali.

Gorillas and chimpanzees in Uganda (six days)

The itinary for this safari is not fixed but depends on the availability of the permits so you can either track chimps and then Gorillas or vice versa. The Gorillas are in Bwindi, Mgahinga and Parc de Volcane (Rwanda) and the Chimpanzees are in Kibale Forest, Budongo Forest and Ngamba Island.

Day One
Arrive at Entebbe, you will be picked and transfer to your hotel. Have a city tour to a cultural site i.e. Kasubi Tombs and later visit Jinja to see the source of the Nile and Bujagali Falls. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day Two
Early morning after breakfast drive to Fort Portal, stop enroute to take pictures of scenic views and tea estates, stop in town for late lunch and refreshments and later check in at a booked lodge.

Day Three
Drive to Kibale Forest for a morning primate walk of 3-4hours. The forest is one of its kind and the best place in East Africa to see the chimpanzees and as well as forest birds. Return for lunch and in the afternoon take a guided walk in the Magombe swamp (home to the Great Blue Turaco) to view different monkeys and birds. Back to the lodge in time for dinner and overnight stay.

Day Four
Travel to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest the stronghold of the remaining Mountain Gorillas .Enroute you will go through Queen Elizabeth National Park, have a stop over at the Equator and may have a chance to see Elephants, Baboons, Waterbucks and Lake Kikorongo.Proceed via the Ishasha sector of the park, famous for tree climbing lions. Reaching in time to check in at a booked lodge.

Day Five
Gorillas in the mist. After breakfast one gets ready for the day penetrating the impenetrable forest with its steep hills and dense vegetation looking for the great apes. This trip can last from 3 hours to almost the whole day. Looking into the Gorillas eyes is something unforgotable and gives a lasting memory. Successful trackers are awarded a certificate and later everybody retires to their respective lodges.

Day Six
Transfer to Entebbe or Kampala

Mountain & Volcano Climbing In Uganda

Climbing In The Rwenzori Mountains

Volcano Climbing (day trips from Kisoro)

The climbing is done on three extinct volcanoes and doesn’t require specialised mountaineering gear.

a) Mt Muhavura (4127m) It is a 12km walk and takes 8 hours hiking

b) Mt Gahiga (3414m).Gahiga means small piles of stones, it takes 6 hours to climb.

c) Mt Sabyinyo (old mans teeth) (3669m). It is a 14 km walk and the journey takes 8 hours.

Mountain Climbing:- There are two areas where this can be done, Mt Elgon and Rwenzori Mountains.

Mt Elgon (approx 4 days from leaving Kampala & return)
The mountain has three accessible routes(Sasa,Sipi & Piswa trail) to the peaks and doesn’t require any climbing skills or specialised equipment.

Rwenzori Mountains ( Mountains of the Moon)
Much of the Rwenzori Mountains can be climbed by anyone reasonably fit without special equipment other than good hiking
boots and warm, waterproof clothing, however most of the higher peaks and certain other sections do require mountaineering equipment and previous experience.

Central Circuit Trail (7 to 8 days plus travel time between Kampala and the mountains)

Day 1
Arrival, transfer to Kasese (Margherita hotel)

Day 2
After breakfast, transfer to park headquarters at Nyakalengija. This is the starting point, where you can rent equipment and hire your porters and guide. The charges for these services depend on the length of your stay.The days hiking is fairly easy to Nyabitaba. On your way to the park boundary,you will go through coffee plantations, garden plots and homesteads. After the park boundary, the trail follows the River Mubuku on your right, you will cross small rivers, rocks and bluffs before reaching River Muhoma. Make a climb through ferns and the forest and then finally to Nyabitaba hut (2652m). A 5-7 hour climb.

Day 3
Hiking up to John Matte (3414m)
It is considered to be the longest and most tiring day of the circuit, so an early start is vital. From Nyabitaba Hut. Move westward and drop steeply at River Mubuku which you cross at Kurt Shaffer bridge. After the bridge, move anticlockwise and use the muddy slippery trail that climbs to the bamboo zone. Enter the moorland zone with giant tree heather and groundsel. Have a stop at Nyamileju Hut for lunch and to enjoy the view of Mt Speke and Mt Stanley if the day is clear. After lunch proceed following River Mubuku, go through giant Robelia, groundsel and challenging bog and finally to John Matte.

Day 4
Leave John Matte hut and head for Bujuku (3962m). The hike takes up to 5 hours depending on the conditions of the Bigo Bog. Crossing the Bujuku river, you will enter into the Lower Bigo Bog . This involves a tough track and experience of jumping from one grassy tussock to another. The trail is muddy but eventually leads to the Bigo Hut. Past the Bigo Hut is Upper Bigo Bog before reaching the beautiful Lake Bujuku. At the southern end of this lake is a majestic setting with Mt Baker in the South, Mt Speke in the North and Mt Stanley in the west. Take the lake trail and at the north end is a rock shelter called cooking pot and a short distance further is Bujuku Hut. If you intend to climb Mt Speke (requires climbing experience skill and special equipment) make Bujuku Hut your base allowing an extra nights stay to do this climb.

Day 5
Elena Base / Kitandara Hut.
a) If you intend to scale the highest point in the Rwenzoris (Margherita 5109m) then make Elena your base. It is 3-4hours from Bujuku Hut and 2km off the central circuit trail. (requires climbing experience skill and special equipment).

b) If you are not climbing the Margherita peak move south from Bujuku Hut to Kitandara (4023m).This takes you to the highest point on the circuit trail Scott Elliot pass(4372m), then go through the giant groundsel and descend to Kitandara lakes. Kitandara huts are positioned on the shores of the lakes and it takes 3-4 hours from Bujuku hut.

Day 6
(Optional) Climb Margherita in the Mt Stanley complex and then descend to kitandara hut. To scale Margherita you need special equipment e.g ice axe, ropes, boots and crampons.

Day 7
Descending to Guy Yeoman Hut (3450m)
An early start from Kitandara is advisable in order to avoid over heating on the steppes. Go through fresh fields which traverse through beautiful alpine mossy glades. The trail can be very slippery and difficult to trace especially when its rainy and misty. Bujongolo and Kabamba rock shelter can be an optional overnight stopover. Alternatively it is best to push on through the endless mud of Kabamba bog to Guy Yeoman Hut.

Day 8
Last day on the circuit trail.
Descend down the steep valley to Kichuchu rock shelter. The trail is difficult and muddy in some spots so help each other and descend slowly. Go through the bamboo forest and the bog, cross Mahoma river and other two minor streams, finally descending back into t tropical vegetation. Follow a ridge down to Nyabitaba Hut( 5 hours). Depending on the condition of your knees, you may decide to push on to Nakalengija (2-3hours).

WHITE WATER RAFTING

The thrill of churning rapids is one of the newest adventures in Uganda. As the River Nile starts its 6,600 km journey to the Mediterranean, it alternates between a placid course and swirling white water rapids. White water rafting is available near the Bujagali Falls all the way to Lake Kyoga, and within Murchison Falls National Park

You will meet at one of the various meeting points. Depart for Jinja for a full day rafting trip on the Nile River including morning snack, lunch, and beverages and BBQ at the end of the day. You will have an exhilarating and memorable experience. Half-day trips are available for those short of time. Though this trip sounds very adventurous, this river can accommodate any level of rafter. No experience is needed. You can choose a raft where you get to paddle or one where you enjoy an easier ride with someone else doing all the work!

Top quality safety gear and highly experienced guides run the biggest rapids possible. Total rafting is for 25 kms of river including some of the best rapids in the world. You don’t have to do all the side runs, unless you want to. The river is graded 4+ to 5 and provides one of the best one day rafting trips on planet Earth!

Bring a swimsuit, shorts and a pair of sandals or trainers (tennis shoes) to wear on the river. You will get wet, so bring a change of clothes. Facilities are available for cameras to be protected from the water while on the river. Don’t forget sunscreen, sunglasses and a smile.