Gorillas of Uganda Overland Safari & Participation Camping
9 days, Kampala to Kampala
Itinerary Notes
Please note this is a camping level trip which means you will be camping each night. Campsite facilities in Africa are generally good, but can be basic in certain places. Despite the challenge that a few days “roughing it” may pose to some, the experience of being that close to nature, camping under the African stars, and seeing incredible wildlife at your tent door-step is not just gratifying, but ultimately an experience of a lifetime.
When arranging your transportation, such as flights, please take into consideration the below time restrictions for joining and departing from your group. With these times, we have taken into account travel time to/from the airport in the given destination and required time for check-in or baggage collection/immigration.
Itinerary
Day 1Kampala
Arrive at any time.
Tonight after a brief welcome meeting, choose to get to know your group members with an optional group dinner at a nearby local restaurant in Kampala not far from the campsite.
Please make sure you have all of the necessary visas for this tour by the time of the welcome meeting. It is very important to read the visa section in our trip details to confirm which visas you will need, if any. Please note: not all nationalities are able to obtain a visa on arrival.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Accommodation
Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.
Red Chilli Hideaway (or similar)
Meals included:
DinnerDay 2Kampala/Lake Bunyonyi
Cross over the equator today in the Lando en route from Kampala to Lake Bunyonyi. The name Bunyonyi means ‘place of many little birds’ and the lake’s winding shores encircle 29 islands surrounded by steep terraced hillsides. Upon arrival enjoy free time to get to know your surroundings and opt to swim in the calm waters.
Lando
Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!
Accommodation
Bunyonyi Overland Resort (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 3Gorilla Trek
Spend the day on a mountain gorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Hike deep into the jungle through volcano forests alongside a park ranger in search of these mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Please be ready for a challenge as the treks can vary in length and difficulty.
Note: Ugandan authorities are fiercely protective of this natural treasure, and currently permit only a maximum of eight people, per day, to visit a given gorilla family. The group will be split into different sub-groups for the trek, and depending on the number of travellers, different sub-groups may do their trek on different days.
Depending on the date of our permits, it's possible that the gorilla trek will take place on the second full day in Lake Bunyonyi.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has four areas; Rushaga, Buhoma, Nkuringo, Ruhija. Depending on permit availability your group could be tracking gorillas from different areas of the park, it is all still part of Bwindi.
Mountain Gorilla Trek
Take an unforgettable guided trek (1-6 hrs) deep into volcano forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for a wildlife encounter of a lifetime, and meet a family of mountain gorillas. One of Africa's major highlights, a close encounter with these amazing animals is simply breathtaking.
Get prepared before heading out: bring plenty of water and waterproof clothing (it can rain on only a few minutes’ notice), and be sure to bring protective bags for cameras and film. Dress in layers with long sleeves and long pants to protect against stinging nettles found in the forests. The trek’s often chilly, at first, until you start trekking.
Note: Ugandan authorities are fiercely protective of this natural treasure, and currently permit only a maximum of eight people, per day, to visit a given gorilla family. The group will be split into different sub-groups for the trek, and depending on the number of travellers, different sub-groups may do their trek on different days.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has four areas; Rushaga, Buhoma, Nkuringo, and Ruhija. Depending on permit availability your group could be tracking gorillas from different areas of the park, it is all still part of Bwindi.
Accommodation
Bunyonyi Overland Resort (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 4Lake Bunyonyi
Explore Lake Bunyonyi with a full day of free time. There are many optional activities to choose from like, swimming, hiking, canoeing, bird watching, or taking a motorboat tour of the lake. In the evening, relax together with the whole group at the lodge.
Please keep in mind that some members of the group will do the gorilla trek on this day and have the free day in Lake Bunyonyi the day before.
Free Time
Get out and do as much or as little as you'd like around Lake Bunyonyi.
Optional Activities - Day 4 HideShow
Swimming
Jump in and enjoy the water and magical surroundings.
Canoe Rental
10USD per personGet in a boat and enjoy paddling around the many islands of Lake Bunyonyi.
Nature Walk
5USD per personSet out and discover the incredible landscape of the Lake Bunyoni area on foot, visiting villages and meeting local communities along the way.
Motorboat Tour of Lake Bunyonyi
40USD per personRelax on a boat tour around the peaceful waters of Lake Bunyonyi and learn about the history of the surrounding islands.
Bird Watching Walk
10USD per personThe word “Bunyonyi” means "the place of little birds" in the local language. Accompany a professional bird guide along the shore and view the wide range of bird species that inhabit the area around this lake. This is a can't-miss for birding lovers.
Accommodation
Bunyonyi Overland Resort (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 5Lake Bunyonyi/Kalinzu Forest Reserve
Drive through the Ugandan countryside on the journey to Kalinzu Forest Reserve, which is further north in the country. The reserve is adjacent to Queen Elizabeth National Park and offers a great variety of landscapes to view wildlife. Spend the afternoon at your leisure here.
Lando
Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!
Optional Activities - Day 5 HideShow
Boat Cruise
40USD per personTake a leisurely 2-hour boat cruise. Enjoy stunning views of the landscape and other natural formations.
Accommodation
Craters Campsite & Country Lodge (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 6Kalinzu Forest Reserve/Lake Mburo National Park
Rise early this morning for an included chimpanzee tracking excursion within the lush Kalinzu Forest Reserve with a ranger. Later, the group will visit a tea plantation before arriving at Lake Mburo. Then, you can choose to book an afternoon boat cruise, or get to know the local area on foot.
Chimpanzee Tracking Excursion
Enjoy a chimpanzee tracking excursion through the scenic Kalinzu Forest Reserve. Trek along the ridges and valleys of the Rift Valley escarpment to visit chimpanzees in their natural habitat. Follow forest trails, which offer amazing views over the Rwenzori Mountains, Lake Edward, the Kazinga Channel, and the Congo. The Kalinzu Forest Reserve is steeped in mystery and rich with local legends. Learn about the folklore and uses of the forest from a local guide.
Tea Plantation Visit
Walk through a tea plantation with a local guide. View multiple varietals of tea, and learn about the process of growing tea plants from the harvesting stage to what goes into making the best cup of tea.
Lando
Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!
Optional Activities - Day 6 HideShow
Lake Mburo Boat Safari
30USD per personCome face to face with crocodiles and hippos in their natural habitat, as well as many other animals as they come to the lake to drink. Keep a look out for the many water birds, including kingfishers, the Africa Fish eagle, and the rare shoebill stork.
Nature Walk
25USD per personSet out to discover the incredible landscape of the Lake Mburo area on foot with a guide. Witness zebras, warthogs and various species of birds in their natural habitats as you stroll through the valley.
Accommodation
Leopard Rest Camp (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 7Lake Mburo National Park/Jinja
Today the group will travel back across the equator to Uganda, which happens to be one of the few countries where it’s possible to cross over this boundary on land. Along the way, make a stop for lunch at the G Adventures-supported AidChild Equation Café & Gallery. Arrive to Jinja in the evening.
Your G for Good Moment: AidChild Cafe & Gallery
Make a stop at AidChild’s Equation Café and Gallery, located at the equator. Surrounded by paintings and other crafts made by local artists, you'll enjoy a meal made with traditional Ugandan ingredients, with a modern twist. Your lunch here directly supports AidChild, a non-profit that provides support, medical care and education to children and youth living with HIV in Uganda.
Lando
Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!
Accommodation
Nile River Explorers River Camp (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 8Jinja
The entire day is free for you to explore Jinja on your own or with members of the group. There are plenty of outdoor and adventure activities to choose from like rafting and mountain biking.
Pre-book your rafting adrenaline rush on the checkout page to include the Jinja River Rafting optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.
Your Discover Moment
There's plenty to see and do in Jinja, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in. Feel free to relax or try optional activities like whitewater rafting, horseback riding, and quad biking. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!
Optional Activities - Day 8 HideShow
Nile River Sunset Cruise
30USD per personNothing beats an African sunset over the Nile. Salute the end of another great day with good company, good food, and an ice cold cocktail.
Mabira Forest Mountain Biking
55USD per personTake to two wheels to see a different side of Jinja and the surrounding area. Cycle through villages and agricultural plantations to get a real of taste of rural Uganda before heading to the main forest in search of monkeys.
Quad Biking
105USD per personGet ready for lots of fun on this exhilarating quad biking tour safari. Ride along the banks of the Nile River through forests, farms and villages.
Nile River Kayaking
140-160USD per personRide the whitewater of the Nile on a kayaking trip. Take an introductory whitewater kayaking course or dive right in with a tandem kayaking trip with an experienced guide.
Bungee Jumping
145USD per personIf adrenaline is your thing, strap in and leap off for a fantastic experience.
Jinja River Rafting
140USD per personLooking for a change from wildlife to simply something wild? Wake up early and head out on the Nile River for a full-day navigating the whitewater. Enjoy an exciting day testing your paddling skills in the rapids while waves crash over into your eight-person raft. This activity is suitable for rafters of all experience levels. Enjoy an included meal and drinks with your group after conquering the rapids.
Accommodation
Nile River Explorers River Camp (or similar)
Day 9Jinja/Kampala
Today, travel back to Uganda’s capital where the tour will finish upon arrival in the early afternoon.
Not ready to leave Africa just yet? Talk with your CEO about extending your adventure and get to know Uganda or beyond!
Shuttle
Move efficiently from point A to point B aboard this dependable ride.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with any onward travel arrangements you require.