4 Days Bwindi Gorillas & Golden Monkeys in Mgahinga
Guided 4 Days Bwindi gorillas & golden monkeys in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park offer you an exceptional Uganda primate trekking experience. The 4 Days trip takes you to Bwindi impenetrable Forest National Park home to the highest population of mountain gorillas in the world. Gorilla groups in Bwindi are scattered in the four regions (Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo & Rushaga), which make up the Park. Gorilla families in Bwindi include Mubare, Habinyanja, Rushegura, Nkuringo, Christmas, Katwe, Busingye, Bitukura, Oruzongo, Muyambi, Mukiza, Kyaguliro and Nshongi gorilla families among others. On the other hand, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park Shelters one gorilla family (Nyakagyezi) and golden monkeys. Mgahinga Park is also a Centre of Batwa cultural trail where travelers are guided into the forest to learn and experience the traditional practices of batwa pigmies before gorilla tourism was introduced. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is also home to three of the 8 volcanoes in the Virunga Conservation Area. The mountains in Mgahinga are Mt Gahinga, Mt Sabyinyo and Mt Muhabura all available for hiking. In addition to primate trekking, you will visit local communities of batwa pygmies for a lifetime experience with these indigenous people. The two National parks (Bwindi Forest & Mgahinga) also shelter other primates such as colubus monkeys, Forest Elephants, African buffalos, bush pigs, bushbucks and a variety of bird species. The 4 Days trip therefore gives you an opportunity to see many more interesting things beyond gorillas & golden monkeys.
Trip summary
Day 1: Transfer to Bwindi Forest National park
Day 2: Mountain Gorilla trekking & transfer to Mgahinga
Day 3: Golden monkey trekking & cultural tour
Day 4: Departure
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Bwindi Forest National park
Upon your arrival at Entebbe International Airport, meet and greet your driver guide representing our company. He/she will first brief you about the itinerary, what to do and when. Thereafter, start on a journey to Bwindi impenetrable Forest National Park located in southwestern Uganda. The drive time from Entebbe to Bwindi takes 8-10 hours via Ankole savannah plains, tea plantations, banana farms, and local communities. Do not miss a stop at equator which gives you chance to stand in the northern and southern hemispheres at the same time. Proceed to Mbarara for a lunch break and refreshment! The various stops on food stalls to buy fresh fruits, roasted muchoma, maize and other foods make this whole journey more interesting and fun. Staring at the beautiful rolling highlands of Kigezi also called the “Switzerland of Africa” is magical! You will arrive Bwindi Forest in the evening, and chill at your lodge for the night
Day 2: Mountain Gorilla trekking & transfer to Mgahinga
In the early morning, rise up, have breakfast and with your packed lunch transfer to the park head quarters for briefing and registration. If there are other travelers on that day, you will put divided into groups of eight each given a specific gorilla family to trek. The gorilla trek starts at 8:00am and can be as short as 30 minutes or longer to over 7 hours depending on the location of the gorillas family you are looking for. Your armed ranger will help you slash the bushes making away for you to trek through the jungle. Look out into the bush for other wild animals such as forest elephants and colobus monkeys, which live in Bwindi. After meeting the endangered primates, you will be allowed to spend an hour in their presence. Take as many photos as you wish, observe the magical social behaviors of these primates and enjoy this best wildlife experience. You are reminded to follow the rules as guided by rangers at the start of the trek. In the evening, leave Bwindi and transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Kisoro district
Day 3: Golden monkey trekking & cultural tour
After breakfast, transfer to Ntebeko Visitor Information Centre where you will be registered and briefed on the guidelines of golden monkey trekking. You will then hike into the jungle searching for the lively and playful golden monkeys. Trekking can take 3-4 hours but the allowed time with these endangered primates is strictly an hour. You are cautioned to hold your cameras tight and at a distance since monkeys jump continually over your head. A stubborn monkey can even grab your camera if you are not holding it tight. Those who visited golden monkeys before testify that the trek is quite easy and less tiresome compared to gorilla trekking. Later in the day, go for a cultural tour to Batwa pygmies, the initial dwellers of Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park. You will learn the traditional practices of these forest people such as hunting, collecting firewood, gathering fruits and roasting meat. More so, enjoy traditional dances, songs and poems performed to entertain you. Taking part in any cultural practice makes you part of the community, the experience you can never forget
Day 4: Departure
On this last day of our 4 Days safari, have a relaxed breakfast at your lodge and get ready for the drive back to Entebbe airport for your connecting flight. Alternatively, you cross via Cyanika border to Rwanda and fly out via Kigali International Airport. The early morning drive via thick fog is an experience of its own!
End of the tour
Tour Inclusions
- Mountain gorilla trekking permit
- Golden monkey trekking permit
- Packed lunch
- Accommodation & meals
- Bottled drinking water
- Full time English speaking guide
- Ground Transport
- All activities included in the itinerary
- Government taxes
- Miscellaneous
Tour Exclusions
- Porter’s fee & tips
- Personal expenses (phone calls and shopping)
- Extra activities not included in the itinerary
- Alcoholic beverages
- Guide tips