- Overview
- Itinerary
- Inclusion
- Price
5 Days Short Vacation In Uganda – Gorilla Tours In Mgahinga
5 Days Short Vacation In Uganda. will take you to Mgahinga National Park in southwestern Uganda. Small and still marginalized by tourists, Mgahinga National Park is the only park in Uganda where mountain gorillas co-exist with Golden monkeys. Hence, the park adopted a slogan that it’s “where Gold meets silver”. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park sits high in the clouds, at an altitude of between 2,227m and 4,127m. As its name suggests, it was created to protect the rare mountain gorillas that inhabit its dense forests, and it is also an important habitat for the endangered golden monkey.
Affordable gorilla trekking
As well as being important for wildlife, the park also has a huge cultural significance, in particular for the indigenous Batwa pygmies. This tribe of hunter-gatherers was the forest’s “first people”, and their ancient knowledge of its secrets remains unrivaled. Mgahinga’s most striking features are its three conical, extinct volcanoes, part of the spectacular Virunga Range that lies along the border region of Uganda, Congo, and Rwanda. Mgahinga forms part of the much larger Virunga Conservation Area which includes adjacent parks in these countries. The volcanoes’ slopes contain various ecosystems and are biologically diverse, and their peaks provide a striking backdrop to this gorgeous scenery.
5 Days Short Vacation In Uganda – Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
Mgahinga boasts of over 76 mammals which include elephants, giant forest hog, bush pigs,bush back. Buffalos, leopards, A bird checklist of over 180 species including the 14 endemic Albertine rift notably the Kivu ground thrush and turaco. Thus, our safari is meant for those who do not have enough time at their disposal. However, such clients would want to trek mountain gorillas and participate in the golden monkey and batwa experience. Later, they can go to visit Lake Mutand; is a little known jewel, hidden in the mountainous landscape of southwestern Uganda, in southwestern uganda. It is one of the most scenic lakes in Africa, located in a dramatic landscape of lush and verdant sprawling highlands.
Land of beautiful island
Its fresh clear water is dotted by at least 15 islands lush trees & shrubs, and the lake is ringed by beautiful scenery of sprawling highlands clad with green vegetation, plantations, and terraces of crops along the slopes. This amazing scenery is set against a stunning backdrop of cloudy peaks of the Virunga Mountain Volcanoes. Our safari begin in Entebbe and ends in Kigali with stops at the equator crossing for photography and Kigali Memorial Genocide Center.
Summary:
Day 01: Arrival & Transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Day 02: Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Day 03: Golden Monkey trekking & Batwa Cultural Experience
Day 04: Lake Bunyonyi Boat excursion
Day 05: Drive back to Entebbe International Airport
Safari Highlight:
Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla national Park
Golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla national Park
Batwa traditional experience in Mgahinga Gorilla national Park
Boat cruise on Lake Mutanda
Island exploration on Lake Mutanda
Kigali Genocide Memorial Center in Kigali City
Uganda Equator – Kayabwe
Day 1: Arrival & Transfer – Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (Approx. 9-10hrs drive)
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be received by our guide/driver who will brief you about your trip, and make sure that you have all the necessary gear and paperwork. Then, you will embark on a scenic drive to Kisoro through beautiful landscapesof the southwestern Uganda with a stopover at the Equator crossing and then to Mbarara town for Lunch at Igongo Cultural Center depending on the time at your disposal. After lunch, you will take a scenic drive to Kisoro district starting with the flat lands of Ntungamo. Then, you will see the rolling hills of Kabale to terraced hills and meandering roads to Kisoro District. You will arrive in time for a short relaxation, dinner, and overnight at the lodge.
Overnight: Lake Chahafi Resort (Luxury) Ichumbi Hotel (Mid-range) Traveler’s Rest Inn(Best-budget)
Meal Plan: Half board
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
After an early breakfast, our driver will drive you to the Park headquarters arriving in time for briefing. Before briefing, you’ll present your passport details to make sure that you are eligible to trek mountain gorillas. Then, you’ll undertake a briefing from one of the UWA ranger guides about gorilla trekking. He’ll teach you about the dos and don’ts and instructions to follow during the trek, with the gorillas, and after the trek. A ranger will then lead you to the forest to search for the mountain gorillas. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has only two mountain gorilla families, Nyakagezi and Hirwa. The Nyakagezi family used to move between Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Mgahinga National Park. Now, it is permanently resident in Uganda. Once you find the Family, you will spend one hour in the presence of the gorillas. Then, return to the Lodge for relaxation and overnight stay.
Overnight: Lake Chahafi Resort (Luxury) Ichumbi Hotel (Mid-range) Traveler’s Rest Inn(Best-budget)
Meal Plan: Full board
Day 3: Golden Monkey & Batwa Traditional Experience in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
After breakfast, you will transfer to the Park headquarters. You’ll go for a half-day golden monkey trekking. You will have a briefing about the dos and don’ts while with golden monkeys. Then, proceed to the mountain/forest for your trek. You will have one hour with thegolden monkeys. Then after, you will proceed to meet with the Batwa forest people. You will experience their lifestyle before they were evicted from the forests in the early 1990s. The Batwa livelihoods solely depended on the forest economy, mainly through hunting and fruit gathering until they were removed from their ancestral homes. Later you will return to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Overnight: Lake Chahafi Resort (Luxury) Ichumbi Hotel (Mid-range) Traveler’s Rest Inn(Best-budget)
Meal Plan: Full board
Day 4: Lake Mutanda Exploration – Lake Mutanda
After breakfast, you will drive to Lake mutanda, and upon arrival at the lake you will be received by your local guide with a fiberboat/local canoe for today’s exploration. He will take you through the islands birding for the birdwatchers, punishment island, caves and finally the biggest island, named after the lake, is Mutanda Island. This is inhabited by a local community of the “Abagesera” clan. These grow crops, such as peas, bananas, and sugar canes. A good portion of this island is covered by trees and shrubs. There is one primary school with only 3 classrooms (Primary one to Primary three); you will have an island tour upto the top of the world for the spectacular and out of the world views. Later, you will have a sugarcane feast and a hot deserved lunch at Gahiza island retreat before you sail back to your lodge in Kisoro.
Overnight: Lake Chahafi Resort (Luxury) Ichumbi Hotel (Mid-range) Gahiza Island Retreat(Best-budget)
Meal Plan: Full board
Day 5: Transfer to Kigali International Airport (3-4hr drive)
Today marks the end of your 5-Day Short Vacation in Uganda Safari. You will have an early breakfast, depending on your flight time before you transfer to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight.
Trip inclusions:
Park fees (For non-residents)
Golden monkey permit (One per person, non-resident)
All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
A professional driver/guide
All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
All Taxes/VAT
Roundtrip airport transfer
Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Drinking water (On all days)
Exclusions:
Gorilla permits $800 (We can organize it for you)
International flights (From/to home)
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Tips, laundry, and other items of personal nature
Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
The Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
The price per person sharing double/twin room USD1,906
