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4.9/5

Based on 45+ reviews

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5 Day Ishasha tree climbing lions and bwindi gorillas

  • TRIP OVERVIEW
  • ITINERARY
  • TRIP COST
  • TRANSPORT
  • THINGS TO CONSIDER
TRIP OVERVIEW

5 Day Ishasha tree-climbing lions and Bwindi gorillas

5 Days 4 Nights

Rates are per person (pp)
Excluding international flights (from/to your home country)

bwindi forest gorilla toes

Our 5-day Ishasha tree climbing lions and Bwindi gorillas tour is designed for those interested in combining gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and then visiting the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Two nights in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and two nights on the Ishasha side of Queen Elizabeth National Park will be enough to see the endangered giant primates, as well as the wild game of Ishasha, including tree-climbing lions.

Summary of 5 Day Ishasha Tree Climbing Lions and Bwindi Gorillas

  • Day 01: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
  • Day 02: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park
  • Day 03: Drive to Ishasha for an evening game drive
  • Day 04: Morning and afternoon game drives in Ishasha
  • Day 05: Drive back to Kampala/Entebbe for your flight out.

Things To Consider

  • Accommodation is Inclusive
  • Small Group Safari: Max 6 People per group
  • Tour Can Depart any day
  • The tour can be customised
  • Solo travellers can join this tour
  • Age Limit: 15 years and above

ITINERARY

Arrival

  • You’ll be picked up from the airport (or hotel)
  • Accommodation before the tour departs can be arranged for an extra cost

Day 1: Begin your 5-day Ishasha tree-climbing lions and Bwindi Gorillas safari

You will be picked up and briefed by Encounter Africa Safaris’ guide, who will then drive you to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You will pass several small towns and roadside markets, make a stop at the Equator crossing, and have lunch before proceeding to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, arriving late in the afternoon for dinner and overnight.

Drive time: Approximately 8-9 hours

Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner

Lodging: Rushaga gorilla Havens Lodge(Budget) or Four Gorillas Lodge (Midrange) or Buhoma Lodge/Sanctuary forest camp/Gorilla Heights lodge(Luxury)

Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After breakfast and with your packed lunch, you will walk to the park headquarters for briefing about gorilla trekking. Your guide will take you through all the dos and don’ts while with mountain gorillas and after that, you will be transferred to the starting point of your gorilla family. Please note that gorilla family allocation depends on your interests, fitness and age. Please inform your guide of your interests and he will try to request for the gorilla family of your choice before you start the trek into the forest. Gorilla trekking can be strenuous and a certain level of fitness is required.  Gorilla trekking can take from 30 minutes to three quarters of the day so one needs to prepare for both. You guide will try to provide information about trees, birds and other wildlife in the forest until you reach a given gorilla family of gorillas. You will be allowed only one hour of photography and observing mountain gorillas as they go about with their daily day activities and then trek back to the park headquarters to pick your certificates and then dinner and overnight at your Lodge.

Lodging: Rushaga gorilla Havens Lodge(Budget) or Four gorillas lodge(Midrange) or Buhoma Lodge/Sanctuary forest camp/Gorilla Heights lodge(Luxury)

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Packed Lunch and Dinner

Day 3: Drive to Ishasha side of Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, you will take a scenic drive from Ruhija side of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to Ishasha side of Queen Elizabeth National Park. You will arrive in time for lunch at the lodge, relaxation followed by a late afternoon game drive in Ishasha in search for tree climbing lions and other wild game whose chance of seeing them will highly depend on your luck of the day.

Lodging: Ishasha Jungle Lodge(Midrange) or Ishasha Wilderness camp(Luxury)

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4: Morning and afternoon game drives in Ishasha

After breakfast, you will drive to Ishasha side of Queen Elizabeth National park for your morning game drive. Ishasha is popular for tree-climbing lions and the chances of seeing them climbing depends on your luck of the day. Ishasha has other animals like Buffaloes, Elephants, Antelopes and many othere. You may also drive to River Ishasha to see the border of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Return to the Lodge for Lunch and then evening game drive in Ishasha.

Lodging: Ishasha Jungle Lodge(Midrange) or Ishasha Wilderness camp(Luxury)

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5: Drive back to Kampala/Entebbe International Airport

Having explored all parts of Queen Elizabeth National Park, we will drive back to Kampala or Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight out.

TRIP COST

DETAILED COST PER PERSON SHARING

Includes

  • All airport transfers
  • Bwindi Gorilla permit at USD800 per person per trek
  • Accommodation and meal plan described above
  • Transport in a 4×4 Safari Van customised for safari
  • Fuel for this round trip
  • Services of an English-speaking driver guide
  • Game drives and a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel
  • All activities and park fees mentioned above
  • Drinking water in the vehicle

Excludes

  • International Flights
  • Visa fees for Uganda at USD50
  • All expenses of a personal Nature, such as tips and drinks

TRANSPORT

DETAILED COST PER PERSON SHARING

Safari Vans

STANDARD: 4X4 SAFARI VAN

Our standard mode of transport is by road and we use 4×4 Safari Vans customized for game viewing and photography. Each safari van comes with a professionally trained driver guide and fuel for the whole safari. Our Safari vans have viewing hatches and each client is entitled to a window seat. Our Vans can take up to eight people. We also have 4×4 Super Customs very comfortable and stable on the road. These carry up to 5 people with their luggage. We also have 4×4 RAV 4 for a group of two people

Safari land cruiser

UPGRADE: 4X4 LUXURY SAFARI LANDCRUISER

We have luxury latest Land Cruisers each driven by professionally trained driver guides and fuel. They have pop-up roofs for proper game viewing and photography. They come with a small fridge for cooling your drinking water while on safari (which is always included while IN THE VEHICLE). They have inverters for charging small gadgets such as your smartphones and cameras. They can seat five to a maximum of seven people and each client is guaranteed of a window seat.

THINGS TO CONSIDER

  • Gorilla permits: We encourage you to book gorilla permits in advance so that we secure your trekking spot. Gorilla permits are served on first come first serve at Uganda wildlife Authority. Please contact us so that we book them for you.
  • Cost of the gorilla permit: The gorilla permits in Uganda cost USD800 for Non-Foreign residents, USD700 for East African Foreign Residents, USD500 for Rest of Africa Residents and UGX300,000 for East African Citizens, cost applies for trekking in Both Bwindi impentrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park
  • Gorilla trekking Regions: Bwindi has 4 gorilla trekking sectors namely Buhoma, Ruhaga, Nkuringo and Ruhija. We shall book for you accommodation in respect to the permits location.
  • Physical Fitness: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi can be physically demanding, a certain level of fitness will be required, please ensure you are in good health and have a certain level of fitness before you leave your country.
  • Packing List: Please ensure you have comfortable walking/ hiking shoes that can handle the terrain in Bwindi, a rain Jacket, gloves, Camera, Binoculars,
  • Age Limit: The Minimum age for gorilla trekking in Uganda is 15 years and above, please ensure all travelers are aged 15years and above.
  • Accommodation Options: Please choose the accommodation that suits your budget, Bwindi has all options of Budget, Midrange and Luxury.
  • Means of Transport: You can opt to fly or drive to Bwindi, Flights take 1-2 hours, and driving takes 8-9 hours drive to Bwindi. For budget clients, we recommend use of safari vans, then others can opt for Safari Landcruisers. All vehicles are comfortable with enough leg room, AC and are driven by our professional driver guides.
  • Best time to visit: Bwindi can be visited all year round for gorilla trekking, The most preffered time is June to September, December to February because they are the drier months of the year.
  • Gorilla trekking Regulations: Uganda Wildlife Authority has rules and regulations to adhere while on your gorilla trek, See regulations here.
  • Chances of Seeing the Gorillas:  The chances of seeing gorillas are 98% because there are trackers who follow the movement of gorillas on a daily basis, they communicate to the Park guides and you walk in the direction they are.
  • Choose a gorilla family: You can choose your preferred gorilla family of the day of the trek, if you prefer a close/ easy trek due to your fitness level, please request it  and communicate to your guide.
  • Gorilla Habituation experience: Bwindi has an option of spending 4 hours with the gorillas called gorillas habituation,  the is only possible when you book a gorilla permit that costs USD1500 for Non- foreign residents, USD1000 for East African Residents, and UGX750,000 for East African Citizens
  • Other activities: There are several activities you can do in Bwindi namely Birding, Batwa cutural experience, Nature walks, Community visits.  All these can suppliment your gorilla trek in Bwindi.
  • Trip cost estimate: The cost of the 3day gorilla tour ranges from USD1300 to USD2860 per person, based on your travel style which is Budget to Luxury. The cost Includes gorilla permit, accommodation, Meals, transport, and all services.
  • About Bwindi: Bwindi impenetrable National Park is a UNESCO world heritage site, with half of the worlds gorilla population, it has more than 20 Habituated gorilla famillies in regions of Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija and Nkuringo.

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