Mgahinga gorilla national park comes in position as the only safari park in Uganda where mountain gorillas co-exist with golden monkeys. This concludes to the slogan “where gold meets silver” and there’s no other chance to see these beauties than when you take time to safari this small beautiful park. Mgahinga gorilla national park is part of the Virunga mountains chain in which Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in Congo are situated. Amazing how within one massif all tourists on Congo gorilla safaris, gorilla safari Rwanda and Uganda gorilla tours can have different yet memorable experiences. To have a 5 days Uganda gorilla safari experience in Mgahinga gorilla national park, here is how one can perfectly plan their safari.
5 days Uganda gorilla safari with Lake Bunyonyi and Lake Mburo National Park tour.
This safari starts and ends in Entebbe international airport inclusive of arrival and departure. The 5 days Uganda gorilla safari with Lake Bunyonyi and Lake Mburo National Park includes a boat cruise in one of Africa’s deepest lakes, golden monkey tracking, Batwa cultural experience, stop at the equator and game drive at lake Mburo National park.
The equator
Day 1: Arrival and drive from Entebbe international airport to Kisoro town (closet town to the park). 80km from Kampala, you will stop at the equator line in Kayabwe for a great memorable experience as you can stand on 2 hemispheres at the same time. In the evening, you arrive at your prior booked hotel for dinner and an overnight. Early arrival is recommended since Kisoro is 483km from Entebbe international airport.
Gorilla trekking
Day 2: Do mountain gorilla trekking and Batwa cultural experience. Early morning after breakfast, your driver guide will pick you up from your hotel to head for your Uganda gorilla trekking safari experience in Mgahinga gorilla national park. Gorilla trekking permits cost USD600 and the activity starts at 8:00am after briefing by the park rangers on the gorilla trekking etiquette. The activity lasts 2-6 hours though only 1 hour is spent with the gorillas. In the evening, you enjoy an experience with the first inhabitants of the forest (Batwa pygmies).
Golden monkeys in Mgahinga
Day 3: Do golden monkey tracking and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi. Golden monkey tracking lasts about 6 hours and permits can be booked at the Uganda Wildlife Authority headquarters or on ground at $50 per person. In the evening, you transfer to Lake Bunyonyi taking a 2 hour’s drive.
Boat cruise in Lake Bunyonyi
Day 4: Wake up to the sounds of many little birds and after breakfast do a boat cruise on one of Africa’s deepest lakes. The lake is bilharzia free and you can dive in to the cold water but expertise in swimming is key. After lunch, you embark on a drive to Lake Mburo national Park. Depending on the time of arrival you do a night game drive in Lake Mburo with sighting of nocturnal animals.
Wildlife viewing in lake Mburo
Day 5: Wake up to a hearty breakfast and go for a morning nature walk within the whispers of the wild. Lake Mburo National Park is the only park in Uganda where you can either sight the animals on foot, while horseback riding, or biking so the choice is yours. After lunch you return to Entebbe international airport for a late Evening departure.
End of 5 days Uganda gorilla safari with Lake Bunyonyi and Lake Mburo National Park tour.
Alternatively, you can opt for;
5 days Mgahinga gorilla and golden monkey trekking and Lake Bunyonyi boat excursion.
Day 1: Drive from Entebbe international airport to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Stop at the equator.
Day 2: Have a mountain gorilla trekking experience in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Day 3: Do golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga gorilla national park.
Day 4: Have a Lake Bunyonyi boat excursion
Day 05: Drive back to Entebbe International Airport
The 5 days Uganda gorilla safari in Mgahinga gorilla national park, can start and end in Kigali Rwanda.
5 days Uganda gorilla safari starting and ending in Kigali.
Day 1: Arrival to Kigali international airport in Rwanda and transfer to Mgahinga gorilla national park in Uganda.
Day 2: Do gorilla trekking in Mgahinga gorilla national park.
Day 3: Hike the volcano mountains. The volcanos that can be hiked include, Mt. Sabinyo at 3,669m above sea level taking about 8 hours to hike and descend. Mt. Gahinga is 3,474m taking about 6 hours. You could luckily see golden monkeys on your hike.
Day 4: Go through the Batwa trail and have an experience of their daily life.
Day 5: Do golden monkey trekking in the morning then drive back to Kigali for departure.
For those tourists who would not love to miss the Uganda birding safari experience, a nature walk to mount Sabinyo gorge offers an opportunity to sight the Ruwenzori Turaco, Dusky turtle Dove, Cape Robin-chat, Kivu-ground Thrush, Olive Thrush, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Bronze Sunbird, Regal Sunbird, Blue-headed Sunbird, Rwenzori Batis, Black-headed Waxbill and many more bird species.
Considerations for a 5 days Uganda gorilla safari
- Minimum age is 15 years
- Gorilla trekking permit is booked prior
- Golden monkey permits are booked prior
- Be fit for hiking
- The safari can be customized according to your interests
- Let a trusted Uganda gorilla safari company plan your trip
Amazing and memorable gifts come in small packages, plan to visit this small amazement filled park and you won’t regret anything.
