5 Days Mgahinga Gorillas, Golden monkey and Lake Mburo safari
5 Days Mgahinga Gorillas, Golden monkey and Lake Mburo safari
Country: Uganda
Location: Mgahinga National park, Mount Muhavura, Kisiizi water falls, Kitagata hotsprings, Lake Mburo National park.
Activities: Gorilla trekking, Golden monkey tracking, Lake Bunyonyi, Kisiizi falls, Hot springs viewing, Game drives, Boat cruise.
Tour: 5 Days Mgahinga Gorillas, Golden monkey and Lake Mburo safari
Overview
One may wonder why gorilla Safari should be done in Mgahinga gorilla national park and not other places. The secret behind it is that this park has a thick rain forest with a wide variety of tree species and gorillas are known to be vegetarians. There is enough food for them in the park and this is the reason why some even migrate from Congo and Rwanda to this place. Though not in large numbers, gorillas of Mgahinga are easily seen in their natural habitats and this makes tracking more easy compared to other parks.
The moment you visit the park, the welcoming atmosphere is an evidence of adventure filled of natural beauty. A day’ trek through the forests of Mgahinga with a well trained guide who explains the gorillas’ behaviors along the way is a lifetime experience.
Package Includes:
Gorilla trekking permit fees
Golden monkey tracking fees
Park entrance fees per person per day
Accommodation in the itinerary
Meals
Drinking water
Guide fees
Transport on a safari van
Package Excludes:
Visa fees
Tips
Souvenirs
Items of personal nature
Laundry
5 Days Mgahinga Gorillas, Golden monkey and Lake Mburo safari
Day by Day Itinerary.
Day one: Transfer from Kampala to Kisoro.
Your 5 Days Mgahinga Gorillas, Golden monkey and Lake Mburo safari begins with the Bujuku Eco Tours driver guide meeting you at your hotel in Entebbe/Kampala or Entebbe Airport for briefing to begin your transfer via the Equator to Kisoro town in the cool south western part of Uganda for an overnight as you prepare for the activities in Mgahinga National park.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Accommodation: Booked hotel/Lodge/ Cottage
Day Two: Gorilla tracking in Mgahinga Gorilla national park
Have an early morning breakfast at 06:30am and transfer to the park gate with your packed lunch box to prepare for briefing from the park wardens by 07:30am.
The Gorilla trekking Safari will start from Ntebeko Entrance gate at around 8:00am in the morning and will take 2-4 hours. A visitor is expected to budget for his/her time well while with a gorilla family since the maximum time allowed to spend with gorillas is one hour.
Ensure to carry along rain jacket, drinking water, snacks, and ankle high jungle boots.
After tracking, retreat for an afternoon relaxation in Kisoro.
Check-in, dine and slumber at your preferred lodge.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel/ Lodge/ Cottage
Day three: Golden monkey tracking and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
Wake up early morning to be at the Ntebeko park gate by 8am for briefing to prepare for your golden monkey tracking experience in Mgahinga gorilla national park.
You will hike through the forests to sight the golden monkeys. This is not so strenuous like gorilla trekking because golden monkeys live in lower areas. When you encounter the golden monkey family, you are given one hour to spend with them (to take photos and observe their behavior).
With golden monkey tracking, there is no minimum number of visitors for tracking each each group and age limit is 12 years.
Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi in the late afternoon. Bunyonyi is a local word for “small birds” in reference to the several birds that live around here making it a favorite destination for birders. You will be able to see several small islands among other highlights here.
You will go on an evening canoe ride to see the various small islands such as Bwama Island; a wonderful destination for birders. Alternatively, you could take a nature walk which will help you to appreciate both culture and nature at its best.
Thereafter visit the Bunyonyi Adventure Park for high ropes and zip lining over the lake. The lake is a good swimming paradise as it is Bilharzia free.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day Four: Kisiizi falls, Kitagata hotsprings and transfer to Lake Mburo National park.
Check out of your accommodation and transfer to Kisiizi falls in Rukungiri with a packed lunch to eat along the way.
Historically the falls are known as a tragic place where unmarried pregnant Bakiga girls could be thrown to their deaths.
This practice was discontinued and what had been a place of despair became a place of hope and healing as the Church of Uganda established Kisiizi Hospital in 1958.
Geographically, the falls are located in a forested area and gorge famous for bird life including endemic species like the Ross Turaco, Double Toothed barbet and the cinnamon Bee eater.
As a tourist area, it is famed for the scenic environment and trekking activities.
Thereafter drive to Kitagata Hot Springs which connects to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Bwindi Forest before transferring to Lake Mburo National Park.
Kitagata hot springs are located in Ishaka-Kagamba, in Sheema County, in Sheema District Western Uganda, approximately 2 km (1.2mi), by road, southeast of the town of Kitagata, one of the urban centres in the district. It is 62km (39 miles), by road to the West of Mbarara city.
The path to the springs goes through a patch of rainforest where red-tailed monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, black and white colobus are common. For those that love bird watching, the different bird species like forest horn will guarantee you great satisfaction.
Hundreds of people go to Kitagata to receive healing from the hot springs.
Half-dressed men and women bathe in the warm waters which they believe possess healing powers.
After the days activities, transfer to Lake Mburo National park for an overnight.
Day Five: Game drive in Lake Mburo National park and transfer to Kampala.
Have an early morning breakfast and set off for a game drive across the savanna within the park. You will see early risers so keep your camera open to take photos on top of your safari vehicle. The game drive will be at snail’s pace for you not to miss anything. Take an afternoon boat cruise around the lake- viewing animals in the water and along the banks such as Crocodiles, schools of Hippos, plenty of birds and the beautiful scenery.
After all the day’s activities, we check out and drive back to Kampala/ Entebbe. Having lunch at the equator and also visiting the famous Buganda drum makers at Mpambire. Arrive in the late afternoon in Kampala/ Entebbe to your accommodation or for your departure flight.
End of Safari!!