Magic of the Mountain Gorilla with Acacia Africa

Day 1 Lake Mburo National Park
From Kampala we travel to the rolling hills of Lake Mburo National Park and enjoy a game drive among the acacia forests and grassy escarpments in search for zebra, eland, Cape buffalo and a variety of antelope, as well as numerous species of birds including the rare shoebill stork, before returning to our lodge. There may be the chance to go on a boat trip on the lake itself.

Day 2 Queen Elizabeth National Park
We have a morning game walk and drive in Lake Mburo National Park before driving north to the Queen Elizabeth National Park. This beautiful area is renowned for its prolific birdlife and mammals including elephant, hyena, buffalo, topi, waterbuck and Ugandan kob. We take in a boat cruise to see birds like kingfishers, fish eagles and pelicans, as well as Nile crocodiles and the many thousands of hippos in the Kazinga Channel which separates Lake Edward and Lake George.

Day 3-4 Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Gorilla Trek
After a final game drive we head south to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a large area of afro-montane forest on the slopes of the Virunga Volcanoes that straddle Uganda and Rwanda and home to approximately half of the world’s 700 remaining mountain gorillas. Finding and observing these gentle giants is truly one of Africa’s most rewarding wildlife experiences. The usual procedure is to trek in small groups into the rainforest, and on the day of our trek we gather in the early morning to meet our local guide and tracker. The trekking can be demanding at times with uneven terrain and hilly rainforest but the privilege of spending time with a family of these gentle apes makes the effort well worthwhile. Community visits and forest walks can be taken around this beautiful area when not visiting the gorillas.

Day 5 Kampala
We head back through Uganda’s lush scenery to the capital city of Kampala, where the tour ends.

Transport

Minibus or 4x4 Safari Vehicle, Foot, boat

Gorilla trekking excursion

The Ugandan Wildlife Authority (UWA) sets the gorilla permit price and stipulates that permits must be booked and paid for in advance. We therefore collect your gorilla permit money at the time of booking, along with your normal deposit. The Gorilla permit price is quoted in US dollars but is paid in your local currency at a rate fixed by Acacia. Whilst the price is correct at time of going to press (July 2010), Acacia reserves the right to pass on any increase in fee if the UWA raises the price. Finally please note, the gorilla permit fee is not refundable if you cancel your booking.