6-Day Exploration of Mgahinga’s Unique Wildlife and Cultural Safari
6-Day Exploration of Mgahinga’s Unique Wildlife and Cultural Safari provides an immersive experience in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda. It includes activities like mountain gorilla encounters, golden monkey trekking, and exploring the Batwa culture through the Batwa trail. The park is nestled in the Virunga Mountains and bordered by three inactive volcanoes: Mount Sabyinyo, Mount Gahinga, and Mount Muhabura, as well as being close to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and the DRC’s Virunga National Park.
Our 6-Day Exploration of Mgahinga’s Unique Wildlife and Cultural Safari offers a unique experience of wildlife and Batwa cultural experience, including mountain gorilla encounters, golden monkey trekking, and the Batwa trail in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, located in southwestern Uganda. The park, situated in the Virunga Mountains, is surrounded by 3 inactive volcanoes: Mount Sabyinyo, Mount Gahinga, and Mount Muhabura. It is adjacent to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Virunga National Park.
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport; Drive to Kampala city
Upon arriving at Entebbe International Airport, the company representative and driver guide will welcome you to your hotel in Kampala for check-in and a pre-safari briefing. If time allows, you may take a short evening tour of Kampala’s historical landmarks, such as the Uganda National Museum, Twekobe Kabaka’s Palace, Amin’s torture chambers, and the Old Kampala Mosque. Dinner and overnight accommodations are provided at the hotel.
Accommodation: Jet Villas Equivalent
Meal plan; Dinner
Day 2: Kampala City—Transfer to Mgahinga National Park
On your 6-day exploration of Mgahinga’s unique wildlife and cultural safari, get up for breakfast, meet your driver guide, and drive to the magical Mgahinga National Park in southwestern Uganda, known for its bamboo and rain forests and home to mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. This region, “where Gold meets Silver,” features the Batwa Trail experience, highlighting its historical connections to the Batwa Bushmen. The journey includes a stop at the equator landmark to observe unique water phenomena and lunch at the Igongo Cultural Centre in Mbarara City before arriving at your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Kisoro Travellers Hotel
Meal plan: Breakfast/lunch/dinner
Day 3; Mgahinga National Park—Morning Mountain gorilla trekking
Have breakfast, and after visitors will get transferred to attend a briefing at the park information center on gorilla trekking rules and regulations before starting the trek with a Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger. The trek lasts 45 minutes to 7 hours, influenced by the gorillas’ movements and the trekkers’ pace. Along the way, participants may spot various wildlife, including birds and other primates, with the ranger offering insights. Upon finding mountain gorillas, guests have up to one hour for observation. After the trek, they return for a tracking award and refreshments before heading back to their lodge for lunch, relaxation, dinner, and an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Kisoro Travellers Hotel
Meal plan: Breakfast/lunch/dinner
Day 4: Mgahinga National Park; Golden Monkey Trekking; Evening Batwa Experience
On your 6-day exploration of Mgahinga’s unique wildlife and cultural safari, after breakfast, you will prepare your trekking equipment and meet your driver to head to the park information center for a briefing on golden monkey tracking. This 4-hour experience includes 1 hour of observation once the monkeys are located. After tracking, you’ll return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation, then participate in the evening Batwa Trail experience. This cultural trail offers insight into the traditional lifestyle of the Batwa, indigenous people recognized as “forest keepers” of the Mgahinga Gorilla and Bwindi impenetrable national parks. The day concludes with dinner and an overnight stay at your lodge.
Accommodation: Kisoro Travellers Hotel
Meal plan: Breakfast/lunch/dinner
Day 5: Mgahinga National Park, Mount Sabinyo Hiking, Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
Following your breakfast on your 6-day exploration of Mgahinga’s unique wildlife and cultural safari, a driver guide will take you to the park headquarters for a briefing with Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger guides before your hiking trip on Mount Sabinyo in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The hike starts on flat terrain and moves through swamps and dense vegetation, including bamboo forests home to golden monkeys and possibly mountain gorillas and forest elephants. The journey culminates at the summit, offering breathtaking views of Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo, along with Lake Kivu, Lake Bunyonyi, and the Rwenzori Mountain ranges. After taking in the scenery, you will descend and head to Lake Bunyonyi for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Kisoro Travellers Hotel
Meal plan: Breakfast/lunch/dinner
Day 6: Lake Bunyonyi; Morning boat riding; Return to Entebbe International Airport
After breakfast, proceed for a briefing with your local canoe guide before embarking on a 2-hour canoeing trip to Akampene Island, historically known as Punishment Island for unwed pregnant girls in the Bakiga community. After exploring the island, return to your lodge to check out and collect your bags. You will then drive back to Entebbe International Airport, stopping for lunch en route, concluding your 6-day exploration of Mgahinga’s unique wildlife and cultural safari.
Meal Plan: Breakfast/Lunch
The 6-day exploration of Mgahinga’s unique wildlife and cultural safari package price includes:
- All airport pick-ups and drop-offs
- 1 gorilla permit per person
- 1 golden monkey permit per person
- All activities mentioned on the itinerary
- Ground transportation in a 4X4 safari vehicle
- Professional Speaking guide
- All accommodation and en-route meals
- Bottled water
- Fuel for 6 days
The 6-Day Exploration of Mgahinga’s Unique Wildlife and Cultural Safari package price includes:
- Travel insurance
- Travel ticket
- Travel visa
- All activities not included on the itinerary
- Extra meals
- Souvenirs and gifts
- Tips
- Drinks (alcoholic and soft drinks)