4 Days Gorilla and Golden Monkey Trekking Safari
4 Days Gorilla and Golden Monkey Trekking Safari: It is our goal to provide you with an unforgettable gorilla and golden monkey trekking experience during this 4 day safari in Uganda. On Uganda’s southwest border with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo lies Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. This park, which is part of the Virunga conservation area, is shared by these three nations, along with the Virunga Volcanoes. It is one of the smallest national parks in Uganda, with plenty of entertaining activities for any outdoor enthusiast, such as hiking, trekking, game-spotting, and landscape viewing. It is possible to walk to the summit of Muhabura, Sabyinyo, and Gahinga volcanoes; it takes a day to hike atop these volcanoes. You may explore the critically endangered mountain gorillas in this park, which will offer you a taste of its splendour and the chance to extend your stay. You can start and finish this 4-day gorilla and golden monkey trekking experience to Mgahinga National Park at Entebbe International Airport or start and finish in Kigali City/Airport.
Day 1: Pick up from Airport or any hotel in Entebbe, Kampala or Kigali; transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
After breakfast or upon your arrival at Kigali or Entebbe Airport, your safari driver guide will be there to greet you and give you an overview of your safari. From there, you will be transferred to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, which is located in the southwest of Uganda at the foot of the Virunga Volcanoes. Enjoy the wandering roads among the Thousand Hills, the breathtaking views of the Volcanoes, and the incredible beauty of the Kigezi terraced hills, often called the Switzerland of Africa. You can enter at Entebbe International Airport if you arrive through Kigali. The afternoon will be free for you to relax and get ready for all the hiking and trekking that lies ahead. Flying to the Kisoro airstrip from Entebbe Airport is one possibility. You can use this trip, which is exclusively in the morning, to get at the resort in time for certain community activities or merely to check in. From Kampala, the travel takes roughly eight hours on road and a scheduled flight is about 1 hour 45 minutes. However, from Kigali, the journey on road takes about 4 hours.
Accommodation: Kisoro Travellers Hotel
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park- Gorilla Trekking-4 Days Gorilla and Golden Monkey Trekking Safari
After breakfast, you will head to the park headquarters, which is situated at the visitors information centre. Here, along with other guests, you will receive a pre-trekking briefing on the rules and safety precautions to be followed throughout the actual mountain gorilla trekking experience. After that, you will embark on your trek through the forest with the ranger guide in search of mountain gorillas. Among the many wildlife species you may encounter while wandering through the breathtaking jungle are primates such as Golden Monkeys, Galagos, Vervets, Black and White Colobus Monkeys, and many others.
Although the exact length of trekking is unknown, it is anticipated to take anywhere from 30 minutes to 6 hours, depending on the movements and location of the mountain gorillas. Upon seeing them, you have a maximum of 1 hour to observe the huge mountain gorillas and study their behaviours, eating patterns, and vocalisations. Dare not to ask your ranger guide questions concerning these endangered species while also capturing priceless photos of the gentle giants. You must thus keep your camera ready to capture every moment you spend with these critically endangered mountain gorillas. Once you have had this incredible gorilla encounter, head back to the park information centre to pick up your participation certificate. Relax and eat lunch. After dinner, spend the night at the hotel.
Accommodation: Kisoro Travellers Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Mgahinga National Park-Golden Monkey Trekking
After an early breakfast, your driver guide will transfer you to the briefing point where the golden monkey trekking starts. A ranger guide will receive you and offer information on what to expect while in the park as you search for the golden monkeys. After this short briefing, you will start your hike up in search of the golden monkeys. These Golden Monkeys are found in the Virunga volcanoes shared between Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo You are encouraged to take with you a porter because the hike can be steep in some areas and they will be helpful. You will be joined by enforcement officers to help in case you meet the wild Buffaloes and Elephants which can be dangerous. The golden monkeys are generally more mobile than the gorillas and you will follow them as they move all over the place and forage mainly on bamboo shoots, flowers, fruits and leaves. Similar to gorilla trekking, you are only permitted to spend an hour with the golden monkeys before returning to your starting point and your accommodation.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Mgahinga gorilla National Park-Return to Entebbe / Kigali
After breakfast and a thorough packing of your belongings for departure, depart from your lodge and head back to Entebbe or Kigali Airport in time for your return flight. This will leave you with unforgettable memories of your three-day gorilla and golden monkey trekking safari in the montane forest of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
End of the Tour
4 Days Gorilla and Golden Monkey Trekking Safari inclusions:
- Pick up from the Airport or hotel
- 1 gorilla trekking permit per person
- 1 golden monkey permit per person
- English speaking driver guide for 3 days (other languages on request and at an extra cost of $100 USD per day)
- Full board meal plan (breakfast, lunch / dinner)
- All en-route meals
- Mineral water through out your trip
- Fuel for 3 days
4 Days Gorilla and Golden Monkey Trekking Safari excludes;
- Travel insurance
- Domestic or international flights
- Travel visa
- Gifts and souvenirs
- Tips
- Other items that are not in the inclusion list