4-DAY DRIVE UGANDA GORILLA TRACKING AND THE KINGDOM

Welcome to the Pearl of Africa! Arrival at Entebbe Airport where you will be welcomed and transferred to your hotel (5-10 minutes). Overnight at The Boma Entebbe. Note: The airport pick-up will be arranged by Inquisitive Safari & Adventures.

The Boma Entebbe: This welcoming guesthouse is situated on the outskirts of Entebbe and only 5 to 10 minutes from Entebbe Airport. It is a tastefully restored colonial homestead consisting of comfortable bedrooms. Each of them is decorated along African themes and has their own private bathroom. A diners’ bar is set in a landscaped garden with lake views. The main house includes a private dining veranda and living room for overnight guests.

Entebbe – Bwindi Forest NP (540km/9-10hrs drive): After an early breakfast transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park the home of the endangered mountain gorillas. Check in at the lodge and enjoy a delicious lunch. In the afternoon you will have the opportunity to relax and prepare yourself for the next day. Or go for an optional (guided) forest walk for a first introduction with Uganda’s unique flora and fauna. Mahogany Springs. (B-L-D)

Mahoghany Springs Bwindi: Mahogany Springs is located at a 2 minutes’ drive from the headquarters in Buhoma. It offers eight individual bandas with 2 double beds, en-suite bathroom and a private terrace with panoramic views of the forest and surrounding land. The main building includes a craft shop, large bar area, relaxing lounge area with fireplace, restaurant and a large veranda.

Gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Park (North): Arise early today and prepare for the highlight of your safari, an unforgettable encounter with the Gentle Giants!

Following breakfast, transfer to the national park offices where you will be allocated a gorilla family in groups of 8 as well as a gorilla tracking guide. After a pre-tracking briefing by your guide touching on the gorillas generally, your assigned gorilla family as well as appropriate safety precautions, you drive to the trailhead for the start of a thrilling adventure. Expect to walk between 2 and 8 hours in steep and sometimes muddy conditions with rain overhead, which can be tough and require a degree of (average) fitness. However, the thrill of coming face to face with a giant Mountain Gorilla silverback completely makes up for the effort!

Please remember to bring your passport for registration, appropriate, water proof hiking boots and a light rain coat. To protect from stinging nettles, we recommend long pants and long sleeved tops. A pair of old gardening gloves can help grabbing onto the vegetation while most hotels/lodges provide a walking stick that comes in very handy especially when hiking downhill. A small waterproof backpack is an excellent idea to carry a light snack, bottled water as well as protection for your camera.

Upon sighting the gorillas, you spend the allowed one hour with them as they go about their daily life; feeding, moving, playing, raising their young and sometimes wrestling by the juveniles – it is a totally unique and unforgettable experience!
Dinner and overnight at Mahogany Springs. (B-L-D)

Bwindi NP – Entebbe – Departure: Today we will depart the impenetrable forest of Bwindi and head back to Entebbe International Airport and connect to your international flight. (B, L)

Travel tip: Combine your gorilla safari with the vast savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park or the beautiful scenery at Lake Mburo National Park. Or just spend a day extra in the impenetrable forest!

** END OF YOUR SAFARI WITH INQUISITIVE AFRICA & ADVENTURES **

Inquisitive Africa reserves the right to review published rates in the event of currency exchange rate fluctuations or increases in costs or taxes, which are beyond our control.
EXTENDING YOUR STAY WITH US: Inquisitive Africa has a variety of authentic experiences in Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar, Kenya and Dian or Mombasa, Uganda, Rwanda, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and South Africa. We would be happy to facilitate and plan any extended stay you might require in East and Southern Africa.

* Low season includes April, May and November.

Included in the price:
– Airport transfer to/from Entebbe Airport
– Ground transport per private 4WD safari customised vehicle
– Accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary
– Meals as described in the itinerary
– AMREF Flying Doctors Insurance
– VAT for hotels and lodges outside Kampala

Exclusions:
– International flight
– Visa (USD $50, available upon arrival)
– Gorilla permit
– Optional activities
– Domestic flights.
– Meals and drinks not mentioned above
– Items of personal nature
– Tips
 
TERMS & CONDITIONS: Prices are subject to change. Availability of accommodations and activities is not guaranteed; reservations will be made after receiving confirmation of the final itinerary and the requested deposit. Should any of the included accommodations not be available, we reserve the right to substitute it with an alternative suitable accommodation, which might affect the final quoted price. For more clarity please consult our website www.inquisitivesafari.com for the more detailed Terms & Conditions.

VISA FEES AND APPLICATIONS FOR EAST AFRICA
Uganda Visa: Single entry visa costs US $50 per person. Visas have to be applied and paid for online via the Uganda Immigration website,( https://visas.immigration.go.ug) A copy of the approved application has to be presented at the entry point where the visa will then be issued.

Rwanda Visa: Single entry visa costs US $50 per person. Visas have to be applied for online via the Rwanda Immigration website. ( https://www.migration.gov.rw/index.php?id=203) A copy of the approved application has to be presented at the entry point where the visa will then be issued and paid for. Kindly note that citizens from the following countries are required to pay visa fees but are allowed to obtain their visa upon arrival without prior online application: Australia, Germany, Israel, New Zealand, South Africa, Sweden, UK and USA.

Kenya Visa: Single entry visa costs US $50 per person. Visas have to be applied and paid for online via the eCitizen portal, ( https://www.ecitizen.go.ke) and present a copy of their E-Visa upon immigration. However, effective 1st September 2015 all visitors to Kenya will be required to apply and pay for the visa online. Please remember that the visa process may take one full week.

Tanzania visa: Single entry visa costs US $50 per person. Visas have to be applied and paid for online via the https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa/ A copy of the approved application has to be presented at the entry point where the visa will then be issued.

East African Tourist Visa:
If you are planning to combine Uganda with a visit to Rwanda and/or Kenya it is recommendable to request for the East African Tourist Visa. This special tourist visa costs US $100 per person and allows 90 days multiple entry to Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya. Unfortunately, Tanzania has not yet joined the East African community tourist visa, and therefore not part of this arrangement and to visit Tanzania you’ll need separate visa

How to obtain the East African Tourist Visa:
– Uganda: online via the Uganda Immigration website, (https://visas.immigration.go.ug)
– Rwanda: online via the Rwanda Immigration website. ( https://www.migration.gov.rw/index.php?id=203)
– Kenya: online via the eCitizen portal ( https://www.ecitizen.go.ke).

Similar to the application for the single entry visa but make sure to select the East African Tourist Visa.