5 day Gorilla & Lake Safari USD $1,190

Specific departure dates

The cost of the gorilla trek and safari is USD1190 per person includes a gorilla permit USD500 and excludes the local payment of USD150. Book a min of 4 travelers and receive a 10% discount off the base cost of USD690 per person.

Staring into the soft brown eyes of the gorilla is an unforgettable experience and by visiting them you will help ensure their continued existence in their natural habitat. We start the 5 day journey in Kampala, Uganda’s capital and cross the equator and head west to explore the natural habitat of the mountain gorillas. The forested region of the Virunga Volcanoes on the border of Uganda, Rwanda and the DRC is the only place on earth they exist.

Itinerary
This trip begins in Kampala, Uganda and travels to the south-west of Uganda before heading back and ending in Kampala.

This trip departs from Kampala early on Thursday mornign. Should you wish to explore Kampala, an earlier arrival time should be planned and accomodation booked through your ahent or the African Travel Co office.

Please Note:
This itinerary should be used as a guide only and may vary from day to day depending on road and weather conditions, political situations and group decisions.
All prices & Local Payments are subject to change without prior notice.
Due to Tourism Laws in some of the countries we visit, there may be a truck and crew change during the trip.

DAYS 1 & 2: Kampala to Kisoro (B / L / D)
After an early morning departure from Kampala we drive west into the depths of Uganda to our base in Kisoro

Kisoro is the base from which the optional Gorilla trek takes place. Dependant on where trekking permits are available, we trek in the Magahinga or Bwindi national Parks in Uganda, the Virunga National Park in the Demcratic Republic of Congo, or the Ruhengeri National Park in Rwanda. The prices of trekking permits fluctuate and may change without prior notice - currently they are priced at US$500 depending on where we trek. There is a local transport fee of US$25 to US$65 per person. For trekking the DRC or Rwanda, we will also have to purchase an additional visa to enter either country, as well as renewing our Ugandan visa upon re-entry. Please budget accordingly.

Trekking Procedures: The mountain gorilla (Gorilla Gorilla Berengei), of which there are still only about 700 remaining, are one of our closest living relatives. A visit to these gentle giants in their natural environment is a unique and wonderful experience - one you'll never forget. The park rangers monitor the gorillas on a daily basis and have a fairly good idea of where they are. However, they are free roaming animals, and their sighting can not be guaranteed. In the unlikely event of these creatures managing to completely elude us, the authorities usually allow us a second opportunity to trek them. However, this is purely at their discretion and subject to the availability of permits, and they will not confirm this in writing. Africa Travel Co is a major supplier of gorilla trekkers to each park and as such have a high success rate of procuring gorilla permits and then of actually seeing these beautiful animals. As the gorillas share much of our DNA, anyone with even the slightest cold or transferable illness will not be permitted to trek.

Trekking is also only open to people over 16 years old. We depart from our camp in the early morning and after border formalities are transferred to a ranger's station where the trek commences. Your rangers will lead you through the cultivated lands and then into the dense rain forest and on to a gorilla family. Trekking can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 8 hours and it can be quite strenuous, so a reasonable level of fitness is required. To ensure the gorillas do not get too used to the presence of humans and because they share many of our genes (and therefore able to catch our diseases), the maximum time permitted to spend with them is 1 hour. You will have plenty of time to watch their activity and to take photographs. The rangers will be able to provide you with a background to the family you are visiting. Once your hour is up, you trek back out of the rain forest to your meeting point.

You needn't feel like you're exploiting theses animals. The ever-growing number of tourists trekking them each day play a vital role in their survival. For years they have been ruthlessly hunted for their hands and heads, which have been sold as ashtrays and lampshades! In addition, large numbers have been killed whilst trying to stop poachers stealing the babies for sale to zoos, where they have never lived long. 100% of the gorilla permit cost is used by the parks authorities to finance patrols that are instrumental in protecting the gorillas from poachers and their lethal snares and on promoting these wonderful animals.

DAY 3: Kisoro to Lake Bunyoni (B/L/D)
A short drive, through arguably some of the most picturesque scenery in Africa, brings us to awesome Lake Bunyoni. Lake Bunyoni is the deepest crater lake in Africa and is home to a large and varied number of beautiful birds.

DAY 4: Lake Bunyoni (B/L/D)
Today we have the whole day at leisure to enjoy the beauty of Lake Bunyoni. There is the option to visit a local village or church, hike in the surrounding hills, canoe or just spend the day relaxing or swimming in this tranquil lake. A well deserved rest day!

DAY 5: Lake Bunyoni to Kampala (B/L/D
After enjoying peaceful Lake Bunyoni, we begin our drive back to Kampala. We cross the Equator for the second time and stop for the classic (one foot in each hemisphere" photo opportunity. On arrival in Kampala, we exchange addresses and part ways, having just experienced a trip of a lifetime!

Robb at robb@travelstudio.com
Guy at guy@travelstudio.com
Helen at hlallas@travelstudio.com

Travel Studio: 604 – 990 1511 or 1800 565 6670