10-Day Gorilla Tracking Safari in Uganda with Batwa and Lake Bunyonyi

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Day 01

Arrival in Entebbe

• On your arrival at Entebbe International Airport, our guide will be waiting to give you a warm welcome to the Pearl of Africa, brief you about the safari, and then transfer you to your hotel, where you will relax and prepare for tomorrow's adventurous safari. Have dinner and stay overnight.

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Day 02

Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

• Start the day with a cup of tea and embark on a journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the southwestern part of Uganda. The drive is very scenic, with rolling hills, beautiful landscapes, local homesteads, plantations, people going about their daily lives, and local markets, among others. We will have a stopover at the Equator for photo shoots and the water experiment, then proceed with our journey, with another stopover at Igongo Cultural Centre for lunch, before continuing to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. We will arrive in the evening for relaxation, dinner, and an overnight stay.

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Day 03

Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi

• After breakfast, we will have our lunch packed and transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing from the guide about gorilla tracking. After the briefing, he will lead us into the forest. The tracking takes about 2-8 hours. Once the gorillas are sighted, you will spend one hour watching them play, feed their young ones, and see males marking their territories, with photo opportunities of these gentle apes as long as your flash is off. Retire from the activity for relaxation, dinner, and an overnight stay.

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Day 04

Batwa Forest Experience and Muyanga Waterfall Trail

• Have a delicious breakfast in the morning and go for a Batwa forest experience. The Batwa are people who lived in the forest with mountain gorillas for many years. You will get to know how the Batwa lived and hunted, learn about medicinal plants, hear traditional songs and stories, and watch energetic dances. You can even test your skill with a Batwa bow and arrow. Retreat from the activity for lunch and relaxation.
• In the afternoon, embark on a nature walk on the Muyanga waterfall trail from Buhoma along the river, leading to the three beautiful waterfalls. You will see many trees, such as ferns, orchids, and epiphytic ferns, and the atmosphere is filled with beautiful colourful butterflies, creating a lovely forest scenery with birds singing in the air. Retreat from the activity for relaxation, dinner, and an overnight stay.

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Day 05

Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

• After having breakfast in the morning, check out and transfer to the beautiful Lake Bunyonyi. The drive is very scenic, with views of the rolling hills of the Kigezi Highlands. On your arrival, settle in for lunch and relax. In the afternoon, undertake a canoe ride on the lake and visit some of the main islands, such as Akampane Island and the upside-down island, among others. Enjoy breathtaking views of the lush highlands. Return for relaxation, dinner, and an overnight stay.

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Day 06

Nature Walk and Community Encounter

• Start your day with a cup of coffee and undertake a nature walk, hiking to the top of the highlands surrounding the lake, with access to incredible viewpoints of the lake. The walk passes through local communities and terraces. Return for lunch and relaxation.
• In the late afternoon, undertake a community encounter with the very welcoming locals. You will meet them and learn about their way of living and their culture, among other aspects of daily life. Return to the lodge for relaxation, dinner, and an overnight stay.

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Day 07

Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park

• After having breakfast, check out and transfer to Lake Mburo National Park. The drive has wonderful scenic views of the landscape, rolling hills, plantations, and local markets. You will stop at Igongo Cultural Centre for a delicious lunch and then proceed with the journey to Lake Mburo National Park. On your arrival, you will check in, relax, and have a guided nature walk. Return for relaxation, dinner, and an overnight stay.

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Day 08

Game Drive and Launch Cruise

• After having breakfast at 6:30 am, embark on a game drive in the park for a wildlife encounter. Expect to sight animals like buffaloes, zebras, elegant giraffes, Uganda kobs, impalas, antelopes, and different birds, among others. You will also have photo opportunities with the wildlife. Retire from the activity for relaxation and lunch.
• In the afternoon, undertake a launch cruise on Lake Mburo, offering views of the amazing flora and fauna, crocodiles, hippos, and different bird species such as African fish eagles, pelicans, and kingfishers, among others. Return to the lodge for relaxation, dinner, and an overnight stay.

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Day 09

Transfer Back to Kampala or Entebbe

• After having breakfast in the morning, you will check out and embark on your journey back to Kampala or Entebbe, with scenic views of the landscape, local markets, and banana plantations, among others. You will have a lunch stopover at the Equator Line Restaurant, after which we will proceed with our journey to Kampala or Entebbe. We will arrive in the late evening, check in, relax, and have dinner.

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Day 10

Departure from Entebbe

• Start your day with breakfast, check out, and transfer to Entebbe International Airport to catch your departure flight back home. You will say your goodbyes to the Pearl of Africa. We look forward to hosting you again in the Pearl of Africa.