Our 5 Days Gorillas and White Water Rafting Safari combines gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in Uganda with the magnificent white water rafting experience on the River Nile in the Eastern district of Jinja, Uganda. Jinja is popularly known for being the source of the River Nile – the Longest River on planet earth.
The Safari then takes you to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park where you will have a chance to trek one of the habituated families of mountain gorilla. This trip can as well start from Bwindi and end in Jinja.
Highlights
- Day One: Pickup from your Hotel and drive to Jinja to start your 5 Days Gorillas and White Water Rafting Safari.
- Day Two: White water rafting experience on the Nile River and drive back to Kampala.
- Day three: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
- Day Four: Gorilla trekking
- Day Five: Drive back to Kampala/Entebbe International Airport marking the end of your 5 Days Gorillas and White Water Rafting Safari.
Things To Consider
- Accommodation is Inclusive
- Small Group Safari: Max 6 People per group
- Tour Can Depart any day
- Tour can be customized
- Solo travelers can join this tour
- Age Limit: 15 years and above
Detailed Itinerary
Arrival
- You’ll be picked up from the airport (or hotel)
- Accommodation before the tour departs can be arranged for extra cost
DAY 1: Arrival and Transfer to Kampala for overnight
Upon arrival, you will be met by your guide at Entebbe Airport depending on your flight time and transfer you to Kampala for your overnight stay. Depending on the traffic situation of the day, you may pass through the city center for a brief city tour (not included in the cost and optional) before proceeding to your overnight accommodation property.
Drive time: Approximately 1 hour
Lodge: Kampala Forest Cottages or Fairway Hotel Kampala
Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast
DAY 2: Transfer to Jinja.
- Morning/Transfer
After breakfast, you will drive to the Eastern town of Jinja for your magnificent Uganda adventure experience. This journey will take you through Mabira forest, a tropical rain forest in central Uganda. You will also see lush tea and sugarcane plantations plus several roadside markets
- White water Rafting
Upon arrival at Kalagala Falls, you will start your white water rafting on the Nile river experiencing the thrill of navigating through rapids and enjoying the scenic views
- Evening
You will embark on your vehicle and transfer to Kampala for relaxation followed by dinner and overnight
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Lodge: Kampala Forest Cottages or Fairway Hotel Kampala
Drive time: 2 hours one way.
DAY 3: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
- Morning/Transfer
You will depart from your hotel in Kampala and drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park located in Southwestern Uganda with a stopover at the Equator crossing at Kayabwe for some informative talk, photography and some experiments and later proceed with the journey to Bwindi
- Afternoon
You will have a stop in Mbarara town for Lunch. After lunch, you will then drive through the rolling Green hills marked with beautiful Banana and Tea plantations passing through towns of Ntungamo and Kabale.
- Evening
You will arrive at the lodge in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and welcomed, check-in at the lodge for relaxation dinner and overnight
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Lodge:
Basic:Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge/Bakiga Lodge.
Mid range: 4 Gorillas Lodge/Gorilla Leisure Lodge
Luxury: Buhoma Lodge/Gorilla Heights Lodge/Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Drive time: 8-9 hours.
DAY 4: Gorilla Trekking.
- Morning/Briefing
After breakfast, with your packed lunch, you will transfer to the Park Headquarters for registration at 7: 45 am. You will then join other trackers for briefing about the Dos and the Don’ts during your Gorilla Tracking.
- Trek and Observation
You will be driven to the starting point of your allocated gorilla family to start your trek into the beautiful Impenetrable Bwindi Forest. You will trek through thick creepers and undergrowth with your guides to find the Gorillas. This trek may take between 30 minutes to three quarters of the day, depending on where the Mountain Gorillas will be found. The steeply forested landscape, is incredibly dense but crisscrossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists. It is an extraordinary feeling being with these beautiful yet Endangered Creatures. Please noted that gorilla trekking can be strenuous and as such a certain level of fitness is required. Once you find the gorillas, you will be allowed to spend one hour to observe them and take photographs. Although this time may seem too short, the experience you get will be worth it.
- Evening
You will return to the park headquarters where you will be awarded a certificate in recognition of your effort in contributing to the conservation of these endangered mountain gorillas and then drive back to the lodge for relaxation and overnight
Note: Even if you are unfit, arrangements can be made for the locals to use a ‘helicopter’ to get you to the point where the gorillas are. This cost is not included. So, you can let us know in advance then arrangements can be made.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Lodge:
Basic: Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge/Bakiga Lodge.
Mid range: 4 Gorillas Lodge/Gorilla Leisure Lodge
Luxury: Buhoma Lodge/Gorilla Heights Lodge/Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
DAY 5: Transfer back to Kampala/Entebbe to end the tour
- Morning/Transfer
After your morning breakfast, you will receive packed lunch and embark on your vehicle for your return journey to Entebbe or Kampala
- Afternoon:
You will have a stop in Kayabwe at the equator for lunch and photography and then proceed your journey to Entebbe or Kampala
- Evening
You will be transfered to Entebbe International Airport for a- late departure out of Uganda or your booked hotel in Entebbe or Kampala to end the tour
Drive Time: 8-9 hours
COST PER PERSON SHARING
| Persons | Date | Price per person |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Person | Any date | USD3155.00 |
| 2 Persons | Any date | USD2385.00 |
| 3 Persons | Any date | USD2180.00 |
| 4 Persons | Any date | USD2080.00 |
| 5 Persons | Any date | USD2020.00 |
| 6 Persons | Any date | USD1980.00 |
Cost Includes
- Airport transfers on first and last day,
- Transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle
- One gorilla permit for Bwindi NP of USD800 per person per trek
- Services of an English speaking driver guide
- Fuel for the whole trip
- White water rafting on the Nile
- Accommodation and meal plan as per the itinerary
- All park entrance fees
- Drinking water while in the vehicle
- Hand Sanitizer
Cost excludes
- Pre and post tour accommodation in Entebbe or Kampala
- International airfares
- Uganda Visa (USD50.00 which can be paid on arrival at the Airport
- Items of personal nature such as tips, drinks, and laundry
- Face Mask N95
STANDARD: 4X4 SAFARI VAN
Our standard mode of transport is by road and we use 4×4 Safari Vans customized for game viewing and photography. Each safari van comes with a professionally trained driver guide and fuel for the whole safari. Our Safari vans have viewing hatches and each client is entitled to a window seat. Our Vans can take up to eight people. We also have 4×4 Super Customs very comfortable and stable on the road. These carry up to 5 people with their luggage. We also have 4×4 RAV 4 for a group of two people
UPGRADE: 4X4 LUXURY SAFARI LANDCRUISER
We have luxury latest Land cruisers each driven by professionally trained driver guides and fuel. They have pop-up roofs for proper game viewing and photography. They come with a small fridge for cooling your drinking water while on safari (which is always included while IN THE VEHICLE). They have inverters for charging small gadgets such as your smartphones and cameras. They can seat five to a maximum of seven people and each client is guaranteed of a window seat.
