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Overview
The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a large primeval forest located in south-western Uganda in the Kanungu District. The forest is on the edge of the Albertine Rift, the western branch of the East African Rift, at elevations ranging from 1,160 to 2,607 metres (3,806 to 8,553 ft).
"Bwindi" is derived from the Runyakitara language and means "impenetrable". This name comes from the extensive stands of bamboo interspersed amongst the larger forest hardwoods. The bamboo and thick ground cover of ferns, vines, and other plant growth severely hinder direct access on foot. Also known as the "Place of Darkness", the forest is on the edge of the western arm of the Great Rift Valley, only a few kilometer's from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) border and about 25 kilometres north of the Virunga Mountains.
The forest is one of the most biologically diverse areas on Earth, where half the world's population of the highly endangered mountain gorillas live in its jungles. The forest has been recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization as a World Heritage Site for its biological significance.
The forest has been described as "Riven by disputes and crosshatched by historical, political, and biological borders" by researcher Craig Stanford, co-director of the park's Jane Goodall Research Centre. In 1991, the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was established, adjacent to the strife-torn Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC border region.
Detailed Itinerary
Upon arrival at Entebbe airport, you will clear customs and immigration and then you will be met by our representative outside the baggage hall area and transferred to your hotel.
After an early breakfast, you will be transferred to Entebbe Airport for a scheduled flight (ETD 0830hrs ETA 1035hrs) to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. You will be met on arrival and transferred to the camp/lodge in time for lunch. The afternoon is at leisure for taking part in any optional activities (at an additional cost payable directly to the lodge). Dinner will be provided at the camp/lodge.
BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST
Well-trained guides lead you to the site where the gorillas were encountered the day before and from here the tracking begins. The gorillas, whose continuous search for food requires a nomadic lifestyle, determine the duration of the hike. The trek can take between one and six hours, sometimes more, at elevations in excess of 7,500 feet and over rough terrain.
Although the hike can be physically demanding, the anticipation of the exciting experience ahead is invigorating, and the beauty of the forest and its inhabitants are fascinating. When the gorillas are encountered, any fatigue is quickly forgotten. Observing a wild gorilla family in its natural habitat and on its terms is considered by many naturalists to be the most profound natural history experience in the world. Few who have had this rare privilege would disagree. It is important to recognize that these gorillas have only recently been habituated to tourists.
Their curiosity is obvious, but they have only begun to grow accustomed to humans. Each strictly regulated 60-minute visit passes all too quickly, and you depart leaving the gorillas to their fragile existence.
After time with the gorillas and a picnic lunch, you return to camp with hopefully a few unforgettable memories of a rare and wondrous experience. If the gorilla groups are relatively close, you’ll also have the chance to hike nearby forest trails to obtain a better understanding of the forest and its other inhabitants. These hikes provide the opportunity to observe smaller primate species and regional, endemic birds.
After breakfast you will be taken on a short drive to the park headquarters where you will begin your Gorilla trekking experience. This generally takes an entire day, and you will return to your camp/lodge in the late afternoon. A late lunch will be provided, and the rest of the afternoon is at leisure. Dinner will be provided at the camp/lodge.
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airstrip for the morning scheduled flight to Entebbe ETD 1055hrs ETA 1155hrs). You will be met on arrival and assisted to connect to your departure flight.
Gallery
Inclusions
- Landside meet and greet services
- Transfers as specified
- Transport for safari sector in vehicles on a shared basis with maximum 6 passengers per vehicle
- Services of experienced English-speaking guides on gorilla treks
- Activities as specified in the itinerary
- All accommodation and meals as specified
- All park fees, Gorilla permit and government taxes
- Internal flights (if applicable) as specified in the itinerary inclusive of all airport taxes
Exclusions
- International and regional flights (except where specified)
- Airport taxes except on tickets we issue
- Passport and visa fees
- Driver-guide gratuities
- Mountain-guide gratuities
- Dining rooms tips and porterage
- Personal travel, baggage, and medical insurance
- Drinks, Laundry, Telephone bills and any items of a personal nature (except where specified) .
Notes
Hotels Used OR Similar
Entebbe - The Boma Entebbe (Bed and Breakfast Basis)
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest - Mahogany Springs Lodge (Full Board Basis)
FB - On full board basis (excludes drinks) (AI & FB include breakfast, lunch and dinner)
BB - Breakfast is provided before departure
Please note that transportation in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is on a shared basis provided by the lodge or camp.
Price for extra night available at request.
Arrival Information
Earliest check-in at the arrival hotel is 14h00. Travellers arriving on early morning flights are urged to book a pre-night at the arrival hotel (at an additional cost) to avoid delays in accessing the hotel rooms on arrival.
Departure Information
This safari returns to Entebbe Airport at 1155 hrs.
Travellers departing from Entebbe Airport on a domestic or international flight should book a flight departing later than 1500 hrs.
Travellers with a long layover before their departure flight should consider booking a day room (at an additional cost) to refresh and repack before their international journey.
IMPORTANT Luggage Information
Travellers should only bring soft sided bags on safari. Luggage space in safari vehicles is limited. These bags should measure no more than the following: Height 66 centimetres Length 42 centimetres Width 28 centimetres. Soft sided bags with wheels are permitted.
If travelling on internal flights during your safari, luggage allowances are strictly enforced to 15 kilograms per person including carry-on bags.
If arriving and departing from the same city, bags can be stored in our offices for a one-time fee of AUD 92.00 (per booking, not per bag or per person) to transfer and store the bags and reconnect them with the travellers for departure.
Additional remarks
We may have to re-route the itinerary or accommodate in similar lodges in case of non-availability.
Prices for domestic flights, airport taxes or park fees may be changed without prior notice. This is beyond our control and any increase levied will be passed to you for existing and new bookings.
Flight times mentioned for internal flights are based on published schedules but are subject to change depending on the airline’s load factors and airstrips visited.