5-Day Gorilla Habituation & Golden Monkeys

5-Day Gorilla Habituation & Golden Monkeys

Tour Overview

Spend up to four hours with a gorilla family on the habituation experience, then track golden monkeys and walk the Batwa Trail in Mgahinga beneath the Virunga volcanoes. This 5-day private safari visits Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Highlights: Gorilla habituation (up to 4 hours with the family); Golden monkey tracking in Mgahinga; Batwa Trail, Mgahinga; Views over Lake Mutanda and the Virunga volcanoes.

Best time to go: Year-round; drier Jun-Sep and Dec-Feb. Habituation is limited to 4 people per family per day, so book early.

Accommodation Options (Budget, Midrange, Luxury):

Choose the comfort level that suits you; the vehicle, guide and activities stay the same. Price per person (2 people sharing, 2027): Budget $3,271 · Midrange $4,178 · Luxury $8,422.

Bwindi – Rushaga (2 nights): Budget – Nshongi Camp; Midrange – Rushaga Gorilla Lodge; Luxury – Gorilla Safari Lodge
Kisoro / Mgahinga (2 nights): Budget – Travellers Rest Hotel, Kisoro; Midrange – Chameleon Hill Lodge, Lake Mutanda; Luxury – Mount Gahinga Lodge

Lodges shown are examples, or similar, subject to availability. Gorilla and chimp permits are included at cost.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Entebbe to Rushaga

Drive to Bwindi's southern sector (about 9-10 hrs). Overnight: Rushaga Gorilla Lodge (midrange) or similar.

Day 2: Gorilla habituation experience

Spend up to 4 hours with a gorilla family being habituated, alongside researchers and trackers. Overnight: Rushaga Gorilla Lodge (midrange) or similar.

Day 3: Lake Mutanda & Batwa Trail

Short drive past Lake Mutanda to Kisoro. Afternoon Batwa Trail in Mgahinga, led by Batwa guides. Overnight: Chameleon Hill Lodge, Lake Mutanda (midrange) or similar.

Day 4: Golden monkey tracking

Morning golden monkey tracking in the Mgahinga bamboo zone. Afternoon at leisure with views of the Virunga volcanoes. Overnight: Chameleon Hill Lodge, Lake Mutanda (midrange) or similar.

Day 5: Kisoro to Entebbe

Drive back to Entebbe (or Aerolink Kisoro flight, fare on request).

Inclusions:

Private 4x4 safari Land Cruiser with pop-up roof, English-speaking driver-guide and fuel
Airport or hotel pick-up and drop-off in Entebbe or Kampala
Accommodation as listed, sharing a double or twin room; full board on safari
Gorilla habituation permit (up to 4 hours with the family)
Golden monkey tracking in Mgahinga
Mgahinga park entry (1 day)
Batwa Trail, Mgahinga
Bottled drinking water in the vehicle
All government taxes

Exclusions:

International flights and Uganda visa (single-entry e-visa about $50, or the East Africa Tourist Visa at $100)
Travel and medical insurance; a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for entry
Tips for guides, porters and lodge staff
Drinks unless the lodge includes them, laundry and personal items
Optional activities and anything not listed
Single room supplement (on request)

How to Get There:

Book an international flight to Entebbe International Airport (EBB), about 45 minutes from Kampala. Your Mwema Safaris driver-guide meets you at arrivals or at your hotel. About 8 to 10 hours by road from Entebbe or Kampala, usually broken with a night at Lake Mburo or Lake Bunyonyi. Scheduled domestic flights to Kihihi (for Buhoma) or Kisoro (for Rushaga/Nkuringo) cut that to about an hour and a half.