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5 Day Lake Mburo, Bwindi Gorillas and Lake Bunyonyi Safari

Overview

Our 5 Day Lake Mburo, Bwindi Gorillas, and Lake Bunyonyi Safari is designed for travelers looking to experience mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park while also enjoying other activities. This itinerary is ideal for those who prefer a driving safari but want to avoid long journeys. Each stop on this tour ensures that you have ample time to explore and enjoy the diverse landscapes and experiences from Lake Mburo National Park to Bwindi and Lake Bunyonyi. The safari starts and ends in Entebbe, featuring game drives and a boat cruise in Lake Mburo, gorilla trekking in Bwindi, and a canoe ride on Lake Bunyonyi. Depending on service availability, this itinerary can also be reversed.

Summary of the 5-Day Lake Mburo, Bwindi Gorillas, and Lake Bunyonyi Safari

Day 01: Drive to Lake Mburo National Park with an evening game drive.
Day 02: Morning game drive and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Day 03: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Day 04: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for a boat ride on the lake.
Day 05: Drive back to Entebbe for your departure flight.

Tour Overview

Destination: Uganda
Start/End: This tour starts and ends in Entebbe (Uganda).
Visits: Lake Mburo National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and Lake Bunyonyi.
Activities: Gorilla tracking, game drives, boat cruises, and a canoe ride.
Transportation: Open-sided 4×4 vehicle and pop-up roof 4×4 vehicle.
Transfers: A transfer from and back to the airport (or hotel) is included.
Additional Accommodation: Available before and after the tour at an extra cost.

Important Considerations

Accommodation: Included.
Guided Safari: Follows standard New Normal Safari SOPs.
Group Size: Small group safari with a maximum of 6 people per group.
Flexible Departures: Tour can depart on any day.
Customizable: Tour can be tailored to your preferences.
Solo Travelers: Welcome to join.
Age Limit: 15 years and above.

TRIP ITINERARY

Tour Plan

Day 1

Pick up from the Hotel to Begin Your 5-Day Safari

Your guide will pick you up, provide a briefing on the safari, and then drive you to Lake Mburo National Park, passing through small towns along the Kampala-Mbarara road. Along the way, you’ll stop at the Equator crossing for photos and a chance to learn about the center of the Earth. Arrive at Lake Mburo in time for lunch, followed by a short relaxation and a boat cruise on the lake. This two-hour boat excursion offers opportunities to see hippos, crocodiles, various water birds, and wildlife such as buffaloes and antelopes. After the cruise, you’ll head to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Lake Mburo Safari Lodge or similar
Meals: All meals included

Day 2

Game Drive and Transfer to Bwindi National Park

After breakfast, embark on a game drive to recap what you might have missed the previous day. Lake Mburo is a small park, so you’re likely to see zebras, impalas, buffaloes, and warthogs with minimal driving. Continue to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to half of the world’s mountain gorillas. The drive offers scenic views through the plains of Ntungamo and the terraced hills of Kigezi before reaching the dense forests of Bwindi. Arrive in time for relaxation, dinner, and an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Broad Bill Forest Camp or similar
Meals: All meals included

Day 3

Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing on gorilla trekking. Your guide will explain the dos and don’ts while with the gorillas. You’ll then be transferred to the starting point of your assigned gorilla family. Trekking can be strenuous, so a good level of fitness is required. Depending on the location of the gorilla family, the trek can last from 30 minutes to several hours. Once you find the gorillas, you’ll have one hour to observe and photograph them before returning to the park headquarters to receive your trekking certificate. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Broad Bill Forest Camp or similar
Meals: All meals included

Day 4

Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

After breakfast, drive to Lake Bunyonyi, the deepest lake in Uganda, known for its scenic islands formed by lava damming. Lake Bunyonyi is a perfect place to relax after your gorilla trek. You can take a canoe ride to explore the islands, hike the hills for stunning views, or visit the Batwa community in Kabale. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Crater Bay Cottages
Meals: All meals included

Day 5

Departure

After breakfast, drive back to Entebbe International Airport with a lunch stop at the Equator crossing. Continue to Entebbe for your departure flight.

Meals: All meals included

INCLUDES & EXCLUDES

Includes

Airport transfers on the first and last day
Transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle
Services of an English-speaking driver/guide
Fuel for the entire trip
Accommodation and meal plan as per the itinerary
All Park entrance fees
Drinking water while in the vehicle

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

TOUR MAP

GENERAL FAQs

General FAQs

Can I reschedule or cancel this trip?

Rescheduling: You can reschedule this trip as a private tour to any date within 12 months at no additional cost.
Booking Deposit: A 30% deposit of the total tour price is required to secure your booking. The remaining balance is due 45 days before the tour departure date. Bookings not secured with the appropriate deposit will be released.
Cancellation Policy:
- Cancel between 90 and 45 days before departure: 20% penalty of the tour price.
- Cancel within 45 days of departure or no show: 100% penalty of the tour price.

Availability and Accommodations

Reservations: Accommodation and activity availability is not guaranteed until reservations are confirmed with the final itinerary and deposit payment. If any quoted accommodations are unavailable, we reserve the right to substitute them with suitable alternatives, which may affect the final quoted price.

Insurance

Requirement: All clients must have medical and travel insurance to cover unforeseen circumstances.

Rates

Subject to Change: Tour rates are subject to change without notice. We will make every effort to maintain rates, but changes in government taxes or operating conditions may be passed on to clients.

Permit Cancellation Policy

Uganda Gorilla Permit Cancellation Policy

Guarantee: A Gorilla Permit is guaranteed only upon receipt of the deposit ($800 per person per trek) as it must be paid immediately to the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Cancellation Fees

More than 90 days before tracking: 25% cancellation fee.
89 to 46 days before tracking: 50% cancellation fee.
45 to 9 days before tracking: 75% cancellation fee.
8 to 0 days before tracking: 100% cancellation fee.

Important Information

Age Requirement: The minimum age for gorilla tracking is 15 years.
Health: Visitors with flu or other airborne diseases will not be allowed into the rainforest jungle to see the gorillas.
Safety Protocols: Masks must be worn at all times, and a distance of 10 meters must be maintained between you and the gorillas.

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