Day notes
Day 1
Today your adventure begins as you check in for your flight to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. After landing, you will be warmly welcomed and transferred to your lodge, tucked away in the lush green hills of the forest.
The rest of the afternoon is yours to relax. Settle in, enjoy the sounds of the jungle around you, and let the excitement build for what’s coming next.
Day 2
An early start today. After breakfast, you will head to the briefing point for your gorilla trekking experience, which starts at 08:30 AM. Together with experienced park rangers, you will set off into the forest in search of a mountain gorilla family.
The trek can take anywhere from 2 to 4 hours, depending on where the gorillas are and how the forest reveals its secrets that day. Every step is part of the adventure.
After this unforgettable encounter, you will return to the lodge for some well-earned rest. The afternoon is at leisure, or you may choose to visit a local Batwa community or enjoy a gentle nature walk, letting the magic of Bwindi slowly sink in.
Scheduled Flight from Entebbe International Airport [EBB] to Kihihi Airstrip [KHX]
Scheduled Flight
Entebbe International Airport [EBB]
Kihihi Airstrip [KHX]
Transfer from Kihihi Airstrip [KHX] to Buhoma Lodge
Transfer
Kihihi Airstrip [KHX]
Buhoma Lodge
Stay at Buhoma Lodge
Expert tips:
When you are with the gorillas:
- A 7 meter (21 feet) distance should tried to be observed at all times from the gorillas. The further back you are, the more relaxed the group will be.
- You must stay in tight group whey you are near the gorillas.
- Keep your voices down at all times. However, it is okay to ask the guide questions.
- Do not smoke, drink or eat when you are near the gorillas. Eating or drinking inevitably will increase the risk of food/drink morsels/droplets falling, which could increase the risk of transmission of diseases.
- Sometimes the gorillas charge. Follow the guides example (crouch down slowly, do not look the gorillas directly in the eyes and wait for the animals to pass). Do not attempt to run away because that will increase the risk.
- Flash photography is not permitted! When taking pictures move slowly and carefully.
- Do not touch the gorillas. They are wild animals.
- The maximum time you can spend with the gorillas is one hour. However, if the gorillas become agitated or nervous, the guide will finish the visit early.
- After the visit keep your voices down until you are 200 meters away from the gorillas.
General health rules:
Remember that mountain gorillas are very susceptible to human diseases. The following rules are ways to minimize the risk your visit might poses to them:
- Respect the limits imposed on the number of visitors allowed with the gorillas each day. This minimizes the risk of disease transmission and stress to the group.
- If you are feeling ill, or you are carrying a contagious disease, volunteer to stay behind. An alternate visit will be arranged for you, or you will be refunded your money.
- If you feel the urge to cough or sneeze when you are near the gorillas, please turn your head away and cover your nose and mouth in order to minimize the spread of bacteria or viruses.
- Always stay 7 meters (21 feet) away from the gorillas. This is to protect them from catching human diseases.
- Do not leave any rubbish (eg. food wrappers) in the park; foreign items can harbor diseases or other contaminants.
- If you need to go to the toilet while in the forest, please ask the guide to dig you a hole with his panga. Make sure the hole is 30 cm deep and fill it in when you are finished.
What to bring on your Gorilla Safari:
- Wear comfortable hiking shoes suitable for steep muddy slopes.
- Carry a packed lunch and enough drinking water.
- Carry rain gear, sunscreen lotion, a hat (as the weather is unpredictable) and insect repellent.
Included:
All activities
All meals and drinks at the lodge.
Day notes
Day 3
Today it’s time to say goodbye. After breakfast, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the forest, you will leave Buhoma Lodge and drive to Entebbe Airport for your flight home. A final moment to breathe it all in before the journey continues.
Buhoma Lodge sits just steps away from the gorilla trekking starting point. From time to time, gorillas are even spotted wandering close to the lodge. Almost every day, a playful group of L’Hoest’s monkeys visits the garden in front of the lodge, often providing a joyful farewell for our guests.
Check-out from Buhoma Lodge
Transfer from Buhoma Lodge to Kihihi Airstrip [KHX]
Transfer
Buhoma Lodge
Kihihi Airstrip [KHX]
Scheduled Flight from Kihihi Airstrip [KHX] to Entebbe International Airport [EBB]
Scheduled Flight
Kihihi Airstrip [KHX]
Entebbe International Airport [EBB]
