OVER VIEW
This 8 Day Adventure is a transformative journey that blends adventure with relaxation. Begin with exhilarating activities like cycling or a horseback safari in the wildlife-rich Lake Mburo National Park. Marvel at impressive wildlife encounters as you soak in the natural beauty of Uganda.
The highlight of your adventure? An intimate encounter with majestic mountain gorillas in the dense tropical jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. After your trek, indulge in a rejuvenating spa day to relax your body and restore your spirit.
Experience authentic cultural immersion with a visit to the inspiring Ride 4 a Woman community in Buhoma, where you can connect with local women artisans. End your tour with an optional scenic flight over the picturesque landscapes of southern Uganda, creating unforgettable memories before your journey back home.
SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS
The 8 Day Gorilla and Wellness Adventure starts at Entebbe Airport, where you will be met by a company representative/guide who will transfer you to your place of overnight stay. Depending on the time of your arrival, you may visit the Gorilla Conservation Cafe in Entebbe.
Gorilla Conservation Coffee is a social enterprise of Conservation Through Public Health, an NGO and nonprofit supporting local farmers and helping to protect endangered gorillas and their fragile habitat.
Meal Plan: Dinner depending on time of arrival.
Accommodation: Hotel No 5.
Comfort Level: Luxury
Today, you'll set off for Lake Mburo National Park, enjoying a scenic drive with a lunch stop along the way. Arrive in time to unwind at the lodge or embark on an exhilarating evening game drive. As dusk settles, witness the park's vibrant wildlife emerging — a captivating experience to start your adventure."
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Kigambira Safari Lodge
Comfort Level: Luxury
This day starts with a guided hike to the salt lick, at the salt licks, wildlife/ animals often head there to enjoy the taste of the salty licks made up of water and soil. The animals can be viewed from a raised platform. Thereafter have a Bush Breakfast and then hike to Kazuma Track which leads to the top of Kazuma Hill where you will be able to view the 5 of the great region lakes you will. Head back for lunch at the lodge.
After a delicious lunch, set off on an exhilarating cycling expedition through the park, or choose the tranquil experience of horseback riding. As you explore, look out for the captivating wildlife that calls this area home, including graceful zebras, Uganda kobs, and towering giraffes.
As the sun begins to set, unwind with a serene meditation session on the balcony of your room, where you can disconnect from the world and reconnect with your inner self. Breathe in the crisp, fresh air as you let nature's gentle rhythms guide you to stillness. The harmonious blend of birdsong and rustling leaves creates an ideal backdrop for clearing your mind and finding balance.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Kigambira Safari Lodge
Comfort Level: Luxury
Today, head on a journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the magnificent sanctuary of mountain gorillas. Upon arrival, indulge in a delightful late lunch at the lodge surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the forest. Take this time to relax and soak in the serene atmosphere as you prepare for the thrilling gorilla trek that awaits you tomorrow. Enjoy a peaceful evening, knowing that an extraordinary adventure is just around the corner.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Mahogany Springs
Comfort Level: Luxury
In the early morning, you will be briefed on gorilla tracking at the park headquarters and assigned groups of 8 people per group. Accompanied by a guide and your packed lunch, you will go in search of the gorillas in a small group. You walk through the forest, sometimes you descend again and then climb up a slope again. The duration of gorilla tracking is unpredictable.
The walk can be quite strenuous due to the muddy trails and mountainous areas and can take up to 8 hours depending on how far the gorillas have moved in search of food. It is worth it and what awaits you, in the end, is indescribable.
For an hour you can admire these peaceful ‘Gentle Giants’ as they go about their daily activities of grooming, feeding, and playing. It is a once-in-a-lifetime memorable experience.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Mahogany Springs
Comfort Level: Luxury
Your day begins with an enchanting bush breakfast surrounded by the serenity of the wild. Savor every bite as nature provides the perfect backdrop. Following this, embark on a guided nature walk that meanders around the lodge’s perimeter and down to the river. Over the next 1.5 hours, you'll be captivated by the lush flora and vibrant birdlife — a tranquil experience that connects you to Uganda's natural wonders.
Next, immerse yourself in the heartwarming Ride 4 a Woman community, a beacon of empowerment for the women of Buhoma. Witness their incredible artistry and join hands in workshops like basket weaving, pedal sewing, or partake in the spirited Bakiga Dance Performance, a celebration of strength and culture.
After a delightful lunch at the lodge, pamper yourself with a rejuvenating experience at the luxurious Opatra London Spa. Indulge in soothing facials and revitalizing foot and body massages designed to melt away every trace of fatigue. Let serenity wash over you, leaving your body refreshed and your spirit renewed.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Mahogany Springs
Comfort Level: Luxury
Start your day with a scenic journey back to Entebbe, stopping at the iconic Equator for a delightful lunch. Continue your adventure, arriving in Entebbe by evening for relaxation.
For a more exclusive experience, choose a scenic flight from Kihihi Airstrip, where you’ll soar above the stunning southern Ugandan landscapes with amazing sights that rejuvenate your mind and soul.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel No 5.
Comfort Level: Luxury
Explore the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC), a sanctuary on the scenic shores of Lake Victoria, dedicated to the education, rescue, and rehabilitation of Uganda’s iconic wildlife. This immersive facility offers a unique opportunity to connect with the country's diverse flora and fauna. Encounter majestic animals such as lions, giraffes, chimpanzees, and rhinos in their natural-like habitats.
After this enriching experience, and depending on your flight schedule, you'll be transferred to the airport for your onward journey home."
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch
• Comfortable hiking boots and lightweight clothing.
• Rain jacket and a warm sweater for cooler evenings.
• Insect repellent and sunscreen.
• Reusable water bottle.
• Binoculars and a good camera.
• Personal medications and a small first-aid kit.
• Nature blending clothes
Uganda, deservedly dubbed the Pearl of Africa, is in the Great Lakes Region in central Africa and boasts an ecological diversity that rivals that of many larger countries. Here, the Eastern Savannah meets the West African jungle. Uganda offers visitors incredible diversity through its multitude of varying ecosystems. Bordered by the Rwenzori Mountains (often called the Mountains of the Moon, the third highest in Africa), the Virunga Mountains, and Africa's largest lake, Lake Victoria, it's a beautiful country bursting with birds and wildlife.
In no other African destination can one see a comparable variety of primates with so little effort - not just the great apes but also more than ten monkey species. And, if Uganda had primate enthusiasts grinning with satisfaction, it would have birdwatchers doing cartwheels. Uganda is, by far, the smallest of the four African countries in which more than 1,000 bird species have been recorded, and it is particularly rich in western rainforest specialists - undoubtedly the finest birdwatching in Africa.
For most, the highlight is found amongst the forests in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where facing endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is one of the most profound wildlife encounters you will ever experience. Discover tree-climbing lions around Ishasha in Queen Elizabeth National Park, trek chimps in Kibale Forest or Kyambura Gorge, or snatch massive Nile perch up north at Murchison Falls, where the mighty Nile cascades through a gap just seven meters wide. Adrenaline junkies will find Jinja simply exhilarating with its white-water rafting, kayaking, and bungee jumping activities. Jinja is rapidly emerging as East Africa's answer to the more southerly "adrenalin capital" Victoria Falls.
We invite you to explore Uganda, a diverse landscape with abundant wildlife, plenty to discover, and unique experiences. When recounting your time in this jewel of a country, you'll struggle to find the words that do justice to it.
Your passport must have a minimum of at least two full clear pages for visas and stamps and be valid for more than 6 months from the date of entry into Uganda.
Please check visa requirements prior to travel with your booking agent or Bush Wander, as requirements are regularly changed with little notice.
Most passports require a single-entry visa (US$55). Visas cannot be obtained on arrival. You must apply and pay for them online at https://visas.immigration.go.ug at least two weeks before your arrival.
You must upload clear copies of your current passport, a yellow fever certificate, and a passport photo.
Only Visa and Mastercard cards are accepted for visa payments. Once payment is made, the system will process your application and send you a barcoded email. Print out this email and bring it with you to Uganda. Upon arrival, you should present the barcoded email to the immigration officer, who will scan the barcode, take your fingerprints and photo, and place a visa in your passport.
Alternatively, the Ugandan High Commissions may issue visas where such commissions are located.
The following nationalities do not require a visa to enter Uganda: all nationalities from East African countries (Tanzania, Rwanda, Kenya, Burundi), all nationalities from COMESA countries (Angola, Eritrea, Malawi, Madagascar, Seychelles, Swaziland, Zambia, Comoros, Kenya, Mauritius, Zimbabwe), and passport holders from OTHERS (Antigua, Barbados, Fiji, Grenada, Lesotho, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, The Grenadines, Vanuatu, Cyprus, Bahamas, Belize, Gambia, Jamaica, Malta, Singapore, St. Vincent-Tonga and Ireland).
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If you are planning an East Africa trip to Uganda, Rwanda, and/or Kenya, it may be better to apply for a multiple-entry visa, which is valid for 90 days for tourists only. The cost is USD100 per visa. For more information go to: https://visas.immigration.go.ug/#/apply if you are entering Uganda first, or alternatively, the Government visa site for the East Africa country you will be first entering.
US Dollars cash is widely accepted and, in most cases, preferred as the currency that travellers should use to EXCHANGE into UGX on arrival for spending money on the road e.g. for drinks, curios, tips. Please note that USD bills older than 2009 are not accepted. Ensure your USD bills are 2009 or younger. Small USD bills are difficult to change – use Uganda shillings for small tips.
Credit cards can be used at some lodges and hotels, but a transaction fee of up to 5% may be charged. Ask first.
Travel, Transport, and Getting Around Flights:
Note that baggage allowance on all domestic flights is max 15 kgs in soft bags
Travellers require a Yellow Fever inoculation more than 10 days prior to your departure. The certificate will be checked on arrival in Uganda. If you have a history of liver disorders (hepatitis etc.), consult your physician first.
Tetanus and Cholera inoculations are recommended but not compulsory. Hepatitis inoculation is at the discretion of the traveler.
Malaria prophylactics are a must and can be purchased from your local pharmacy. Please consult your pharmacist/doctor.
Diarrhoea / Giardia - Bottled water is readily available throughout Uganda, however, it’s advisable to bring medicine just in case.
This is a guide only. Please check with your doctor or travel clinic for the latest information