Uganda · Private or group · Luxury primate safari
Fly in, trek, fly out
A luxury gorilla safari that replaces the long drive with domestic flights between Entebbe and an airstrip near Bwindi, leaving more time to rest before and after your trek.
Price on request
The journey in brief
The experience
Flying to Bwindi saves most of a day's driving each way. Scheduled light-aircraft flights connect Entebbe with airstrips near the park, such as Kihihi or Kisoro, depending on which sector your permit is for.
You stay two nights at a lodge on the forest edge, chosen with you after you enquire, with the trek on the middle day.
Domestic flights instead of long drives
Two nights at a lodge near the forest
A gorilla trek with a habituated family
Time to recover in comfort after your trek
The route
Entebbe
Bwindi airstrip
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Entebbe
Entebbe → Bwindi airstrip → Bwindi Impenetrable National Park → Entebbe
Day by day
This is a sample itinerary. We confirm the exact route, timings and lodges with your quote, and your guide adjusts each day around road and wildlife conditions.
Day 1 / Entebbe → Bwindi
A morning flight from Entebbe to an airstrip near Bwindi, then a transfer to your lodge. Spend the afternoon at leisure or on a community or forest-edge walk.
Day 2 / Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
An early ranger briefing, then trek into the forest to find your assigned gorilla family and spend up to an hour with them. Return to the lodge to rest.
Day 3 / Bwindi → Entebbe
Transfer to the airstrip for your flight back to Entebbe, in time for onward connections.
Where you stay
Lodges for this safari are agreed with you after you enquire, based on your dates, preferences and availability.
Bwindi · 2 nights
Accommodation pattern: Luxury · Overnight at the lodge.
This safari is priced for your exact dates. Lodge rates, park fees and availability vary through the year, so we confirm a written price once we know your dates and party size.
Prices can depend on travel dates, party size, accommodation availability and changes to park fees. All terms are confirmed in writing before you book.
The details
This is the usual scope of this safari. Your written quote lists exactly what is included for your trip.
Before you travel
Permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority in limited numbers for each habituated family and day. We confirm availability before you book, and your trekking date is fixed to your permit.
Treks start with a ranger briefing in the morning. Walking time varies from about one hour to most of the day, depending on where the family has moved, over steep and muddy terrain. Once the gorillas are found, your time with them is limited, usually to one hour.
Gorilla trekking has a minimum age set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, currently 15 years. Rules also apply if you are unwell, as gorillas can catch human illnesses. Ask us about current requirements before you book.
Waterproof walking boots, long trousers and sleeves, gardening-style gloves for grabbing vegetation, a rain jacket, water and snacks. Local porters can be hired at the trailhead and are a great help on steep ground.
Check passport validity and entry requirements for every country on your route with official government sources before you travel.
Ask a travel-health professional about vaccinations and malaria precautions, and take out travel insurance that covers your activities.
Questions travellers ask
No. Rangers track habituated gorilla families daily and most treks find their group, but these are wild animals in dense forest and sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Reasonably fit. Treks can involve several hours of steep, muddy walking at altitude. Your group is matched to a family whose likely trek suits you where possible, and porters can carry your daypack.
Often, yes. Tell us what you would like to change and we will confirm what is possible for your dates.
Prices for this safari depend on your dates, party size and accommodation availability, so we quote for your exact trip.
We reply with availability, any suggestions for your dates and a written quote. Nothing is booked until you have agreed the quote and booking terms.
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The next step
Tell us your dates and who is travelling. We will check availability and send a written quote; nothing is booked until you agree.
Use Plan My Safari to send your dates, travellers and preferences for this safari. It takes about two minutes.
Still deciding?
If this safari is close but not quite right, describe your ideal trip and we will suggest a route.
3 days · Uganda
Price on request
