7 Days Gorilla and Golden Monkey Trekking Safari

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, your driver guide will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel in Entebbe, just 15 minutes away. Entebbe is more than just a gateway. Situated on the shores of Lake Victoria, this peaceful lakeside town is the perfect introduction to Uganda’s beauty and a great place for early arrivals wanting to stay active.

With a variety of activities to embark on, avid birders and nature lovers can take an early morning canoe trip through Mabamba Swamp to spot the rare and prehistoric shoebill stork and other beautiful bird species, or they can visit the world-renowned botanical gardens.

You will take a scheduled early morning flight from Entebbe to Kisoro and then join your guide on a guided walking excursion through the nearby village and terraced gardens. Later, you will stop at the calm shores of Lake Mutanda to paddle a traditional dugout canoe across the volcano lake with the local fishermen, passing fishing communities and enjoying the dramatic backdrop of the Virunga Mountains. The scenic canoe ride drops you off for another garden walk to meet your driver uphill.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to almost half of the world’s remaining population of mountain gorillas, making it one of the best places to encounter these endangered species in their natural habitat. Gorilla trekking is a thrilling and once-in-a-lifetime experience yet it remains a highly sought-after African adventure.

After breakfast, you’ll transfer to the visitor’s centre for a briefing that starts at 7:30 am and then be led into the forest by two gun-bearing rangers and a tracker to find a habituated gorilla family. Once you find them, you’ll be allowed one hour in their presence, observing them from a safe but intimate distance of 10 meters.

You can also book a gorilla habituation experience pass which allows you to observe the gorillas for up to four hours. We recommend a massage at the lodge spa after your trekking excursion to relieve muscle tension, improve circulation, and accelerate recovery.

You have several optional activities to keep you active. You can relax at your forest cottage, read a book, join a cooking class or take a short forest trail to meet the Batwa people. You could also do a second gorilla trek or habituation experience but remember that you must have pre-booked the trekking permit.

After a delightful breakfast (remember to pack lunch), you’ll drive down to Rubuguri junction for an optional 9-kilometer guided nature walk down to Lake Mutanda passing through local villages and cultivated gardens. It offers a deeper and more immersive experience, allowing you to interact with the locals and admire the rural landscape.

You can join the fishermen on another canoeing experience on Lake Mutanda or join your driver and head to Kisoro town to explore the local fresh-food markets and the town’s cultural vibe. Later, you’ll drive to Gahinga Lodge, an excellent base for a thrilling golden monkey tracking experience at the foothills of the Virunga Volcanoes.

Tracking golden monkeys in the bamboo forest of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is one of the most exciting experiences. These creatures are cheeky and playful and will jump from tree to tree or curiously come closer to you than expected.

After breakfast, you’ll head to the visitor center in Ntebeko, a 10-minute walk from your lodge. Your driver can transfer you, or you can begin the adventure on foot. After the briefing, you’ll be led into the forest hiking up the slopes in a two-hour window to find a group of golden monkeys. You’ll spend one hour watching their antics and social behaviors. Enjoy the moment, but follow instructions from your lead guide.

After a hearty breakfast, you’ll be transferred to Kisoro Airstrip (30 minutes away) for a one-hour domestic flight to Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight.