3 DAYS GORILLA TREKKING SAFARI TO MGAHINGA NATIONAL PARK & LAKE MUTANDA SAFARI ADVENTURE
TOUR OVERVIEW
The 3 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari to Mgahinga National Park and Lake Mutanda Adventure takes you to Mgahinga National Park and Lake Mutanda which are both found in the Southwestern Part of Uganda in Kisoro District. Mgahinga National Park is Uganda’s smallest but most spectacular national park. It is one of Uganda’s two places where one can spot the endangered mountain gorillas and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park for your Gorilla trekking Safaris. Golden Monkey Trekking can also be organized in Mgahinga National Park. Mgahinga National Park has only one habituated gorilla group, the Nyakagezi group. Enjoy your trek through thick bamboo forests in areas of higher altitudes than normal. The activity involves a lot of physical activity depending on the location of the gorilla group. The park covers an area of 38 square kilometres and sits on the slopes of three giant volcanoes – Gahinga, Sabinyo and Muhabura. Most sections of the volcanoes are in Mgahinga but a small part stretches all the way to Rwanda and Congo. The summit of one of the volcanoes lies at a point where the borders of the three countries meet. It is therefore possible to be in 3 countries in a space of one minute giving you Opportunities of enjoying Other Activities when in Mgahinga National Park like; Volcanoes Hike to Mt. Sabinyo or Gahinga, View Point, Batwa Trail.
While on this 3 Day Uganda Gorilla Tour Bwindi Impenetrable Forest you will also enjoy Relaxing by the breathtaking views and Boat Activities of Lake Mutanda Which is on the foothills of the three Virunga volcanoes; Mt. Gahinga, Mt. Sabinyo and Mt. Muhabura. This lake flows to Lake Edward in the north and it’s drained by River Rutshura. This 3 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari to Mgahinga National Park starts from Kampala or Entebbe but can be arranged to start from Kigali in Rwanda to reduce the driving time.
3 DAYS GORILLA TREKKING SAFARI TO MGAHINGA NATIONAL PARK & LAKE MUTANDA SAFARI ADVENTURE –
DETAILED ITINERARY
DAY 1: Pick up from Entebbe / Kampala and transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
An early morning pickup from your hotel by our company representative who will brief you about your 3 days Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Lake Mutanda. We depart Kampala / Entebbe for a 9 /10-hour journey to Kisoro – Mgahinga National Park which is located in the southwestern part of Uganda. Driving via Masaka-Mbarara-Kabale – Kisoro route to Kigezi Region as you enjoy the long journey but with amazing scenery all the way. Be ready to admire the beautiful landscape and physical features of this part of Uganda. We shall make a stopover at the Equator for photographs. The equator separates the earth’s southern hemisphere from the north. Later stop at the Igongo cultural centre for our enroute lunch. We shall proceed with our drive to Kisoro town and on arrival, we shall check into our hotel for an evening to freshen up and enjoy our dinner and overnight stay at
Luxury Accommodation: Mount Gahinga Lodge, Ikoro Tourist Hotel, Lake Mutanda Resort, Lake Chahafi Resort.
Midrange Accommodation: Kisoro Tourist Hotel, Kisoro Travellers Rest Hotel,
Budget Accommodation: Virunga Hotel and Campsite
Meal Plan: Lunch, Dinner.
DAY 2: Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National Park – Transfer to Lake Mutanda
After an early breakfast at the lodge, we transfer to the park offices at Ntebeko Visitor Center for a briefing on the set guidelines for gorilla trekking, the Gorilla Groups in Mgahinga, What to Expect, What you need to have and how to act while with the Gorillas. Make sure that you are putting on long-sleeved shirt/t-shirt, trousers, socks, hiking boots and you have your bottled water, energy-giving snacks just in case the hike takes longer than expected. Mgahinga National Park has only one habituated gorilla group, the Nyakagezi group. As you begin the search for the gorillas, expect to see birds and smaller primates along the way. You will pass through thick bamboo forests in areas of higher altitudes than normal. Gorilla trekking safari in Mgahinga National Park involves a lot of physical activity depending on the location of the gorilla group but you will be consoled by breathtaking views of the Virunga Volcanoes and pristine African forest. Once you encounter these Mountain gorillas, you will notice how peaceful and dramatic these primates are. You will notice everyone member of the group busy on something or simply resting. The mothers will be breastfeeding or taking care of the youngsters. The juveniles are very playful and tend to climb trees more often. The Silverback is very observant and always on the lookout for any danger to the family. keep a distance of at least 6 meters. You are only allowed one hour with the gorillas. Take that time to take good photos for your memory while not forgetting to observe the group’s behaviour.
After your Gorilla trek, We shall drive to Kisoro Town for Lunch before departing by road for our next destination Lake Mutanda. Lake Mutanda is a small freshwater Lake nestled in the foothills of the Virunga Mountain Range, at an altitude of 1800 metres. You will enjoy your dinner and overnight at Mutanda Lake Resort which is perched on the Lake Mutanda peninsula in the shadow of the Virunga Mountain’s most beautiful views in Uganda. Dinner and Overnight at
Luxury Accommodation: Lake Mutanda Lake Resort
Budget Accommodation: Mutanda Eco Community Centre
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
DAY 3: Transfer back to Kampala
Enjoy a beautiful breakfast overlooking the beautiful Lake Mutanda. We later head out for a rewarding boat ride as we enjoy the best views of the three Volcanoes within the range which are partly located in Uganda, namely Mount Muhabura, Mount Sabinyo and Mount Gahinga. After you will depart by road back to Kampala with an enroute stop for lunch in Mbarara Town.
End of your 3 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari to Mgahinga National Park & Lake Mutanda Adventure!
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch.
The above 3 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari to Mgahinga National Park & Lake Mutanda Adventure is Inclusive of:
- All Ground transportation and Fuel in a 4×4 Wheel Drive Vehicle.
- Meals and accommodation on Full board
- Gorilla tracking and permits
- All Park entrances Fees
- Boat ride on Lake Mutanda
- English speaking driver-guide and his associated expenses
- Bottled Drinking water on board
The above 3 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari to Mgahinga National Park & Lake Mutanda Adventure Excludes:
- Alcoholic drinks
- Laundry services
- Additional / Optional activities and accommodation outside your travel plan
NOTE THAT: Gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest & Mgahinga National Park (Uganda) Trails
are steeper and less accessible, hence high levels of Energy is needed. Treks are often 2 to 3 hours each way (but can be more Or Less) and involve hiking through dense forest and traversing steep ravines and mountainsides, often
in damp conditions. However, all this adventure is worthwhile for a glimpse of one of nature’s finest spectacles. There is a minimum age of 15 years on gorilla treks.
What to wear and take on your gorilla trek:
With changeable weather conditions and dense forest vegetation, it is advisable to take layers of protective clothing. We recommend wearing the following;
- t-shirt
- long-sleeved top
- warm fleece/jumper
- thick trousers
- thick wool socks (and gaiters preferably)
- strong lightweight waterproof walking boots
- hat with brim
- garden gloves to aid scrambling up banks
- water
- packed lunch and snacks
- binoculars
- camera/video camera with spare battery, memory cards or film
- light-weight rain Mac / poncho
Walking sticks are available at the Park headquarters and porters can be
hired for approx. US$20.
A sealed plastic bag around the camera/lenses will help keep them dry on the
trek.
Pockets are useful for valuables and spare camera batteries/lenses etc.
as all other equipment must be left with porters approx. 200 meters away
from the gorilla groups.
For more information about our 3 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari to Mgahinga National Park & Lake Mutanda Adventure;
BOOK TOUR Or Contact us by Email at: info@muafrikaadventures.com