8 Days
Gorilla Trekking & Botswana Safari$10,400 per person
Overview
Highlights
- Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
- Landscapes of Africa
- Big Game drives in Botswana
Itinerary
You will be met by your guide who will then drive you to your Entebbe guest house where you will settle in. If time permits we will drive into Entebbe town and walk around the beautiful botanical gardens of Entebbe.
After breakfast, we will take a flight to the gorilla highlands in the south west of Uganda. Upon arrival, settle into the exclusive lodge by the forest in Bwindi. Here you will enjoy the stunning views of the mountain ranges blanketed by lush green tropical forests of Bwindi home to the elusive mountain gorillas.
In the evening, take a walk to the local villages where we will get the chance to see Rushaga Women’s Group demonstrate the beer making process and enjoy a unique centuries old local brew – Malwa. We are keen on learning about the community and supporting their work as a means to increase household incomes for the village. We will also visit the Batwa pygmy village to experience a way of living in the forest and gain great insights into the ecology of the area from Batwa people who have long inhabited the gorilla highlands.
Arise early for this once in a lifetime experience in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, home to the biggest number of mountain gorillas among all national parks. After briefing at 08:00 am, we’ll head into the depth of the jungle for what is a most unique wilderness experience. The rangers will walk you down the narrow forest paths through thick undergrowth. Once found, the rangers will brief us through the “dos’ ‘ and “don’ts” before making any contact with the mountain gorillas.
We’ll spend up to 1 hour watching the gorillas in their natural habitat. We’ll get in proximity with the gorillas as you quietly observe the gorillas play, eat, forage, groom, sleep. If we are lucky as was our @kesitoandfro group safari guest in Jan 2022, we’ll get to watch the gorillas mate. This once in a lifetime experience will give us unique insights into the life and social dynamics of the gorilla families. Mountain gorilla watching also gives us a chance to observe the uncanny similarities between gorillas and human beings and gorillas with whom we share 98% DNA. If we are lucky, we will experience the playfully exuberant energy of the juveniles who often skip from branch to branch and play with heightened enthusiasm when in the presence of humans.
After seeing the mountain gorillas, we’ll break for a picnic lunch in the forest before embarking on the hike back to the gorilla lodge.
After breakfast, we’ll begin your Botswana safari with a short transfer flight to the Savute airstrip where you will be collected and taken to the glamourous Savute Under Canvas, a signature elevated camp.
Your first day will begin with an afternoon game drive in this close-to-nature area. Look out for valiant lions who have been known to hunt elephants in this region. Meet your first pack of African wild dogs and observe peaceful game and the rare red lechwe. The serene Savute channel cuts through this area, bringing wildlife from all over to the banks of this pristine body of water.
For the next two days you’ll be treated to a personalised safari experience, where professional guides will accompany you on private game drives. Spend as much time as you want tracking animals and learning about the region.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After an intense day of exploring the wildlife of the Savute region, you’ll board another short flight to the Okavango Delta. Among the activities you’ll enjoy on these two days days are two guided game drives with passionate local guides who have vast knowledge about the area. On these drives, look out for the African serval, chetahs, leopard, sitatungas among others.
On the water you will be able to relax and unwind on a mokoro excursion on the placid waters of the Okavango Delta. Enjoy sights of the crocodiles and some birds like the African fish eagle, Pel’s fishing owl, wattled crane among others as you cruise on a powerboat through the wetlands too. A helicopter flight can also be arranged at an additional cost, where you’ll be able to experience a bird’s eye view of this world wonder. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
- Park Entry Fee
- Shared room accommodation in lodges listed above
- Transportation in custom built safari vehicle
- Game drives
- A professional English-speaking guide
- Meals as listed above
- Activities as listed above
- Bottled Water & Fruit snacks
- All government taxes
- Personal Medical & Travel Insurance
- Meals not listed
- Personal expenses
- Tips while on safari
- Beverages
- Visa fees
Get in Touch
What To Carry
- Passport
- a good pair of walking shoes
- long sleeved shirt
- rain coat
- trousers
- swimming costume
- small torch
- sun glasses
- sun screen
- insect repellant
- a good camera and a pair of keen eyes!