The highlight here is tracking gorillas in the Bwindi Forest, but there are other activities available such as cultural tours to Batwa Pygmies, mountain biking and community visits.
You can expect many fun activities on the safari, such as gorilla trekking. This involves following a guide into the full, thick rainforest to see the gorillas up close.
Gorilla tracking can last anywhere between 3 hours and a full day, depending on which gorilla group you follow. You'll get to spend an hour with the gorillas. But there's also the unique gorilla habituation experience, only at our lodge, which involves a whole day of walking. This gives you 4 hours with a gorilla family.
Apart from these, you can also enjoy:
- Community walks with a guide to spend time with the local women from Rushaga.
- A visit to the Batwa Pygmies, a community that once called the jungle their home but now resides at the edge of the forest.
- A thrilling mountain biking experience guided to the beautiful Lake Mutanda. On your trip, you'll pass local villages, farms, and banana (Matooke) fields.
- Take guided forest walks to the breathtaking Banyenda Falls or go for hikes to spot the golden monkeys.
Your day's plan depends on your activity choice, affecting times.
7:00 - 7:30 : Quick breakfast then off to the national park. 7:30: Join fellow trekkers. Learn about the park's past.
8:00 : Get your guide details and gorilla group you'll track. Meet other hikers. Pick a porter.
8:30 : Hiking starts. Expect anywhere from 3 to 6 hours.
11:30 - 12:30 : Enjoy a lunch pack from the lodge.
N/A : Find the gorillas? Maximum one-hour visit.
Afternoon: Back to the lodge. Refresh, then dinner. After, lounge or bar chat. Reflect on the day.
Perched in a valley, Gorilla Safari Lodge experiences what can be rather cool or downright cold weather. Here, temperatures usually hover at a mild level, not changing much.
Generally, the day hits a warm 25°C, and nighttime is a cool 10°C.
However, don't think the park's weather is the same throughout. With changing heights come different climates. For our lodge, it's nearer ground, and thus, the climate's a bit more damp than dry. But, if you're not a fan of rain, June and July seem to be the driest.
Stick to grounding your clothing choices in versatile, neutral hues. Here's what you might need to pack:
A raincoat - weather here isn't always dry. Choose long pants, a long-sleeved shirt/top, and waterproof shoes for hiking. Carry hiking socks (you don't want to encounter fire ants), gaiters, hand gloves for gardening, a light daypack, and a good, compact zoom camera.
Don't forget a hat, neck gaiter, sunscreen, a reusable water bottle, electrolyte boosters, snug attire for lounging at the lodge, and waterproof bags for your kits.
Uganda, though a developing nation, boasts some of Africa's most pristine vistas. The locals are friendly and hospitable, and each region possesses a distinct climate. Nestled in a valley sits the Gorilla Safari Lodge which enjoys a cool climate. View its environs, and you'll see the Bwindi jungle skirting the lodge and incredible rolling hills.
Picture this: Hilly terrains adorned with coffee and tea plantations, crater lakes tucked away in dense forests and jungles. An abundance of lush, green tropics await you. Get ready to be amazed by striking landscapes!
The Sun Destinations collection is an expanding showcase of some of Southern Africa's most desired, but impeccably conserved wildlife zones - a thoughtful choice of genuine bush camps and excellent safari lodges waiting to be explored. From cozy boma fires by the river, to breathtaking vistas of the stars, our lodges are handpicked for their superb location, close-knit, owner-managed feel, and outstanding wildlife experiences. This serves as the marketing and reservations hub for a series of Africa's Hidden Treasures.
