3 Days Gorilla Trekking and Golden Monkey Safari.
This 3 Days Mgahinga Gorilla and Golden Monkey Tour is an exciting primate adventure to southwestern Uganda, taking you to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda’s smallest national park. This park is positioned in the Virunga Mountains along the borders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Mgahinga is home to endangered mountain gorillas, playful golden monkeys, and the unique Batwa pygmy community. This short Uganda safari is suitable for travellers with limited time who still want a wonderful wildlife and cultural experience.
Tour highlights
Day 1: Pick up from a hotel in Kampala and transfer to Mgahinga National Park
Day 2: Gorilla trekking and a Batwa cultural experience
Day 3: Golden monkey trekking and depart to Kampala
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Pick up from a hotel in Kampala and transfer to Mgahinga National Park
Your safari begins early in the morning with a pickup from your hotel in Kampala or Entebbe by a professional driver guide. After a briefing by the guide, you will begin the drive southwest towards Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
You will make a stopover at the Equator monument in Kayabwe for photos and refreshments, followed by a lunch stop in Mbarara town. After lunch, you will continue the drive to Mgahinga National Park. Upon arrival, you will check into a lodge, relax, enjoy dinner and retire to bed.
Accommodation options at Mgahinga National Park
- Luxury: Mount Gahinga Lodge
- Midrange: Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge
- Budget: Travelers Rest Hotel, Kisoro
Day 2: Gorilla trekking and a Batwa cultural experience
After an early breakfast, you will transfer to the park headquarters for a Uganda gorilla trekking briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers. You will be assigned to a gorilla family and informed about trekking rules and safety guidelines. You will be accompanied by an armed ranger guide into the forest. The trek will take about 2 to 6 hours, depending on the location of the Uganda gorillas. Once you spot them, you will spend one hour observing the gorillas as they feed, play and do much more.
After the trek, you will return to the lodge for lunch and rest. In the afternoon, you will head out for a Batwa cultural experience. When you arrive at the Batwa community, you will interact with the Batwa people. The Batwa will give you an insight into their traditional forest lifestyle, that is to say, the hunting techniques, herbal medicine, music, dance, and storytelling. You will return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Golden monkey trekking and depart to Kampala
Following an early breakfast, return to the park headquarters for a briefing before heading out for golden monkey trekking. Golden monkeys are lively, colourful primates found only in the Virunga region.
You will spend one hour observing these monkeys as they feed on shoots and fruits, play and do much more. After the trek, you will get back to the lodge. You will freshen up and then check out. After checking out, you will start the journey back to Kampala. You will have a stopover for lunch and afterwards proceed with the journey. You will arrive in Kampala or Entebbe in the evening, marking the end of the 3 days Mgahinga gorilla and golden monkey tour.
Quotation includes
- Gorilla trekking permit
- Golden monkey trekking permit
- All activities fees as per the itinerary
- Accommodation
- Mineral water
- Meals
- 4 x 4 safari vehicle
- English-speaking driver guide
- Pick-up and drop-off
- Park entrance fees
Quotation excludes
- Air ticket fees
- Personal insurance
- Personal expenses
- Visa fees
- Tips and gratuities
