Price:$1,425.00
Eastern gorilla (Gorilla beringei) is a species of the genus Gorilla and the largest living Ape. Tthe species is subdivided into two subspecies. The eastern lowland gorilla (G. b. graueri) is the most populous, at about 5,000 individuals. The mountain gorilla (G. b. beringei) has about 800 individuals. In addition, scientists are considering elevating the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest gorilla population (which numbers about half of the mountain gorilla population) to the rank of subspecies.
| DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION | Your lodge or Entebbe International Airport | |||||
| DEPARTURE TIME | Please arrive at least 2 hours before the flight. | |||||
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Johnson Max –
If you like the outdoors, don’t mind sweating and getting a bit dirty, and have an interest in seeing one of the most magnificent animals on the planet, read on. Seeing the gorillas in the wild is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I wouldn’t mind doing again.
On the recommendation of a friend’s parents (who at a 60+ years young had a great time – although to be fair they are big bicyclers and generally very active/in shape), 3 friends and I traveled to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to see the famous (and endangered) mountain gorillas. For a number of reasons, this was one of the most amazing and surreal experiences of my life.
We were met at the airport in Entebbe by Mike. “Born and bred” in Uganda, Mike was to be our driver, guide, comedian, and all around good sport for the next 3 days. He put up with our bad jokes, incessant American chatter, diverse musical choices and post-trekking stench like a champ. We booked the whole trip through Primate Safaris and were very happy. – you’ve got a keeper in Mike.
We stayed at the Buhoma Haven in Bwindi – it was quite nice and Fred, the manager, took care of us well. The food was excellent, beers cold, beds comfortable, showers hot, and view stunning. The rooms reminded me of something straight from “Out of Africa”, although instead of Meryl Streep I was stuck with my buddy Greg…
In what can only be described as breathtaking (both in terms of the scenery and what it did to me physically), our hike on day 1 lasted a little over 2 hours. I don’t think I will ever forget first seeing one of these big boys in the wild. A bit shy with massive bellies and deep red eyes, they were magnificent, each unique in his or her own way. I won’t say too much more because I don’t want to ruin it for you.
The hike on day 2 was, in my humble opinion, a bit more strenuous than the previous day. I recommend doing 2 days of trekking if you can afford it (permits are US$700/day) – the first day we only saw 4 gorillas and the second day we saw many more, including young ones. Day 2 saw more machete hacking, more mud, and more thorny bushes. Maybe this is a good time to mention that gorilla trekking, while an undeniably amazing experience, is best suited for those that are in decent (preferably good) shape. For the less mobile, apparently there is a ‘991 Program’ whereby you can be carried by 4-8 people (depending on how many big macs you’ve eaten in the past 6 months) in a stretcher to see the gorillas…
Jackie N –
We booked a 3 day vacation with primate safaris and Emmy was our guide, he is awesome! This was just one of many amazing things we got to experience on this vacation.
I was a bit worried about the altitude since I live in a very flat country, we (my family and I) are not used to hiking at all. We are all fit, but altitudes are just not something we can practice here and in the Covid era it is difficult to build this up elsewhere.
We did our gorilla trekking in Bwindi and trekked the Shongi group. Groups cannot be bigger than 8 paying individuals, however they can be bigger due to carriers or due to people that are not very mobile they have the option to choose to trek on a strecher ( a metal seat with four poles so that on each side a carrier can lift the chair on their schoulder. We had to stretchers in our group and 1 couple that were old and not very fit. We had about atleast 55 people in our group due to all the carriers that came along! I didn’t mind, it is nice that people who are not very fit can experience this amazing trekking experience and see these amazing and awe inspiring animals.
The trek was doable mainly because the Shongi group were nice and close, there was not a trek of many hours needed to see these majestic animals. It was however clear why it is called the impenetrable forest!
The Shongi group has 10 individuals and we saw 9, which was really lucky especially because we got to see the silverback, the blackback and two mothers with very young gorillas (amoung other individuals obviously). This was truly a memorable experience.
I do want to caution you, this is also a reason why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5, when traveling with a group this large it causes problems in the slippery slopes and impenetrable forest when trying to take pictures. It is hard enough to literally stand your ground, you have to keep in mind that you have to maintain a certain distance from the animals who by the way can charge at any time and while all of this is happening and animals are moving and people are calling out where which individuals are, you are trying to view the gorillas through a very dense forest. At times it is almost impossible to get a peak at the animals let alone take a good picture. But is is almost an impossible task when there are many carriers that also want to see the animals and push you aside to take pictures. I don’t understand why the carriers don’t stand back so that the paying customers can have their moneys worth.
The expericence was really awesome and I would truly recommend it to anyone who wants a humbling expericence with these giants, but if possible try to get into a group with few porters/carriers. It really is disappointing to be pushed away by locals who get to see these animals probably on an almost daily basis.
Enjoy and make sure to be prepared for an experience of a lifetime.
cartegna –
So I planned this trip over a year ago a dream to see the endangered mountain gorilla’s
I opted to do the gorilla habituation experience
A chance to see the gorilla’s In the wild, track and spend four hours with them
I was not disappointed
My tour operator Primate safaris looked after everything from permits to hiring trackers and armed guards
It started with a strenuous climb straight up the mountain to an elevation of 2800 meters, not an easy task for someone who lives close to sea level lol
But the first sighting of these magnificent animals made you forget about how hard it was to get to them
The next 4.5 hours was absolutely amazing
Something only dreams are made of
It actually brought tears to my eyes
To see them so peaceful and going about everyday life completely protected and
Not worried about anything
I got within 30 feet of a 500lb silverback
And I will remember that for the rest of my life
Such a large peaceful animal that could crush you in an instant just lying in the sun watching over his group
Life that day was a dream come true
And I really need to thank the Ugandan wildlife authority, the trackers, the porters, and most of all my guide Alex of Primate safaris for making my dream come true
Sherry Bhatti –
The gorilla trek (and TRACK also- since we were actually being guided by the scouts who were tracking the family in real time!) was a totally awesome experience which is unique to this part of the world! The trek involves steep ascents/descents and demands good physical fitness. The one hour stay with the gorilla family is memorable and is a lifetime experience. Some tips:-
1. Wear good trekking shoes which are ankle high. If not available, ask your lodge in advance to arrange for gumboots from the UWA rangers at $10 per pair. Absolutely necessary, do not try to trek in sneakers/normal shoes.
2. Carry 2 litres water per person. If the sun is shining, it can cause dehydration fast.
3. Hiring a porter is useful particularly if you are not at the top of your fitness or are middle aged. He carries the backpack too. Cost is $15 but most trekkers pay more because of the superb assistance.
4. A rain jacket is necessary, it can rain anytime.
5. Nkuringo sector is the toughest trek but the most rewarding. Buhoma and Rushaga are comparatively easier.
6. It may take as long as 6-7 hours before return, so carry energy bars as well as the packed lunch provided by the lodge.
Writte
Sherry Bhatti –
The opportunity to get close to these magnificent animals was the main reason we chose Uganda for our honeymoon. Particularly in a year like 2020, having the chance to walk/hike in this incredible setting with the very knowledgeable rangers, guards and porters and really be able to connect to nature was worth any extra step we had to take with mask wearing everyday, temp checks everywhere, face shields and PCR tests. If you have a chance to do this, DO IT, it is absolutely incredible! We were paid with. a group of 3 and had 1 ranger and 2 guards. We opted for hiring porters, both for our own comfort and as a way to help the local people to whom we feel eternally grateful for sharing and welcoming us into their country. The hike itself was not too challenging, the rangers had found a group of gorillas fairly close to where. we were, but it is a rainforest, and we were very glad to be ready with long sleeves, hiking boots, gaiters, and gloves, as that meant we didn’t have to worry about touching the wrong branch or stepping int he mud. Once e found the group, we were allowed to watch them for one hour. We saw two silver backs, the current leader and the “retired” one, a younger male, a few females, and some younger ones. They ate, played and rested as we watched, and we were simply in awe of them.
Everyone we interacted with was so knowledgeable and generous and made our experience one we will never forget.
The group that is needed to imake sure you have a good experience involves a few people, make sure you are prepared to tip them all, as you will feel they all deserve
Hayley F –
This was truly an adventure of a lifetime. Wow, wow, wow. I don’t plan in reiterating all the joy of finding the gorilla’s and spending a magical hour in the company of such greatness as I don’t think anyone looking at doing this will expect any less. It is so humbling for these incredible creatures to trust our close proximity to their family unit, which is nothing short of amazing. This review is hopefully to assist with some of the questions you have.
In relation to the difficulty of the trek, we are in our late forties and walk approximately 5 km per day. We found the trek much harder than expected. The use of a porter at a cost of $20 was the best decision we made. The porter carried my camera, water and jacket, which I would have seriously struggled to carry without dropping. The uphill climb was arduous and the downhill trek, even more difficult. It was slippy, muddy and the carpet of vines and forest foliage was treacherous. I spent most of it on my backside…… Two people in our party fell over, one quite seriously, landing on his back, the other falling off the side, rolling down the mountain until he came to abrupt stop against a tree. I don’t say this to scare people but to prepare them. Surely it’s better to be prepared than it is to struggle. Other people trekking had much easier experiences than us, but there really is no guarantee which trek you’re going to get. Prepare with some fitness training, secure the services of one of the porters and enjoy one of the most magical experiences of your life….take plenty of water to keep you hydrated and a packet of tissues to wipe the tears…
Jennifer J –
I went on a 3 day Uganda safari with Winston Churchill Tours. 1 day was spent gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. We hiked for a couple of hours until we found out gorilla family. The hiking was not that hard. There were a few areas that were uphill, but it was a lot easier than I expected. In comparison, I went trekking in Sumatra to see orangutans and that was so much harder. When we found our gorilla family, the 1 hour time started and we spent our time watching the babies play and the gorillas just hang out. There were 3 silverbacks in the group. We were so close to the gorillas. It was truly a once in a lifetime experience. The permit is expensive, but it was well worth it.
Raintree_Thailand –
The main reason to visit the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the world-famous mountain gorilla tracking. Our group had an absolutely fantastic experience. The entire time leading up to the start of our trek, it was raining, but just at the time we headed to the forest, it stopped. While the forest vegetation was wet, we had a pleasant time in the forest for the most part. The ranger guides and porters were fabulous (be sure to hire a local porter, not only to help you manage the trek, but also to provide important livelihood support to the local people, upon who’s support is essential to help protect the gorillas.
We spent about three and a half hours trekking and searching for our “assigned” gorilla group. The mountain trails were steep and slippery, but actually not as difficult as I anticipated. Once the group reached the gorillas, we were given a strict 1-hour allocation to observe the gorillas. Would have loved longer, but the time limits are important to avoid stress to the gorillas and let them do their own thing.
We loved seeing the young gorillas (one only a month old) play and the mature members (including a dominant silverback) resting. After about 40 minutes, they all headed off through the forest, with us humans trailing. When we caught up, we saw more playing and tree climbing.
All-in-all, a great outing and a never-to-be-forgotten experience
Simon Bold –
I planned this trip to Uganada just to see the mountain Gorillas and was absolutely blown away by this experience. The service provided from Alex and his team was outstanding. I travel solo and he made sure that I had fun and was safe the whole time. They picked me up from the airport, took me out on the town my first night and set me up for the most amazing journey of my life. The Gorillas were RIDICULOUS. I couldn’t believe how many I saw, how close I got and how much Adeline I got from this experience. One of the craziest things I’ve ever done. Just in awe after that experience. Thank you Winston Churchill Tours for this life changing experience. If you are planning on doing this trek go with them if you want quality.
Michelle L –
Bwindi is the most awe inspiring and emotionally humbling place I have ever visited. To have the privilege to see mountain gorillas living peacefully in their natural habitat will stay with me forever. Our group had a much longer trek than other groups that day, we trekked in January which theoretically is the dry season, however it was still very muddy and the terrain was tough. For this reason, I recommend taking up the opportunity of the porter who not only carried my rucksack for me but also thoughtfully and kindly helped me through some of the muddiest and steepest, challenging parts of the trek, how the porters manage this all so effortlessly is incredible, also hiring a porter is helping to support the families in the local community. We packed hiking boots, ensure you pack long socks to tuck your trousers into to keep the safari ants out. Waterproofs and a waterproof ruck sack is essential! Every step of the challenging trek is worth the hour with these beautiful creatures.
We were honoured to meet the local Batwa people who came to our lodge, displaced from the Forest in the interests of preserving the critically endangered gorillas, these people find themselves trying to make a living outside the ancient Forest which has been their home for millennia, another hugely humbling unforgettable experience.
I should say that this is a once in a lifetime experience, although having done it once I know now that I will do this again, and again! Truly awesome!
CristinaTravel –
This is an experience of a lifetime. And the Ugandan Wildlife Authority does and excellent job of organizing everyone and making sure all precautions are taken. At the start, all of the tourists with reservations for that day meet and are given a briefing where instructions are given and expectations set. This is very well done. Then you are split into different groups – each group assigned to track a different group of gorillas. Our group had 8 people. Then they ask if anyone would like a porter for the day. Definitely do this! I can not recall whether having a personal porter cost $15 or $20, but either way, it is worth every penny. Even if you have a light bag, the value is that the porter also helps you on the difficult parts. Having that helping hand is worth it. I am physically fit, but not experienced on mountains. Definitely worth having an expert at your side. We had an amazing experience seeing the gorillas, which I won’t elaborate on here. But we did find out an hour in that our group of gorillas had just fought with another family and then changed directions (something that can make it difficult for the trackers to find the gorillas again). But luckily they found them and all worked out. So many people are working there to make it an amazing experience (trackers, guides, security, porters). At the end, you will feel so grateful for all the hard work – definitely do not forget to bring money for tipping. A couple in our group forgot to bring tip money and felt so bad at the end of the day.
Tina Watt –
Well I’ve since found out that Bwindi impenetrable Forrest is actually quite penetrable ?
A good steady climb up with the help of a porter knowing you’re one step closer to a huge tick list is both exciting, exhilarating and nerve wrecking. Quite muddy, slippery and treacherous at times but all worth it for the prize at the end. The porters were paid $20 each. So worth it, knowing you’re helping to support them as well as the great help they give you. The view! Wow, a quick stop when there’s a breakthrough in the thicket is just beautiful. Had to pinch myself that I was actually there at last! My journey was rewarded with not one family of apes but two! Within literally feet away there were gorillas all around. The hour spent went quickly with watching the silver back, the mums with babies and a happy 2yr old playing in the mud. Simply amazing, a dream come true ? a good steady climb down with the help of our porter saw us back safe n sound
Emily USA –
I went on a tour with Winston Churchill Tours this past September and while in Uganda, we partnered with Alex, who gave us such an incredible experience while visiting. The gorilla experience was out of this world amazing. It will truly be a top travel highlight when I look back on my life years from now. While there, a few in my group also visited a local family who owned a coffee plantation. I’ve been on coffee plantation tours in other countries before, but what made this one special was the interaction with Joseph and all the extras he added in terms of interaction with the local children. So endearing. And the family from the coffee farm was just so sweet, too. Thank you, Alex, for going above and beyond our expectations. You are a true gem…a wonderful soul. Hope to meet again in life one day! Best of luck to you in all you set out to accomplish! (Sorry for how long it took me to write this review!!)
Gilbert H –
Trust-worthy and reliable company with excellent client-focused service
Maria , is trust-worthy and very reliable person. She responded quickly to all my emails and queries regarding transportation to Bwindi Park (Gorilla Treks) . Andrew, tour guide , and Alex , the driver, were very helpful and client focused. Without any hesitation, I highly recommend Winston Churchill Tours and all their offered tours or customized activities. Excellent value for money !!!
Anita –
An absolute must visit! Exciting moment seeing gorillas at a close range+ unique cultural dances!