4 DAYS MGAHINGA GORILLAS AND LAKE MUTANDA TOUR.
Overview.
The exciting 4 days safari to Mgahinga and Mutanda enables you to explore the smallest rain forest national park in Uganda and also visit one of the interesting lakes in Kisoro, Lake Mutanda where you will enjoy canoe rides and relax at the resort after a gorilla trekking adventure and Batwa experience in Mgahinga national park. Also have a chance to stand on the Uganda equator monument in Kayabwe for memorable pictures.
Detailed itinerary.
Day 1: Transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla NP and have a stopover at the equator.
Pickup from the hotel in Kampala after breakfast and then transfer to Mgahinga National park, through the Kampala-Masaka Road then connect to Mbarara-Kabale-Kisoro route. Mgahinga national park is among the four national parks located in the Virunga region and well known for its golden monkeys that are distinguished by their golden patches on their back.
It is also a home for the mountain gorillas, with only one habituated gorilla family. Have a stopover at the Uganda equator in Kayabwe for photography and souvenir buying. Arrival at the lodge after a long day of driving through the hills and valleys of Kigezi which are well terraced.
Day 2: Gorilla trekking and cultural encounters.
Breakfast finds you on the table and then head to the park headquarters for a short exercise of briefing. Then after simple instructions that will help you to trek smoothly, you will be assigned to an armed park ranger guide who will guide you through the forest to look for these gentle giants. On locating them, an hour will be offered to you to take photos while in their presence.
But you should know that trekking time can range between 2-8 hours depending on the movements of these gentle giants. While on the trek, you will enjoy different birds and other animals that will dwell around your presence.
After gorilla trekking, you will head back to the lodge and then another memorable adventure starts after lunch as you visit the Batwa community. These are the pygmy people who used to leave in the forest and then are neighbouring the park. They will entertain you as you learn from their culture through music and dances, stories from the elders, traditional dishes among others. Return to the lodge for your accommodation
Day 3: Transfer to Lake Mutanda and canoeing experience.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and then transfer to Lake Mutanda with a misty Virunga mountain in the backdrop. The lake is bilharzia, crocodile and hippos free, making it good for swimming and canoe riding.
The journey takes about 2 hours and this is because of the mountainous terrain of Kisoro. Take a canoe ride on arrival or even a hike to the top of Lake Mutanda to admire stunning views.
Day 4: Travel back to Kampala.
This will be the last day of your 4 days safari in Mgahinga and Lake Mutanda. The drive will begin very early at around 6:00 am after breakfast; you will enjoy a packed lunch while on the way. The safari will end at either hotel or the airport depending on your departure plans.