The main focus of this trip is of course to encounter Mountain Gorillas in one of the most spectacular mountain rainforest environments: Uganda's 'Impenetrable Forest'.  This trip also incorporates visits to two of the country's greatest lakes: Lake Victoria and Lake Mburo.  In between you will be able to see some of Africa's most verdant traditionally farmed scenery.

The Impenetrable Forest is also known by the name Bwindi where - a stunning area of forested mountains where approximately half of Africa's 700 surviving mountain gorillas live.  Here we will track gorillas through dense tropical forest, watching as we go for orchids, birds and other wildlife.  Chimpanzees are often heard screeching across the mountains, whilst black and white colobus monkeys can often be seen leaping from branch to branch, which at this altitude are already strained by dense collections of mosses and bromeliads.  The scenery itself is quite breath taking which in the distance includes the Rwandan haven for the mountain gorilla: the Virungas of the Parc National des Volcans.  All this is reason enough to want to visit this part of the world, but intimate encounters with our largest close relative can make this one of our natural world's most magical experiences.

On the way to Bwindi we take the opportunity to stop at the Lake Mboru National Park. Pass.  Within the park we can find savannah, acacia woodland, swamp and lakeside environments, ideal for viewing both from a canoe and from a safari vehicle.  Hippos are particularly abundant here, as are zebra, buffalo, reedbuck, warthogs, topi and eland.  This is also the only park in Uganda where impala can be seen.  Whilst predators are rarely seen, 315 species of bird have been recorded in the park.

Small hillside family farms are a particularly attractive close to the Bwindi area where fertile black volcanic soils provide the life source of some highly verdant landscapes.

You can join fixed departures for this trip, or we can arrange it privately which introduces the opportunity to increase the number of days you visit the gorillas at Bwindi.  We can also extend it to track gorillas in another part of Uganda called Mghinga close to the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Click here for a sample itinerary.

This trip is an excellent extension to a safari in Tanzania.

Prices (valid to 31st Dec 2009) £1,850 per person based on twin sharing in a small group shared departure. £2,190 for private departure for 2 persons sharing Single supplement £350 for small group departure Dates 2009 01 - 06 Jan      12 - 17 Feb      12 - 17 Mar 02 - 07 Apr      30 Apr - 05 May 11 - 16 Jun       02 - 07 Jul      13 - 18 Aug 03 - 08 Sep      01 - 06 Oct      12 - 17 Nov 03 - 08 Dec Private departures are available at any time subject to availability of permits and accommodation. Prices may fluctuate due to £ / US$ exchange rates Prices include 2 nights hotel accommodation on B+B basis 3 nights safari accommodation Meals as indicated (B - breakfast, L - lunch, D - dinner) All transfers and transportation as per itinerary 1 day's gorilla permit Park fees Safari transport & Driver / Guide At Bwindi forest lodge only: unlimited consumption of all alcoholic and soft drinks; laundry service; any activities on offer clients wish to do around the lodge; complimentary massage US$100 contribution per client to a non-profit organisation to undertake local community-based and conservation projects Prices exclude International flights Entry Visas and airport taxes Outside of Bwindi: all personal expenditure i.e. tips; telephone calls, laundry and drinks Items of a personal nature and those not listed

Photo credits: Praveen Moman & Ralph Pannell