Safari Overview.
The 5-day flying safari to Mgahinga National Park, gets you close to the highest peaks of the Virunga volcanoes in the southwestern tip of Uganda. The lower slopes of these ‘blue’ mountains harbors more than just Gorillas and Golden Monkeys, but lots of Birds, other primate species and unique vegetation.
It’s here that you will have opportunities to hike the giant volcanoes, visit Batwa community/village for an interaction with the oldest surviving indigenous people on earth.
Itinerary at a glance.
Day 1: Arrive at Entebbe International Airport – Uganda.
Day 2: Bush flight from Entebbe to Kisoro airstrip. Afternoon Caldera walk.
Day 3: Gorilla Tracking – Afternoon, visit the Batwa village.
Day 4: Golden Monkey tracking – Afternoon cave walk.
Day 5: Fly from Kisoro airstrip to Entebbe – connect to your international flight.
Safari Description.
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport – Uganda.
Adventure Consults’ airport staff will meet you on arrival, assist through customs, get the luggage, and hand over to the field guide for a transfer to the hotel.
Depending on arrival time, you may have a briefing on your safari today/tonight or can opt to get a briefing the following day before setting off to the field.
Overnight accommodation included on Bed & Breakfast basis.
Most recommended hotels in Entebbe are 10 minutes’ drive from the airport.
Inclusions: Bed & Breakfasts basis.
Excludes: All meals and Drinks.
Day 2: Scenic flight from to Kisoro/Mgahinga – Afternoon Caldera walk.
Only one daily morning flight is available to Southern Bwindi. Given the early morning departure, you have an option of having breakfast at the hotel or request for a box/packed breakfast.
At an agreed time, meet the guide at the lobby and transfer to Entebbe international airport for your flight to Kisoro airstrip (The flight departs Entebbe at 0700 hours, check in time is one hour prior the flight). Note that flight schedule can change and sometimes at short notice or no notice due to unforeseen circumstances.
Baggage restrictions on domestic flights: Maximum luggage weight is 15 kgs /33lbs in soft-sided bags. Standard luggage should have the three dimensions of 24 inches (60cm) height, 18 inches (45cm) length, and 13 inches (33cm) width. Excess luggage can be paid for at 5$ per Kg depending on space availability or can make advance reservation.
Note that Adventure Consults can keep any extra baggage in Entebbe at no cost, to be returned to you at the end of the trip. Please talk to a consultant.
On arrival at Kisoro airstrip, meet your private guide, have a warm welcome cup of Ugandan Coffee or tea or a chilled beverage with a snack. You will go through registration procedures at the airstrip then after drive to the lodge.
The drive to Mgahinga National Park is amazing as you cross the frontier town of Kisoro, driving through farmlands and get closer to the highest volcanoes in the region.
After lunch, you have an option to relax at the lodge, take a walk around the property, and enjoy the colorful Birds, butterflies, and breathtaking views of the giant volcanoes.
Alternatively, go for a caldera walk. The magnificent dry caldera is located at Gisozi hill provides a bird’s eye view of the surrounding towns. The vantage point offers views stretching to as far as Bwindi Forest, Lake Mutanda and the five highest points of the Virunga Volcanoes.
You will return at the lodge and relax by the fire place as you enjoy the clear skies with shining stars.
Meals and Overnight accommodation included at the Lodge.
Standard inclusions: All Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner).
Some lodges include both alcoholic and none-alcoholic drinks (excludes premium drinks).
Standard exclusions at most lodges: All drinks.
Day 3: Gorilla tracking in Mgahinga – Afternoon Batwa village community walk.
Today is dedicated to visiting the gorillas in Mgahinga National Park.
Breakfast is always ready by 0500 hours. You may opt for a packed breakfast or have it at the lodge, so ensure you are ready for either a 0600 hours or 0700 hours departure to the park headquarters.
Departure time depends on proximity of the park headquarters from the lodge you are booked.
Mandatory briefing is always at the park headquarters, then after enter the forest for a fun-filled adventurous day.
Gorilla tracking experience in this area is unique in comparison to other Gorilla parks.
As of January 2026, there’s only one Gorilla family (Nyakagezi) in Mgahinga National Park. The terrain as you start for the trek is relatively flat with open areas that eventually takes you to a clear bamboo forest.
The breathtaking views of the highest peaks of the Virunga volcanoes is an add-on to your day’s Gorilla search. As you climb up on the lower slopes of the hills, you stand opportunities to see a lot of other wildlife including the long-horned chameleon, colorful lizards, beautiful vocal birds and chattering monkeys.
The time taken to see the Gorillas in determined by the terrain, your walking speed as determined by the slowest person in the group and the Gorilla family movements.
The thrill of spending time with and observing these gentle giants is a rare and moving adventure that will leave you with long lasting memories of a truly unique experience. The Gorillas are shy and peaceful animals. Get to photograph them as they play, groom and care of each other.
You are allowed to spend 60 minutes/one hour with the Gorillas, so always spare the last 20 minutes for observation and connection with them for everlasting memories. Follow this link for more useful information about Gorillas.
A box lunch is available with an option for a warm lunch at the lodge (depending on trek duration).
Afternoon is dedicated to visiting the Batwa village which is one of the community projects established by our conservation partners (Mgahinga Lodge). The community village supports over 100 Batwa individuals (adults and children) and has helped them manage to cultivate their own food.
The Batwa are known to be one of the oldest surviving indigenous people in the world. They a very special and unique group of people, lived in the bush and entire lifestyle depended on the forests. Just like the well-known ‘hunters and gatherers’, the Batwa collected plants and fruits for food, hunted any animals within their reach, caves were their homes with Big ones reserved for Kings.
A visit to Gahinga Batwa village will enrich you with the history of these historical people. You will enjoy demonstrations and storytelling sessions of how the Batwa lived before they left the forest in favor of conservation programs. They will make fire using very simply tools (sticks and stones) and take back to the old stone age period. You may participate in the mock hunting exercise, learn how to use a bow and arrow, and can taste the local brew.
Meals and Overnight accommodation included at the Lodge.
Standard inclusions: All Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner).
Some lodges include both alcoholic and none-alcoholic drinks (excludes premium drinks).
Standard exclusions at most lodges: All drinks.
Day 4: Golden Monkey tracking in Mgahinga – Afternoon Cave walk.
Today is dedicated to visiting the Golden Monkeys in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Just like Gorilla tracking, Golden Monkey tracking starts early in the morning and is conducted once each day.
Mandatory briefing is always at the park headquarters, then after enter the forest for a 3 to 4 hours walk in search of the shy and unique monkeys with a Golden skin.
Mgahinga national park is the only place in Uganda that harbors Golden Monkeys. The elusive colorful monkeys live in the thick bamboo forests, they are very playful, energetic, and shy. Golden monkeys live in groups, very photogenic yet hard to photograph. Spending half a day, following them as they play in the high branches or on the ground in the bamboo shoots is enchanting.
Lunch at the Lodge.
In the afternoon, you have an option to go for a tour of the Garama caves or relax at the lodge. The visit to the Garama caves will give you an insight of the Batwa history. Before the Batwa left the forest life, they used to hold important meetings at the caves, and also, it was a hiding spot from their enemies. Part of the caves was a ‘court room’ or ‘council chamber’ where any community conflicts were amicably resolved.
Meals and Overnight accommodation included at the Lodge.
Standard inclusions: All Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner).
Some lodges include both alcoholic and none-alcoholic drinks (excludes premium drinks).
Standard exclusions at most lodges: All drinks.
Day 5: Scenic flight to Entebbe Airport – international return flight.
Only one morning daily flight is available and departs Kisoro Airstrip at 0835 hours. Check in time is one hour in advance. Flight schedules and duration can change and sometimes at short or no notice due to unforeseen circumstances.
Departure time from the lodge to be communicated the previous day. Meet your guide at the lobby and transfer to Kisoro airstrip for your flight to Entebbe Airport.
Arrival at Entebbe airport is any time before or by 1125hrs. If you have a connecting international/regional flight today, ensure it’s scheduled to depart Entebbe not earlier than 1345hrs.
On arrival at Entebbe airport, you will be directed through to customs area and connect to your international/regional flight.
If you have more than 4 hours layover, Adventure consults offer exciting options to make your day more relaxing.
- Complementary transfer to the nearby restaurant (outside the airport) where you will have an early lunch (on own account), then later transfer back to the airport in time for your flight.
- Day room at a hotel near Entebbe airport. This will be on payment of supplement and advance reservation is a requirement.
- Optional day activities to keep you busy and get to see more of Entebbe. Please ask for detailed info and related costs to ensure reservations are in place. For more information, please follow this link.
Accommodation options.
We have long term contracts and partnerships with all hotels and lodges in the region. The accommodations are carefully handpicked to suite every traveler’s specification. The listed hotels/lodges are simply a guideline, so please discuss with us for more available options.
Where to stay in Entebbe/Kampala;
While in Entebbe or Kampala, our safari packages are normally on Bed & Breakfast basis. The two cities have got several accommodation options ranging from large commercial hotels to small boutique hotels.
- Hotel Number 5.
- Lake Victoria Serena Golf resort and spa.
- The Boma hotel.
- Papyrus Guesthouse.
- Entebbe forest lodge.
- 2 Friends Beach Hotel.
Accommodation in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Mount Gahinga Lodge is the only luxury property closest to Mgahinga National Park. There are not many options and some of the available facilities are over one hour drive away from the park. Interestingly, most of the properties have beautiful locations with views of the rolling hills, Lakes, farmlands, the Virunga Volcanoes, and the verdant green forests.
Available options stretch from high-end luxury, midrange luxury to midrange comfort. The choice entirely depends on planned budget and personal preference.
- Mount Gahinga Lodge.
- Mutanda Lake Resort.
- Lake Chahafi Resort.
- Icumbi Hotel – Kisoro.
- Ikoro Hotel – Kisoro
- Travelers Rest Hotel.