Uganda: Gorilla Conservation Adventure
Member Savings
Sign in to see which companies give additional
savings to Travelstride Members (it’s free)
Overview
Highlights
- Explore the surrounding coffee plantations
- Track Tree-Climbing Lions with the experts
- Visit Kibale National Park
- Visit Queen Elizabeth National Park
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Attractions
Activities
Trip includes
- 9 nights in premier level lodging
- All meals throughout the trip
- English-speaking local guides that are there to support, guide, and inform you throughout the trip
- Reliable in-country landcruiser transportation with experienced drivers
- Admissions and entrance fees to national parks, historic sites and other scheduled events throughout the trip
- Behind-the-scenes experiences with lion researchers and a gorilla veterinarian
- All gratuities for hotels, meals, baggage, and transportation
- One-way domestic flight from Bwindi to Entebbe
- $50,000 emergency medical evacuation insurance
- Discover Corps digital pre-departure booklet
- Turnkey customer support before and after your trip
Itinerary
Arrive in Entebbe International Airport, about 45 minutes outside the capital Kampala, and transfer to our accommodation. Once a colonial estate and now a luxury B&B, the Boma Hotel boasts a swimming pool, restaurant and bar. After a delicious welcome dinner, you can spend your first evening relaxing before the adventure begins tomorrow.
After breakfast, we’ll travel to Kibale National Park and check into Ndali Lodge, the stunning hilltop boutique hotel we will call home for the next three nights. The rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy as you wish – relax on your mountain-view veranda, take a walk around the lake or cool off in the swimming pool - before we gather for a homecooked, candlelit dinner.
It’s an early start as we head into the park for a day of chimp tracking. There are more than 1,200 chimpanzees in the park, and an expert guide will lead you to a chimp family, whom you can observe up close. See them forage on the ground for food, swing across the trees and call out across the canopy. Afterwards, it’s back to the hotel for lunch and a free afternoon.
Today’s all about getting to know the locals. In the morning, we will visit a local community school to see how Ndali Lodge is supporting local children’s education, and in the afternoon, we’ll explore the surrounding coffee plantations and meet the farmers who grow the crop.
We say goodbye to Ndali Lodge this morning and take a drive south alongside the stunning Rwenzori Mountains . We’ll arrive at the Mazike Valley Lodge just in time for lunch, then head into Queen Elizabeth National Park for a game drive. It is Uganda’s largest safari park, home to lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo and hyena, so there is sure to be plenty to see.
You won’t believe your eyes this morning as we track tree-climbing lions and cubs. See them lounging lazily on tree branches high above the ground. With sophisticated tracking devices, you’re all-but-guaranteed to see a pride of these majestic animals in the wild. Later, we take an openair boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel to spot crocodiles, hippos and birds along the shoreline.
After breakfast at Mazike Valley Lodge, we’re back on the road. In the afternoon, we arrive at Mahogany Springs Lodge, a luxury hillside complex of thatched bungalows that sits just inside Bwindi National Park. After dinner, it’s early to bed in preparation for the big day tomorrow.
It’s the big one: gorilla day! We’ll start early and set off on a (moderate) hiking trail to track down some of the gorillas living in these forests - home to nearly half of the world's mountain gorillas. Along with a guide, we will be joined by a vet, who will collec...
This morning, we visit a community-run charity project that supports women struggling with poverty, HIV and domestic violence. You’ll learn to weave baskets and pedal sew your own souvenirs – anything from a purse to a bandana – as well as enjoy a traditional dance (don’t worry, participation is optional!) We end today with a farewell dinner at Mahogany Springs.
After breakfast, hop on a flight back to Entebbe. For those with longer waits for their connecting flights home, we will head back to Boma Hotel to relax and enjoy a final dinner.
Want a tailor-made trip instead?
Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:
- You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
- Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Discover Corps.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
Discover Corps Reviews & Ratings
Other Discover Corps Reviews
Costa Rica is a must!
I recently returned from the Costa Rican wildlife safari. I was a bit concerned with Covid however every place was extremely clean and had places for you to wash you...
Discover Corps provided us an amazing trip
Discover Corps provided us an amazing trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. The staff was friendly and helpful, the guides in-country were excellent and the foo...
2nd Trip with DC - Will Not Use Them Again
Our trip started off with a lunch at Maya Gardens. We went to see the poultry in their pens while waiting for lunch, thinking it was a petting zoo. The poor birds ...
Tour Operator
Discover Corps is a volunteer travel company that is pioneering a new way to explore life and culture around the world in a way that rejuvenates the human spirit.
Our vision is of a world where people value our shared humanity and promote global citizenship while celebrating our many unique cultures.
Our mission is to give travelers a deeper understanding of life in communities around the world while helping to improve the lives of the people we visit.
We accomplish this by operating enjoyable and safe, enjoyable volunteer vacation programs that provide real connections between travelers and the communities. We specialize in trips for adults and families.
Our Trips and Projects
Discover Corps volunteer projects are driven by the local communities — not by us. We respond to requests where our travelers can make a meaningful contribution in a short amount of time. In order to maximize your time, our local staff plan everything in advance and provide you with the support you need while you’re there. From building classrooms and improving water systems to creating eco-friendly homes, we partner with local communities to help them achieve their development goals.
While our trips only last a week or two, we strive for a long-term impact by partnering with organizations that have ongoing relationships with the communities where we volunteer. This allows each of our volunteer groups to become a link in the chain of our partner’s ongoing work.
We are a certified B Corporation, which means we have passed a rigorous independent audit of our social, environmental, and legal practices. B Corporations (or Benefit Corporations) are recognized by the State of California as providing a social good.
Discover Corps operates trips for the National Peace Corps Association as well as other non-profit organizations and universities.
About Travelstride
Find your perfect trip
Save time
Save money
Travel confidently
Logistics
What's excluded
- International airfare
- $1100/person mandatory supplement for gorilla permit*, chimp permit, and bush flight
- All alcoholic beverages
- Uganda Visa (or e-visa)
- Tips for Discover Corps guide
Accommodation
Become a member
- Save up to $700 per person
- Access members-only specials
- Personalize trip recommendations