10-Day Bwindi Gorillas and Mafia Island
10 Day Bwindi Gorillas and Mafia Meanwhile, this fantastic holiday combines Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mafia Island in the Indian Ocean. You’ll spend time tracking wild mountain gorillas and endangered golden monkeys in Rwanda before flying to Tanzania’s capital, Dar es Salaam. Following a night there, you will head off to laid-back Mafia Island, where you can enjoy activities such as kayaking, sailing trips with local fishermen, hiking, bird watching, diving, snorkeling, cultural tours and visits to local villages.
Trip Highlights
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The highlight of the trip, gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, provides a rare opportunity to get up close with the magnificent mountain gorillas. This experience is often considered one of the most memorable wildlife encounters in the world.
Mafia Island is a beautiful and relatively untouched tropical destination located in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of Tanzania. It’s part of the larger Mafia Archipelago and is known for its stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, diverse marine life, and laid-back atmosphere.
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Arrive into Entebbe and relax
However, after you’ve cleared customs and immigration you are met by your driver at international arrivals, who is holding a welcome sign with your names on it. You are then driven to Karibu Guesthouse in Entebbe where you stay for 1 night on a bed and breakfast basis. Meanwhile, location is just 10 minutes drive from the airport this is a beautiful boutique guesthouse which will offer you a warm Ugandan. Lastly, relax ahead of the start of your adventure into the wilderness of Uganda tomorrow.
Main destination – Entebbe (City, Uganda)
Accommodation option:
Karibu Entebbe is a Mid-range guest house located in or near Entebbe
Meals & Drinks:
- Meals at own expense
- Drinks not included
Day 2: Fly to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Afterward your early breakfast, you will transferred back to the airport in time for your flight to Kisoro Airstrip. Furthermore, this is one of the main access airstrips to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, in the south-western part of Uganda, close to the borders with Rwanda and Congo. However, you’ll be met upon arrival and driven to the Mutanda Lake Resort by your guide.
Meanwhile, you’ll be staying in for 2 nights on a full board basis whilst you undertake the amazing experience of Gorilla Trekking. Once you are settled, you might like to head out on a walk or some canoeing on the lake this afternoon. Meanwhile, this friendly and rustic lodge enjoys spectacular views across Lake Mutanda with the Virunga Volcanoes as a magnificent backdrop.
Main destination – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)
Accommodation:
Mutanda Lake Resort is a Mid-range lodge located outside Bwindi NP
Meals & Drinks:
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 3: Gorilla Trekking 10 Day Bwindi Gorillas and Mafia.
Afterward your early breakfast,10 Day Bwindi Gorillas and Mafia you’ll be driven to the National Park HQ where you’ll meet your guide who will brief you about your trek and the various aspects of ‘gorilla etiquette’. Meanwhile, your professional guide will lead you into the forest in search of your allocated gorilla family. The high altitude and steep, slippery trails and the humidity under the forest canopy can make the trek challenging, but it’s definitely worth the effort to spend time with wild mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
Once the gorillas have been located, 10 Day Bwindi Gorillas and Mafia your group will be allowed a maximum of one hour with them. Eventually, coming face-to-face with a mountain gorilla is a truly humbling and emotional experience. However, this is a fantastic and privileged opportunity to get up close and personal with Uganda’s very own ‘Gorillas in the Mist’.
Main destination – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)
Accommodation:
Mutanda Lake Resort is a Mid-range lodge located outside Bwindi NP
Meals & Drinks:
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 4: Fly back to Entebbe and from there to Dar es Salaam.
Afterward your breakfast, you will be driven to the Kisoro Airstrip in time for your internal flight back to Entebbe, where you will transfer to your international flight to the coast of Tanzania and to Dar es Salaam.
You have one night at Hotel Slipway before heading to the paradise island of Mafia tomorrow. However, stay for 1 night in an Executive Room on a bed & breakfast basis. Furthermore, hotel Slipway is a simple overnight option located on the exclusive Msasani Peninsula,10Day Bwindi Gorillas and Mafia right on the Indian Ocean and overlooking the Msasani Bay. Finally, this upmarket neighborhood has plenty of restaurants and shopping opportunities.
Main destination: Dar es Salaam (City, Tanzania)
Accommodation option:
Hotel Slipway is a Mid-range hotel located in or near Dar es Salaam
Meals & Drinks:
- Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
- Drinks not included
Day 5: Transfer to Mafia Island 10 Day Bwindi Gorillas and Mafia
Afterward your breakfast, you’ll be picked up and transferred to the domestic airport for your flight to Mafia Island. Meanwhile on arrival in Kilindoni, 10 Day Bwindi Gorillas and Mafia you’ll be met by a driver and taken to Pole Pole Lodge where you’ll spend the next five nights on a half-board basis. However, Pole Pole is a high quality lodge in the Chole Bay are to the south of Mafia Island. Meanwhile, the lodge is situated adjacent to the marine park headquarters on the southern corner of Chole Bay.
Meanwhile, the seven guest rooms are arranged across the hillside and accessed along clearly-defined paths. Furthermore, the large private verandahs are furnished with a Zanzibari bed,10 Day Bwindi Gorillas and Mafia chairs, table and an armchair. In addition, each bungalow is self-contained, the bathroom is spacious and comfortable. Lastly, there are two ceiling fans, one on the verandah and one in the bedroom above the bed.
Main destination: Mafia Island (Beach, Tanzania)
Accommodation option:
Pole Pole is a Luxury lodge located in or near Mafia Island
Meals & Drinks:
- Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
- Drinks not included
Day6-9: Relax and Explore Mafia Island.
Eventually, for the next few nights, 10 Day Bwindi Gorillas and Mafia enjoy Mafia Island at your own leisure. Furthermore, if you’re visiting Mafia Island between October and March you’ll have the opportunity to snorkel with whale sharks, or if you’re visiting between July and October you may be lucky enough to see humpback whales. However, from June to September you can join a turtle-hatching trip and witness hundreds of baby turtles scramble from the sandy beaches to the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.
Furthermore, you may wish to join a full day excursion to the sand banks, or enjoy a sunset cruise on a traditional dhow. Stroll through Chole village, 10 Day Bwindi Gorillas and Mafia where you can visit the old mosque, the fruit bat sanctuary or the boat yard or you may wish to explore Mrora Forest, Ras Mbizi Coconut Plantation or the Lighthouse at Ras Mkumbi. Inform us of what excursions and activities you’d like to participate in for an overall price of the trip.
Main destination: Mafia Island (Beach, Tanzania)
Accommodation:
Pole Pole is a Luxury lodge located in or near Mafia Island
Meals & Drinks:
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 10: Fly to Dar es Salaam to catch international flight home.
Meanwhile, today you’ll be driven back to Kilindoni Airport for your flight to Dar es Salaam. However, our driver will meet you at the domestic airport to transfer you to the international airport for your flight home. however, you’ll arrive home the following day with fond memories of your Uganda and Mafia Island adventure.
Main destination: Dar Es Salaam Airport (Airport/Airstrip, Tanzania)
Accommodation:
No accommodation. thus, end of tour
Meals & Drinks:
- Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
- Drinks not included
However, the additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
Meanwhile, you’ll be dropped off at the airport for your flight back.
Price Includes
Park fees.
Gorilla permits.
Chimp permits.
All activities.
All accommodation.
A professional driver/guide.
All transportation.
All Taxes/VAT.
Roundtrip airport transfer.
Meals.
Drinking water.
Fruits, Hiking and WIFI throughout the safari.
Price Excludes
International flights.
Additional rooms before and at the end of the tour.
Tips.
Personal items.
Government imposed increase of taxes or park fees.
