10 Days Bwindi Gorillas and Mafia Island
10 Days Bwindi Gorillas and Mafia is a fantastic holiday combines Rwanda’s Parc des Volcans 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. The appeal of Mafia is its marine life; from coral reefs, to gentle, but gigantic whale sharks. Mafia Island Marine Park is the first site to be designated a marine park in all of Tanzania. You will can enjoy activities such as kayaking, sailing trips with local fishermen, hiking, bird watching, diving, snorkeling, cultural tours and visits to local villages.
Highlight
Uganda
Day1; Entebbe
Day2-3; Bwindi NP
Tanzania
Day4; Dar es Salaam (City)
Day 5-9; Mafia Island (Beach)
Day10; Dar es Salaam Airport
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)
Accommodation option:
Karibu Entebbe
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Mid-range guest house located in or near Entebbe
Meals plan:
Break first, lunch & dinner
Water & fruits throughout
Day 2; Fly to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
After your early break first, 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.
F 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.
Main destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)
Best Time to Visit:
June to August as well as December to February
While, the high Season is in the months of;
June to September (Gorilla permits are scarce)
However, the best Weather is in the months of;
June to July as well as December to February (Less rainfall)
Accommodation option:
Mutanda Lake Resort
Mid-range lodge located outside Bwindi NP
Meals plan:
Break first, lunch & Dinner
Water & fruits throughout
Day 3; 10 Days Bwindi Gorillas and Mafia
After your early breakfast,10 Days 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, 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 option:
Mid-range lodge located outside Bwindi NP
Meals plan:
Break first, lunch & Dinner
Water & fruits throughout
Day 4; Fly back to Entebbe and from there to Dar es Salaam
After your break first, 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,10 Day 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:
Mid-range hotel located in or near Dar es Salaam
Meals plan;
Break first, lunch & Dinner
Water & fruits throughout
Day5; Transfer to Mafia Island
After your break first, you’ll be picked up and transferred to the domestic airport for your flight to Mafia Island. On arrival in Kilindoni, 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.
For now, 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 Luxury lodge located in or near Mafia Island
Meals plan:
Break first, lunch & Dinner
Water & fruits throughout
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 option:
Pole Pole Luxury lodge located in or near Mafia Island
Meals plan:
Break first, lunch & Dinner
Water & fruits throughout
Day 10; Fly to Dar es Salaam to catch international flight home
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 option: no accommodation( end of tour)
Meals plan:
lunch( Break first & Dinner not included)
Drinks not included
The package price includes:
Return airport transfers (pick up and drop off)
Private transport for 6 days in a well-modified safari land-cruiser (4WD, air-conditioned and pop-up roof)
Flue for 6 days
English safari guide for 6 days
Private mid-range accommodation for 6 nights on full board (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
All en-route meals and bottled mineral water throughout your tour
All park entrance and activities feel and all applicable government taxes
Bigodi sanctuary swamp and community safari
1 chimpanzee tracking permit per person (Kibale forest national park)
A visit to katwe salt mining village
Morning and evening game drive safari at Queen Elizabeth national park
2 hours afternoon boat cruise along the kazinga channel
A visit to the Equator landmark
The package price excludes;
International and domestic flights
Country entry visa
Personal travel insurance
Items of personal nature/laundry/telephone charges
Souvenirs and gifts
Tips
Alcoholic and other soft drinks (sodas, special juice order at the lodge and wines)
Best of 10 Days Bwindi Gorillas and Mafia Island
