How to Plan your Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda - Step- by Step Advice

Your complete Gorilla Safari Planner for 2022 – 2023 in Uganda

Here is how to Plan your Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda – Step- by Step Advice

How to Plan your Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda – Step- by Step Advice: Planning your Gorilla Trekking Safari can be an overwhelming task. Many costly and time-consuming mistakes are often made, especially by those planning their Safari.

In designing a no-worries Gorilla Safari, you need someone who knows the ins and outs of Gorilla Tourism. It would be best if you had an Association of Uganda Tour Operators member, licensed and accredited by the Uganda Tourism Board since most permits are allocated to such Tour Operators by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Planning a Gorilla Safari is like a puzzle, and it has to be put together piece by piece, and you cannot force any piece into place. Every component of the Safari must fit with other elements, such as permits on the correct dates, arrival and departure hotel, the drive, or flight to the park. Additionally, there is the matching of the Gorilla Lodge location with the Trekking Starting point.

Our Suggestion, based on over a decade as a Gorilla Tour Operator since 2008, is to your Gorilla Safari with a Tour Operator. Most often, it does not raise the price of a Safari, and usually, it lowers the cost of the Safari since a tour operator such as us will avoid costly pitfalls about which you are unaware.

We will work with you to adjust the Safari to fit your budget and liking. Hakuna Matata – No Worries, Gorilla Safari is what we do best. Allow us to plan with you.

How to Plan your Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda – Step- by Step Advice

Which Country is best for my Gorilla Safari?

There are three countries where you can track the Mountain Gorillas, Highend Rwanda, Insecure DR Congo, and safe and affordable Uganda. Uganda has become the Premier Gorilla Trekking Destination in Africa. Look at the advantages of encountering the Gentle Giants of the Forest in Uganda.

The Uganda Gorilla Trekking Advantage:

$700 Gorilla Permit Price: A gorilla Safari in Uganda costs half the price that it costs in neighboring Rwanda without compromising the quality of the experience.

Gorilla Safaris at Half the Price or Less: A Gorilla Trekking Safari that includes midrange of Luxury Lodging will usually be half the price or less of what the same Safari would cost you in high-end Rwanda.

More Gorilla Permits: Uganda has half of the endangered Mountain Gorillas. The country has more Habituated (used to Humans) Gorilla Families which means that it is Uganda that has the most available permits for Gorilla Trekking.

Safe-Secure Guerrilla-Free Trekking: Uganda is the only Mountain Gorilla Destination that has had no guerrilla acuities in the last 20 years. Uganda is safe for Gorilla Trekkers.

Spend More Time with the Gorillas: On a Gorilla Habituation Experience Safari you are up to four hours with a Gorilla Family and there are only four participants. The Permit Cost is $1,500.

Two Parks with different Habitats where you can Track Gorillas: You can choose to track Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Mgahinga Gorilla Park. Many choose to track the Gentle Giants in both Parks. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is made of ridges and valleys while Mgahinga Gorilla Park trekking takes place on the sides of the Virunga Volcanoes.

A greater Choice of Lodges: There is a wider variety of Gorilla Lodges to choose from in Uganda than in either Rwanda or Uganda.

Beyond Gorilla Trekking Uganda offers more: Extend your Gorilla trekking Safari by adding on Chimpanzee Trekking, Wildlife and Game viewing, Rhino Trekking on Foot, and Golden Monkey Trekking. Additionally, there is Volcano Climbing, Rwenzori Mountain Climbing, and the best White-Water Rafting on the Nile.

Private Gorilla Trekking: Just you and your family or friends can embark on a private trek without any other participants but you, the rangers, and porters at a fraction of what it costs you in Rwanda.

When is the Best Time of Year for a Gorilla Trekking Safari?

Gorilla Tracking takes place in Uganda all year long. There are two rainy seasons where the trails become quite muddy. One must realize that it does not rain all day long during the rainy seasons. Most often, it will rain during the night and early morning hours. The sun will still come out on most days.

Month by Month – High Seasons are the Dry Seasons of the Year

The busiest seasons of the year for gorilla trekking are from Mid-June to September. October is the shoulder season’s transition month, moving toward the rainy season. September and October have fewer tourists.

The other High-and Dry Season is from mid-December to March, and March is the transition or shoulder season month.

Low Seasons – Rainy Seasons of the Year

April to Mid-June is part of the rainy season. Luxury Lodges lower their rates during those times, but dates vary lodge by lodge. The benefits for some are fewer people, and the Savannah parks begin to bloom afresh.

November into Mid-December is the other rainy season. Rainy Season in Uganda does not mean Monsoon like the weather. Most rain falls at night, and the sun still comes out, but the trails are muddy.

Gorilla Trekking and Chimpanzee Trekking take place in Rainforests. There it can rain anytime. However, most rain falls at night or during the early pre-dawn morning hours. Read more about the Best Time of the Year for a Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda here.

What do you want to see and do on your Gorilla Safari?

Here are some of the Things to do and see in addition to Gorilla Trekking

Chimpanzee Trekking: Kibale Forest, Kalinzu Forest, Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth Park, Semliki Park. The best park for Chimpanzee Trekking is in Kibale Forest, where 12 other primates reside.

Nocturnal walk in Kibale Rainforest: An out-of-the-ordinary experience where you encounter the rainforest creatures of the night.

Golden Monkey Trekking: The Golden Monkey is a beautiful, endangered monkey. They live in the Bamboo Forest of the Virunga Volcanoes in Mgahinga Gorilla Park.

Savannah Wildlife: Kidepo Valley Park, Murchison Falls Park, Queen Elizabeth Park, Semliki Park, Kabwoya and Pan Upe Wildlife Reserves, Lake Mburo Park.

Hot Air Balloon Safari: Take place at dawn in Murchison Falls Park, the largest and most popular Savannah Park in Uganda. A traditional Sparkling Wine Bush Breakfast follows the Hot Air Balloon Safari.

Hiking – Climbing: Mgahinga Gorilla Park Volcanoes, Bwindi Impenetrable in and near Queen Elizabeth Forest, the Rwenzori Mountains of the Moon, including the Foothills, Mount Elgon, Kidepo Valley, Lake Mburo Park, Semliki Park, Kibale Forest.

Off-the-Beaten-Path Locations in Uganda: Uganda without the Crowds

Authentic Africa: You can still find it in Uganda, in places like Kidepo Valley Park, Africa, as it was 50 years ago.

Nile Adrenaline Pumping Adventures in Jinja: White Water Rafting, Kayaking, mild to wild.

Birding: Uganda is the best destination for birders in Africa.

Cultural Encounters in Uganda include Time with the Batwa, Karimojong, and Ik Peoples.

Relax and Chill out: At the end of the Safari, spend a couple of days on the Tropical Sandy beach Ssese Islands. Bulago Island’s Pineapple Beach resort is the perfect spot to relax and chill out.

How many Days will I need for my Gorilla Safari?

The number of days depends on the activities that you choose. A 3-day Gorilla Trekking Safari is like dipping your toes into a swimming pool and calling it swimming. Ten days or longer allow you to immerse yourself in Safari Life and give you various activities and places.

Below are some examples of Gorilla Safaris for you to consider. All safaris are changeable to your liking.

3-Day Gorilla trekking or Habituation Safari: Three days is the minimum Time for a Gorilla Trekking or Habituation Experience Safari.

5-DAy Gorilla Wildlife Safari: The Safari includes Gorilla Trekking and wildlife, including the Tree Climbing Lions of Ishasha.

5 Day Gorilla – Chimpanzee Trekking Safari: Trek Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Chimpanzees in Kibale Forest.

8-Day Gorilla Trekking – Hiking – Dugout Canoeing – Volcano Climbing Safari: Trek Gorillas in the Buhoma region of Bwindi Forest. Hike through the forest to the southern area. There you trek gorillas again. Hike to Lake Mutanda. Climb a Volcano in Mgahinga Gorilla Park.

8-Day Gorilla Trekking – Wildlife – Chimpanzee Trekking Safari: Gorilla Trekking or Habituation Experience in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

12-Day Gorilla – Chimpanzee – Wildlife Safari: A safari includes Gorilla – Chimpanzee Trekking, Queen Elizabeth Park, Murchison Falls Park, and Rhino Trekking.

14-Day Gorilla – Chimpanzee Wildlife – White Water Rafting on the Nile: The Safari includes Gorilla – Chimpanzee Trekking, Queen Elizabeth Park, Murchison Falls Park, Rhino Trekking, and Jinja on the Nile with White Water Rafting.

20-Day Gorilla – Chimpanzee- Wildlife – Jinja on the Nile – Mount Elgon-Sipi Falls – and the remote Kidepo Valley Park: This Safari takes in most of Uganda.

The above suggested Safari types gave you the number of days required to incorporate various activities into your Safari. For more on Midrange Gorillas go here, for Luxury Gorilla Safaris click here.

The Activities and Parks that you choose determine the number of Days you need for your Safari: You can also give us the number of days and we will design a safari that is suitable for you. Additinally, the kind of accommodations you want further determine the cost of the safari. When you contact us let us know is you like midrange, luxury or exclusive Hotels and Lodges.

What Should I wear tracking Gorillas?

Here is practical advice about what to wear while Gorilla Trekking in Uganda. Often Trekkers are not dressed right for the occasion, which can spoil your day, and your focus might not be the Gorillas but personal discomfort and misery. Wearing the suitable clothing and footwear is about protection

Packing for your Gorilla Safari – including Gorilla Wear and Gear

Daypack: Preferably a waterproof daypack, you can use it as a carry-on flying to Uganda. Pack all essentials inside of the daypack.

Hiking Boots: Make sure that they have good treads on them. You will need ankle support, something boots give you and give you reactions on muddy trails. Have a good pair of merino wool socks.

Long Trouser: They will protect you from nettles and thorns. Tuck the trousers into your socks for added protection from ants.

Long-Sleeved Shirt: Neutral in color. Again, this is for your comfort and protection.

Rain Jacket or Poncho: Pack into your daypack. You never know when it will train. You are in an Afro-montane Rainforest.

Tough Gardening Gloves: This is to protect your hands from thorns, nettles, and sharp branches.

Wide Brimmed Hat: It gives you protection from the Sun.

Camera Equipment – Binoculars: Ensure extra batteries and storage devices. Put them into Ziploc bags. Binoculars are not needed if you are not a birder.

Insect Repellent – Sun Lotion – Sunglasses: We recommend the effective Australian RID Insect Repellent. Good Sun blocker cream and sunglasses.

Read more about Gorilla Gear and Wear here. Read more about packing for a Gorilla Safari here that is more detailed. Here is more information about packing for your Safari that you might find helpful.

Go on your Gorilla Safari with a Local for the Best Experience:

Most Visitors and Tourists know little about Uganda, and often much less about the fine art of organizing a Gorilla Safari.

Planning a Gorilla Safari is not something that you throw together- the gorilla permits and lodging takes thoughtful planning

You need to plan for the distances, Drive Times, Road Conditions, vehicles, lodges, hotels, and a driver. By now, you might be ready for a one-stop planning experience and book your Safari with us instead.

We are not confused, and we know the Country quite well. We live and work here, and Safaris are our Business. While on Safari with us, you are going with a local, and your Ugandan driver-guide knows things you will never find researching on the Internet.

For an enriching Gorilla Safari Experience go with a local tour operator. It will give you the lowest price and most information, and your driver-guide will not need a GPS device. Reaad more about why you need a local, accredited Gorilla Safari Tour Operator. Here is how to choose the right Gorilla Safari Tour Operator.

Getting the Gorilla Permits for your Safari:

Gorilla Permits for Uganda are best booked through your Safari Tour Operator, such as us. That is the easiest and hassle-free way.

Permits in Uganda are booked through a member of AUTO – The Association of Uganda Tour Operators that works together with the Uganda Wildlife Authority to promote and sell permits.

The bulk of the permits is allocated to and sold by tour operators who are members of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators and licensed by the Uganda Tourism Board.

A limited number of permits are sold to the public. However, having an accredited tour operator act on your behalf is much more convenient.

Permits cost $700 and are issued for a specific date and area. Permits are not issued for specific Gorilla families.

Gorilla Habituation Experience Permits cost $1,500, and there are only four permits per day.

The Secret to getting Gorilla Permits

Avoid Missing out on Gorilla Permits in Uganda:

Choosing a Gorilla Lodge:

We recommend a mid-range or luxury lodge for a gorilla trekking safari rather than a budget or shoe-string Lodge. Let your focus be on the once-in-a-lifetime Gorilla Encounter Experience and not on a lodge that is not up to your expectations or standards.

You will need a tour operator such as Kabiza Wilderness Safaris to book you into the Lodge closest to where you will trek the gorillas. There are four trailheads in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Mid-Range Lodges abound in and near Bwindi Forest around each trailhead. Luxury Lodges are concentrated in the Buhoma area, where gorilla trekking first took place in the 1990s.

Luxury lodges and exclusive Lodges are more limited in the Rushaga and Nkuringo in South Bwindi Forest. Mgahinga Gorilla Park has the luxury Mount Gahinga Lodge just at the park entrance. Midrange Lodges are located on Lake Mutanda.

All lodges have on-site security. No security breaches have been reported at lodges in Mgahinga Gorilla Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Must read: Our Practical and complete Guide to Mountain Gorilla Tracking

You will find Useful and Practical Gorilla Trekking Information -Tips – Advice. This is the perfect page for those that would like to track the Gentle Giants of the Forest, the Mountain Gorillas.

We provide you with an online guide filled with Gorilla Trekking Tips, Advice information, and information that will make planning a safari easier. It gives you info for Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla Park. Uganda is the only Country with two distinctly different gorilla habitats, another reason Trekkers have chosen Uganda as their favorite Primate Destination.

There are three countries with four Parks where you can track Mountain Gorillas. Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, where permits are $1,500. Virunga National Park in DR Congo, where permits are $400, but you are dealing with ongoing Safety and Security Issues. Then there is Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla Park in Uganda with $700 permits.

Uganda has proven to be the affordable and safe Premier Mountain Gorilla Trekking Destination. A Gorilla Trekking Safari will cost half the price of a similar safari in Rwanda without compromising the quality of the Experience and lodges.

Your Gorilla Trek becomes a better experience if you know about Gorilla Trekking before you go. We will give you an idea of what to expect before and on the Trek. Here is what one of our clients wrote. “I chose Kabiza Wilderness Safaris because I came across their beneficial pages on gorilla trekking and found them to be straightforward and incredibly helpful. Even if you choose to go with someone else- read some of Kabiza’s content, and you’ll have a better trip.”-Ananda G.

Please read our Practical Guide to Gorilla Tracking – it gives you further and more in-depth information.

Booking your Gorilla Safari:

The Gorilla Safari Booking Process with Kabiza Wilderness Safaris

Contact us

Contact us and tell us what you would like to include in you Gorilla-Chimpanzee-Wildlife Safari. Let us know whether you would like a midrange or luxury Safari

Planning your Safari

With your input we create the private, luxury or midrange Safari Itinerary that fits you. Permits are bought, Lodges are booked.

Your Safari

On the date of your choice - your African Dream Safari in Uganda begins

Advice on Booking your Flight to for your Gorilla Safari:

Try to resist the temptation to book a flight deal before you have a good idea of your gorilla safari plans. First, having your safari plans and booking flights is always better, giving you more freedom to pick a gorilla safari that suits you and your budget. Also, having set travel dates (due to flights ) limits your choices, and you could miss fantastic travel deals.

What our clients say about their Gorilla Safari with us

We just completed a 10 day safari with Kabiza, starting in Kigali and ending in Entebbe with 10 glorious days in between. We had the most wonderful time! Jon Blanc, who handled our booking and custom itinerary did a superb job of communicating from the initial contact through departure. This was going to be the trip of a lifetime with it’s highlight, an all day Mountain Gorilla habituation. It was all that and more. Brian, our driver, was phenomenal. We dubbed him Brian Uganda! He is representing some of the best Uganda has to offer. Always cheerful, polite, informative and going above and beyond even at the end of an arduous 13 hour day! We will remember him and our 10 days forever! The lodges were mid range and all delivered in their own unique ways, some had stellar service, others incredible food or phenomenal settings, in all though, none fell short in delivering on expectations. The journey itself was wonderful, we enjoyed between parks to experience Uganda and observing its people, an eye opener even for experienced travelers. The parks all rounded out a fuller picture of wildlife and ecosystems, so varied in a relatively small country. Bwindi is truly the impenetrable forest..the hike to the gorillas and back was challenging, but Adrenaline and your porter will push you forward and when you are in their midst for those glorious 4 hours it is truly life changing. We also did the chimpanzee habituation in Kibale and it turned out to be amazing. The unhabituated group was not cooperative, but the rangers took us at the end over to the habituated group and allowed us to stay longer with them than the folks who only paid for the trek. That really made up for the earlier miss and the larger amount of people on this side that could only stay mere minutes with each primate. No tree climbing lion sightings for us in QEP but a good amount of elephants even in large groups and with many babies in close proximity. The Kazinga Channel boat ride is amazing, much better than that at Murcheson Falls with respect to abundant wildlife, however, MF made up for it if you take the hike up to the top of the falls to marvel at its power...mind blowing. We were lucky to see a total of 6 lions and a leopard as well and were super excited to track many giraffes. We even witnessed the ugly and other side of wildlife protection in Murcheson, as during a game drive with a ranger we spotted three poachers chasing a large herd of buffalo. Like marathon runners they sprinted across the Savannah with their spears and our land cruiser was quickly outmatched. With that and the risk to our own safety we had to abandon a chase, but we were able to alert the other rangers in the park and hope they were captured. All in all we could not have asked for more and would highly recommend Uganda, Kabiza and especially Brian for anyone looking to have a great safari experience!Astrid StrackeFebruary 3, 2020

Myself, 2 friends and my 2 children aged 6 and 2 years had a wonderful time on safari with Kabiza wilderness safari. The communication from them was great both before and during the trip. Everything was as promised (as much as is possible on an African safari!) and we have many special memories from our trip. Our driver was knowledgeable and sensitive to the needs of the whole group. We had such a good time what we extended our safari by a day! I have no hesitation in recommending Kabiza Wilderness Safaris and will use them again in future if the opportunity arises.Becca JonesJanuary 21, 2020

We chose to use Kabiza Wilderness Safaris because they are actually based in Uganda and to us that means they will know the ins and outs better than a travel company thousands of miles away. Kabiza planned a 12 day safari for us with a focus on primates. Chimps, Gorillas and Monkeys. We just emailed Jon Blanc and told him what we wanted to see . He gave us a sample itinerary, we then gave our input and ended up with the PERFECT Safari adventure.We were very pleased with all of the recommendations. The gorillas were, of course, the highlight! The experience of having the little gorilla reach out and touch me was unforgettable. The boat trips were a very pleasant surprise. We expected to enjoy them but did not expect them to be right up there with game drives. The banded Mongoose was another surprise! That was a treat, I would have stayed with them longer if time permitted. That was great! We saw the Big 5, no problem. Every detail was thought of. Our guide, Carlos was great, very knowledgeable and professional. He really knows his job and he works very hard to make sure everything goes smoothly. Every evening Carlos would tell us what to expect the next day, even recommendations on appropriate dress based on activities. A good guide can truly make or break your trip.Alan JamesOctober 31, 2019

We recently finished a gorilla safari in Uganda organized by Kabiza. Jon was very helpful and insightful in arranging all of the details and answering my many questions beforehand. The logistics were well taken care from our pick-up in Rwanda, transportation to Uganda and the return journey. Our guide/driver was very knowledgeable and made sure everything went smoothly with transportation, hotels, trekking, etc. We were very impressed with the natural beauty of the country and friendliness of the people we met. We trekked in both Bwindi and Mgahinga national parks. The gorilla trekking was an unforgettable experience. I’d certainly recommend Kabiza and we will definitely use them again if our travels ever take us back to Uganda.Douglas ChudySeptember 25, 2019

We highly recommend Kabiza Safaris. Our planning started only 2 months prior as we had been invited to weddings in Rwanda which prompted unexpected travel to Africa. I feel blessed to have found Kabiza thru google search. Their website is the most comprehensive of all I looked at. Jon was helpful in letting us individualize our tour, adding in extra days for community overnight visits at Boomu Woman's Village and at Ruboni Community Camp to connect with the African people and make our time more meaningful during our 12 days. We were fortunate that two gorilla trekking permits had come available due to someone else cancellation, and our trip was adjusted according to the gorilla permit dates. Communication is key when planning and carrying out such an event. Jon was excellent at returning my emails, answering my many questions and offering suggestions. Carlos our driver/guide was also a great communicator, always giving an overview of the next days events the evening prior. Our initial pickup spot in Entebbe was at an Air BnB not in the center of Entebbe and he called the location the afternoon prior to get exact directions to be on time for our safari start. In preparing for the next day, while in Queen Elizabeth NP Carlos contacted the Lion Researcher to confirm our time with him the next morning. The researcher was no longer available on our scheduled date but was willing to meet us in half an hour so Carlos came by our room to ask if we would like to switch our game drive to having time with the Lion Researcher. If he had not been proactive, we would have missed out on one of the most awesome and entertaining events of our trip. Carlos had a great rapport with Park and Lodge staff and got us connected with a great guide for the chimp trek. At our last NP, Carlos suggested we change out the boat cruise for a Ranger Walk thru the park being up close to the zebras, Impalas and Elon which had not been at the previous NP. It was the perfect sendoff from our five NP tour. Having a private tour in our own comfortable safari jeep, without a doubt was the best way to travel. We witnessed the BIG 5 and so much more. It took me two months to convince my husband to travel to Africa but he totally loved it and so often throughout the trip has told me I absolutely chose the BEST SAFARI company-KABIZA!!! THANK YOU for a trip of the lifetime!!Steven FisherAugust 31, 2019

(Translated by Google) We had a wonderful holiday in Uganda. I had made contact with Jon Blanc from Kabiza Wilderness Safari more than a year before leaving (we must go a little early to get the "Gorilla Permits") and everything went well, from the first contact until the last day of the stay. First of all, Jon was very available for the preparation of the trip. He quickly answered all my many questions in order to organize the trip as I wished, taking into account his advice of course. We went with family to 5, our son (15 years), our 2 twin daughters (19 years), my wife and me. As a result, we were able to have our own car and spend 12 days in Uganda without having to be attached to a larger group. As a guide / driver, we were lucky enough to meet Wilson. He drives in a very safe way, but it is above all an extremely endearing person who knows the country and the parks on the tip of his fingers. Wilson has quickly become the friend of the whole family and he is for many in the great success of our vacation. We had a probably "classic" trip: Entebbe, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Murchison Falls Park, Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth Park, Bwindi Forest (and its gorillas!) And Mburo Park before returning to Entebbe. Each stop was worth it: the rhinos to start, very impressive, especially that we meet them on foot! The Murchison Falls Park with a multitude of animals including elephants, giraffes, hippos, buffaloes, antelopes and monkeys of all kinds, not to mention the spectacular Murchinson Falls. Chimpanzees from Kibale Forest, rather difficult to find, it took a very long walk ... At Queen Elisabeth Park, Lion Tracking Research kept its promises by coming very close not only to the lionesses with their young but also a beautiful leopard. Obviously the pinnacle is the time spent in the middle of a dozen gorillas in the forest of Bwindi. We made a stop in Mburo Park on the way to Entebbe to see zebras and impalas. This park allows to approach the animals on foot (with a ranger) and is worth it to stop. The organization was impeccable, everything was well prepared, keeping some flexibility despite everything. All the lodges were very good and the food excellent. And the people of Uganda are infinitely hospitable. Many thanks to Jon, Wilson and everyone we met. I can only recommend Kabiza Wilderness Safari for your stays in Uganda. (Original) Nous avons passé de merveilleuses vacances en Ouganda. J'avais pris contact avec Jon Blanc de Kabiza Wilderness Safari plus d'1 an avant de partir (il faut s'y prendre un peu en avance pour obtenir les "Permis Gorilles") et tout s'est passé à merveille, du premier contact jusqu'au dernier jour du séjour. Tout d'abord, Jon a été très disponible pour la préparation du voyage. Il a répondu rapidement à toutes mes nombreuses questions afin d'organiser le voyage tel que je le souhaitais, en tenant compte de ses conseils évidemment. Nous sommes partis en famille à 5, notre fils (15 ans), nos 2 filles jumelles (19 ans), mon épouse et moi. De ce fait, nous avons pu avoir notre propre voiture et passer 12 jours en Ouganda sans devoir être rattaché à un plus grand groupe. Comme guide/chauffeur, nous avons eu la chance de tomber sur Wilson. Il conduit de manière très sûr, mais c'est surtout une personne extrêmement attachante qui connaît le pays et les parcs sur le bout des doigts. Wilson est rapidement devenu l'ami de toute la famille et il est pour beaucoup dans la grande réussite de nos vacances. Nous avons fait un trajet probablement "classique" : Entebbe, le Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, le parc Murchison Falls, la forêt de Kibale, le parc Queen Elisabeth, la forêt de Bwindi (et ses gorilles !) et le parc Mburo avant le retour sur Entebbe. Chaque arrêt en valait la peine: les rhinos pour commencer, très impressionnants, surtout qu'on les rencontre à pieds ! Le parc des Murchison Falls avec une multitudes d'animaux dont les éléphants, girafes, hippos, buffles, antilopes et singes en tout genre, sans oublier les spectaculaires chutes Murchinson. Les chimpanzés de la forêt de Kibale, plutôt difficiles à trouver, il a fallu une très très longue marche... Au parc Queen Elisabeth, le Lion Tracking Research a tenu ses promesses en s'approchant très près non seulement des lionnes avec leurs petits mais aussi d'un magnifique léopard. Evidemment le summum c'est l'heure passée au milieu d'une douzaine de gorilles dans la forêt de Bwindi. Nous avons fait un stop dans le parc Mburo sur le chemin vers Entebbe pour y voir des zèbres et des impalas. Ce parc permet d'approcher les animaux à pieds (avec un ranger) et vaut la peine qu'on s'y arrête. L'organisation était impeccable, tout était bien préparé, en gardant une certaine flexibilité malgré tout. Tous les lodges étaient de très bonne qualité et la nourriture excellente. Et la population ougandaise est infiniment accueillante. Un grand merci à Jon, Wilson et toutes les personnes que nous avons rencontrées. Je ne peux que recommander Kabiza Wilderness Safari pour vos séjours en Ouganda.Pierre GodelaineAugust 17, 2019

We booked a 7-day gorilla habituation safari with Kabiza. We had an amazing time, the habituation is definitely worth the extra cost - the experience of spending so much time watching gorillas in their natural habitat was incredible. Queen Elizabeth National Park and the chimpanzee habituation at Kibale were also great - with an abundance of wildlife. The accommodation along the way was all very good, with friendly staff. Jon was always very quick to respond to questions we had, and to confirm payment. I also found the website really helpful. Finally our driver, Brian, was fantastic. Friendly, attentive and informative. Coping well with some difficult driving conditions and giving us lots of opportunities for taking photos etc.Justin CarrJuly 30, 2019

We just had a fantastic 11-day safari in Uganda with Kabiza. Jon and his team provided a top-notch professional experience from our initial email contact right through to the drop-off at the airport for our flight home. Jon was happy to tailor one of his suggested safaris to include exactly what we wanted and was always responsive to our emails throughout the planning process. The price was extremely competitive, especially considering the cost of tracking permits, the private driver/guide, and the level of luxury we found at the lodges. Our guide Fred was friendly, very knowledgeable, and a great driver (something you'll definitely appreciate on some of the roads!) We stayed at lodges recommended on the Kabiza website and they were all incredible. Most importantly, every detail of our trip was taken care of seamlessly - lodging, permits, entry fees to parks, etc. You definitely want a reputable operator for a trip like this. We witnessed an unfortunate situation in which someone showed up for a chimpanzee trek and their operator had not set it up - what a nightmare, but not something you'll have to worry about if you book with Kabiza! Finally, the Kabiza website is a treasure trove of information, with articles about everything from what to expect on a gorilla trek to information about the culture in Uganda and Rwanda, and regular updates about current events. We met plenty of people on our trip who weren't even aware that something like the gorilla habituation experience or collared lion tracking existed, whereas we had seen all the details about our options on the Kabiza site. Uganda is a beautiful country, we hope to be able to return soon and it will definitely be with Kabiza. We've been on three other safaris in Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa, so we've had some experience with trips like this - I can't recommend Kabiza enough!Barbara RocciJuly 30, 2019

Jon and his team from Kabiza gave my 15 yr old son and I the trip of a lifetime ! After many months of research it was clear Kabiza was a trustworthy professional and experienced company and it was a delight dealing with Jon as he shaped the perfect week long experience for us. I wanted to do the 4 hour Gorilla Habituation experience and I’m so thrilled I did. I was up-close with a majestic Silverback and his family in the remote Bwindi Impenetrable Forest ... The trackers and guides are incredible and will slash foliage ahead of you to help you get the best possible view of these beautiful creatures. You become part of the experiment as this group becomes accustomed to human contact. I should mention the journey is very challenging and can take up to 4 or more hours each way hiking through very steep and at times muddy terrain. A level of fitness is very important ... I also highly recommend you take a porter to help carry the (at least) 3 bottles of water you should take with you. Thank you Frances and Everest for all your help and patience and good humour !!! The accommodation Jon chose for us was outstanding .... Clouds, Crater Lake Lodge and Kyambura Gorge Lodge are standouts. We had simply wonderful drivers on our trip as we experienced not only the Gorillas but the Chimpanzee Habituation which was also wonderful in the Kibale Forest and a safari through Queen Elizabeth National Park where we saw stunning tree lions and elephants and even a leopard... We would like to thank Wilson, Geoffrey and Hamid ....you guys showed us just how beautiful Uganda is. We cannot wait to return and I highly recommend Kabiza Wilderness Safaris.JANE KJuly 15, 2019

We booked a 5 day "Gorilla and Chimpanzee" trek" safari with Kabiza Wilderness Safaris last year for 14 crazy 🇨🇦’s and loved every minute of it. These guys do a great job! From the "pre-planning" details, the information available on Kabiza's great website.... and the knowledge of the guides we travelled with was ALL amazing. Can’t wait to come back again..... working on another trip for next year! ❤️👍 Like Show more reactionsJoey and Christine WalkerMay 9, 2019

I was hesitant at first but Jon from Kabiza Wilderness Safari made me feel comfortable navigating a system from the other side of the world. The advice provided for our five day gorilla/chimpanzee trekking was spot on. Our guide Remmy took care of us for five days. Again, if you are going on one of these treks, I strongly recommend that you take all the advice from their website. Were we do to this trip again, I would definitely use Kabiza Wilderness Safaris.Don ShearerApril 30, 2019

We are delighted that Jon arranged our ten day gorilla safari in Uganda. The organisation was excellent, we saw gorillas at close range and stayed in lovely accommodations. Our driver/ guide Omar was absolutely first class. I really cannot fault the trip and have no hesitation in highly recommending Kabiza to others. Seeing gorillas in the wild is one of life's beautiful experiences.Jan ShouldersJanuary 29, 2019

Jon was awesome to deal with, right from the get go, and he was very patient with my concerns about booking and paying monies to an organisation we found online. Transferring money was safe and easy. We sent Jon an idea of what we wanted to see and how long we had to play with and he gave us several itineraries to choose from. We booked more than 6 months in advance to secure our Gorilla permits and in the end chose to do 2 days in Uganda with the Gorillas, which we do not regret for 1 second.....we had the most amazing, once in a lifetime experience - both days were different and just as amazing. Brian as our guide for the trip, he was there to meet us at the airport and from then on, was there for anything we needed.....even to the point that when we were on our last Gorilla Trek and running out of time, he went and bought us our wooden Gorillas that we really wanted but had run out of time. We did have some down time and Brian made suggestions about what we could do and was happy to take us anywhere we wanted. The Dian Fossey Museum was a great stop to get some background, and then the Trek to her grave site and to where her cabin used to be, was very special, also very hard (we had mud up to our knees) but we would do it again in a heartbeat. We chose up market accommodation for the trip and we were not disappointed....great food, great customer service and great facilities. The drive to our accommodation in Uganda was both interesting and 'thrilling'! The roads are dirt and very uneven and at times narrow, thankfully Brian was very good at navigating the terrain and made us feel at ease. We have travelled quite a bit and had some unforgettable experiences, Kabiza have added to these and gave us a once in a lifetime experience that was worth every single cent. Everybody should have this experience, these are beautiful creatures that need our help (tourism $$) to ensure that they are there for centuries to come for all to enjoy.Mignon FurnellJanuary 27, 2019

Dear Fellow Travellers! I have been booking tours within Uganda with Kabiza for many years and they have always been an excellent Partner. From the very beginning of planning a wildlife tour to Uganda to the actual Safari they are a very trustful and reliable tour operator. The owners Jon & Geoffrey have been in the tourism business for along time and they do know their country very, very well when it comes to planning and operating a tour! All in all a great company to have a wildlife tour with! Thanks very much once again for the last tour in December 2018. Wolfgang from AustriaWolfgang StolzlechnerJanuary 14, 2019

Of the many wildlife and gorilla trekking tour operators available, I chose Kabiza Wilderness Safaris because I came across their incredibly helpful blog posts on gorilla trekking and found them to be straight forward and incredibly helpful. Even if you choose to go with someone else- read some of Kabiza's content and you'll have a better trip. After choosing Kabiza, Jon and his team's level of service was exemplary! Jon was fast and crisp in all of his email communications and he set up a tour that met our needs exactly. Our tour guide Carlos was wonderfully kind and helpful. He had us feeling at home in Africa within minutes of meeting him. The gorilla trekking itself was magical with Jon and his team being absolutely on point in quickly snagging some habituation permits that became available at the last minute. We stayed at lodges across different price points and each location was comfortable, clean and had it's own charm. Huge thank you to Jon, Carlos, and the rest of the Kabiza Wilderness Safaris team for a wonderful vacation!Ananda GhoshJanuary 11, 2019

We recently returned from Uganda and Rwanda where we did a 4 day gorilla trekking tour, all arranged by Jon at Kabiza Wilderness Safari, and I have to say the experience was nothing short of phenomenal. From the beginning of planning the trip, Jon was very responsive and accommodating to all our requests. He listened to what we wanted and then made suggestions, which all turned out to be amazing, and all for a competitive price. Our driver Bosco was fantastic, very knowledgeable and personable, and all the the different lodges we stayed at throughout the trip were spot on. Mount Gahinga Lodge was fantastic, from the food, to the service and most importantly the proximity to the entrance of the park. Chameleon Lodge is another gem perched on top of Lake Mutanda, it's a little bit of a trek to get there, but the view makes it worth it. Overall the trip far exceeded our lofty expectations, which is a huge compliment to Jon and everyone at Kabiza. Seeing mountain gorillas up close in the wild is an experience unlike any other and something you'll never forget. I can't recommend Kabiza Wilderness Safari enough! You won't be disappointed.Paul VoisardDecember 11, 2018

We just came back from an amazing 9 days safari started in Kigali and ended Entebbe. We did many parks, gorilla tracking x 2 etc ... From the first contact with Jon to the end, everything was perfect. Ask for Remmy as your driver. He has 10 years experience, he drives very well and safely in these bad Uganda roads. He showed to us many animals in the park , he tried hard and made sure we saw the lions and many more. We had many laughs throughout the roads. The car 4x4 was in good condition with a pop off roof. All the lodges Jon suggested were very good . We particularly loved Gahinga lodge ( near entrance of Mgagingha gorilla park ) , ishasha wilderness camp in Queen Elizabeth park and safari crater lodge in kibale. I asked other companies for prices and the price with Kabiza was very competitive even little lower than others. I enjoyed my trip and I highly recommand you Kabiza Wildwrness safaris . Thank you Remmy and Jon .Stephanie CardinalNovember 5, 2018

We have just returned from the most amazing and exciting trip to Rwanda and Uganda. Everything was above and beyond our expectations thanks to Jon and Kabiza Wilderness Safaris. From the early stages of planning, where Jon was extremely helpful and accommodating making sure we got the tour just perfectly tailor made to our wishes to the wonderful lodges, the incredible wildlife and the astonishing natural beauty of The Pearl of Africa. For anybody wanting a trip of a lifetime, we can warmly recommend Kabiza. Thanks a million, Jon - we hope to be able to return soon.tine altschulerSeptember 24, 2018

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