Experience one of Africa's greatest wildlife experiences, a short Ugandan safari trekking rare mountain gorillas in the misty mountains of Central Africa, where the last few surviving mountain gorillas may be seen.
Overview
Book by 31st January 2025
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Kampala to Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Day 2: Queen Elizabeth National Park, Chimpanzee Trek
- Day 3: Queen Elizabeth National Park to Lake Bunyonyi
- Day 4-5: Lake Bunyonyi, Gorilla Trek
- Day 6: Lake Bunyonyi to Kampala
Travelling with Eclipse
Peace of Mind
- Eclipse Travel is Australian owned and run, and an ATAS accredited travel agent.
- 24/7 emergency numbers and local contacts provided for support while you’re abroad.
- We provide all the information you need to organise your visas and vaccinations, making travel preparation stress-free.
- No currency surcharges. Once your deposit is paid, your price is guaranteed.
Specialists
- Our consultants are true destination experts, with firsthand experience and extensive travel in the regions we offer.
- Expect quick, professional responses and dedicated service from our knowledgeable team.
- We conduct regular checks on destinations, hotels, and services to ensure quality for every trip.
Authentic Travel
- Tailor-made itineraries designed around your unique requirements.
- Freedom to select your preferred style and standard of accommodation.
- Unique itineraries that take you beyond the major highlights, immersing you in each location.
- Committed to responsible travel: we reinvest in the environment and local communities across our destinations.
Troop to the Gorillas: Day 1/6
From Kampala, we travel west towards Queen Elizabeth National Park, across the Equator, through fertile green terraced hillsides, lush banana plantations, steep mountains and tangled forests with herds of Ankole cattle with their incredible long curving horns roaming the roads and paddocks. We camp a short distance from the Queen Elizabeth National Park. Here you will have the opportunity to relax and unwind, take a walk in the surrounding areas and mingle with the local community.
Troop to the Gorillas: Day 2/6
Entering the park itself this morning, our drive takes us through the park to the Kyambura Gorge and we may be lucky enough to spot some game along the way.
On arrival at the gorge we get briefed on our trek before embarking on our search for one of our closest animal relatives, the chimps. Normally found in the forest canopy they do also come down and play on the forest floor.
We have the rest of the day at leisure as the whole group may not be able to trek together
Troop to the Gorillas: Day 3/6
Travelling through the picturesque hills and lakes of the region we can easily see why the country is called the 'Switzerland of Africa'.
Our destination in the South Western corner of the country is Lake Bunyonyi, our base for the trek to see the mountain gorillas.
The lake itself is one of the deepest in Africa and the islands and coves make it a beautiful tranquil spot.
Troop to the Gorillas: Day 4/6
Departing on our trek into the jungled slopes of the nearby mountains we head off in search for the endangered mountain gorilla.
The trek may take some hours to find where the family have spent the previous night and it can be strenuous working our way through the thick jungle but the effort is soon forgotten when we come face to face with these majestic creatures.
Troop to the Gorillas: Day 5/6
Today is a free day at leisure to explore the area, possibly discover the islands on a boat or enjoy some of the activities that are on offer.
The exact itinerary for the days at Lake Bunyonyi are dependant on the dates for gorilla trek permits.
Troop to the Gorillas: Day 6/6
Leaving Lake Bunyonyi we make our way back across the Equator (stopping for a photo opportunity if we did not stop on route to Queen Elizabeth National Park) through lush pasture lands and the northern reaches of Lake
Victoria (largest lake in Africa) to Kampala where the tour finishes upon arrival. Kampala is a hotspot for great food and entertainment. If time allows, take the night out and try the local cuisines and enjoy the hospitality and friendliness of the local Ugandan’s.
Dates | From | Special Offer |
---|---|---|
28 Jan 2025 - 02 Feb 2025 | AUD$2755pp | Contact us |
04 Feb 2025 - 09 Feb 2025 | Save 10% | |
25 Feb 2025 - 02 Mar 2025 | Save 10% | |
04 Mar 2025 - 09 Mar 2025 | Save 10% | |
25 Mar 2025 - 30 Mar 2025 | Save 10% | |
01 Apr 2025 - 06 Apr 2025 | Save 10% | |
22 Apr 2025 - 27 Apr 2025 | Save 10% | |
29 Apr 2025 - 04 May 2025 | Save 10% | |
20 May 2025 - 25 May 2025 | Save 10% | |
27 May 2025 - 01 Jun 2025 | Save 10% | |
17 Jun 2025 - 22 Jun 2025 | Save 10% | |
24 Jun 2025 - 29 Jun 2025 | Save 10% | |
15 Jul 2025 - 20 Jul 2025 | Save 10% | |
22 Jul 2025 - 27 Jul 2025 | Save 10% | |
12 Aug 2025 - 17 Aug 2025 | Save 10% | |
19 Aug 2025 - 24 Aug 2025 | Save 10% | |
09 Sep 2025 - 14 Sep 2025 | Save 10% | |
16 Sep 2025 - 21 Sep 2025 | Save 10% | |
07 Oct 2025 - 12 Oct 2025 | Save 10% | |
14 Oct 2025 - 19 Oct 2025 | Save 10% | |
04 Nov 2025 - 09 Nov 2025 | Save 10% | |
11 Nov 2025 - 16 Nov 2025 | Save 10% | |
02 Dec 2025 - 07 Dec 2025 | Save 10% | |
09 Dec 2025 - 14 Dec 2025 | Save 10% | |
30 Dec 2025 - 04 Jan 2026 | Save 10% |
** Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
** Single supplements may apply
Suggested Accommodation
City | Accommodation |
---|---|
Queen Elizabeth National Park | Simba Safari Camp or similar |
Lake Bunyonyi | Lake Bunyonyi Overland Resort or similar |
Whats included?
- Fully Equipped Safari Vehicle (Vehicles are not air-conditioned)
- Accommodation as Specified and Cooking Equipment
- All Road Tolls and Vehicle Taxes
- All Ground Transportation
- Meals as Indicated
- Services of Two Crew
What’s not included?
- Visas
- Flights
- Travel Insurance
- Departure Taxes
- Airport Transfers
- Sleeping Bag
- Optional Activities
- Drinks, Tips
- Items of a Personal Nature
- Meals Not Indicated
- Mandatory Gorilla & Chimp Permit*
Notes
- Mandatory Gorilla & Chimp Permit: AUD1,590 (when Trekking on or after 01 April 2024).
*Please note the Gorilla & Chimp Trek Permit is mandatory and non-refundable and must be paid in full at time of booking.
This is an Adventure Accommodated Tour:
- Minimum age: 18.
- Min number of passengers: 6, Max:16
- This is a participation safari, which means you help out with the daily chores - you and your fellow adventure travellers will be divided into teams to help with, shopping, cooking and cleaning duties on a rota system.
- Vehicles are not air-conditioned
2025 Updates & Changes:
- Maximum Group Size
Change: Max.16 to Max.18
When: Departures from 01 February 2025
The maximum group size is changing from 16 to 18 to allow increased seat availability, especially during high season where seats previously sold out. Increasing the group size by only two helps us retain the small group experience. - Minimum Age Requirement
Change: Min.18 years old to Min.16 years old
When: Departures from 01 January 2026
The minimum age requirement will change from the current minimum of 18 years old, to minimum 16 affective on departures from 01 January 2026. We wanted to provide agents and clients with early advance notice and avoid affecting existing bookings. NB: Sixteen- and seventeen-year-olds must be accompanied by at least one parent / legal guardian for the duration of their tour.
Price Assurance
At Eclipse Travel, our expert destination knowledge and decades of travel planning experience come at no extra cost to you. While many think booking through a tour operator is more expensive than planning a trip independently, that’s not the case. We’re paid by our travel partners—such as hotels, activity operators, and cruise providers—via commissions, not by our clients.
Our team negotiates the best rates for you and ensures you receive unbiased advice, with no preference for any particular supplier. In fact, where we secure higher commissions, we often pass the savings on to you, giving us a competitive price edge.
Additionally, we lock in exchange rates at the time of your deposit, ensuring no surprise costs when it’s time for final payment. You can rest easy knowing we’ll handle the details with our suppliers. The only exceptions are national park fee increases or fuel surcharges imposed after your booking, though these are rare.
Take advantage of our team’s expertise and let us help you plan the perfect holiday—hassle-free!
Destination: Africa
Downloadable travel guide
Planning your next adventure has never been easier with our free downloadable travel guides. Get in-depth insights into local attractions, dining options, and hidden gems, all curated by our team of travel specialists with decades of experience.