Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Escorted by Professional Wildlife Photographer Paul Renner

September 12 – 18, 2023

Join professional wildlife photographer Paul Renner for this exciting photo safari to the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda; for an unforgettable close-up encounter with mountain gorilla families. You will always remember your first encounter in the highlands jungle with a large silverback gorilla and his family of females, adolescents, and babies. These non-aggressive, vegetarian gorilla families are accustomed to visitors and are accessible by hiking to their habitats in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda. This will be one of the most rewarding and exciting experiences you will have in your lifetime!

The Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda; is a bio-diverse, mountainous area in southwest Uganda. Its home to many of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, who feed on roots, leaves and fruits from the park’s many tree and fern species. Restricted numbers of viewing permits help protect the endangered gorilla families. In the park, rough paths weave amid dense forests, which are home to many butterflies and birds.

WHAT MAKES OUR TRIP UNIQUE?

We make three treks in to see the gorilla families.  Each family of gorillas that we will visit is habituated to human contact and we will visit three different families, ranging in size from 8-9 individuals up to 30+.  Some of the family groups are nearby and relatively easy to visit, while some may be higher up in the jungle and require more trekking to get to them.  We spend four nights in the beautiful BWINDI LODGE near the entrance of the park.  The food is excellent! The rooms are large, clean, heated by fireplace and and the views of the nearby volcanoes are beautiful!

Visiting the gorillas several times can be very helpful for getting right the light.  The best light to photograph the gorillas is overcast or cloudy.  Bright sunlight tends to cause harsh contrast between the dark animals and the light green vegetation they live in.  Fortunately the weather is often misty and cloudy in the mountains and we greatly increase the chances of photographing in the best light by trekking into the gorillas on three different days.

Paul is a professional photographer with a lot of experience photographing wildlife.  He will be available and is happy to provide assistance or answer questions about camera settings, exposure, clothing, equipment or anything else that may arise.

CAN I MAKE THE HIKE TO SEE THE GORILLAS?

The Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where the gorilla families live, ranges in elevation from 7500’-10,000’ and is a tropical rainforest. The trek usually begins along a trail through farmland but soon turns into following the guide and tracker through the dense jungle growth. The hikes can be strenuous and are not for everyone. However the pace is slow and the guides are accommodating and helpful, offering a hand when necessary. At this elevation, it is best to hike at a slower pace. Gorilla families live at varying altitudes so the hike up the side of the volcano can range from half an hour to several hours, depending upon the location of the gorilla family we are visiting that day. Gorillas eat and move in the mornings and evenings and when we come to them they are usually resting or foraging. The guide-naturalist and trackers are very helpful and will clear the brush when possible so we have better views for photographs of the gorillas in their habitat. We are asked to stay twenty feet back but frequently a curious baby or adolescent will approach closer, creating great opportunities for photographs.

At the trailhead, we meet porters who carry our camera bags or backpacks up to the gorillas. Some of the porters were former poachers so we provide employment which assists the local economy and also provides a viable alternative to poaching. Not carrying our own gear in the jungle makes the hike much more pleasant and enjoyable.

We will be staying at the Bwindi Lodge which is located near the entrance to The Impenetrable Forest Park. The day begins early with an early breakfast so we can be in the park for the early morning orientation before driving to the trailhead. We then hike into the jungle and visit a gorilla family. Once we encounter them, we are allowed to spend sixty minutes with the family. This may not sound like a long time but there will be numerous opportunities for photographs and it is not unusual to take hundreds of images. When the sixty minutes are up, we then hike back to the vehicles and return to the lodge. The Ugandan countryside is very scenic and the people are colorful, friendly, and photogenic. 

HOW TO PHOTOGRAPH THE GORILLAS:

The good news about visiting and photographing the gorillas is that we get close, the light is often perfect and sometimes it feels like they are posing. Flash is not allowed, but the guides and gorillas are accustomed to visitors with cameras. A monopod can be helpful and we recommend taking one along, but there may be times if there is a lot of activity, when it may be easier to increase the ISO setting and handhold the camera. Long-range telephotos are not necessary. It is a good idea to carry two bodies with different lenses. On one camera body, I use an 18-135 mm lens and on the other, I use a 70-200 mm lens. This way I don’t have to change lenses just as something exciting happens and this combination works well for me. One hour sounds short but there are numerous opportunities to get great shots and there is always some interaction going on between the gorillas that makes the time you spend with them special and unforgettable. The guides and rangers are very helpful and communicate with the large silverback with grunts and groans to let them know we are approaching. They will also let us know if one of the males is going to pound his chest or do a bluff charge. And the nice thing about having several visits is that you will be able to look at your images and make adjustments on the following trips.

Schedule and Pricing:

Tour price: $8925

International Airfare is not included

A NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT of $2500 per person will confirm your participation with completed registration forms.

The trip originates and ends in Kigali, Rwanda. Price includes transport and driver/guide for the itinerary listed, accommodation on a shared basis with meals as stated. Also included are three park and gorilla permit fees. The trip can be booked through Best Safaris 714-985-3456.

The price does not include international airfare to Uganda, any tips you may wish to give the guides, porters on the trek, the porters at the lodges or alcoholic and bottled beverages at the meals.

Includes:

• 7 days with a professional English speaking driver/guide
• 7 days exclusive use of 4WD 

All accommodations as listed:
 • 2 Nights at Marriott Hotel
 • 4 Nights at Bwindi Lodge

• Water in the vehicle for the entire trip
• 1 x Kigali Genocide Memorial visit
• 3 x Gorilla trek permits in Uganda
• 1 x Batwa Experience in Bwindi

Excluded:

• International and Domestic Flights
• Tips and Gratuities
• Travel Insurance
• Laundry
• Porter Hire
• Alcohol
• Visa costs

DAY 1: September 12th, – WELCOME, TOUR BRIEFING AND TRANSFER TO YOUR HOTEL

Welcome to Kigali, Rwanda! Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be met by our knowledgeable representative who will brief you about your itinerary and our beautiful countries and proceed to your hotel in Kigali, freshen up, and relax with the hotel facilities. Dinner and overnight stay at  KIGALI MARRIOTT HOTEL (D)

DAY 2: September 13th, – CITY TOUR AND TRANSFER TO BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST NATIONAL PARK

Today after breakfast embark in your safari vehicle for a city tour starting with the Kigali Genocide Memorial:

This is an extremely moving, challenging, educational, and ultimately inspiring memorial and a great place to understand the cause, tragedy, and successful rebuilding post-genocide. The reconciliation and rebuilding have been miraculous and these memorials are built to inform, educate and prevent such a tragedy to ever occur again.

The tour is very transparent and educational but very somber and humbling when you realize that over 250,000 deceased are buried on the site of the memorial. Guaranteed you will feel every emotion during this visit.

The most common question that goes through your mind is “would I be capable of that level of forgiveness if I found myself in this situation”. That’s a true inspiration.

After the Genocide Visit, embark in your safari vehicle and proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park 5.5 hour’s drive) pass via a scenic drive of the land of 1000 hills via Katuna border, en-route you will pass through Eastern part of Bwindi Ruhija also home of endangered Mountain Gorillas through this forest you will get a chance to see some animals, such as Monkeys, Olive Baboons, bush duikers, many birds species to mention but a few.

You will have lunch in one of the lodges in Ruhija before you proceed for your scenic drive to the South Western part of Bwindi in Buhoma. Dinner and overnight stay at BWINDI LODGE (BLD)

DAY 3: September 14th, – FIRST MOUNTAIN GORILLA TREK IN BUHOMA AND BATWA EXPERIENCE

Today you have a unique and privileged experience to trek and meet at close quarters the rare Mountain Gorillas. There are only around 1000 of these magnificent creatures left in the world with around 1/3 of those in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Early in the morning after an early breakfast you will be taken to the park headquarters where you will be educated on the trek, Gorilla behavior and assigned to groups of suitable fitness.

The trek can take between 2-6 hours depending on the movements of the Gorillas. The Buhoma sector of Bwindi has the most Gorilla families in Bwindi with a recently habituated troop now accessible. This is considered one of the great natural animal encounters on the planet.

The rangers will lead you deep into the forest in search of the Gorillas. You will move up and down the rugged terrain until you finally meet these harmonious creatures that will entertain you with performances for about 1 hour once you find them. Have lunch back at your lodge and freshen up as you wait for your guide to pick you up for another interesting afternoon activity Batwa Visit Experience.

The Batwa people were the original inhabitants of the forests of Bwindi and their lineage are thought to go back possibly 5000 years. The Batwa have been displaced since the early 1990s and these re-enactments in the forest are their way of preserving their culture and passing it down to current generations. There will be plenty of Batwa present who remember their days as forest-dwelling nomads. Their bush skills and stories are unique and extremely interesting. Their small stature is thought to be an adaptation to their forest surroundings. After the Batwa, we will transfer you to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay at  BWINDI LODGE (BLD)

DAY 4: September 15th, – SECOND RARE MOUNTAIN GORILLA TREK

Today you have another second unique and privileged experience trekking to the endangered mountain Gorillas and this is a great chance to spend time with a different family. They look the same but the families differ in group size. There are only around 1000 of these magnificent creatures left in the world with around 1/3 of those in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Early in the morning after breakfast you will be taken to the park headquarters where you will be educated on the trek, gorilla behavior and assigned to groups of suitable fitness.

The trek can take between 2-6 hours depending on the movements of the Gorillas. The South Western sector of Bwindi has the most Gorilla families in Bwindi with a recently habituated troop now accessible. This is considered one of the great natural animal encounters on the planet.

The rangers will lead you deep into the forest in search of the Gorillas. You will move up and down the rugged terrain until you finally meet these harmonious creatures that will entertain you with performances for about 1 hour once you find them.

Enjoy lunch back at your lodge and freshen up and relax with the Lodge facilities if still fit you can take a self-guided walk around the lodge whereby you can have a chance to visit the handcrafts for your souvenirs. Dinner and overnight stay at  BWINDI LODGE (BLD)

DAY 5: September 16th, – THIRD RARE MOUNTAIN GORILLA TREK AND RELAXATION.

This is your third memorable trek in Bwindi National Park and this allows you to choose the closest group that allows you to come early for your relaxation.

Early in the morning after breakfast at 7am you can decide to take a walk for 15 minutes to the park headquarters and the briefing starting point or embark on your safari Vehicle approximately 7 minutes transfer for your third trek briefing from the UWA officials. The ranger guides will lead you into the thick forest and start your search for the endangered Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

You will move up and down the rugged terrain just like the previous treks until you finally meet these harmonious creatures that will entertain you with performances for about 1hour. The activity can take 2-6 hours since the terrain is not flat however, they can be accessed as quickly as possible.

After the trek, return to the lodge for hot lunch and relax with the lodge facilities. Dinner and Overnight stay at BWINDI LODGE (BLD)

DAY 6: September 17th, – TRANSFER TO KIGALI

Today you will have breakfast at your leisure in the lodge facilities and later embark on your vehicle for 5.5 hours’ scenic drive via Ruhija to Kigali. En-route stop for lunch in Kabale town hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at  KIGALI MARRIOTT HOTEL (BLD)

DAY 7: September 18th, – TRANSFER TO KIGALI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT FOR YOUR DEPARTURE

After breakfast and check out, your driver will transfer you to Kigali international airport for your flight back home.