Track Gorillas, Support Communities, and Protect Wildlife
— Every Step Helps We Take Makes a Positive Difference
This 6-day Gorilla Trekking and Community Experience offers an unforgettable blend of wildlife, culture, and connection—perfectly curated for travelers seeking meaning beyond the journey. From the moment you arrive in Entebbe, you’re guided through a seamless itinerary that includes a scenic flight to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where you’ll spend 4 immersive days surrounded by misty jungle, rich traditions, and local hospitality. The highlight is a once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trekking adventure, where you’ll stand face-to-face with mountain gorillas in their natural habitat—an encounter both humbling and exhilarating.
Beyond the forest, you’ll engage with vibrant local communities through hands-on experiences and a cultural visit with the Batwa people, the Indigenous guardians of the forest. These interactions, from basket weaving and cooking classes to mountain biking and storytelling, offer deeper insight into rural Ugandan life. The journey ends with a return to Entebbe, including optional excursions to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, Mabamba Swamp in search of the Shoebill Stork, and a chance to explore the cultural and historic richness of Kampala—rounding out a journey filled with lasting memories.
The direct website to applying for your Uganda visa: immigration.go.ug/services/tourist-visa
Escape to an African Paradise
Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe – Welcome to Uganda
Your journey begins as you touch down at Entebbe International Airport, where a warm smile and a personalized welcome from your Back to the Source Tours guide awaits you. From here, you’ll be comfortably transferred to your hotel, allowing you to settle in and unwind. Enjoy a peaceful dinner and an evening of relaxation. This night is designed for rest and recovery after your international flight, preparing you for the adventures ahead.
Day 2: Flight to Bwindi + Optional Community Encounters
This morning, you’ll board a scenic domestic flight to Kihihi Airstrip, soaring above Uganda’s breathtaking rural landscapes. Upon arrival, your private guide/driver will greet you and accompany you to your lodge in the Buhoma sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where you’ll be based for the next four nights.
After lunch and settling in, and if energy allows, you’ll have the chance to engage with local women-led empowerment initiatives through our trusted partners in the community. Choose from a variety of meaningful, hands-on experiences such as: Basket weaving workshops, Tailoring and sewing demonstrations, Firewood cooking classes, Mountain biking through the village, Traditional dance and storytelling performances, and/or Visit to a woman’s home for shared cultural exchange
Your participation in these activities directly supports local livelihoods and helps preserve traditional culture, making your trip deeply impactful on both a personal and community level.
Day 3: Gorilla Trekking – A Day You’ll Never Forget
Today is the highlight of your journey—a life-changing gorilla trekking experience. After an early breakfast, you’ll gather at the park headquarters for a briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers, preceded by a cultural welcome performance of traditional dance and song.
Accompanied by your assigned porter and experienced trackers, you’ll trek through the ancient forest in search of one of Bwindi’s habituated gorilla families. Depending on their location, the trek may take between 2 to 6 hours, but the reward is extraordinary: a full hour observing mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, watching as they feed, interact, and care for their young.
Upon return to your lodge, the rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure.
Day 4 – Batwa Community Visit & Cultural Activities
One of the most enriching and fun cultural activities in Bwindi is a guided visit to the Batwa community, the forest’s original inhabitants. Known as the “keepers of the forest,” the Batwa people lived for generations within Bwindi’s dense jungle, hunting, gathering, and coexisting with nature in complete harmony.
During this interactive experience, you’ll walk through a recreated forest village guided by Batwa elders and storytellers who share their traditions, survival skills, hunting techniques, herbal medicine knowledge, and spiritual beliefs.
Try your hand at making fire without matches, shooting a traditional bow and arrow, or joining in their vibrant dances and songs—all of which offer a unique glimpse into their ancient way of life.
The visit is not only entertaining and eye-opening, but it also directly supports Batwa-led initiatives aimed at preserving their culture and improving livelihoods in the modern era. It’s an unforgettable cultural highlight that adds depth and joy to your Bwindi experience.
Day 5: Return to Entebbe + Ngamba Island Visit
After breakfast, you’ll depart Bwindi and drive back to Kihihi Airstrip for your return flight to Entebbe. Upon arrival, you can choose to unwind at your hotel or opt for an unforgettable visit to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary.
Accessible via a short and scenic boat ride on Lake Victoria, this sanctuary provides a haven for over 50 rescued chimpanzees. As you tour the center, you’ll observe the chimps up close during feeding time and learn about their rehabilitation journey. Led by conservationists, this experience offers a rare glimpse into the emotional intelligence, social bonds, and care needed for our closest animal relatives.
Day 6: Explore Entebbe & Kampala + Departure
With your final day at leisure, you have the freedom to choose how you want to close your Ugandan journey. Start with a morning canoe ride through Mabamba Swamp, a lush wetland known for sightings of the rare Shoebill Stork—an ancient-looking bird that has become a favorite among birdwatchers and nature lovers alike.
Enjoy a fresh grilled fish lunch along the shores of Lake Victoria, or relax at one of Entebbe’s lakeside cafés. In the afternoon, dive into the pulse of Kampala on a guided city tour. Depending on your interests, your visit can include stops at royal palaces, sacred temples, open-air craft markets, the Gaddafi National Mosque, and more.
Checkout these 2 blog post on activities you can partake in on your last day of this itienrary:
Departure:
As the sun begins to set, return to your hotel to freshen up before your transfer back to Entebbe International Airportfor your outbound flight—leaving Uganda not only with photographs, but with stories, connections, and experiences that stay with you forever.
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