5 Days Gorilla Trekking and White Water Rafting Safari

5 Days Gorilla Trekking And White Water Rafting Safari In Uganda

This 5-day Gorilla Trekking and White Water Rafting Safari in Uganda is a unique adventure that combines two of the most exciting activities in Uganda. This tour starts with a pick-up from the airport in Kampala and transfer to the hotel, where you will stay for the night. On the second day, you will head to Jinja for a thrilling white water rafting experience on the Nile River. The following day, you will be transferred to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for an unforgettable gorilla trekking experience. On the fourth day, you will spend the whole day trekking to locate and observe gorillas in their natural habitat. Finally, on the fifth day, you will be transferred back to either Kampala or Entebbe, marking the end of your adventure in Uganda.

Gorilla Trekking and White Water Rafting Safari in Uganda is a popular adventure travel itinerary that combines two of the country’s most thrilling activities. Gorilla trekking involves hiking through the forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park to see the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. White water rafting, on the other hand, involves navigating the rapids of the Nile River, with its various class III and IV rapids providing an adrenaline rush. Both activities offer a unique opportunity to experience the beauty and excitement of Uganda’s wilderness, and the combination of the two makes for an unforgettable safari experience.

Trip highlights

A 5-day Gorilla Trekking and White Water Rafting Safari in Uganda typically includes the following highlights:

1. Gorilla Trekking: This is the highlight of the trip, as trekkers hike through the lush forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in search of the endangered mountain gorillas. Trekkers are guided by experienced park rangers and porters, and are given the opportunity to spend an hour with the gorillas, observing their behavior and interactions.
2. White Water Rafting: This adventure takes place on the Nile River, where rafters navigate its rapids and enjoy the stunning scenery along the way. The Nile is renowned for its challenging class III and IV rapids, and provides a thrilling experience for those seeking an adrenaline rush.
3. Wildlife Viewing: The parks and the Nile River are home to a diverse array of wildlife, and trekkers and rafters may have the opportunity to see elephants, buffalos, monkeys, and a variety of bird species.
4. Cultural Experiences: Uganda is home to many vibrant and diverse cultures, and visitors may have the opportunity to learn about local customs and traditions, and interact with the local communities.
5. Scenic Beauty: The forests and the Nile River are surrounded by breathtaking scenery, with rolling hills, lush vegetation, and stunning waterfalls. Visitors can enjoy nature walks, scenic drives, and stunning views from their lodges.

Detailed itinerary

Day 1: Pick up and transfer to the hotel in Kampala

You will be picked up from Entebbe upon your arrival at the airport or in Kampala, our tour guide will be there to pick you up and transfer you to the hotel where you will be staying for the night. This will be a great opportunity for you to settle in and rest after a long flight.

Location: Kampala (City)

Accommodation Option:

Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

Day 2: Transfer to Jinja for a white water rafting on the Nile

The next day, after your breakfast, you will be transferred to Jinja, a town located along the Nile River, where you will have an exciting experience white water rafting. Jinja is a popular destination for water sports, especially rafting, and it is known for its rapids that can challenge even the most experienced rafters. You will be given all the necessary safety gear and an experienced guide will be with you throughout the rafting experience. This activity is a must-try for anyone who loves adrenaline-pumping activities.

Location: Jinja Uganda

Accommodation Option:

 Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

Day 3: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

On the third day, after your breakfast, you will be transferred to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, located in southwestern Uganda. This park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known for its lush vegetation and incredible biodiversity. The park is also home to over half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, making it a popular destination for gorilla trekking.

Location: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Accommodation Option:

 Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

Day 4: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park – Gorilla Tracking and Batwa Cultural Experience

Gorilla Tracking

This will be an eventful day and you need to wake up at around 6am. As you take breakfast, request the hotel to prepare for you parked lunch just in case the activity goes on past mid-day. The driver will take you to the park offices so that you are in time for the briefing which starts at 7:30am. The briefing covers everything there is to know about gorilla trekking including the gorilla groups in the sector, history of the forest and what to expect. After the briefing, you will be assigned a gorilla family along with 7 other travelers.

The Park Guides will offer you a hiking stick and a chance to hire porters to help you with any heavy luggage/cameras. After everyone is assembled, you will begin tracking the primates. Gorilla trekking can take anywhere between 30 minutes to 6 hours depending on the gorilla family you are tracking and their location on the day of the trek. Once you get to them, you are allowed only one hour of observation. Use this time to study the group and individual members. Do not forget to take some videos and photos or else no one will know that you ever took part in such a fascinating activity.After spending time with the primates, you will be led back to the starting point for your certificate of participation. You will find our office Guide waiting to take you back to the hotel for lunch and rest.

Batwa Cultural Experience

Late in the afternoon, you will be taken to visit the Batwa pygmies of Bwindi. The Batwa where the original inhabitants of the forests in Bwindi, Mgahinga, the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga in Congo. Most were forced out of the forests but without compensation or proper adjustment to the modern life. The nature walk will offer you an opportunity to learn about their ancient ways of life and the struggles to adapt to modern life outside the forest.

Location: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Accommodation Option:

 Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

Day 5: Transfer back to Kampala or Entebbe

On the final day, you will be transferred back to either Kampala or Entebbe, depending on your preference. This will be a great opportunity for you to reflect on your amazing adventure in Uganda and to make plans for your next trip. Thank you for specifically choosing Paradise Adventure Vacations and we hope to see you again in Uganda!!!

Location: Kampala (City)

Accommodation Option: No (End of tour)

 Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch 

Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

Cost Includes on 5 Days Gorilla Trekking and White Water Rafting Safari:

• Return airport transfers (pick up and drop off)
• Private transport for 5 days in a well-modified safari Extended land-cruiser (4WD,air-conditioned and pop-up roof)
• White Water Rafting in Jinja
• Flue for 5 days
• English safari driver guide for 5 days
• Mid-range accommodation for 4 night 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
• 1 Mountain gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park (Buhoma sector )
• A visit to the Equator land mark
• Batwa Community Encounter

Cost Excludes on 5 Days Gorilla Trekking and White Water Rafting Safari:

• 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)

Special Deals on African Safari 2023-2024 (Rates Per Person in USD)

Our Safari Vehicles - Luxury 4x4 Land Cruiser Extended

All our Safari vehicles are Toyota Land-cruiser 4×4 with pop-up roofs. The vehicles are serviced and maintained to a very high standard before, during and after every safari. Paradise Adventure Vacations Ltd offering all-wheel drive safari vehicles suitable for off-road driving, which enable travelers to discover the magical areas of East Africa in a pleasant and reliable manner.

Our Safari Vehicles Seating Plan

Electrical charging & power supply

All our safari vehicles have power / charging points. Please bring travel adaptors to ensure they are suitable for your appliances / devices

What happens if the jeep breaks down?

Our Safari vehicles are serviced and maintained to a very high standard before, during and after every safari. The age of the vehicles in our fleet varies but most were built between 2008 and 2013. If your vehicle does break down and it cannot be fixed on the road, we will request a rescue jeep which will come for you so that you can continue your safari with minimum impact. Whilst every effort is made to prevent this from happening, the driving is rough and the vehicles do take quite a pounding!

We believe in value for money. Every guest would like to have the most reliable and comfortable vehicles on safari. In response to the clients’ needs, we have a very strict vehicle replacement policy that ensures a young fleet at all times. We have a total fleet of 225 well-maintained motor vehicles, predominantly 4-wheel drives. This does away with the problem of sub-contracting vehicles and driver-guides, which may compromise the quality of services. Our safari vehicles are specifically converted for maximum space and comfort. All of them have hatched roof and sliding windows to facilitate good viewing and convenient photography during game drives and sight seeing.