Gorillas of Uganda Overland Safari & Participation Camping
Set off on a 9-day wildlife-spotting overland adventure through Uganda. Track endangered mountain gorillas with experienced guides deep in the rainforests of their natural habitat, and view chimps in Kalinzu Forest. Travel comfortably in one of our Landos (overland adventure vehicles) for an unforgettable and affordable way to see the highlights of this country, while wilderness camping to keep you right in the middle of the action.
Highlights
Track mountain gorillas with experiences guides in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Set off into the Kalinzu Forest Reserve in search of chimpanzees in their natural habitat, Choose to raft the White Nile River for an adrenaline filled experience in Jinja, Camp under the many stars of the vast African sky
Accomodation
Camping in East Africa is truly an adventure. You will be able to get off the beaten track to get a first-hand experience of the beautiful wilderness and nature. We stay at designated campsites inside of and nearby the national parks. These campsites generally are very basic, and we carry tents to pitch at the public campsites. The campsites in East Africa are generally good, but basic. Luxury here will mean electricity for charging, warm showers, flush toilets, shelter for eating. Rustic camps have no electricity, simple or no bathing facilities, and squatting long-drop latrines. Expect to see both extremes, though most fall somewhere within that spectrum. All camping equipment (with the exception of your sleeping bag and pillow) is supplied, including camp mattresses, which are warm and comfortable. We supply dome tents and assembly/disassembly takes only 5 minutes. They are good quality, durable, industry-standard 2-person safari canvas tents. Please note that most adults will not be able to fully stand up inside the tents, though most travellers find these more than adequate, as they have a base area of approximately 4 square meters. These tents are regularly treated with a waterproofing agent, but under certain rainy conditions, the tent fabric may become saturated to the point where seepage or leakage may occur. All tents have built-in mesh insect netting on the windows and doors. We travel with our own portable camp chairs with a comfortable back-rest, and we utilize our own cooking equipment to provide the group good quality camp meals. In camping within the national parks and conservation areas, some camp sites are enclosed for keeping the resident wildlife out. Other camps are open to the natural environment – care must be taken, especially at night, when a torch/flashlight is recommended when walking around the camp area. Despite the challenge that a few days "roughing it" may pose to some, the experience of being that close to nature, camping under the African stars, and seeing incredible wildlife at your tent door-step is not just gratifying but ultimately an experience of a lifetime. Please be note that where we use multi-share accommodations, rooming requests of any kind cannot be taken. For private accommodation please see tours in our Classic/Standard Travel Style.
Group Leader
On this journey, you will be accompanied on your trip by 2 crew members - a Chief Experience Officer (CEO) and a driver. The Chief Experience Officer (CEO) will be the group manager and leader. He/she organizes the trip, and will be there to assist you when needed. He/she will take care of the small things so you can concentrate on enjoying your adventure. All of our CEOs in southern and East Africa are experienced group leaders, with a broad knowledge base of the region’s history, cultures, and wildlife. Your leader will be from either southern or East Africa depending on which part of the tour you are on. All of our overland adventure vehicle (OAV) drivers are experienced in the routes travelled, and highly skilled in dealing with different terrains. All of our cooks will organize and lead the meal preparation, and have experience in cooking a variety of local and international dishes for large groups. During the gorilla trek, we use an experienced and certified local mountain guide, expert gorilla trackers, and armed guards to accompany us for our safety. We also use local guides for some included activities where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting. Please note that the transfer on Day 9 from Jinja to Kampala is unaccompanied by a CEO.
Group Size Notes
Max 22, avg 20.
Meals Included
7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 6 dinners
What's Included
Your G for Good Moment: AidChild Cafe & Gallery, Kayabwe
Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
Your Discover Moment: Jinja.
Guided mountain gorilla trek with permits. Entrance and chimpanzee tracking in Kalinzu Forest Reserve. Tea plantation visit. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
8 nights from $2,559 per person
Itinerary
G Adventures: Gorillas of Uganda Overland Safari & Participation Camping
Day 1: Kampala
Arrive at any time.Tonight after a brief welcome meeting, choose to get to know your group members with an optional group dinner at a nearby local restaurant in Kampala not far from the campsite.
Day 2: Kampala/Lake Bunyonyi
Cross over the equator today in the Lando en route from Kampala to Lake Bunyonyi. The name Bunyonyi means ‘place of many little birds’ and the lake’s winding shores encircle 29 islands surrounded by steep terraced hillsides. Upon arrival enjoy free time to get to know your surroundings and opt to swim in the calm waters.
Day 3: Gorilla Trek
Spend the day on a mountain gorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Hike deep into the jungle through volcano forests alongside a park ranger in search of these mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Please be ready for a challenge as the treks can vary in length and difficulty. Note: Ugandan authorities are fiercely protective of this natural treasure, and currently permit only a maximum of eight people, per day, to visit a given gorilla family. The group will be split into different sub-groups for the trek, and depending on the number of travellers, different sub-groups may do their trek on different days.
Day 4: Lake Bunyonyi
Explore Lake Bunyonyi with a full day of free time. There are many optional activities to choose from like, swimming, hiking, canoeing, bird watching, or taking a motorboat tour of the lake. In the evening, relax together with the whole group at the lodge.Please keep in mind that some members of the group will do the gorilla trek on this day and have the free day in Lake Bunyonyi the day before.
Day 5: Lake Bunyonyi/Kalinzu Forest Reserve
Drive through the Ugandan countryside on the journey to Kalinzu Forest Reserve, which is further north in the country. The reserve is adjacent to Queen Elizabeth National Park and offers a great variety of landscapes to view wildlife. Spend the afternoon at your leisure here.
Day 6: Kalinzu Forest Reserve/Lake Mburo National Park
Rise early this morning for an included chimpanzee tracking excursion within the lush Kalinzu Forest Reserve with a ranger. Later, the group will visit a tea plantation before arriving at Lake Mburo. Then, you can choose to book an afternoon boat cruise, or get to know the local area on foot.
Day 7: Lake Mburo National Park/Jinja
Today the group will travel back across the equator to Uganda, which happens to be one of the few countries where it’s possible to cross over this boundary on land. Along the way, make a stop for lunch at the G Adventures-supported AidChild Equation Café & Gallery. Arrive to Jinja in the evening.
Day 8: Jinja
The entire day is free for you to explore Jinja on your own or with members of the group. There are plenty of outdoor and adventure activities to choose from like rafting and mountain biking.
Pre-book your rafting adrenaline rush on the checkout page to include the Jinja River Rafting optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.
Day 9: Jinja/Kampala
Today, travel back to Uganda’s capital where the tour will finish upon arrival in the early afternoon. Not ready to leave Africa just yet? Talk with your CEO about extending your adventure and get to know Uganda or beyond!
Featured Destinations
Kalinzu Forest Reserve
Kalinzu Forest an extension of the Maramagambo Forest and Queen Elizabeth National Park, lies 1400m above sea level and serves as a refuge for savannah grassland mammals such as the leopard, lion, waterbuck, and elephants (just to name a few). This eco-tourism site that preserves 414 species of trees and shrubs also protects 378 species of birds along with 6 species of primate neighbors. Visitors can go on a guided tour along the ridges of the valley, identify the many species of butterflies, take snapshots of the amazing views of Lake Edward, or discover the mysterious legend of “the old man of the hills.”
Jinja
Uganda's second-largest city, Jinja is situated where the White Nile leaves Lake Victoria on its 3,470-mi/5,590-km journey to the Mediterranean. There is a small plaque that commemorates the spot where the explorer John Speke claimed he had found the source of the Nile in 1862.
Although the river can be interesting, don't expect much: It's now the site of Owen Falls Dam and is no longer in its natural state. Sunset cruises to the Source are popular.
On the riverbanks, there are some lively campsites and bars, and it is the center for Uganda's burgeoning white-water rafting industry and various other adrenaline-inducing activities. We don't expect Idi Amin would have ever imagined that you could bungee jump over the Nile in Uganda—but you can today. Kayaking is also offered, as is quad biking, horseback riding and ziplining in the villages along the banks of the Nile.
The city, 50 mi/80 km east of Kampala, is an expat haven, and visitors will find juice bars, coffee shops, yacht clubs and community events.
Lake Mburo National Park
This park, easily accessible at 155 mi/250 km from Kampala, has buffalo, hippos, zebra, impala and many other animals. The lake and its avian life will also appeal to bird-watchers. More than 350 species have been recorded there. Sometimes the comical-looking Ankole cattle with their enormous heavy horns can be seen grazing in the park amongst the impala. Park accommodations range from simple tents and bandas to fancy grass-thatched roofed cottages on raised wooden platforms that overlook the savannah.
Lake Bunyonyi
Situated alongside the road between Kabale town and Bwindi National Park, this pretty lake—whose name translates aptly as "Place of Little Birds"—is essentially a submerged valley dammed by a lava flow from one of the region's many volcanoes. With a shore and islands dotted with low-key camps and lodges, it has become one of the most popular venues in Uganda to relax and is a popular base for day hikes and visits to Batwa pygmy communities. A bird-watcher's paradise, it is also a reliable location for sightings of otherwise-elusive otters.
Reaching Lake Bunyonyi can be tricky and time-consuming via public transportation. Private taxis are available, but can be prohibitive in cost. This area is a dramatically different landscape from the rest of Uganda in its cultivation and pastoral practices.
Kampala
Set just a few miles/kilometers north of Lake Victoria in the heart of Buganda, Kampala is the capital of Uganda and the country's largest city.
It's a hilly, congested town, and the scars of war that dominated in the early 1990s have long since been repaired or replaced by bright malls and high-rises. Traffic can come to a honking standstill in the city center with bikes balancing bunk beds, boda bodas loaded with 400-lb Nile perch and pedestrians all jockeying for position.
Also, take an excursion to Lake Victoria and visit Namugongo Martyrs' Shrine and the massive, thatch-domed Kasubi Tombs, burial place of several kabakas of Buganda. Although their works are not intended for tourists (and may not be for sale), students at the Makerere University's School of Industrial and Fine Arts create fascinating pieces of art, many of which reflect the challenging conditions of Ugandan life.
In the middle of city at the bottom of Nakasero Hill, look for the market with its colorful display of fresh produce and the matatu (minibus) park stuffed to the gills with vehicles.
Vacation Details
Valid Date Ranges
04/15/2026 -
04/23/2026
from
$2,719 per person
04/29/2026 -
05/07/2026
from
$2,559 per person
06/17/2026 -
06/25/2026
from
$3,499 per person
10/07/2026 -
10/15/2026
from
$3,399 per person
10/21/2026 -
10/29/2026
from
$3,399 per person
11/25/2026 -
12/03/2026
from
$3,199 per person
12/09/2026 -
12/17/2026
from
$3,199 per person
01/27/2027 -
02/04/2027
from
$3,199 per person
02/10/2027 -
02/18/2027
from
$3,199 per person
03/17/2027 -
03/25/2027
from
$3,199 per person
03/31/2027 -
04/08/2027
from
$3,199 per person
05/19/2027 -
05/27/2027
from
$3,199 per person
06/02/2027 -
06/10/2027
from
$3,499 per person
07/07/2027 -
07/15/2027
from
$3,499 per person
07/21/2027 -
07/29/2027
from
$3,499 per person
09/08/2027 -
09/16/2027
from
$3,399 per person
09/22/2027 -
09/30/2027
from
$3,399 per person
10/27/2027 -
11/04/2027
from
$3,399 per person
11/10/2027 -
11/18/2027
from
$3,199 per person
12/29/2027 -
01/06/2028
from
$3,199 per person
01/12/2028 -
01/20/2028
from
$3,199 per person
02/16/2028 -
02/24/2028
from
$3,199 per person
03/01/2028 -
03/09/2028
from
$3,199 per person
04/19/2028 -
04/27/2028
from
$3,199 per person
05/03/2028 -
05/11/2028
from
$3,199 per person
06/07/2028 -
06/15/2028
from
$3,199 per person
06/21/2028 -
06/29/2028
from
$3,199 per person
08/09/2028 -
08/17/2028
from
$3,199 per person
08/23/2028 -
08/31/2028
from
$3,199 per person
09/27/2028 -
10/05/2028
from
$3,199 per person
10/11/2028 -
10/19/2028
from
$3,199 per person
11/29/2028 -
12/07/2028
from
$3,199 per person
12/13/2028 -
12/21/2028
from
$3,199 per person
* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.
Prices Start At
from $2,559 per person
Air City
Call for airfares from your city.
Vacation Rating
Moderate
Moderate facilities have modest enhancements to amenities and décor. These hotels or resorts are dependable, comfortable and some may offer standard features, such as select business services, Continental breakfast or coffee service and may have a swimming pool or small fitness center on-site. Guestrooms are comfortable, moderately spacious, in-room telephones, televisions and limited amenities. Moderate establishments provide suitable accommodations and service for budget-minded travelers.
Remarks
Pricing is per person, land only, in US dollars and based on double occupancy. For specific validity dates, discount amount and tour information, please return to the promotion in question. Promotion valid on G Adventures small group tours excluding Independent, MS Expedition or National Geographic Journeys, unless otherwise stated. Promotion applicable to new bookings only and cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion. Does not apply to airfare (unless otherwise stated), pre-/post-accommodation, 'My Own Room' or 'My Own Tent', transfers, theme packs, insurance, polar kayaking & camping excursions or other in-country services. G Adventures reserves the right to withdraw this offer from sale at any time. Itinerary and map subject to change.
Dossier Disclaimer
The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary. VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.
Itinerary Disclaimer
While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
OFFER ID
1688123
Reference this number when contacting our agency so we may better serve you. Also keeping this number handy will allow you to locate this document again quickly.
JB Cruises | JB Vacations
7460 West Boynton Beach Blvd., Suite 102
Boynton Beach, FL 33437
USA
(561) 880-2790
(800) 329-7447