7 Days Hike Via the Machame route with Gorilla Trek in Uganda

Combining 7 Days Hike Via the Machame route with Gorilla Trek in Uganda via the Machame route is an incredible adventure that combines the challenge of summiting Africa’s highest peak with the unique opportunity to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Here’s a suggested itinerary to Combine 7 Days Hike Via the Machame route with Gorilla Trek in Uganda:

Day 1-2: Arrival in Tanzania

• Arrive in Tanzania and transfer to your accommodation in Arusha or Moshi.
• Spend a day or two acclimatizing, preparing for your Kilimanjaro hike, and getting all necessary permits and gear checks done.

Day 3-9: Kilimanjaro Hike via Machame Route (7 Days)

• Start your Kilimanjaro hike via the Machame route, which is known for its scenic beauty and excellent acclimatization opportunities.
• Trek through the lush rainforest, heath, and alpine desert zones as you make your way to the summit.
• Reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters/19,341 feet), and celebrate your achievement.
• Descend the mountain and return to Arusha or Moshi.

Day 10-11: Travel to Uganda

• Fly from Tanzania to Entebbe, Uganda.
• Upon arrival in Entebbe, transfer to your accommodation in Entebbe or Kampala.
• Spend the evening relaxing and preparing for your gorilla trekking adventure.

Day 12-13: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

• Drive or fly to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, where you’ll embark on your gorilla trekking adventure.
• Spend one day trekking through the dense forest to locate and observe mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
• Enjoy the incredible experience of being in close proximity to these magnificent creatures.
• After the trek, you can relax and reflect on the experience in your lodge in Bwindi.

Day 14: Return to Entebbe/Kampala

• Drive or fly back to Entebbe or Kampala, depending on your international flight schedule.
• You may choose to explore the local area or rest and unwind after your gorilla trekking adventure.

Day 15: Departure

• Depending on your flight schedule, you can explore Entebbe or Kampala a bit more or head directly to the airport for your departure.

Ensure you have the necessary permits for both Kilimanjaro and gorilla trekking well in advance through Eco Adventure Safaris. Additionally, consider your physical fitness and acclimatization for Kilimanjaro, as it is a challenging hike with high altitudes.

About Bwindi the best place for gorilla trekking in Uganda

Bwindi Forest National Park is located in the southern part of Uganda sharing a border with Congo, it is one of the only two national parks in Uganda where you can trek and see the magnificent Mountain Gorillas in their natural habitat in the world, it is home to more than half of the only remaining Mountain Gorillas in the wild making it famous and best place to trek the Mountain Gorillas. Bwindi Forest National Park is divided into different sections/sectors where you can do the Gorilla tracking experience namely Rushaga, Buhoma, and Ruhija and Nkuringo sector. Bwindi Forest National Park has different habituated gorilla families open for gorilla tracking experience, each gorilla family has different gorilla individuals, and each gorilla family is headed and controlled by the dominant male gorilla the silver back. For you to go on the trek, you are required to have a Gorilla permit valid for trekking that day. Gorilla permits are limited in number per day given it is only 8 people allowed to trek per gorilla family per day in Bwindi Forest National Park.

Bwindi impenetrable National Park has four gorilla trekking regions namely Ruhija, Buhoma and Rushaga gorilla regions of Bwindi impenetrable National Park. Gorilla trekking means visiting the gorillas in their natural habitat in the forest, the trek in Uganda starts at 7:00am with briefing on the dos and don’ts while moving in the forest and with the gorillas. After briefing, the park guides, rangers, and trackers lead you to the forest to find the gorillas. You are allowed one hour of viewing the gorillas when found and later you return to the starting point to receive a certificate for the successful gorilla trekking in Uganda.

The gorillas are amazing to watch as they have 95% of the human DNA. Only eight visitors are allowed to see gorillas per habituated family per day according to Uganda Wildlife Authority policy so as to conserve the gorillas. To be allowed to do gorilla trekking, you must be aged 12 years and above as per the policy and minors are not allowed to trek since they may not easy be controlled in the forest and may easily transmit diseases to the gorillas. Uganda is good for gorilla trekking, policies and guidelines are in place for trekking and conservation which as Eco Adventure Safaris we always share with you while planning your 3 day gorilla tour to Bwindi National Park with a fair price.

What is the cost of gorilla trekking in Uganda?

From 1st July 2024 to 2026 the Uganda gorilla permit costs USD800 per person for Non-Foreign Residents, USD700 for Foreign Residents, and Shs 300, 000 for East African Citizens. The gorilla habituation permits cost USD1500 per person for Non- Foreign Residents, USD1000 for Foreign Residents, and Uganda Shs. 750,000 per person for East African Citizens.  This habituation permit allows you to view the gorillas for four hours once you find them as you see the way they move, feed, rest and live in families.

Where to stay during gorilla trekking in Uganda?

On gorilla trekking in Uganda you will stay at eco-lodges depending on the sector where you are going to trek the gorillas. In Rushaga, you can stay at Rushaga gorilla camp, Gorilla safari lodge, four gorillas lodge, in Nkuringo you can stay at Nkuringo Bwindi gorilla lodge, Clouds Mountain gorilla lodge, Gorilla Heights lodge. In Buhoma sector you can stay at Buhoma havens, Buhoma lodge, Bwindi lodge, Buhoma community rest camp. In Ruhija sector you can stay at Trekkers tavern Lodge, Bakiga lodge and Ruhija community Rest camp.

Combine 7 Days Kilimanjaro Hike with Gorilla Trekking in Uganda Through Eco Adventure Safaris

Eco Adventure Safaris offers amazing gorilla safari experiences to Bwindi impenetrable National Park. Contact us on here for our discounted packages and also tailor-made Gorilla trips from Kampala/Entebbe to Bwindi, Cultural experiences. Our magic in organizing authentic experience stems from the fact that we have overtime assembled a team mixed with young and energetic staff guided by well-experienced mature managers and directors who are Ugandans and passionate about what they do. Eco Adventure Safaris is highly rated and reviewed on trip Advisor to help you learn on the experiences of the other travelers who have traveled. Contact us here for more information about how to Combine 7 Days Kilimanjaro Hike with Gorilla Trekking in Uganda.