Nile Explorer with Gorilla Tracking (10 nights)
This outlines the 10 night Nile Explorer ride with the extension to do Gorilla Tracking. It is possible to omit the Gorilla Tracking and to leave after 7 nights.
Please note that the following is the proposed itinerary but it is
always possible that local conditions will mean a change is necessary.
If it is raining a ride might be shortened and a longer ride take place
on a day with better weather. Over the week you stay at all the lodges
and do the different rides.
On some days the horses are trucked to
the starting point (and you meet them by vehicle) and/or they are
collected by truck at the end of the day. This is so you avoid riding in
areas which are highly populated or just not offering great riding.
Horses may also be replaced during the week by fresh horses from the
stables.
Sunday - Entebbe to Jinja
You will be collected from your hotel in Entebbe or the
airport and transferred to Jinja. The journey can take anything between
2.5 hours and 4.5 hours depending on the traffic. Arrive at your
accommodation at Holland Park, which is near to the stables and about 20
minutes’ drive outside of Jinja.
Meet your guides and the horses and have an introductory ride of
about one to two hours to try out the horses. Ride around Naminya
village and along the banks of the River Nile. Later enjoy a sunset
cruise and sundowner drinks on the Nile. Dinner and overnight at Holland
Park.
Monday - Lake Victoria shore ride
Your first day’s
ride is for approximately four hours through various tea and sugar
plantations and villages, over some hills with stunning vistas of the
country side.
Return to Holland Park for dinner and overnight.
Tuesday - Ride to the Rain Forest Lodge
The
ride today is four to five hours’ riding around an enormous peninsula
that lies into Lake Victoria. The horses are trucked to the starting
point so that you have maximum riding in the more interesting places.
You
stop for a picnic lunch in the hills overlooking Lake Victoria and
Jinja town. Throughout the day you have fabulous views of the lake,
sugar plantations, and traditional villages. There are possibilities for
good canters.
Later transfer to Rain Forest Lodge for dinner and overnight.
Wednesday - Forest explorer ride
Ride for about four hours exploring Mabira forest with lunch on the
way. You will be looking for rare forest primates (Grey cheeked
Mangabeys) and other local monkey species. In the late afternoon you can
relax at the pool or go for a walk. Overnight at Rain Forest Lodge.
Thursday - Ride to The Haven
Today you normally swap onto fresh horses from the stables. The
ride is for about four hours past tea plantations, through jungled
terrain and with great lookout points to arrive at the Haven lodge for a
late lunch. This is a great spot for a swim in the river or at the
swimming pool while overlooking some stunning white water rapids.
Overnight at The Haven.
Friday - Rafting/adventure sports or rest day and swimming the horses
Today
you may head out to experience some of the most beautiful white water
rafting in the world (warm water thrills and spills).
Also,
either today or tomorrow it may be possible to swim with the horses in
the Nile. This is an optional part of the ride. You swim the horses in
the river where there is a sandy bottom and no crocodiles or hippos.
Please
note that the white water rafting is an optional extra (payable
locally) and you may prefer to rest or do some of the other adventure
activities in the area, such as Quad Biking, Bungee Jumping, Kayak
school, Mountain biking or Jet boating.
Overnight at The Haven.
Saturday - Ride to Wild Waters Lodge
On the final day continue to ride along the banks of the Nile and
through local villages, before arriving at one of the most breath taking
lodges you will ever see. (approximately three to four hours riding).
Wild Waters Lodge is located on an island in the middle of the Nile with
massive white water all around the lodge. Enjoy relaxing in the pool
that is actually a part of the Nile. Overnight at Wild Waters Lodge.
Sunday -Jinja to Entebbe
Those returning to Entebbe for the Emirates flight which departs at 15:50 will need to depart from Wild Waters Lodge at about 8.30 am.
You will be staying overnight in Entebbe and so can enjoy a morning enjoying the stunning location of Wild Waters Lodge before transferring back to Entebbe. Arrive at Entebbe and overnight at a guesthouse near to the airport. Dinner is to your own account tonight.
Monday - Entebbe to Buhoma
Morning transfer to Entebbe airport for flight to Kihihi. From Kihihi Airstrip you will be transferred by road (one and a half hours) to your accommodation in Buhoma (either Engagi Lodge or Mahogany Springs Lodge or similar) and to Bwindi National Park, the home of the endangered Mountain Gorillas. Check in at the lodge.
Depending on your time of arrival, you may have time to go craft shopping in the village or on a guided forest walk (extra cost) or to simply relax in the gardens of the lodge and prepare for the gorilla tracking. Dinner and overnight at your lodge in Buhoma.
Tuesday - Gorilla tracking
An early breakfast today and then you are transferred by vehicle the short distance to the Park Headquarters for the briefing for the Gorilla Tracking which is at 08.00. The briefing is very important and the guides will explain the rules of what you must do or not do when you find the gorillas. Please note that if you have a cold or flu, which poses a serious health risk to the gorillas, you will not be permitted to go. It is recommended that you borrow long walking stakes from the hotel.
During the briefing you can hire porters. It is recommended that you hire a porter to carry your back pack and provide you with assistance over rough terrain and many people hire two porters. The cost is USD 20 paid directly to the porter. This is a very important source of income to the local community – each person is permitted to be a porter just one day a month. Don’t worry about the large group of people – the porters are not permitted to come right up to the gorilla viewing - at this point it will just be the rangers accompanying you.
You need to be prepared to walk for up to four hours (although sometimes it can be just 30 minutes) in steep, hot and possibly muddy conditions, either in full sun or in the rain, before you encounter any gorillas.
But when you find them the hard work will definitely be worthwhile as you observe them closely while they eat, play and rest. The interaction will last precisely one hour – not long – but an hour you will remember for the rest of your life.
Lunch is a picnic box provided by the lodge who will also provide you with drinking water (it is important that you take plenty of water to keep hydrated during the hike). Later return to your lodge. There may be time to visit the craft shops at Buhoma village and you may be able to see the children from the orphanage dance and sing. They also have drawings and craftwork for sale.
Dinner and overnight at your lodge in Buhoma.
Wednesday - Bwindi National Park to Entebbe
After breakfast transfer by vehicle to Kihihi Airfield – the journey takes about an hour and a half. Depart Kihihi on Aerolink schedule flight departing at 9:45, arriving Entebbe at 11:25. Connect with international flight home.
If you are on the late flight via Nairobi, then it is possible to book a day room at a nearby guesthouse.
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