Gorilla Trekking: Clouds Mountains
Seasonal Information
Experience the adventure of a lifetime on this incredible bucket-list wildlife experience, discovering Kenya and Uganda. Journey through the plains of Maasai Mara, filled with an abundance of wildlife, to the ferocious barrel-chested gorillas situated in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – which is now easily accessible with the brand new easy flight connections via Entebbe through to the Bwindi Forest National Park airstrip, making this dream combination seamless.
- Game Drives – Day and Night
- Bush Breakfast
- Bird Watching
- Guided Walks
- Forrest Walks
- Bush Dinner
- Sundowners
- Gorilla Trekking
- Nkuringo Village Tour
- Batwa Experience Trip
During your time in the Maasai Mara, you will embark on some amazing adventures such as thrilling game drives, night drives and bush walks and cultural interactions with the local Maasai villagers – all located within the seclusion of a private concession area. The Maasai Mara is one of Kenya’s most popular safari parks and is filled with an all-year-round abundance of wildlife, the annual spectacle of the Great Migration, and some magical scenic views.
When you reach Uganda, you will get the rare opportunity to track a gorilla family. This private and intimate experience is conducted in groups of up to eight people, offering a more personal moment with these beautiful and intelligent creatures. You will start your journey in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, known to be the country’s oldest and most biologically diverse rainforest jungle, having stood for over 25000 years. During your gorilla tracking, you will encounter a myriad of butterflies, birds and orchids, along with tree ferns and waterfalls that lie hidden deep in the forest. it’s a primate heaven, home to about 320 mountain gorillas which is almost half of the world’s remaining wild population.
Hemingways Nairobi
Located in the capital city of Kenya, Hemingways Nairobi is a beautiful boutique hotel that is flooded with natural light and is just a 40-minute drive from Nairobi’s international airport. Guests will be provided with their own room with a private balcony overlooking the iconic silhouette of the Ngong Hills, and will also be provided with their own highly trained butler to ensure a hassle-free stay.
Your time spent at Hemingways Nairobi can be spent relaxing and making full use of the hotel amenities such as the gym, sauna, steam and outdoor pool. Those who wish to experience more can have a wide array of activities booked on their behalf, from visits to a few Nairobi highlights to a thrilling game viewing excursion.
andBeyond Bateleur Camp
Located in the Maasai Mara on a private concession, andBeyond Bateleur Camp creates a truly authentic classic safari experience for guests; with its incredible accumulation of wildlife residents and its thriving wilderness. andBeyond Bateleur Camp is open all year round and is known to host some of the best game viewing Kenya has ever seen.
Bateleur Camp is a small luxury camp that prides itself on looking after the environment by preserving a low impact on the lands and preventing wasteful uses of resources, which allows for vast areas of untouched biodiversity lands for guests to explore.
During your time at andBeyond Bateleur Camp, there are plenty of activities to keep you entertained and craving for more. Guests can embark on thrilling game drives day or night, with an abundance of wildlife to encounter. Day game drives are best suited for those travelling with children. On this incredible adventure, you will be driven around the reserve in a 4×4 safari vehicle led by highly professional drivers and guides who will show you all the best places to see your favourite animals. Guests will encounter lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, buffalo, zebras, giraffes and even hippos and crocodiles who lounge around the Mara river. Night game drives are when the African bush comes to life with predators and other nocturnal creatures. This gives guests the opportunity to see a different side of the animals and observe fascinating species not normally encountered in daylight.
Guests can also experience the great migration, which is made up of around two million wildebeest, zebra, kongoni and topi who travel from Tanzania to Kenya. The journey these animals embark on is not easy, it’s a fight for survival against the predatory animals they come across, such as the crocodiles scattered in the Mara river who wait patiently to snap at the wildebeests and zebras crossing over, which guests are able to witness from a safe distance.
Guests can participate in a spectacular guided walk filled with breathtaking scenic views and spend time connecting to the wilderness surrounding them. There are three routes to explore on your adventure, all of which have their own unique qualities that are waiting to be discovered. The first route is the Kichwa Nature Trail where guests will journey into the riverine forest that follows the perimeter of Sabaringo creek, renowned for its abundance of birdlife. The second route is called the Mara Hippo Trail, this offers guests the opportunity to explore the wilderness on foot, trekking through the plains, riverine forest, savannah grasslands and bushland surrounding the camp. Guests will also get the opportunity to see the hippos and crocodiles which lounge around in the Mara River. The final route is the Oloololo Escarpment Trail which leads from the camp to the top of the escarpment and boasts breathtaking views of the Mara reserve, the Mara River and the riverine forest.
Bush breakfast and dinners are also available for guests to indulge in, breakfast is served either on the banks of the Mara River or on the Oloololo Escarpment, followed by some incredible scenic views of the plains below. Dinner is served under the stars within the camp grounds, with mouth-watering pan African dishes all created by the camp chefs. Once dinner is completed, guests are treated to fireside entertainment by our very own Sukuti band.
Guests can also enjoy some luscious sundowner cocktails, in a tranquil location in the Oloololo Escarpment. You can take this opportunity to relax and wind down after a long day of adventures and watch the sunset over the horizon and the stars come alive. Guests can also take this time to gaze at the dazzling stars and find some constellations.
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
Secluded up high at around 2,000 meters above sea level in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge is intimately charming, and one of the most luxurious lodges in all of Uganda. Guests will embark on wild adventures during their stay at Clouds Mountain, being given the opportunities to not only capture exceptional sightings of gorillas, but also to track 6 habituated gorilla groups within the area.
The biggest activity during your stay will be gorilla trekking; however, guests can also participate in a forest walk where they can marvel at the variety of bird species, cultural experiences and community tours. Guests can also go on a Batwa experience trip, where you can learn all about a group of local indigenous people that reside on the mountain slopes.
Upon your arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be driven by vehicle to Hemingways Nairobi. Spend your overnight stay at Hemingways Nairobi in a Deluxe Room with an ensuite bathroom.
Your stay includes breakfast, wi-fi, local newspaper, use of the gym, sauna, steam, outdoor pool and mineral water.
Day 1
Spend your day filled with adventures by asking the concierge to book an array of activities on your behalf, from visits to a few Nairobi highlights to an exciting game-viewing excursion. Guests can also spend their day relaxing and making full use of the hotel amenities such as the gym, sauna, steam and outdoor pool, along with the indulgent spa facilities or simply enjoy the sense of blissful seclusion and luxury on the edge of the wilderness.
After a scrumptious breakfast, you will be transferred by road to Wilson Airport in time for your scheduled flight to the Maasai Mara.
Reawaken your soul during your all-inclusive 3-night stay at andBeyond Bateleur Camp, where you will be accommodated in a spacious tent with an ensuite bathroom, shower and your own private deck. Your stay also includes soft drinks, house wines, local brand spirits and beers, scheduled safari activities, return Kichwa Tembo airstrip transfers and laundry.
Included activities: Game drives(day and night), guided walks, the Great Migration (seasonal), bush meals and sundowners.
Recommended activities: Hot air balloon rides.
Day 2
Morning: Spend your morning indulging in a mouth-watering bush breakfast on the banks of the Mara River, with incredible views of the hippos lounging around the river below, along with incredible scenic views of the wilderness and other wildlife residents.
Afternoon: Embark on a guided walk tackling the Kichwa Nature Trail, where you will journey into the riverine forest that follows the perimeter of Sabaringo creek, renowned for its abundance of birdlife.
Evening: Unwind with a luscious sundowner cocktail in a tranquil location in the Oloololo Escarpment, where you will have the opportunity to relax and wind down after a long day of adventures and watch the sunset over the horizon.
Day 3
Morning: Participate in an exhilarating game drive, where you will get the chance to encounter lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, buffalo, zebras, giraffes and even hippos and crocodiles who lounge around the Mara river.
Afternoon: Take on the Mara Hippo Trail led by professionally trained guides as you journey through the wilderness on foot, trekking through the plains, riverine forest, savannah grasslands and bush land surrounding the camp.
Evening: Dinner is served under the stars with some delicious pan African dishes made by the camps chefs, followed by fireside entertainment by our very own Sukuti band.
Day 4
Morning: After a bush breakfast in the on the Oloololo Escarpment, why not take a guided walk along the Oloololo Escarpment Trail which leads from the camp to the top of the escarpment and boasts breathtaking views of the Mara reserve, the Mara river and riverine forest.
Afternoon: Go and experience the Great Wildebeest Migration, which is made up of around two million wildebeest, zebra, kongoni and topi’s who travel from Tanzania to Kenya. The journey these animals embark on is not easy, it’s a fight for survival against the predatory animals they come across, such as the crocodiles scattered in the Mara river waiting patiently to snap at the wildebeests and zebras crossing over. Guests are able to witness this incredible spectacle from a safe distance.
Evening: The Maasai Mara offers astounding night game drives, and you to explore the African bush as it comes to life with predators and other nocturnal creatures. This gives you the opportunity to see a different side of the animals and observe fascinating species not normally encountered in daylight.
After a delicious breakfast, an andBeyond representative will meet you, and take you to your scheduled flight from Kichwa Airstrip to Entebbe International Airport via Kisumu for customs. At Entebbe International Airport, you will make your way to the domestic departures were you will board your scheduled light aircraft flight to Bwindi (Kisoro Airstrip).
Indulge in your all-inclusive 3-night stay at Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, where you will be accommodated in your own private cottage. Your stay includes all alcoholic and soft drinks, a massage, laundry and any activities available around the lodges.
Included activities: Nkuringo Village Tour, Batwa experience tour and Gorilla Trekking in the Nkuringo or Rushaga areas.
Recommended activities (at additional cost): Birding Walks and Forest Walks
Day 5
After indulging in a big breakfast, why not spend the day trekking for gorillas in the in the Nkuringo or Rushaga area. Both known to be one of the most popular areas for trekking gorillas in Uganda, Nkuringo and Rushaga boast breathtaking views, and you can also encounter some colourful butterflies, birds and orchids along with tree ferns, and waterfalls hidden deep in the forest. It is also known to be the country’s oldest and most biologically diverse rainforest jungle and is over 25000 years old.
Day 6
Tuck in to a hearty breakfast overlooking the majestic mist covered slope of the mountain, as you embark on a Batwa experience learning all about a group of local indigenous people that reside in the Bwindi forest, who will teach you some basic survival skills. You will learn how to create fires using only sticks and stones, how to identify the growing plants in the the surrounding and which ones can be used for medical purposes, and you will also get the chance to engage in the untamed african culture through local traditional dances.
Day 7
Spend your day exploring the Nkuringo Village or trekking through the forest discovering the abundance of wildlife hiding with the bushes.
After a scrumptious breakfast, you will be transferred by road in a shared lodge vehicle for 2 hours from Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge to Kisoro Airport where a scheduled light aircraft flight to Entebbe International Airport awaits you. From here you will embark on your onward arrangements.
(Please note that the scheduled flight makes two stops at different airstrips before arriving at Entebbe International Airport.)
Dates are flexible so please make an enquiry and tell us a range of dates you are considering so we can check availability.
Recommended activities
Hemingway Nairobi
At an additional cost, guests can visit a few of Nairobi’s famous attractions or attend an exciting game-viewing excursion.
andBeyond bateleur Camp
At an additional cost, guests can enjoy a hot air balloon ride over the Maasai Mara, with breathtaking views of the surrounding wilderness. You will also get the opportunity to take some spectacular photos and videos as you fly over the plains, forests and rivers and experience game viewing like never before. Once you land in the bush, you will be greeted with a mouth-watering champagne breakfast prepared by camp chefs. After your breakfast, you will make your return journey back to camp.
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
At an additional cost, guests can participate in a forest walk where you can seek Bwindi’s variety of bird species or visit Nkuringo Village.
- Accommodation inclusions as per itinerary
- All road transfers:
- Scheduled Flights
- Scheduled flights, inclusive of airport taxes where applicable, as specified in the itinerary
- Baggage restriction of 15 kgs per person (no more) is applicable on all flights in small, soft-sided bags this includes hand luggage. Extra luggage will incur a charge of $3 per kg, per sector, to be paid directly to the
airline upon check-in - Park/concession fees included
- Emergency medical evacuation insurance
- Administration fee
- and Beyond trading terms apply
1 Gorilla permit per person as stipulated in the itinerary:
- Gorilla trekking is subject to availability of permits, which are limited to 8 per Gorilla family per day
- Gorilla permits cannot be held/secured/booked with the Uganda Wildlife Authority or the Rwanda Development Board in advance of payment – they are only secured once physically paid for. We can check
availability of permits but we cannot hold them - We will invoice for the permits, and as soon as the funds clear in our account, we will go ahead and purchase
- Gorilla permits are always 100% non-transferable and non-refundable
- There is a minimum age limit for gorilla tracking of 15 years (no exceptions)
- In Uganda, please be advised that if clients are staying at Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, we shall endeavour to buy Nkuringo Gorilla group permits – the Nkuringo group tracking start point is close to the Lodge.
- If at the time of booking, Nkuringo group permits are not available, we shall secure permits from the Rushaga group (encompassing the Nshongi, Mishaya, Busingye, Kahungye and Bweza Families) which is a 45 – 60-minute drive from Clouds
- There is an additional cost of approximately $188 (per vehicle) which transfers guests to the tracking start point,
waits and returns them to the Lodge
- All Flights
- Health Insurance
- Travel Insurance
- Vaccinations
- Visas
- Murchison Falls National Park, Vehicle entrance to Murchison Falls National Park, hike to the top of the park and the view (each view) require an additional charge.
- Carbon Offsetting through Climate Care
Suitable for:
- Walking enthusiasts
- Repeat African travellers
- Extreme Adventures
- Ideal for people with high levels of fitness
Suitable for ages 15 to 65
Gorilla Tracking is only for ages 15 and above.
Seasonal Information
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