Welcome to the Pearl of Africa, and to an expedition curated for your spirit of discovery. At Tugende Afric, we specialize in crafting journeys that bring you heart-to-heart with nature's most magnificent creatures. "Tugende" means "let's go," and on this adventure, we're taking you into the heart of the jungle to meet our incredible cousins the majestic mountain gorillas and the charismatic chimpanzees. Prepare for a powerful, life-changing experience that is the very soul of Africa.
What to Pack: Be ready for the mountains! Tugende Afric recommends warm clothes like sweaters and gloves, breathable shorts and long sleeves, a reliable raincoat, long trousers, and sturdy, comfortable hiking shoes. The terrain is part of the adventure, and we want you to be prepared for its beauty and challenge.
The adventure begins the moment you land. A dedicated Tugende Afric guide will be waiting to welcome you to the Pearl of Africa. We'll transfer you to your hotel in Kampala or Entebbe, where your guide will provide a detailed briefing about the incredible days ahead and share your full itinerary. The rest of the evening is yours to relax, acclimatize, and rest up for the early morning start we at Tugende Afric know a good night's sleep is the best preparation.
After a hearty breakfast, your road journey with Tugende Afric begins. We'll travel southwest, witnessing Uganda's stunning landscapes transition into the rolling hills that preface the great forest. Our destination is your chosen lodge in the Bwindi-Mgahinga Conservation Area. To make your trek seamless, we have selected your accommodation based on the sector of your gorilla permit be it Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, Nkuringo, or Nyakagezi ensuring you are perfectly positioned for tomorrow's grand adventure.
This is the day you've been waiting for. We'll depart at dawn for the park headquarters. Your Tugende Afric guide will ensure you arrive by 7:30 am for registration and a crucial, informative briefing from the Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers. Then, we enter the impenetrable forest. Led by expert trackers, you will hike through this ancient, UNESCO-protected world until you find them a family of mountain gorillas. The hour you spend in their quiet presence is a profound privilege we are honored to facilitate. Remember your packed lunch, water, rain gear, and charged camera!
You'll graduate with a certificate from this world heritage site. If time allows, Tugende Afric highly recommends the optional visit to the Batwa community a powerful cultural encounter with the forest's first people or supporting local women at community curio shops.
After breakfast, we journey north with Tugende Afric to the famed "Primate Capital," Kibale National Park. In the afternoon, we embark on our chimpanzee tracking adventure. While sightings in the wild are never guaranteed, Kibale offers one of the highest probabilities on Earth. As we search, your Tugende Afric guide and park rangers will immerse you in the park's rich ecosystem, pointing out other primates, unique birds, and fascinating flora. After this exhilarating trek, we return to the lodge for a hot, well-earned lunch, followed by a relaxed evening of early dinner and fireside stories.
After a final breakfast in the wild, your Tugende Afric guide will accompany you on the scenic transfer back to Kampala or Entebbe International Airport for your onward journey. As you travel, you'll reflect on the unforgettable moments the gaze of a gorilla, the call of a chimp that you now carry with you.
