Explore the domain of Uganda’s Great Apes, The Mountain Gorillas and the wildlife and people of its forests, in the company of Ian Redmond, photographer Heather Angel and others experts.

The Great Gorilla Gathering is designed to provide a fabulous and stimulating platform from which to track gorillas and also get a unique perspective and insight into their long-term welfare in the company of world leading experts, our Ugandan hosts and the gorilla’s guardians.

This is unlike any other Mountain gorilla tour – a trip wholly exclusive to Discovery Initiatives – offering much more than just a glimpse into the world of the gorilla, but instead a fascinating gorilla discovery safari, an opportunity to enhance your skills or interest in both wildlife photography and art, and a wonderful fund raising opportunity for primate conservation.

Five nights are spent in one of Africa’s richest rainforest habitats, a magnificent verdant swathe across the steep ridges of the Albertine Rift Valley. It is one of the few rainforests in Africa to have flourished throughout the last Ice Age and is home to roughly half of the world’s Mountain gorillas, about 360 in all. Within its 330 sq km borders are over 11 separate primates, with the black and white colobus monkey with its long tail being the most prominent. With over 90 mammals and birding being amongst the best in Uganda, this forest deserves the time to explore and enjoy it properly.

We also spend some time with our Ugandan hosts, with talks and discussions with the guardians and rangers of the park itself and the communities surrounding the park, getting a real idea of the conflicts between people and wildlife that are the ultimate challenge for the long term future of habitat and conservation in Africa.

Lastly enjoy the friendship and camaraderie that such a ‘hands on’, active and participatory trip inspires, in the comfort of two of the best lodges in Uganda perched overlooking Bwindi’s forests. Extensions to other parts of Uganda are, of course, possible.

Your participation in The Great Gorilla Gathering will help to raise over US$5K for Mountain gorilla conservation, and we are also seeking to auction a painting at the end of the tour to enhance this target to US$10K.

Costs per person From £4495 per person including international flights from the UK and two gorilla permits.*Based on scheduled airlines, availability and minimum 20 people travelling on the Gathering.

Single supplement We do not charge single supplements if you are willing to share. However if you want a guaranteed single room then please contact us for a quote.

Includes International economy return flights from London on Kenyan Airways, all accommodation on a full board basis unless otherwise shown, all transport, all alcoholic drinks at Bwindi (excluding premium wines, spirits and champagnes), 2 gorilla permits per person, services of English-speaking guide/driver, local guides and trackers and the range of expertise and workshops involved in the programme. A contribution will be given to help raise up to US$10K to help conserve the Great apes and their habitat through this Gathering. This tour also includes a contribution to the Climate Care Initiative to help offset the carbon emissions from your flight.

Excludes Travel insurance, visas, vaccinations, items of a personal nature, gratuities, any extra meals.

Travelling from outside the UK We are happy to quote you either in US dollars or Euros, without flights to Entebbe. Because of recent currency fluctuations we will quote you at the time of your enquiry using the current exchange rate.

Coming from the USA or other parts of the world. Experience tells us that the best way to get to Uganda is via London and Nairobi and, therefore, we would encourage you to join the tour in London. Please contact us for information on booking hotels in the UK.

Health and Fitness A good level of fitness will allow you to fully appreciate this Gorilla Gathering and with this in mind we recommend you undertake some form of regular exercise in preparation for the sometimes challenging gorilla tracking. Past groups have been known to trek for up to 8 hours in the forest on steep slopes and through dense vegetation, though there are some natural trails to follow. Call us if you want to talk through your personal health and fitness.

Vaccinations and Visas All visitors must be in possession of a valid passport with at least six months left before expiry. Visas are required for entry into Uganda for British citizens, which can be obtained on arrival or a fee of U$40 per person. A Yellow fever vaccination is essential and we recommend inoculations for Typhoid, Tetanus and Hepatitis A. Malaria is present in the area and expert advice is therefore essential.

Extra permits Please contact us should you wish to take advantage of extra permits, subject to availability and payment of an additional charge, over and above the two already allocated as part of this tour.

This Trip Supports..

International Gorilla Conservation Programme

Field Expertise

Julia Lloyd

Julia Lloyd, is a respected primatologist who has spent a number of years in Kibale. She was asked by the Jane Goodall Institute to manage the collaborative Kibale Primate Habituation Project in 1998.

After being involved with chimpanzee tourism for over 3 years, she did take an MSc in Primate Conservation to balance her field experience and to use good science for conservation.

Her knowledge of Uganda’s Great Apes and her dedication to them will enlighten you to these fascinating creatures but also inspire you in the fight for their continued survival.

Click here to see her Conservation in action Gorilla tour

Click here to see here Primate and Wildlife Tour in Uganda

Ian Redmond

Ian Redmond, wildlife biologist, author, consultant for numerous documentaries and passionate conservationist, with a lifelong interest in apes. As Chief Consultant to GRASP, the UNEP/UNESCO Great Apes Survival Project, he has studied many of the apes in the region having worked along side Dian Fossey back in the 1970’s and also chairs the Ape Alliance (www.4apes.com). Asked about his work he says, “I am a naturalist by birth, a biologist by training and a conservationist by necessity”.

Our Feedback

This is a new tour and as such does not have direct feedback from clients, but please see the comments below from other Gorilla and Chimpanzee programmes including those with experts liek Dr Julia Lloyd.

I just thought I would drop you a line to say that I had a great holiday and thank you all for sharing that experience with me and making it so unforgettable. That is you and the gorillas.Thanks again to you all.

Gaye Jackson 2007

We had such a fantastic holiday thanks to you and everyone else you were fantastic like a best friend. We cant believe its all over.

Barbara and Michael Guzmics 2007

Thank you for such a wonderful memorable holiday. I will never forget you and the terrific group of individuals in our party. It has been really hard getting over this, the best holiday in my life. Thanks to you and your staff for such a great trip.

Ron and Rita Cooper. 2007

You run an amazing outfit. Thank you for the trip of my life!”

Laura Damon

Feedback from past clients in Uganda can be seen from a host of other tours we advertise here on the website.

Click here for details