Uganda: Katunguru to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for Gorilla Trekking

Saturday 20th June: Uganda. Katunguru to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. A good hearty breakfast was served to us at 9am & we were ready to be on the road by 11 am. Unfortunately, at that time we found out we had a flat battery; reasons unknown just yet.

Reuben was quickly to the rescue & he gave us a tow start. I think Dusty started within 20 feet so we were quickly on our way. I’m not surprised that Dusty throws a little hiccup every now & then because we’ve covered 11500 kms since we left Cape Town and a lot of it, as recently as yesterday, has been really punishing.

The journey to Buhoma Gate took us about 5 hours and we travelled through Queen Elizabeth Park, spotting Elephants & Impala along the way. We crossed over a bridge that had been washed away a few days earlier and had been hastily repaired, looking a little unsafe. We didn’t stop for a photo while on it, just in case! We reached Buhoma at about 4pm & met a guy called Godfrey.

We asked Godfrey about accommodation in the area and he guided us towards a couple of lodges in the forest park itself. We had now officially penetrated the impenetrable forest, but only by a few hundred metres. We stopped at the Gorilla Forest Camp, owned by upmarket travel company Abercrombie & Kent and I volunteered to climb the steep steps to make enquiries. Godfrey had said it was US$560 per room and when I arrived at reception I was told it was $500.

Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp.

Gorilla Forest Camp. A typical tent

 I asked for the manager & negotiated a hefty discount, for full board, including lunch for myself &  John on Sunday. We finished up getting each room for $150. It is considered the ultimate jungle camp in this area. The tents are huge and very opulent with two king size beds in each one and a very luxurious bathroom. We had dinner at 8pm and it was excellent cuisine, really well presented and very tasty. We called it a night just after 10pm. I returned to my tent to find a hot water bottle in the bed as the chill sets in during the night.