Overview
This 4 day Bwindi gorilla safari from Kigali is meant for those who have enough time and would like to explore bwindi impenetrable National Park and or Mgahinga. In these four days, one can book two gorilla treks which can be done in different regions or with different gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Alternatively one can book one gorilla trek and one gorilla habituation experience to spend up to four hours with mountain gorillas in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This 4 day Bwindi gorilla safari from Kigali also allows time for other activities like forest walks, community walks and birding.
Summary of 4 Day Bwindi Gorilla safari from Kigali
- Day 01: Pickup from Kigali City/Airport and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Day 02: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Day 03: Second optional Gorilla trek or Gorilla habituation experience or forest walk in Bwindi
- Day 04: Drive back to Kigali International Airport for your flight out
Highlights
- You’ll go to Uganda through Kigali Rwanda
- This tour starts and ends in Kigali Rwanda
- You’ll visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Activities: gorilla tracking/Gorilla habituation experience
- Getting around: open-sided 4×4 vehicle
- A transfer from and back to the airport (or hotel) is included
- Additional accommodation before the tour departs and on the last day can be arranged for extra cost
Things To Consider
- Accommodation is Inclusive
- Tour Can Depart any day
- Tour can be customized
- Solo travelers can join this tour
- Age Limit: 15 years and above
Detailed Itinerary
Arrival
- You’ll be picked up from the airport (or hotel)
- Accommodation before the tour departs can be arranged for extra cost
DAY 1: Pick up from Kigali Airport/Hotel to start your 4 Day Uganda Safari From Kigali
- Morning/Transfer: You will be picked from Kigali International Airport/Any Hotel in Kigali to start your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The journey is very scenic and will take you through a country of a thousand hills to the Pearl of Africa.
- Afternoon/Lunch: You cross over to Uganda at Katuna and astop at Kabale town for Lunch at a local restaurant before proceeding to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park .
- Evening: You will enjoy the stunning views at the Hotel, Relax from the drive, and then Later dinner and overnight
Drive time: Approximately 4-5 hours
Accommodations:
Budget: Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge/Bakiga Lodge
Mid Range: 4 Gorillas Lodge/Gorilla Leisure lodge/Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
Luxury: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge/Gorilla Heights Lodge/Kiho Lodge
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner
DAY 2: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Morning/ Briefing: After breakfast and with your packed lunch, you will walk to the park headquarters for briefing about gorilla trekking. Your guide will take you through all the dos and don’ts while with mountain gorillas and after that, you will be transferred to the starting point of your gorilla family. Please note that gorilla family allocation depends on your interests, fitness and age. Please inform your guide of your interests and he will try to request for the gorilla family of your choice before you start the trek into the forest.
- Trek and observation: Gorilla trekking can be strenuous and a certain level of fitness is required. Gorilla trekking can take from 30 minutes to three quarters of the day so one needs to prepare for both. You guide will try to provide information about trees, birds and other wildlife in the forest until you reach a given gorilla family of gorillas. You will be allowed only one hour of photography and observing mountain gorillas as they go about with their daily day activities .
- Afternoon/Lunch: You will have your packed Lunch while still in the forest, then trek back to the park headquarters to pick your certificates and Proceed to your Lodge.
- Evening: You will spend the evening at Leisure, you can opt to visit the Community or relax. then Later dinner and overnight.
Accommodations:
Budget: Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge/Bakiga Lodge
Mid Range: 4 Gorillas Lodge/Gorilla Leisure lodge/Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
Luxury: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge/Gorilla Heights Lodge/Kiho Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 3: Second optional Gorilla trek/ Gorilla habituation experience or Forest Walk
- Morning/Brefing: This day, you may choose to go for a second optional gorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. After breakfast and with your packed lunch, you will walk to the park headquarters for briefing about gorilla trekking. Your guide will take you through all the dos and don’ts while with mountain gorillas and after that, you will be transferred to the starting point of your gorilla family. Please note that gorilla family allocation depends on your interests, fitness and age. Please inform your guide of your interests and he will try to request for the gorilla family of your choice before you start the trek into the forest.
- Trek and observation: Gorilla trekking can be strenuous and a certain level of fitness is required. Gorilla trekking can take from 30 minutes to three quarters of the day so one needs to prepare for both. You guide will try to provide information about trees, birds and other wildlife in the forest until you reach a given gorilla family of gorillas. You will be allowed only one hour of photography and observing mountain gorillas as they go about with their daily day activities.
- Afternoon/Lunch: You will have your packed Lunch while still in the forest, then trek back to the park headquarters to pick your certificates and Proceed to your Lodge.
- Evening: You will spend evening at Leisure, you can opt to visit the Community or relax. then Later dinner and overnight.
Accommodations:
Budget: Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge/Bakiga Lodge
Mid Range: 4 Gorillas Lodge/Gorilla Leisure lodge/Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
Luxury: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge/Gorilla Heights Lodge/Kiho Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 4: After breakfast, you will drive back to Kigali Airport for your international Flight out
- Morning/Transfer: After breakfast, you will drive back to Kigali Airport for your flight out of Uganda marking the end of your 3 Day Uganda gorilla safari from Kigali.
- Afternoon/Lunch: You will have en-route Lunch at a Local restaurant and then proceed to Kigali, you will have stops to shop at Local crafts, take Photographs etc. Depending on your program you will be dropped off at your Hotel/Airport to end the trip
COST PER PERSON SHARING
| Persons | Date | Price per person |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Person | Any date | USD1110.00 |
| 2 Persons | Any date | USD760.00 |
| 3 Persons | Any date | USD640.00 |
| 4 Persons | Any date | USD585.00 |
| 5 Persons | Any date | USD550.00 |
| 6 Persons | Any date | USD550.00 |
Cost Includes
- Airport transfers
- Transport in a 4×4 Safari Van
- Fuel for the round trip
- Services of an English speaking driver guide
- All park entry fees
- Drinking water in the vehicle
Cost excludes
- Uganda and Rwanda Visa fees plus all expenses of person nature such as drinks and tips
- USD800.00 for Bwindi gorilla permit(we book it for you)
- USD800.00 for the optional second gorilla permit or USD1500.00 for gorilla habituation experience (we book it for you)
- Gorilla permits: We encourage you to book gorilla permits in advance so that we secure your trekking spot. Gorilla permits are served on first come first serve at Uganda wildlife Authority. Please contact us so that we book them for you.
- Cost of the gorilla permit: The gorilla permits in Uganda cost USD800 for Non-Foreign residents, USD700 for East African Foreign Residents, USD500 for Rest of Africa Residents and UGX300,000 for East African Citizens, cost applies for trekking in Both Bwindi impentrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park
- Gorilla trekking Regions: Bwindi has 4 gorilla trekking sectors namely Buhoma, Ruhaga, Nkuringo and Ruhija. We shall book for you accommodation in respect to the permits location.
- Physical Fitness: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi can be physically demanding, a certain level of fitness will be required, please ensure you are in good health and have a certain level of fitness before you leave your country.
- Packing List: Please ensure you have comfortable walking/ hiking shoes that can handle the terrain in Bwindi, a rain Jacket, gloves, Camera, Binoculars,
- Age Limit: The Minimum age for gorilla trekking in Uganda is 15 years and above, please ensure all travelers are aged 15years and above.
- Accommodation Options: Please choose the accommodation that suits your budget, Bwindi has all options of Budget, Midrange and Luxury.
- Means of Transport: You can opt to fly or drive to Bwindi, Flights take 1-2 hours, and driving takes 8-9 hours drive to Bwindi. For budget clients, we recommend use of safari vans, then others can opt for Safari Landcruisers. All vehicles are comfortable with enough leg room, AC and are driven by our professional driver guides.
- Best time to visit: Bwindi can be visited all year round for gorilla trekking, The most preffered time is June to September, December to February because they are the drier months of the year.
- Gorilla trekking Regulations: Uganda Wildlife Authority has rules and regulations to adhere while on your gorilla trek, See regulations here.
- Chances of Seeing the Gorillas: The chances of seeing gorillas are 98% because there are trackers who follow the movement of gorillas on a daily basis, they communicate to the Park guides and you walk in the direction they are.
- Choose a gorilla family: You can choose your preferred gorilla family of the day of the trek, if you prefer a close/ easy trek due to your fitness level, please request it and communicate to your guide.
- Gorilla Habituation experience: Bwindi has an option of spending 4 hours with the gorillas called gorillas habituation, the is only possible when you book a gorilla permit that costs USD1500 for Non- foreign residents, USD1000 for East African Residents, and UGX750,000 for East African Citizens
- Other activities: There are several activities you can do in Bwindi namely Birding, Batwa cutural experience, Nature walks, Community visits. All these can suppliment your gorilla trek in Bwindi.
- Trip cost estimate: The cost of the 3day gorilla tour ranges from USD1300 to USD2860 per person, based on your travel style which is Budget to Luxury. The cost Includes gorilla permit, accommodation, Meals, transport, and all services.
- About Bwindi: Bwindi impenetrable National Park is a UNESCO world heritage site, with half of the worlds gorilla population, it has more than 20 Habituated gorilla famillies in regions of Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija and Nkuringo.
Enquire or Request a Trip Quote
STANDARD: 4X4 SAFARI VAN
Our standard mode of transport is by road and we use 4×4 Safari Vans customized for game viewing and photography. Each safari van comes with a professionally trained driver guide and fuel for the whole safari. Our Safari vans have viewing hatches and each client is entitled to a window seat. Our Vans can take up to eight people. We also have 4×4 Super Customs very comfortable and stable on the road. These carry up to 5 people with their luggage. We also have 4×4 RAV 4 for a group of two people
UPGRADE: 4X4 LUXURY SAFARI LANDCRUISER
We have luxury latest Land cruisers each driven by professionally trained driver guides and fuel. They have pop-up roofs for proper game viewing and photography. They come with a small fridge for cooling your drinking water while on safari (which is always included while IN THE VEHICLE). They have inverters for charging small gadgets such as your smartphones and cameras. They can seat five to a maximum of seven people and each client is guaranteed of a window seat.
