Overview
This 3 Day Uganda gorilla safari from Kigali is meant for those people interested in trekking mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park at a cheaper cost in Uganda starting from Rwanda. It is also meant for those who would love to trek Uganda gorillas but prefer a shorter drive time. The drive time from Kigali to Bwindi where you will trek gorillas is only between 4-5 hours as opposed to the 8-9 hours drive from Entebbe to Bwindi Impenetrable National park. So, you can fly into Kigali Rwanda to meet your guide instead of flying into Entebbe International Airport. By tracking gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, you will save on gorilla permit USD900.00 off each person as opposed to tracking gorillas in Rwanda.
Highlights
- You’ll visit Uganda
- This tour starts and ends in Kigali (Rwanda)
- You’ll visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Activities: Gorilla tracking
- Getting around: Open-sided 4×4 vehicle & pop-up roof 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 Note
- 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 Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Morning/Pick up
Our professional driver guide will pick you up from Kigali International Airport/Any Hotel in Kigali to start your ‘3 day Uganda Gorilla Safari to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park with a stop at Genocide memorial. The journey is very scenic as it takes you through a country of ‘a thousand hills’ to ‘the Pearl of Africa’.
- Afternoon/Travel
You will cross over to Uganda at the Katuna border with a stop at Kabale town before proceeding to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, You will have a stop in Kabale town for lunch
- Evening/Accommodation
You will be welcomed by the hotel staff and check in at the lodge for relaxation followed by dinner and overnight
Drive time: Approximately 4-5 hours
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation
Budget: Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge/Bakiga Lodge
Mid-Range: 4 Gorillas Lodge/Gorilla Leisure Lodge
Luxury: Gorilla Heights Lodge/Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge.Kiho Lodge
DAY 2: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
- Morning/Briefing
After breakfast, you will drive to the Park Headquarters with your packed lunch for briefing about gorilla trekking. Your guide will take you through all the Dos and Don’ts while with the mountain gorillas. You will be allocated the gorilla family to visit, Gorilla family allocation depends on your interests, fitness and age, You may inform your guide of your interests and he will request for you the gorilla family of your choice before you start the trek into the forest,
- Trek
You will be transferred to the starting point to begin your trek into the forest, Gorilla trekking can be strenuous and a certain level of fitness is required, Gorilla trekking can take between 30 minutes to three quarters of the day depending on your preference. Your ranger guide will try to provide information about trees, birds and other wildlife in the forest until you reach a given family of gorillas.
- Observation
Once you meet these gorillas you will be allowed to spend one hour to observe the gorillas as they go about their daily activities and take photographs of the gorillas thereafter, you will trek back to the park Headquarters to pick your certificates that confirm that you tracked gorillas in Uganda and later drive back to the lodge for overnight
- Evening/Accommodation
You will be driven at the lodge for evening relaxation and overnight
Accommodation
Budget: Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge/Bakiga Lodge
Mid-Range: 4 Gorillas Lodge/Gorilla Leisure Lodge
Luxury: Gorilla Heights Lodge/Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge.Kiho Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 3: Drive back to your hotel in Kigali or Airport
- Morning/Transfer
After breakfast, you will bid farewell to the lodge and drive back to Kigali International Airport or hotel in Kigali
- Afternoon/Lunch
You will have a stop for lunch and later proceed to Kigali dependng on your next program,if you intend to fly out, you will be dropped at Kigali international airport for your flight out or your booked hotel in Kigali
- End of Tour
This marks the end of your 3 Day Uganda gorilla trekking safari through Kigali
COST PER PERSON SHARING
| Persons | Date | Price per person |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Person | Any date | USD1060.00 |
| 2 Persons | Any date | USD560.00 |
| 3 Persons | Any date | USD520.00 |
| 4 Persons | Any date | USD490.00 |
| 5 Persons | Any date | USD440.00 |
| 6 Persons | Any date | USD400.00 |
Cost Includes
- Airport transfers on first and last day,
- Transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle
- Services of an English speaking driver guide
- Fuel for the whole trip
- Accommodation and meal plan as per the itinerary
- All park entrance fees
- Drinking water while in the vehicle
Cost excludes
- Gorilla permit at USD800.00 per person per trek(we book it for you)
- Pre and post tour accommodation in Entebbe or Kampala
- International airfares
- Uganda Visa (USD50.00 which can be paid on arrival at the Airport
- Items of personal nature such as tips, drinks, and laundry
- 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.
