Overview
This 3 Day Bwindi gorilla habituation experience through Kigali is meant for those people interested in spending more hours with mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park but starting in Rwanda. Our 3 day bwindi gorilla habituation experience through Kigali gives you up to 4 hours with mountain gorillas in one day. Take advantage of the four hours gorilla habituation experience in the southern part of Bwindi (Rushaga) and reduce on the drive time to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park by getting to Bwindi through Kigali Rwanda.
Summary of 3 Day Bwindi gorilla habituation experience through Kigali
Day 01: Pickup from Kigali City/Airport and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 02: Four hour gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Rushaga sector)
Day 03: Drive to Kigali Airport for your flight out.
Highlights
- You’ll go to Uganda through Rwanda/Kigali
- This tour starts and ends in Kigali (Rwanda)
- You’ll visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Activities: 4 Hour gorilla habituation experience
- 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 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 3 day bwindi gorilla habituation experience through 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 for a stop at Kabale town for lunch before proceeding to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
- Evening: You will arrive at the Hotel, Relaxation 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 habituation experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Morning/Briefing: You will wake up early in the morning and head to the park headquarters to join other clients for briefing about dos and don’ts while with mountain gorillas on your habituation experience. After briefing, you will start your trek into the forest guided by researchers and guides.
- Trek and Obeservation: During your trek, you may encounter several birds, other animals and primates in the forest and once you have found the gorillas you will spend four hours with them and return back to the Lodge for overnight. You will have an opportunity to listen and observe researchers doing their work of habituating gorillas and if possible you will be called upon to participate by collecting samples, naming of group members, making calls and so much more.
- Afternoon/Lunch: You will have your Packed Lunch from the forest, and Later trek back to the Park Headquarters to receive certificates for Successful gorilla Habituation trek
- Evening: You will have arrive at the Hotel, You can opt to relax or engage in community visit, Nature walk then Later dinner and overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Packed 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 3: Drive to Kigali city or Airport for drop off to end the tour
- Morning/Transfer: After breakfast, you will drive back to Kigali or Airport for your flight out of Rwanda marking the end of your 3 Day Bwindi gorilla habituation experience through Kigali
- Afternoon/ Lunch: You will have en-route Lunch at a local restuarant and then procced to Kigali to end the trip.
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch
Drive time: Approximately 4-5 hours
COST PER PERSON SHARING
| Persons | Date | Price per person |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Person | Any date | USD960.00 |
| 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
- Transport in a 4×4 Safari Vehicle
- Fuel for the round trip
- Services of an English speaking driver guide
- All park entry fees
- Drinking water in the vehicle
Cost excludes
- East African Visa fees plus all expenses of person nature such as drinks and tips
- USD1500.00 gorilla habituation permit per person(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.
