Overview
This 4 Day Uganda gorilla safari from Kigali is meant for those people interested in trekking mountain gorillas twice in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park but are starting from Kigali in Rwanda. It’s also meant for those that would love to trek Uganda gorillas but want to drive less by flying into Kigali Instead of Entebbe International Airport. With this 4Day Uganda Gorilla safari from Kigali, You will be able to trek gorillas twice.one gets to drive for only 4-5 hours from Kigali to Bwindi instead of the 8-9 hours from Entebbe International Airport to bwindi. By tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you will be saving USD900.00 off each person and this can be used to have a second Gorilla trek or Habituation.
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 Land Cruiser 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
- Private Tour
- Tour Can Depart any day
- Tour can be customized
- Solo travelers allowed
- Age Limit: 15 years and above for gorilla trekking experience
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: With our 4 day Bwindi gorilla safari from Kigali, 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 border for a stop at Kabale town for lunch before proceeding to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Evening: After check-in, you will relax at the Hotel, then dinner and overnight.
Drive time: Approximately 4-5 hours
Accommodation;
Budget: Rushaga Havens Lodge/Bakiga Lodge
Mid Range: 4 Gorillas Lodge/Gorilla Leisure Lodge
Luxury: Gorilla Heights Lodge/Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla 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 experience. 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. Gorilla trekking can be strenuous and a certain level of fitness is required.
- Trek and observation: 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: Depending on the time you see the gorillas, you will have Lunch while in the forest or at the Hotel. You will trek back to the park headquarters to pick your certificates after succesful trek
- Evening: you will spend your evening at Leisure, you can opt to do a nature walk, community walk or Just relax, Later you will have dinner and overnight
Accommodation;
Budget: Rushaga 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: Second optional Gorilla trek/ Gorilla habituation experience or Forest Walk
- Morning/Briefing: 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 then head into the park for the trek, optionally there is Gorilla Habituation Experience that you could take up spending more time with the Gorillas which gives you up to 4 hours with them.
- Afternoon: After Lunch, Other optional activities are available as well around the park including trail walks, Batwa community walks or choose to stay at the lodge and enjoy your stay there.
- Evening: Dinner and overnight at the Hotel
Accommodation;
Budget: Rushaga Havens Lodge/Bakiga Lodge
Mid Range: 4 Gorillas Lodge/Gorilla Leisure Lodge
Luxury: Gorilla Heights Lodge/Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge/Kiho Lodge
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner
DAY 4: Drive back to Kigali to end the tour
- Morning Drive: After breakfast, you will drive back to Kigali Airport for your flight out of Uganda marking the end of your 3Day Uganda Double gorilla safari from Kigali.
- Afternoon: you will have en-route Lunch at a local restaurant before proceeding to Kigali, you will also have stops for photography, at craft shops to get souvenirs, Later drop off at the Hotel
COST PER PERSON SHARING
| Persons | Date | Price per person |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Person | Any date | USD2770.00 |
| 2 Persons | Any date | USD2020.00 |
| 3 Persons | Any date | USD1770.00 |
| 4 Persons | Any date | USD1645.00 |
| 5 Persons | Any date | USD1570.00 |
| 6 Persons | Any date | USD1520.00 |
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
- Uganda and Rwanda Visa fees plus all expenses of person nature such as drinks and tips
- USD800.00 for Bwindi gorilla permit
- USD800.00 for the optional second gorilla permit or USD1500.00 for gorilla habituation experience permit
- 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.
