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3 Day Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
From
US $1845 Per Person
Tour Overview
This 3-day gorilla trekking Uganda tour takes you into the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, home to Uganda’s mountain gorillas. It is an incredible experience and one you are unlikely to forget.
You can start the trip from Kampala or Entebbe. The drive to Bwindi takes around 8 to 9 hours, but there is plenty to see along the way. You will pass green hills, farms, small towns, and villages, giving you a good feel for everyday life in Uganda. There is also time to stop at the Equator for photos, a snack, or a little souvenir shopping.
If you would rather avoid the long drive, you can fly closer to the trekking area. It saves time and makes the journey more comfortable, although it does cost more.
Another popular option is to start and finish in Kigali, Rwanda. From Kigali, the drive to the gorilla trekking areas in Uganda can take around 3 to 6 hours, depending on the sector. For many travellers, this is a much easier way to reach Bwindi. And there is another good reason to choose Uganda. The gorilla trekking permit costs USD 800 per person, compared with USD 1,500 in Rwanda.
Highlights
- Trek to see gorillas in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
- Enjoy a scenic road trip through Uganda’s green hills, villages, and countryside
- Stop at the Equator for photos, local crafts, and a few fun experiences
- Relax by the beautiful Lake Bunyonyi or take a peaceful canoe ride
- Meet local people and get a feel for everyday life in rural Uganda
Itinerary IN dETAIL
Discover your route below. This itinerary is the starting point, tailor your adventure with the specific experiences.
Day 1 | Travel to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Your gorilla adventure starts with a road trip to southwestern Uganda. Your Choose Uganda Safaris guide will pick you up from your hotel in Kampala or Entebbe. Once you have had a quick briefing, you are on your way.
The drive to Bwindi takes around 8 to 9 hours, but it is much more than just getting from A to B. The scenery keeps changing as you leave the city behind. You will pass busy towns, roadside markets, small villages, farms, and beautiful green countryside.
Around midday, you will stop in Mbarara for lunch. From Mbarara, the road continues into the Kigezi highlands. The hills become steeper, the air cooler, and the views even better. You will pass terraced hills, plantations, and small communities along the way. It is easy to see why this part of Uganda is sometimes called the “Switzerland of East Africa.”
By late afternoon or evening, you will reach the beautiful surroundings of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Check in at your lodge, settle in, and enjoy a quiet evening in the forest. Tomorrow is the big day: gorilla trekking.
Accommodation Options
Simple: Ride 4 A Woman
Mid-range: Buhoma Community Haven Lodge
Semi-luxury: Mahogany Springs Lodge – Superior Rooms
Luxury: Buhoma Lodge
Meals included: Lunch along the way and dinner at the lodge.
Day 2: Gorilla trekking and Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
Today is the day you came for. After an early breakfast, you will head to the park headquarters for a short briefing before setting off into the Bwindi forest with your UWA ranger and trackers.
The trek is different every day. You may walk for an hour, or spend several hours in the forest before finding the gorilla family. Along the way, your guides will look for signs such as fresh nests, droppings, broken branches, and feeding remains. The forest can be steep and challenging in places, but the excitement of knowing gorillas are somewhere nearby keeps you going. And then, suddenly, you find them. You may see a silverback resting nearby while the younger gorillas play around him. You might watch them feed, climb, or simply sit quietly in the forest. You have one hour with the family, and it usually passes much faster than you expect.
After the trek, you return to the park headquarters and receive your gorilla trekking certificate before continuing to Lake Bunyonyi. The drive to the lake is short, and the change of scenery is lovely. Lake Bunyonyi is surrounded by green, terraced hills and dotted with small islands. After a morning in the forest, it is the perfect place to slow down and relax.
You can take a peaceful canoe ride or boat trip across the lake and visit some of its islands. You will also hear some interesting local stories along the way, including the story of Punishment Island. If you enjoy birdwatching, keep your eyes open too. The name Bunyonyi means “place of little birds.”
An optional cultural experience at Ride 4 A Woman
If you would rather spend more time at Ride 4 A Woman, there are some lovely ways to experience local culture. You can join a Kiga dance workshop with local women or take part in a traditional cooking class. Pick vegetables from the garden, prepare dishes such as matoke and groundnut sauce, and enjoy your meal together around the campfire. You can even learn how to make Imondha, a local drink made with millet, sorghum, honey, and water.
Accommodation Options
Simple: Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort
Mid-range: Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort
Luxury: BirdNest Resort
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 3: Bwindi to Entebbe/Kampala
After breakfast, you will leave the peaceful hills of southwestern Uganda and start the journey back to Entebbe or Kampala. It is a long drive of around 450 kilometres and usually takes about 7 to 8 hours, depending on the roads and traffic.
There is still something to look forward to along the way. You will stop at the Equator, where you can stand with one foot in the Northern Hemisphere and the other in the Southern Hemisphere. It is a fun place to take a few photos, stretch your legs, have lunch, and pick up some souvenirs.
If you are curious, you can also watch one of the simple water experiments that demonstrate how water behaves on either side of the Equator. It is a small but interesting stop along the journey.
You will have lunch near the Equator before continuing through the towns, villages, and green countryside towards Entebbe. By early evening, you will arrive with plenty of memories from your time in Uganda, especially the unforgettable morning spent with the mountain gorillas.
If you are flying out that evening, we recommend booking a departure flight after 7:00 pm to allow enough time for the journey and airport check-in.
Accommodation: Not included
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch.
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