A Detailed 3 Days Gorilla Trekking Uganda Safari from Kigali

Share this article

Safari Overview

Epic 3 Days Bwindi Gorilla Trekking is a short drive from the buzz of Kigali and combines two beautiful and contrasting destinations in one itinerary. It is ideal for travelers who are already in Rwanda or would love to do gorilla trekking in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park through Kigali, Rwanda.

While you can go gorilla trekking in Rwanda, permits are much more expensive at $1,500 per person, compared to Uganda’s $800 per person rate. So you can trek the gorillas in Uganda while minding your budget, and we will help you get the most favourable rates for the overall gorilla trekking safari (flights, transfers, accommodation, and any possible arrangements).

This epic 3 Days Bwindi Gorilla Trekking – Short Drive from Kigali is a 4 to 5-hour road trip, in contrast to the long 8–9-hour road trip from Entebbe to Ruhija Sector, where you’ll trek a family of habituated gorillas. So, it’s more convenient for you to fly to Kigali to meet your private safari driver rather than fly to Entebbe International Airport.

Trekking the gorillas in Bwindi from Kigali means you’ll be saving up to $700 per permit rather than trekking in Rwanda at $1500 per person.

Quick Safari Details

Country: Uganda.

Departure/End City: Kigali.

Destinations: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Group Type: Private.

Number of People: Tailored.

Availability: Year-Round.

Dates: Open.

Duration: 3 Days.

Cancellation Policy: Up to 90 days.

Activities: Gorilla trekking.

Price: Request a quote.

Safari Highlights

A road trip across Rwanda’s countryside reveals the most stunning natural setting of this tiny East African country.
Discover the southern region of the Pearl of Africa.
An amazing and Unforgettable encounter with the Mountain giants in their natural habitat is a once in a lifetime moment.
Cultural experience with one of Uganda’s primitive tribes. You can interact, explore and learn from the local community.
Support sustainable tourism initiatives.

Know Before You Go

The Epic 3 Days Bwindi Gorilla Trekking – Short Drive from Kigali will require you hike moderately steep slopes at altitudes between 1,160m – 2,607m, which means fitness is required. There are strict rules for visiting these places and meeting the gorillas, and you’ll be escorted by a tracker, rangers, and a guide with a group of other seven trekking travelers.
Please note that agility is required to embark and disembark whatever vessel is necessary. Wildlife viewing, quantity, and species of animals seen are dependent upon local conditions, including weather, wind, and seasonal migration patterns. Take-off time and duration of flight (if required) and safari may vary due to weather conditions.

Epic 3 Days Bwindi Gorilla Trekking – Short Drive from Kigali Detailed Itinerary.

Day 1: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

You will have an early breakfast and then meet your private safari guide, who will pick you up from your hotel in Kigali. He will brief you about your epic 3 Days Bwindi Gorilla Trekking safari and then embark on a 4-hour scenic drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

You will navigate through Rwanda’s hilly country to the emerald hills of Bwindi in ‘the Pearl of Africa’. That means you’ll cross the border to Uganda via the Katuna or Chanika. So, depending on which border you cross from, you will stop at Kabale town from the Katuna border or Kisoro from the Chanika border.

You can choose to stop off for lunch at Lake Mutanda. It is a freshwater lake in southwestern Uganda surrounded by extinct volcanoes of Gahinga, Muhabura and Sabyinyo. Enjoy breath-taking views of this region as you eat your delectable meal.

Check into the lodge once you arrive in Bwindi. Relax for the rest of the day as you prepare to meet the gorillas the following day.

Drive time: Approximately 4-5 hours

Accommodation & meals: Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge/Trekkers Tavern Lodge
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 2: Gorilla trekking

The highlight of this adventure starts with a sumptuous breakfast in the lodge at around 7:45 a.m. Remember to pack some snacks and drinking water. You will be transferred to the park headquarters for 30 minute information and safety briefing and then join a group of other 7 trekkers. Later you’ll embark on the gorilla trekking excursion in the forest jungle, led by an expert tracker and two armed rangers for your safety.

Trekking these gentle giants in the misty jungles of Bwindi involves walking through shrubs, thickets, and undergrowth on slippery slopes, having to pave your way through, and dodging thorny branches, but on encountering the gorillas, the experience is worth every step taken.

On your way, you will observe the spectacular beauty of this dramatic, steeply forested landscape, incredibly dense but crisscrossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to visitors. The time spent in the jungle while searching the gorillas depends on their movements, as they keep moving from time to time, but usually lasts between 2 and 6 hours.

You will be allowed a maximum of an hour to spend in their presence once you find them. The thrill of spending time observing these gentle yet endangered giants is so awesome and exciting that many find it to be a rare and moving opportunity. After your dream moment of encountering the gorillas in their natural habitat, you will return to the headquarters to pick up your trekking certificate and return to your lodge.

Optional: Relax at the lodge on return, and in the afternoon, you will embark on a guided village walk for a cultural encounter with the primitive Batwa people before retiring your day with dinner and a great night.

Day 3: Back to Kigali

After breakfast, you will pack up your baggage and drive back to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight or continue exploring Uganda’s south-west depending on your onward travel plans.

No accommodation
Meals: Breakfast

End of the Epic 3 Days Bwindi Gorilla Trekking – Short Drive from Kigali.

Safari Includes

Transfers in 4WD
Accommodation and meals as per the itinerary
Local guide
Bottled drinking water.
One Gorilla permit per person to be secured and paid for in advance.
English speaking guide/driver

Safari Excludes

Visa & Travel insurance
Emergency medical bills
Trip cancellation insurance
Drinks
Tobacco/cigarettes
Laundry services
Gratuities/tips to local guides
Porter fee while trekking
Private tour /optional activities

Start planning a dream safari with us. You can book this safari itinerary, create one from scratch with the help of an African safari expert, or customize one of our suggested tours to suit your travel preferences.

Important Notes for the Epic 3 Days Bwindi Gorilla Trekking – Short Drive from Kigali.

The Epic 3 Days Bwindi Gorilla Trekking – Short Drive from Kigali is limited to a maximum of six travelers per vehicle, and a 30% deposit is required on confirmation.
Travelers with special needs may be required to pay an extra fee for trekking facilitation.
15 years is the minimum age for gorilla trekking. Travelers with children below 15 will be required to sign a consent letter.
Porters are available for hire at a cost of about $20. They will help you carry your bags and other personal items while trekking. The porters can be found at the starting point or briefing point of the trek. Some of these porters are former poachers who have been given a chance to earn a living by helping tourists trek gorillas.
Dinner and accommodation before and after the epic 3 Days Bwindi Gorilla Trekking tour are not included in the overall safari cost.
This Epic 3 Days Bwindi Gorilla Trekking – Short Drive from Kigali is tailor-made and can be customized to your own style of travel. You can set your own dates (subject to availability) and choose your accommodation facilities with our guidance. The lodges selected here are what we think will suit this kind of trip and are where we have the best rates for you.
Due to the uncertainty of travel during these times, you can postpone your trip up to 12 months ahead (considering accommodation availability) and have a minimum of 30 days to cancel.

Tips for your Safari

Gorilla tracking is an amazing activity, but for the best experience, you will need:

Waterproof hiking shoes or closed shoes
Rain poncho or coat during the rainy season
Camera with an additional battery and charger. No flash photography, lest you frighten the gorillas into being defensive while trekking.
Hand gloves
Sun hat
Sunscreen
Insect repellent