3-Day gorilla trekking Uganda

Booking a 3-day gorilla trekking Uganda safari to see mountain gorillas in Africa is a popular choice. It offers a rare experience, and only a few get the chance to go. This is different from game drives, where anyone can join whenever they want.

On Day 1: Travel to Bwindi Forest by road or by air.

Your adventure starts with a trip to Uganda’s lush forest park for a 3-day Gorilla Tour. You can choose to travel by road or air, depending on your budget. The drive to Bwindi offers stunning views of landscapes, towns, and local communities.

Before you set off, our safari guide will meet you at the airport. They will help you settle into your accommodation in Kampala or Entebbe. After an early breakfast, you’ll embark on this unforgettable journey.

Road trip to Uganda gorilla park.

The safari guide will take you to the Gorilla National Park in a 4×4 safari vehicle. You will check into your lodge in Bwindi.

The drive to Bwindi takes about 8 to 9 hours (464 km) from Entebbe or Kampala. There’s a stop at the Equator for photos and souvenir shopping. Although the journey is long, it’s rewarding. You’ll enjoy breathtaking views of Ugandan towns and countryside along the way.

Our route goes from Kayabwe Equator to Masaka, Mbarara, Ntungamo, Rukungiri, and Buhoma. This gives you access to the northern park sector. We’ll stop for lunch in Mbarara City.

For gorilla trekking in the southern sectors of Bwindi (Nkuringo, Ruhija, and Rushaga). We will travel via Kampala, Masaka, Mbarara, Ntungamo, and the Kisoro-Kabale road. On arrival at your chosen lodge, check in, relax, and prepare for the early morning gorilla trek. Dinner and breakfast are available at the lodge.

FLY IN FOR GORILLA TREKKING:

Flights from Entebbe to Bwindi are great for upscale trekkers or those with limited time. Your guide will take you from Entebbe to Kajjansi airstrip. From there, you can catch a scheduled or chartered flight to Bwindi Impenetrable Park. Savannah and Ishasha lodges are for Buhoma groups. Kisoro serves Nkuringo, Rushaga, and Ruhija groups. The flight takes about 2 hours, followed by a 2-hour drive to your lodge near the park.

You can find direct flights from Entebbe to Kisoro and Kihihi (EBB – KHX). Airstrips like Kihihi are close to the park. This makes it easy to take a flight and drive to your accommodation for rest, dinner, and breakfast.

Bwindi Accommodation for Gorilla Trekking Guests

Choosing where to stay during your Uganda gorilla trekking tour can save you time and money. Staying near the gorilla family you plan to visit helps you avoid delays. Accommodations are often sorted by budget. Keep in mind that the gorilla family you track will influence your lodging choice.

Luxury accommodations in Bwindi include.

• Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
• Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge
• Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, and Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge.

Mid-range options available are.

Mahogany Springs, Four Gorillas Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, and Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge.

Budget lodges include.

• Ruhija Community Rest Camp
• Bakiga Lodge
• Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge
• Trekkers Tavern Lodge and Haven Lodge/Buhoma Community Rest Camp.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park includes accommodations such as:

• Mgahinga Gorilla Triangle
• Mount Gahinga Lodge
• Travellers’ Rest Hotel
• Kisoro Tourist Hotel and Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp.

Day 2: Gorilla Trekking / Gorilla Habituation

The long-awaited gorilla trekking day has arrived. Wake up early and pack essential items from your gorilla trekking list. Breakfast is ready early, so don’t miss it. Your 3-day gorilla trekking Uganda safari guide will meet you to take you to the park offices for a briefing at 7:00 AM. You’ll join other trekkers to form a group of up to eight for the Bwindi trek.

Following Uganda’s gorilla tracking rules ensures a memorable experience. Watching mountain gorillas feed, rest, play, and climb trees is amazing. Trekking can last from 1 to 7 hours. You will enjoy stunning scenery.

Plants, birds, and mammals are everywhere in Mgahinga or Bwindi National Park. Do not forget to capture magical moments with the gorillas. Share them with fellow nature lovers when you return home.

You can spend up to an hour with the gorillas during trekking. In contrast, the gorilla habituation experience lasts four hours. Habituation permits are scarcer and expensive at $1,500. Trekking permits cost $700.

The higher cost of the gorilla habituation experience is worth it. There is close interaction with the mountain gorillas, alongside researchers, trackers, and rangers. Let us know early if you want to book a habituation permit.

Porters are available for hire at Bwindi Park. If you need help carrying your backpack or need support while trekking, hire a porter for a very small fee.

After your time with the gorillas, your team will return to the park offices. Your guide will take you back to your lodge for lunch. After a delicious meal. Choose from activities like the Bwindi Twa tour, guided nature walks, or birdwatching. These short tours depend on your lodge’s location.

Extra Gorilla Safari activities

Attractive lakes like

• Lake Bunyonyi,
• Lake Mulehe and Lake Mutanda are a few kilometers from the impenetrable forest.

Lake Mutanda offers canoeing, kayaking, and power boating. If you’re interested in more activities after gorilla trekking. Please request extra information in advance. Dinner and breakfast are at the lodge for those staying another night.

Lake Bunyonyi is notable for its 29 islands, including Punishment Island. Activities at Lake Bunyonyi are;

Birding, boat rides, canoeing, cultural tours, swimming, cycling, nature walks, and hiking.

This 3-day gorilla trekking Uganda safari can include extra activities for a 4th or 5th day. For the ultimate experience, consider combining the Uganda gorilla safari. Combine a unique golden monkey experience with the Big Five animals of Uganda’s national parks.

The next day after seeing the gorillas, you can hike the Virunga volcanoes, trek for golden monkeys, or explore the Mgahinga Batwa Trail.

Other options include; golden monkey habituation experience. Mountain biking, coffee tours, and boat trips are available too. If you return late for lunch, the lodge can pack your meal upon request.

Day 3: Returning to Kampala / Entebbe by road/air.

On the last day of your three-day gorilla tour, check out after breakfast. Then, set off early for your return to Kampala or Entebbe International Airport.

ROAD:

Enjoy the scenic drive back to Kampala or Entebbe. You’ll pass through the rolling hills of southwestern Uganda, full of lush vegetation and terraced farms. We’ll stop for lunch in or near Mbarara City. After your meal, we will continue to Kampala or Entebbe. We can have a few stops at African craft markets along the way.

FLY:

The tour guide will take guests to the airstrip who choose air travel. Use Kisoro or Savannah as the airstrip to Entebbe after gorilla trekking.

Thank you for visiting and helping to conserve Uganda’s gorillas.

End of 3 days gorilla trekking.

Inclusions and Exclusions of the 3-Day Gorilla Safari.

Your Uganda gorilla tracking tour safari package includes:

• Gorilla permit
• English-speaking safari guide
• Airport transfers
• Fueled 4×4 safari vehicle.
• Park entrance fees
• Cultural tours
• Drinking water during transit.
• Pre- and post-safari accommodations
• Planned meals

The gorilla safari package does not include:

• International flights
• Uganda’s domestic flights
• Entry visas
• Tips
• Laundry services
• Alcoholic drinks
• Personal items bought during the tour.

3-day Uganda gorilla trekking cost.

Starting from US$1,510 per person in a group of four or more.

US$1,990 cost for a person traveling alone.