3 Days Gorilla Trekking Tour Uganda with Lake Bunyonyi
Route Map
3 Days Gorilla Trekking Tour in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
On this 3 Days Gorilla Trekking Tour Uganda trip, you will encounter giant apes up close, tick it off your bucket list in 3 days. You will transfer by a road trip to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and encounter the mountain gorillas. The drive from Entebbe/ Kampala to Bwindi would take you about 8 to 10 hours.
On the second day, you can then head out on a gorilla trek, to meet Mountain Gorillas in the jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. After trekking, you will transfer to Uganda’s most beautiful lake, Bunyonyi for relaxation. Expect to see spectacular landscapes in western Uganda. You will return to Kampala/Entebbe on the third day.
Private safari: We offer this all year round according to your preferred dates.
On this tour, if you like you can opt to fly back – one way at extra cost.
Important information to know:
Minimum gorilla tracking age is 15 years.
A maximum of 8 people are permitted to visit a family of gorillas at one time/daily. likely on the real trekking day, you will be joined to other guests to make group of 8. If you’re travelling as a group larger than 8. You will be split across different but equally amazing families.
Maximum time allowed with the gorilla family will NOT exceed One hour.
It is a requirement to have a gorilla permit before you are allowed on a Gorilla trek.
**Gorilla permits are 100% non-refundable!.
Is this trip for you?
This is an adventure for people who want up-close encounters with mountain gorillas.
You should be comfortable with;
- Driving long hours of the day on nicely paved highways though rural roads connecting to the park are sometimes rough, bumpy & dusty.
- Walking/trekking on uneven terrain for 2 to 6 or even 8 hours roundtrip.
- Gorillas can sometimes be moving frequently, forest vegetation can at times obstruct visibility, and hence taking photos of these creatures can be very challenging!
- Having an armed park ranger with AK47 with you all times on the trekking.
- Some high-altitude hikes or more strenuous walks, but accessible to most healthy travellers.
Activity level is moderate demanding: Gorilla trekking can be a physically strenuous activity. Trekking takes place at altitudes between 1160 to 2607m (3806 to 8553ft) above sea level. moderate physical fitness is required. The slowest member will be on the front and determines the groups’ speed. The pace will be moderate, with plenty stops to rest, ask questions, re-hydrate and enjoy the forest and views.
Day 1: Entebbe-Kampala to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Road trip
Early morning after breakfast, our guide will pick you up at 7:00 am from your hotel, and transfer you by a road trip to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Southwestern Uganda as you start your 3 Days Gorilla Trekking Tour Uganda. You will have a lunch stop in Mbarara City. You will continue the journey passing villages, cultivated farms, and beautiful hills arriving in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park late afternoon. After a long day’s drive, you will check into your lodge.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is about 330sq km, with spectacular scenery, and impressive forest views. The whole geographical scenery is basically hilly and mountainous. At an elevation between 1160 to 2607m (3806 to 8553ft), rains can shower anytime in Bwindi Forest. It is recommended that visitors pack rainwear, waterproof clothing, and appropriate hiking shoes to wear during gorilla trekking. Daytime temperatures range from 23C/73F at times dropping to as low as 11C/52F.
There are 23 gorilla families which have been habituated for gorilla viewing, all of which can be accessed from specific locations/sectors of the forest. Eight people are permitted to view a single family on a single day. To trek to see gorillas, you need a gorilla permit/ license, which we arrange for you in advance. Gorilla licenses are booked by gate location. There are 4 starting gates namely; Bwindi North at BUHOMA, Bwindi East at RUHIJA and Bwindi South at RUSHAGA & South West at NKURINGO.
Accommodation: Lodge In Bwindi impenetrable national park
Please note the choice of lodging will be determined by the location of the Gorilla family available at the time of booking!
Approximate travel time: Driving,
- East gate – Ruhija: 8 hrs
- South gate- Rushaga: 9 hrs
- South west – Nkuringo: 10 hrs
- North gate- Buhoma: 10 hrs
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included
Day 2: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – Gorilla Trekking – Lake Bunyonyi
Today our guide will pick you up from your lodge, at 7.30am transfer to park gate on time for pre-tracking orientation which starts at 8:00am. Trekking through the thick jungle, traversing canopies of thick undergrowth can be tough, wet, strenuous but not impossible – the tracking can last from as little as 1 hour to as many as 10 hours roundtrip. The activity depends on location of gorillas the previous day. Visitors therefore are supposed to move along with packed/ picnic lunch and water and should be equipped with strong water-proof clothing and must be averagely healthy. Please note that after Gorilla tracking our guide will drive you for 2 ½ hours to Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation, and overnight. Perfect place to unwind after a gorilla trek.
Lake Bunyonyi is one of Africa’s deepest and probably beautiful lake at an elevation of 1960m (6400ft). Lake Bunyonyi is known to be a place of so many little small birds.
Optional activity at Lake Bunyonyi:
Boat ride to punishment island. On this ride you look out for “akampene” – the punishment Island – where until 1940’s unmarried pregnant girls were dropped and left to die helplessly or starve to death, some drown trying to swim ashore; they were often saved my poor men who could not afford pride price. It was a taboo to pregnant before the recommended marriage age. Cost $10 per person.
Approximate Travel time: Driving, 2 ½ hours.
Accommodation: Your hotel at Lake Bunyonyi
Day 3: Lake Bunyonyi to Kampala (Entebbe)
Today morning, you will transfer by road trip back to Kampala/Entebbe. Along the journey, you will stop at the equator point. This is a fantastic spot for shopping and having photo moments – a chance to be in south hemisphere and northern hemisphere at once. There after our guide will transfer you to Kampala / Entebbe Airport to your next destination. You could also add another short tour or long safari.
Approximate Travel time: Driving, 6 ½ hours hrs
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, included
Gorilla permits Availability. In the event that there is no availability on your preferred trip dates, we will advise on available dates. Gorilla permits In Uganda: $700 per person.
End of 3 Days Gorilla Trekking Tour Uganda
Tour price Includes
- Park entrances
- Guides in the park
- All transfers (pickup & drop off).
- Private transportation in 4×4 Toyota Safari Vehicle
- English speaking driver guide.
- 2 nights accommodation in self-contained rooms.
- Gorilla Trekking facilitation and experience.
- Meals on Full Board: Dinner, Breakfast, Lunch as on indicated on itinerary
- Water in the safari vehicle for your daily consumption while on tour
Tour price Excludes
- Air ticket.
- Drinks
- Uganda Visa.
- Porters on trekking
- X 1 Gorilla permit – $ 800 per person (Chigo Tours Africa will arrange it for you)
- Tips and gratuities to guides/driver.
- All optional activities.
- Any meals not indicated on itinerary.
- Items of personal nature, entertainment
- Any other optimal activity.
- Hotel on arrival and last night in Kampala/ Entebbe.
2 nights at Ride4woman or Ichumbi Gorilla lodge
All meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, included.
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for extra cost!
At the time of booking in the event that the listed hotel is fully booked or room unavailable, we will do our best to inform you and book a similar hotel of the same class available. Reservation can only be made after your have confirmed booking with us.
Request a quote for this trip
By Submitting your details you agree to our data Privacy Policy and Booking Terms