Uganda Gorilla Trekking via Kigali | 3 Days
Route Map
3 Days Uganda Gorilla Trekking via Kigali – 3 days
This 3 Days Uganda Gorilla trekking via Kigali starts and ends in Rwanda’s capital Kigali. With this tour, you have an opportunity to visit the Kigali Genocide memorial, on your return day. You will also have some relaxation by Lake Bunyonyi.
Highlights
- Tour Starts and ends in Kigali- Rwanda
- Gorilla tracking experience Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Lake Bunyonyi relaxation
- Impressive landscapes
- Amazing views
- Lake Bunyonyi (optional activities)
Need To Know
This tailored tour starts and ends in Kigali, Rwanda.
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost!
Lodging mentioned in the itinerary depends on the availability of rooms available at the time of booking. Reservations will only be made after your confirmed booking with us.
At the time of your booking, in the event that listed hotels are fully booked, we will do our best to inform you and book a different hotel in the same class.
Important
To go on a gorilla trek, you need a gorilla permit/license which we can arrange for you. We can only purchase your Gorilla permit after you have made a down payment to us. Gorilla permits are competitive on a daily basis, advance booking is always preferred.
Please note the gorilla tracking in this itinerary can be done in Bwindi and or Mgahinga national parks. Gorilla tracking is dependent on the permit’s availability at the time of your booking. Gorilla permits in all parks are in very high demand and we advise that you book them as early as possible.
- Gorilla trekking can be a strenuous activity and the Minimum gorilla tracking age is 15 years.
- What to bring: Hiking shoes/ walking shoes, long socks to tuck in long pants, rainwear, warm clothing, evenings can be cold/chilly, gloves preferably gardening type are very helpful and insect repellant.
- Anyone with signs of communicable diseases will NOT be allowed to track.
- While possession of a gorilla permit is a guarantee of trekking and
- Maximum time allowed with the gorillas will NOT exceed ONE hour, you are kindly requested to practice different modes of using your camera in different light situations. Gorillas can sometimes be moving, Forest vegetation can at times obstruct visibility, and hence taking photos of these creatures can be very challenging!
Transport:
Our standard offering is a 4WD with a pop-up roof for easy safari viewing. All passengers will have a dedicated window seat. Your driver/guide will be at your disposal for questions.
Extension:
If you want to extend your tour to one of our other destinations or if you’d like to add a few side trips to the itinerary, kindly let us know.
Difficulty:
Gorilla trekking takes place at altitudes 1160 to 2607m (3806 to 8553ft) above sea level. This means that moderate/average physical fitness is required. The slowest member will determine the group’s speed. The pace will be moderate, with plenty of stops to rest, ask questions, re-hydrate, and enjoy the forest and views.
Booking and payment details:
Once you have decided to join one of our safaris, you will need to contact us for a booking form which will include details relating to deposit and final payments, etc.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park -Uganda
Overview: Uganda Gorilla Trekking
Early morning after breakfast our guide will pick you up from the guesthouse/hotel in Kigali, and transfer you to Rwanda/ Uganda border. After border immigration clearance, transfer to Bwindi impenetrable national park for the Uganda Gorilla trekking trip.
Please note the choice of lodging will be determined by the location of the Gorilla family available at the time of booking!
Bwindi Gorilla 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 the Bwindi forest, it is recommended that visitors pack rainwear, waterproof clothing, and appropriate hiking shoes to wear during gorilla tracking or forest walks. Daytime temperatures range from 23C/73F at times dropping to as low as 11C/ 52F.
There are 16 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 per day. To trek gorillas, you need a gorilla permit/ license. Gorilla licenses are booked by location, not by the name of a gorilla family. There are 4 starting gates namely; in the North at BUHOMA, in the East at RUHIJA, in the South at RUSHAGA & South West at NKURINGO.
- Midrange/Luxury: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
- Budget: Rushaga Gorilla Camp/ Trekkers Tavern cottages/ Travellers Rest Hotel
- Meal plan: Dinner
- Driving Time: +/- 5 hours,
- Expected border crossing time: 1 hour
Day 2: Go Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable forest & Lake Bunyonyi
Today our guide will pick you up from your lodge, at 7.30 am and transfer you to the park gate (5-10 minutes) Pre-tracking orientation starts at 8:00 AM. Trekking through the thick jungle, and traversing canopies of thick undergrowth can be tough, wet, and strenuous but not impossible – the tracking can last from as little as 45 minutes to as much as 10 hours. The activity depends on the location of the gorillas the previous day. Visitors, therefore, are supposed to move along with a packed/ picnic lunch and water, should be equipped with strong water-proof clothing, and must be averagely healthy.
Please note that after Gorilla tracking, our guide will drive two hours to Lake Bunyonyi for chilling, relaxation, and overnight.
- Midrange/ Luxury: Birdsnest/ Bunyonyi Rock Resort
- Budget: Supreme Adventure Park Island- Lake Bunyonyi.
- Today’s meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Optional activities at lake Bunyonyi
Boat ride to punishment island – Look out for “akampene” – the punishment Island – where until the 1940s 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 taboo to pregnant before the recommended marriage age. Costs $15 per person
Boat ride to traditional healer’s village. Experience how traditional African medicine is integrated into modern medicine. The healer not only treats the sick but uses his knowledge to conserve and educate about the various medicinal plants of the time. Costs $40 per person.
Hiking to view islands of Lake Bunyonyi ($10) per person
Self-canoeing, ($5) depends on one skill
Guided Canoeing, ($18) takes 1 hour,
High ropes course and zip-lining, ($30) per person, takes 1.5 to 2hrs
Guided Bird watching, learn about common bird species of the lake. ($20 per person)
Lake Bunyonyi is known to be a place of so many little small birds. It’s possible to have an early morning guided bird watching.
Day 3: Transfer Back To Kigali
Our guide will transfer you back to Kigali Airport. Allow one hour for Uganda/ Rwanda border immigration and customs crossing.
- Meal plan: Breakfast only
Tour price Includes
- All transfers
- 4×4 transport with gas.
- English speaking driver-guide.
- Accommodation is self-contained.
- Activities as indicated on the itinerary.
- Full Board (Dinner, Breakfast, Lunch as indicated on itinerary).
Tour price Excludes
- Air ticket.
- Rwanda/ Uganda Visa.
- Gorilla permit ( $600) Tips to Guides.
- Any meals not indicated on the itinerary.
- Drinks, tips, items of personal nature, entertainment, or any other optimal activity.
| Day | Destination | Midrange Comfort | High End |
|---|---|---|---|
Request a quote for this trip
By Submitting your details you agree to our data Privacy Policy and Booking Terms