Tour Overview
This 3 Days Bwindi Gorilla Tour is all about trekking gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable national park. The tour is specifically designed for travellers who want to exclusively enjoy gorilla trekking without mixing with other experiences as well as those with less travel time or a low budget. You will visit one of the habituated gorilla groups in the park and spend the coveted magical hour in the presence of these fascinating primates.
Bwindi gorilla trekking adventure takes about 2-6 hours, which involves navigating through the lush rainforest, steep slopes, and other varied habitats. The park ranger guide will lead you through the entire gorilla trekking session, and once you have seen gorillas, he or she will explain in-depth everything you need to understand about gorilla behaviors.
Besides mountain gorillas, Bwindi is also endowed with other wildlife such as l’hoest monkeys, chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, olive baboons, blue monkeys, colobus monkeys, and vervet monkeys. The park also holds a total of 350 species of birds, including Kivu ground thrush, African green broadbill, Shelley’s crimson wing, and more. As you wind through in search of mountain gorillas, you may also have surprising sightings of the Bwindi Forest’s abundant faunal and avifaunal species. Note, your 3-Day Bwindi Gorilla Tour is expected to start from Kampala, but it is flexible.
Key Highlights of 3 Days Bwindi Gorilla Tour
- A captivating gorilla trekking experience in the African jungle.
- A magical encounter with gorillas during the one hour that is dedicated to guests.
- Guided foot-walk via the ancient rainforest.
- En-route Equator crossing photography experience with colleagues or individually.
- Delicious meals and comfortable accommodation on your entire tour.
- A free bottled water to quench down the thirst on a tour.
The Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Pick up from Kampala & Head to Bwindi (4×4 drive for 8-9 hours)
Day 2: Go gorilla trekking with guide from Bwindi & enjoy the Batwa tour
Day 3: Walk back to the visitor centre/reception & return to the lodge
The Detailed Itinerary – 3 Days Bwindi gorilla tour
Day 1: Pick up from Kampala & Head to Bwindi (4×4 drive for 8-9 hours)
Enjoy a heavy breakfast in your hotel property in Kampala, and later meet with the Rivo Safaris guide for a quick briefing about the itinerary and also what is ahead of you today. After the briefing, be ready to start your day and you will be heading to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which is likely to take you around 8-9 hours through the Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara-Kabale route.
It will be an extended day drive, but it comes with incredible en route breaks to let you relax your muscles. En route stopover points to expect include at the Equator crossing for photography moment and later at Igongo for a lunch break.
After the delicious meals at the Igongo, continue up to the lodge in or near the lush Bwindi Forest. Check in safely and have a long evening to relax, freshen up, and also arrange the essentials that you may need to use the following day on the actual day trek with Bwindi mountain gorillas.
Accommodation Options
- Budget: Bakiga Lodge/Ride 4 a Woman
- Midrange: Gorilla Mist Camp/Engage Lodge/Silverback Lodge
- Luxury: Kiho Gorilla Safari Lodge/Luxury Bwindi Lodge/Buhoma Lodge
Meal plan: Half-board (mainly Lunch & Dinner)
Day 2: Go gorilla trekking with a guide from Bwindi & enjoy the Batwa tour
Have a heavy morning breakfast and after join the park official for a briefing at the respective trailhead in Bwindi. As you depart the lodge, ensure that you go with some packed lunch and water. The briefing session about gorilla trekking regulations lasts for about half an hour, and by 8:00 am, you should be set for the action-packed search for mountain gorillas.
You will have 2-6 hours of navigating through the mist-covered rainforest and undulating landscape as you search for the group of gorillas your park official allocates to you. In the search for gorillas, there will be an experienced guide to lead you and also make an interpretation on the unique behaviors of mountain gorillas.
After you have explored more about gorillas’ behaviors, start trekking back to the visitor reception to receive a gorilla trekking certificate. From the receptions, connect back to the lodge to relax and freshen up.
Later in the afternoon, you will be led by the local guide to the nearby Batwa community to get inspirational cultural and traditional dances. Meet and explore more about the Batwa pygmies –the indigenous people who once lived in Bwindi Forest for decades, and essentially, learn more about how they survived as hunters & fruit/honey gatherers. The elders will also share some of the inspirational stories, including the fire-making process and more. After the visit to the Batwa community, you will get back to have the remaining time in your respective lodge.
Accommodation Options
- Budget: Bakiga Lodge/Ride 4 a Woman
- Midrange: Gorilla Mist Camp/Engage Lodge/Silverback Lodge
- Luxury: Kiho Gorilla Safari Lodge/Luxury Bwindi Lodge/Buhoma Lodge
Meal plan: Full-board (mainly Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon tea, & Dinner).
Day 3: Walk back to the visitor centre/reception & return to the lodge
Enjoy a superb breakfast at leisure and after, meet the driver guide for pick up and return to Kampala. Drive via Mbarara where lunch will be enjoyed en route then continue to Kayabwe for another incredible chance to take photographs at the Equator crossing. After the last moments at the Equator and perhaps short shopping at the craft shop, proceed up to Kampala to be dropped off at the hotel for relaxation.
End of the 3 Days Bwindi Gorilla Tour
Tour Cost Inclusions
- A Gorilla permit (to be booked at US Dollars 800pp)
- Thrilling cultural experience at the Batwa community
- Park entrance fees (included on the permits)
- A full-board service in the lodges as indicated in the travel plan.
- Accommodation options as per the travel plan for 2 nights.
- Travel by road and use a 4WD car.
- Airport transfers if the flight schedule is on the same day.
- A professional driver/ranger guide service
Tour Cost Exclusions
- Tips or gratuities
- Fees for visas & passports
- Health/Travel Insurance
- Expenses on Laundry services you requested at the hotel/lodge
- Cigarettes, telephone costs, and alcoholic drinks, etc.
- Extra or optional activities