Tour Overview
This 2 Days Uganda Gorilla Tour is solely about gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park. To maximise the short time for this tour, it will start from Kigali in Rwanda due to the shorter distance to Bwindi than from Entebbe. The tour offers you an extensive gorilla trekking experience in one of the trailheads/regions in Bwindi, that is Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija, or Nkuringo.
You cross to a specific region/sector as per your gorilla permit that you pre-booked through Rivo Safaris. During the gorilla trekking adventure, expect to enjoy a maximum of 1 hour while viewing gorillas, and also take photos. When your gorilla trekking tour session ends, expect to return through the Uganda-Rwanda border, and you will be dropped off in Kigali.
Key Highlights of Your 2 Days Uganda Gorilla Tour
- Visit mountain gorillas on foot with an experienced ranger guide from Bwindi Forest.
- Enjoy a thrilling gorilla trekking in the respective sector in Bwindi (you will be assigned a gorilla group to trek).
- Have a complete immersion into the misty Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to meet the world’s Great Apes.
- A maximum of 1 hour with a group of mountain gorillas.
- Memorable road trip to & from Bwindi in a 4×4 vehicle.
- Full-time English-speaking driver guide from Rivo Safaris Ltd.
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Pick up from Kigali City & head to Katuna/Chanika to cross to Bwindi
Day 2: Experience the best Bwindi gorilla trekking adventure & depart for Kigali.
Detailed Itinerary – 2 Days Uganda gorilla tour
Day 1: Pick up from the Kigali City & head to Katuna/Chanika to cross to Bwindi
Meet a professional guide from Rivo Safaris at the hotel premises in Kigali. Get a warm greeting, and later, a briefing will be done shortly to provide you insight into what your 2 Days Uganda Gorilla Tour is about entirely. After the interactive session in the morning, exit the lodge or boutique hotel in Kigali for Bwindi, but first, you may have a short visit at the nearby Kigali Genocide Memorial.
In the afternoon, you will be connecting to Katuna/Chanika in order to clear with the border authorities. Cross to Uganda and connect to your respective sectors in Bwindi National Park, and your permit will direct on the region you will be trekking gorillas the following day.
The 4 of Bwindi’s main gorilla sectors include Ruhija in the East, Buhoma is in the North & these regions are easier accessed through the Kigali-Katuna-Kabale route. The two southern sectors (Nkuringo & Rushaga) will be reached via the Chanika-Kisoro-Bwindi route. Once you have reached, you will proceed to gorilla safari lodges or camps. Relax the entire afternoon, and also ensure that you put together all the items to be carried the following day for the actual trekking session.
Accommodation Options
- Budget: Ride 4 a Woman/Bakiga Lodge
- Midrange: Engagi Lodge/Mahogany Springs/Gorilla Mist Camp
- Luxury: Luxury Bwindi Lodge/Buhoma Lodge/Kiho Gorilla Lodge
Day 2: Experience the best Bwindi gorilla trekking adventure & depart for Kigali.
After the delicious breakfast from your respective lodges in Buhoma/Ruhija, proceed to meet the park official for a morning pre-trek briefing regulations to be respected while in the jungle. This will be your departure point for the actual trek to see mountain gorillas, but first, you will have a gorilla group to visit and a ranger guide to lead you.
The gorilla trekking session in Bwindi will run from 2-6 hours, but this may even be shorter depending on your walking speed or the location of the gorillas in the course of the day. Once you have met a gorilla group assigned to you, the ranger guide will permit you to view these apes for 1 hour. Utilize the one hour with gorillas for taking pictures, and later, you will be accompanied back to where your adventure began.
At the park trailhead/reception, meet the driver guide to take you back to the lodge. Enjoy a lunch and later, have your luggage packed in the safari vehicle. Today’s late afternoon will be meant for returning to Kigali crossing via Katuna/Chanika border. On arrival at Kigali city, you will be dropped off to the hotel or directly to the Kigali International Airport for you to wait for your late departure flight.
End of the 2 Days Uganda Gorilla Tour
Tour cost includes
- All ground airport transfers
- The cost for traveling in a 4WD Car.
- Fuel price & hiring a guide –(English speaking).
- A free bottled drinking water in the car.
- Cost for park entrance.
- The expense for accommodation for 1-night & meals.
- Any relevant government taxes (both on Rwandan & Ugandan part).
Tour cost excludes
- Visas
- Insurance (travel/health)
- Laundry service expenses
- Passport costs
- Telephone bills/costs
- Cigarettes expenses
- Any cost for purchasing alcoholic drinks.
- Any form of shopping
- Any optional activity or experience not showing on the itinerary.
- All expenses for the international airport.
What to Consider for the 2 Days Uganda Gorilla Tour
A valid gorilla permit for Uganda. This is to be booked through Rivo Safaris, the trusted and recognized company that organizes gorilla trekking tours in Uganda and beyond. The cost of a permit is still at USD 800 for non-residents, USD 700 for residents, US Dollars 500 for the Rest of Africa residents, and UGX. 300,000 for all East African citizens.
Your fitness level –you should consider practicing before the actual visit to explore gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Pack only essential gear/items including long-sleeved shirts, waterproof daypack, long-sleeved shirts, a camera, and long sweater, a pair of binoculars, a rain jacket, sturdy hiking boots, and a safari hat. Snacks, bottled water, gardening gloves, insect repellents, and a first aid kit should also be considered on the packing list.
Accommodation options should be pre-booked and ensure that they are conveniently located to the gorilla trailhead/reception where the briefing was conducted.
Ensure that you have a genuinely eligible trekker who is 15 years old.