2 Day Uganda Gorilla Trek from Kigali to Bwindi

This 2 Day Uganda Gorilla trek from Kigali to Bwindi National Park from Kigali Rwanda is designed to reduce on driving time to Bwindi in Uganda for the gorilla tracking experience as well as the trekking cost for the mountain gorillas. The tour starts in Rwanda (the land of a thousand hills) at Kigali international airport or your hotel in Kigali, from which you will be transferred to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southern Uganda, a journey of only 4 hours. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a UNESCO world heritage site and a home to 459 gorillas, an increase from 400 as of the 2018 census. These 459 gorillas are categorised into 50 gorilla groups or families, of which 21 are currently habituated for tourism. In some gorilla groups, you will find more than one silver back in which case it implies the other silver-backs had to submit to his leadership or breakaway and start their own families. In Bwindi, there are currently four gorilla trekking sectors. These include; Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo. Therefore, you will do gorilla trekking from one of these sectors, especially Rushaga since it is nearest to Rwanda. You can also do your gorilla trekking from Mgahinga National Park, since it is closer to Rwanda.

On this 2 day Uganda Gorilla trek from Kigali, you will be rewarded with the most important highlight of an African safari that is filled with the art of nature and thrill of pleasure. This safari is recommended, most importantly because you get to save a lot on money, since gorilla trekking in Uganda is cheaper (US$ 600) than in Rwanda (US$ 1500) making the whole gorilla trekking more exciting and affordable. You will also save time by spending less time on the way since Kigali to Bwindi is shorter (4 to 5 hours) as compared to the Entebbe-Bwindi route that requires 8 to 9 hours.

Our driver guide will pick you up from Kigali and transfer you to Bwindi Impenetrable National park via Gatuna or Kyanika border points through the terraced hills of Kabale or Kisoro depending on the location of your booked gorilla permit group. This is faster as compared to the Entebbe- Bwindi route where one spends approximately 8 hours during the journey. The 2 day gorilla trekking safari is indeed ideal and perfect. It starts from Rwanda and ends in Rwanda, exposing you to scenic views and experiences of nature.

Activities

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1

Transfer from Kigali to Bwindi

Pick up at Kigali to Bwindi National Park: Our driver guide will meet you at Kigali International airport or at your hotel in Kigali and transfer you to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a 4 hours journey which will include the border crossing via katuna or chanika for a stop over at Kisoro (if chanika was used) or Kabale (if katuna was used.) You will drive through Ruhengeri in the Musanze region, where you will have a thrilling taste of the "a thousand hills", before you exit Rwanda. You’ll witness spectacular views of the terraces and Lake Mutanda. You’ll need an East African visa that you’ll obtain at the Kigali International Airport for a fee of 100$. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.

4 hours Journey
Dinner & Overnight at the lodge

Day 2

Gorilla Trekking & Transfer to Kigali

Gorillas trekking & return to Kigali: Have early breakfast, carry enough drinking water and transfer to the briefing point by 7.30am. While here, you will carry out registration and join others for a gorilla trekking briefing about the precautions and guidelines of the gorilla trekking activity. You will then be assigned a gorilla group, meet the ranger guide and start the trek into the forest. The forest is usually wet and muddy with steep slopes. However, the sounds and sights of different birds and butterfly species offer a variety of form and color that satisfy you with a rare sort of happiness! The guide will keep providing information about trees, birds, butterflies and other wildlife in the forest until you reach the gorilla family you've been tracking. The gorillas are located in different places across the forest and therefore the time taken to find one group varies and can not be estimated before. It is just estimated to range from 30 minutes to over 5 hours. Once you have reached them, you will be allowed to stay for one hour to observe these gentle giants. During this time, you will observe the gorillas carrying out their daily activities and also have photography moments. At the end of the trek, you will return to the park headquaters and information centre to pick certificates. You will then meet the driver guide and transfer back to the lodge for relaxation and overnight.

4 hours Journey
Lunch

General Tips:

Please note the age limit of 15 years and above for gorilla tracking.
Book your permits well in advance as only 8 permits are issued per gorilla group in a day. There are 21 habituated gorilla groups in Bwindi.
You should be free from infectious diseases such as Flu which can be passed to the gorillas since humans share 98% DNA with gorillas. If you are found to carry an infectious disease you will not be allowed to track.
Every participant has the chance to hire a trekking assistance (porter) who will help carrying the bags and support whenever it is needed. For the trekking assistant an additional fee of US$ 15 is charged. Even those who consider themselves very old and don’t think they are hikers or adventurous can also successfully visit the gorillas. This can be done through hiring personal assistants to carry your daypack also to assist you in difficult areas.
Do not use flash photography.
Littering in the forest is not allowed!
You are required to maintain a distance of 7 metres when you reach the gorillas. In certain instances the young gorillas may come closer to you out of curiosity to touch you. However, you are not expected to respond because the silverback could respond violently as it tries to protect the young one from you.

What to bring:

Gorilla trekking clothing is the same for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga National Park as well as Volcanoes National Park so, the next question to be answered is what to pack for a gorilla trek.

Bring proper walking boots, long trousers and rain gears as you will be hiking through Bwindi Forest.
Insect repellant is recommended.
At least 1-2 liters of drinking water per person during the trekking.
Hiking boots, gloves, rain jacket.
Camera and extra batteries.
sunscreen and a sun hat, since the sun may be hot during the day.
waterproof bags to protect cameras and other equipment when hiking, just in case it rains.

Baby gorilla at Bwindi Taken by Ellington Safaris

Gorilla Trek Bwindi National Park Uganda Taken by Ellington Safaris

Bwindi gorilla trekking Taken by Ellington Safaris