3 Day Gorilla Trekking Fly-In Tour Uganda

With the 3 Day Gorilla Trekking Fly-In Tour Uganda , you will take a 1-hour flight from Entebbe to southwestern Uganda to visit Bwindi National Park, the home of the endangered Mountain Gorillas. You will use scheduled flights that land at either Kihihi or Kisoro Airstrips. The safari is ideal for those who have less time but want to track the gorillas in Uganda, since you avoid the 8 to 9hrs drive from Entebbe to Bwindi. Bwindi impenetrable national park is one of those parks with a remarkable diversity, carpeting the margin of the Albertine rift valley for thousands of years. The word “Bwindi” means “darkness” because of the intact forested perfections that allow very little light to pass through them and are at the same time blanketed by mist. The park hosts several other species with their counts estimated at 310 butterflies, 200 trees, 51 reptiles, 88 moths, 120 mammals and 350 bird species. Some of such species include; forest elephants, antelopes among others.

Most importantly,Bwindi hosts the highest population of mountain gorillas, which makes Gorilla trekking ideal for this part of the country. Bwindi is 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. These gorillas can be trekked in four gorilla trekking sectors namely: Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo and each of these sectors has a different number of habituated gorilla families. Buhoma has 5, Nkuringo has 2, Rushaga has 10 and Ruhija has 4 gorilla groups or families.

On this 3 Day Gorilla Trekking Fly-In Tour Uganda, you will have a memorable experience with gorillas and spend two nights in one of the most beautiful places on the African content, at the edge of the Lake Mutanda (Upmarket) that is surrounded by lush highlands and commands breathtaking views of the Virunga volcano range or right at the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (Budget, Midrange & Luxury). This 3 Day Gorilla Trekking Fly-In Tour Uganda to Bwindi Gorillas includes not only a scenic flight but also the best what Bwindi has to offer in the shortest time possible. You will be rewarded with boat cruises on lake mutanda, spectacular views of nature, melodious tunes of birds as well as the best thrilling highlight of the country- gorilla trekking! This will bring your 3 Day Gorilla Trekking Fly-In Tour Uganda to an end.

We give you a range of accommodations to choose from, ranging from budget, moderate to luxury.

Activities

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1

Scenic Flight

Boat Cruise

Early morning Flight to Kisoro or Kihihi & Afternoon Boat Cruise on Lake Mutanda or community walk in Buhoma

Journey time: Flight from Entebbe to Kisoro of 1-2 hour(s), OR Flight from Entebbe to Kihihi of 1hr 45min to 2 hours. Transfer time to the accommodation depends on chosen lodge
Accommodation: Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge (Luxury), Chameleon Hill Lodge (Upmarket), Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge (Midrange), Rushaga Gorilla Camp (Midrange/Budget)
Meal Plan: Lunch, Dinner
Pickup at 6 am and drive to the Entebbe International Airport to check in for your flight that departs at 7am. It is approximately an 1-hour flight to Kisoro in southwestern Uganda. Morning flights depart at 7 and approximately arrive by 8:10am. Flights to Kisoro are subject to the prevailing weather conditions and are strictly morning flights. (the winds are very strong in this region) After your flight, the driver shall pick you from the airfield and drive by road to your lodge near Lake Mutanda, one of the most scenic places in Uganda or right at the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Enjoy the rolling highlands and the Virunga volcanoes. After lunch you set out for the boat ride on Lake Mutanda which is dotted by a number of higlands and surrounded by lush highlands. Visit some of the islands, and enjoy the breathtaking scenery across the lake. In case Kihihi is used as a flying destination instead of Kisoro, then the flying time will be slightly more. You will set off at 7 am in the morning and approximately reach Kihihi at 08:45. For Kihihi, there are also mid-morning flights that start at 10:15 and arrive in Kihihi at approximately 11:25. However, this mid morning daily flight occurs except during Low season (April, May and November) The afternoon flights depart Entebbe at 12:00pm and reach Kihihi at 14:45. This is because the PM service from Entebbe may route via Murchison falls National park subject to loads. In case you take the morning flight to Kihihi, you will have a community walk through the local villages surrounding Bwindi Impenetrable Forest that involves activities like; visiting a traditional home, local orphanage or school, banana brewing demonstrations and even meeting traditional medicinal healers. Note: The timings given above may vary according to aircraft routing.

Day 2

Gorilla Tracking

Leisure Time

Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park & Rest of the Day at Leisure

Accommodation: Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge (Luxury), Chameleon Hill Lodge (Upmarket), Rushaga Gorilla Camp or Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge (Midrange), Rushaga Gorilla Camp (Budget)
Meal Plan: Breafast, Lunch, Dinner
Be up my 6am, have quick breakfast and at 6.30am, carry enough drinking water and transfer to Rushaga Sector of Bwindi National Park which is approximately 1 hour drive away. You will meet the ranger guides at the information centre for registration and briefing. While here, you will be told the precautions and guidelines of the gorilla trekking activity, after which will be assigned a gorilla group to trek. You will meet the ranger guide and start the trekto find the gorillas in Bwindi 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! You will enjoy the awe-inspiring forest that hosts other wildlife such as endemic birds, monkeys, and plants. 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 cannot 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 as they are socialising, feeding, playing, etc. 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, enjoying stunning views and overnight.

Day 3

Scenic Flight

Scenic Flight back to Entebbe

Journey time: Tranfer time to the Airstrip in Kisoro depends on the chosen lodge (approximately 1 - 1 1/2 hours) Flight from Kisoro to Entebbe of 1-2 hour(s)
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Have early breakfast and transfer to airfield in Kisoro for your flight that departs at 8:25am and approximately reaches Entebbe at 11:25 in the morning. In case you are flying from Kihihi, you will depart at 9:45 and arrive at approximately 11:25 am. There is also a mid morning flight that departs at 11:40 and arrives at Entebbe at 13:30 pm. The afternoon flight starts at 14:45 and arrives at Entebbe at 16:15 pm.

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 Flue 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 rech 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.

Walking boots, long trousers and rain gears as you will be hiking through Bwindi Forest.
Sun screen is recommended.
Mosquito repellant is advisable.
At least 1-2 liters of drinking water per person during the trekking.
Camera and extra batteries.
waterproof bags to protect cameras and other equipment when hiking, just in case it rains.

Domestic Flights:

Please contact us for flight schedules as these depend on the season.
Luggage allowance for domestic flights within Uganda is limited to 15 kgs/33lbs per person. There is however a possibility of acquiring additional up to 75kgs/165lbs excess luggage at an extra cost.
As a guideline, standard checked luggage should have the three dimensions of 24 inches (60cm) height, by 18 inches (45cm) length and 13 inches (33cm) width. For hand luggage, 12 inches (30cm) height, by 21 inches (53cm) length, by 9 inches (23cm) width.
Flights to and from Murchison Falls NP and Kidepo Valley NP operate with a minimum of 4 Passengers. Please note that if the number is less than required 4 passengers, the flight rule of additional top up for missing passengers will apply. Please contact us for more information regarding the domestic flights.
Children under 2 years of age are carried free provided they do not occupy seat. Children under 12 years are carried at 70%of the adult fare.