3-Day Gorilla Safari in Uganda: An Unforgettable Adventure in the Wild
Are you ready for the adventure of a lifetime? A 3-day gorilla safari in uganda offers an incredible opportunity to trek through lush rainforests, encounter majestic mountain gorillas, and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Pearl of Africa. Uganda is home to nearly half of the world's remaining mountain gorillas, making it one of the best destinations for gorilla trekking. Here's everthing you need to know to plan your unforgattable safari.
Why Choose Uganda for Gorilla Trekking?
Uganda is a top destination for wildlife enthusiasts, and gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a bucket-list experience.Here's why:
Affordable Permits: Compared to Rwanda, Uganda offers more budget-friendly gorilla trekking permits.
Diverse Wildlife: Besides gorillas, you can spot chimpanzees, golden monkeys,and exotic birds.
Stunning Landscapes: From misty forests to rolling hills, Uganda's scenery is breathtaking.
Cultural Experiences: Meet the local Batwa communities and learn about their traditions.
What to Pack for Your Gorilla Safari
Sturdy hiking boots
Waterproof jacket
Long-sleeved shirts and pants
Camera with extra batteries
Insect repellent
Reusable water bottle
Small backpack for essentials
Best Time to Visit Uganda for Gorilla Trekking
The best time for a gorilla safari in Uganda is during the dry seasons (June to September and December to February). During these months, the trails ane less muddy, and wildlife sightings are more frequent.
Cost of a 3-Day Gorilla Safari in Uganda
Gorilla Trekking Permits: $700 per person (mandatory)
Accommodation: $150-500 per night (luxury to mid-range options)
Transportation: $200-400 (depending on flights or road transfers)
Guided Tours: $100-300 per day
Why Book Your Gorilla Safari Now?
Gorilla trekking is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and permits are limited to protect the gorillas. Secure your spot today and embark on an adventure that will leave you with memories to last a lifetime. Whether you'rea solo traveler, a couple, or a family, Uganda's gorilla safaris offer something for everyone.
Activities
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1
Transfer from Kampala/Entebbe to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Journey time: 8 - 10 hours
Accommodation: Clouds Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Bwindi Lodge, Buhoma Lodge or Mahogany Springs (Luxury), Chameleon Hill Lodge (Upmarket), Rushaga Gorilla Camp or Ichumbi Lodge (Midrange), Rushaga Gorilla Camp (Budget)
Meal Plan: Lunch, Dinner
Have early breakfast and depart for Bwindi National Park at 7.00 am, driving southwards for at least 8 hours before arriving at your accommodation which is situated just outside of the park on the southern side. The most direct route from Kampala follows a surfaced road to Rukungiri via Mbarara and Ntungamo. A slow dirt road then winds through the highlands to Buhoma via Kihihi and Butogota. The main trailhead at Buhoma is about 460kms from Kampala and can be reached by road from several directions. Ruhija trailhead is best accessed from the Kampala-Kisoro road, turning north from the surfaced highway 18km beyond Kabale town. The southerly Rushaga and Nkuringo trailheads can be reached using dirt roads leading west from Muko, midway on the surfaced Kabale -Kisoro road, and north from Kisoro town. You will see many things along the way, including the equator, plantations, rolling hills and a variety of Ugandans conducting business and other activities within their villages. We will have lunch en-route in Mbarara town at Ajip Motel. Relax in the evening whilst enjoying the magnificent vistas of the beautiful landscape. Have dinner and overnight at the lodge. Top hint: Keep your cameras near you and our driver will definitely stop if you need him to so that you can capture that beautiful moment.
Day 2
Gorilla Tracking
Leisure Time
Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Rest of the Day at Leisure at the Lodge
Accommodation: Clouds Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Bwindi Lodge, Buhoma Lodge or Mahogany Springs (Luxury), Chameleon Hill Lodge (Upmarket), Rushaga Gorilla Camp or Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge (Midrange), Rushaga Gorilla Camp (Budget)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we will have the amazing opportunity to observe the gorgeous scenery of Uganda's tropical rainforest and experience a breathtaking encounter with the endangered mountain gorillas. Todays schedule will take us through the impenetrable Jungle of Bwindi National Park, which was gazetted as a National Park in 1991 and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. Bwindi Impenetrable NP occupies the size of about 321 sq km between 1,160m and 2,607m above sea level and it's the home of the endangered mountain gorillas. The park is divided into 4 gorilla tracking sectors including Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors. Within the park, there are 21 groups of gorillas habituated for tourism. Five of these groups are found in the vicinity of Buhoma in northwest Bwindi; four at Ruhija in the east; and ten at the park’s southern trailheads at Rushaga and two are found at Nkuringo. Have early breakfast, pick your packed lunch from the lodge, 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 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. Once you reached them, you are allowed to stay for one hour to observe these gentle giants, after which you return to meet the driver guide and transfer back to the lodge for relaxation and overnight. Top Hint: There is a lot of fauna and flora in the forest. Be ready to ask the guide any questions about endemic species in the park. Also ensure that you take photos during the gorilla trek.
Day 3
Uganda Equator
Transfer back to Kampala/Entebbe with a Stopover at the Equator Line
Journey time: 9 - 10 hours
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch
It is time to leave Bwindi Impenetrable NP and tranfer back to Kampala/Entebbe. It is a long but very interesting drive back to the central of Uganda, passing through many towns and villages. We will stopover at the Equator Line, where we have enough time to have our packed lunch, take some photos and do some souvenir shopping. After reaching Entebbe at the airport, that will mark the end of your 3 day Gorilla trekking tour Uganda.
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 carring the bags and support whenever it is needed. For the trekking assitant 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.
More info:
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.