3 Day Uganda Gorilla Safari.
This safari will take you for Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which covers an area of 321 sq km and is among the oldest forests lasting over 25,000 years. You will be able to trek one of the 12 habituated mountain gorilla groups.
Besides the Gorillas, you will also have an opportunity to see other primates such as the red-tailed monkeys, chimpanzees, baboons, black and white colobus monkeys among others. This forest is also home to 120 mammals, 51 reptiles, 310 butterfly species, 27 species of frogs, geckos, chameleons, 163 tree species, 104 fern species, 1000 flowering plants, as well as over 350 species of birds such as the hornbills and the Turacos!
Gorilla trekking takes around 2 to 8 hours, which is worth it as those into hiking will have a great time climbing up and about the rolling hills, and going through the lush vegetation.
Day 1: Travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park- 8h 25 min (463.7 Km) via Masaka Road.
Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest
Day 3: Departure back to Kampala/Entebbe
Detailed Itinerary
The 9 days Uganda safari package includes;
- Gorilla permits
- Chimpanzee permits
- Batwa visit
- Game drives
- Boat cruises
- Lake Bunyonyi tour
- Ziwa Rhino sanctuary
- Park Entrance and Ranger fees
- All activities included in the tour package
- Transfers to and from the airport
- A standard 4X4 tour van
- An experienced driver with great knowledge about the country and who speaks excellent English
- Accommodation for 8 nights including meals and water
- Meals and water outside the hotel
- Government taxes
The safari excludes;
- Air tickets and entry visas to Uganda
- Medical and Travel insurance
- Tips to the gorilla trekking porters, rangers and staff at the hotels
- Expenses on alcohol, cigars, phone calls, soft drinks, souvenir and anything that can be considered personal
While on a safari in Uganda, you should pack some or all of the following items;
A camera: A safari in Uganda is incomplete without a good camera. You cannot come back from a safari without evidence to show your friends and family about the wonderful time you had.
Hiking Boots: Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking requires good hiking boots for comfort especially during the rainy season.
Stocking: Long stockings will help in tucking in your trousers to avoid crawling insects.
Rain Jacket: This is very important while hiking during the rainy season. The rains can be unpredictable in Uganda especially when you consider global warming. There is always the possibility of rain in Bwindi forest regardless of season of the year.
Long Shirts and trousers: The game parks and forests contain insects and other crawling creatures that you need to keep off. There are also sharp tree branches and thorns. Long sleeved shirts and trousers will keep off any insects and also protect you from sharp trees.
Hand gloves: Hand gloves are important for grabbing leaves and tree branches while hiking through dense forest.
Water: Many of the activities mentioned above involve staying out for long hours in the sun. Expect to get dehydrated and tired if you do not pack some water. You need to have water filtration tablets if you cannot move with bottled water.
Packed Snack: This is very important for the chimpanzee habituation experience and gorilla trekking. It is difficult to predict when the two activities will end. You are better off parking lunch so that you don’t get hungry.
Detailed Itinerary
You will be picked up by our guide from the airport/your hotel in Entebbe/Kampala/Kigali after an early morning breakfast at 07:00hrs. You will be briefed about the whole safari before you travel to Bwindi Impenetrable which is found in the southwestern part of Uganda. Along the way there is a local drum and craft making community so you will have a visit here.
Then a stopover at the Equator to take photos, also feel free to buy some crafts and souvenirs as you head to Mbarara town where you will have your lunch from. Thereafter, proceed to Bwindi whereby you will arrive in the late afternoon. Check in at the lodge, relax in the evening and have Dinner.
Accommodation Options; Mahogany springs/Chameleon Hill/Silver back lodge/Buhoma lodge (Luxury) | Gorilla Mist Camp/Bakiga Lodge/Ichumbi Gorilla Safari Lodge (Midrange) | Ruhija Gorilla friends camp/Rushaga Gorilla Camp (Budget)
After an early morning breakfast, drive to the park headquarters where you will be briefed by the park rangers about what to do and not to do while in the park, also you will be divided in group of 8. After continue and start off gorilla trekking these gentle giants as directed by the rangers. This is a memorable and an amazing experience watching the Mountain gorillas feed, play around and also do their day to day activities. This activity can take 2 hours or even up to 8 hours since its dependent on the location and movement of the gorillas.
Also expect to walk long distances in muddy and steep conditions- this will require you to have a walking stick. On meeting the gorillas you will spend one hour with them as you take photos and then later, return back to the lodge. In the evening, you may choose to relax at the lodge or visit the Batwa community which will expose you to their culture basing on how they live, dance, and also hearing stories concerning their culture which will leave you amazed. Have dinner and overnight.
Accommodation Options; Mahogany springs/Chameleon Hill/Silver back lodge/Buhoma lodge (Luxury) | Gorilla Mist Camp/Bakiga Lodge/Ichumbi Gorilla Safari Lodge (Midrange) | Ruhija Gorilla friends camp/Rushaga Gorilla Camp (Budget)
Have an early breakfast, Check-out leaving the “Switzerland of Uganda” and embark on a journey back to Kampala passing through rolling hills with terraces and also you will have a great time viewing the lush vegetation of the different areas you will go through. Have lunch in Mbarara and another stop will be at Mbambire drum makers point. After buying some of these drums, continue to Kampala arriving late afternoon. The guide will drop you off to the hotel or at the airport to catch your flight back home.
Bwindi is among Uganda’s most exciting national parks and a place you can’t leave out while on a Ugandan safari. It is famously known as a home to a big number of Mountain gorillas basing on the world remaining population. About 750 gorillas are remaining and half of this number has its home in Bwindi. Also other primates such as chimpanzees are found here though rarely seen. This is the same story with other animal species like the forest elephants, antelopes among others. The park is located in Southwestern Uganda just near the escarpment of the Western rift Valley.
The word “Bwindi” means “darkness” and when you get the opportunity of walking through this forest you have will get to know why its called such a name. The forest is gifted with a stream of water which is a beautiful place, and also waterfalls are found as you trek through impenetrable forest. Trekking doesn’t require any skills but physical fitness is always required as there are a lot of steep mountains to climb p and about looking for these gentle giants. Above all there is nothing as adventurous and thrilling as going for gorilla trekking!
Tourists also have other species to see in the park apart from the gorillas such as different bird species (over 350 bird species found in the park), tree species, butterflies, frogs species among other things. A Gorilla trekking permit costs $700 per person and if one is interested in Gorilla habituation each permit goes for $1500 per person. Tracking Gorillas in the mighty Bwindi is a dream come true for various tourists.
The Birds Species in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
About 350 bird species are found here but only 23 species are Albertine rift endemic species and also about 14 other species are not recorded in other parks and Uganda as a whole. Different birds that can be found here include; Collared Apalis, the Handsome Francolin, African Broadbill, Cinnamon Chested Bee Eater and the Western Green Tinkerbird.
The Climate & Weather for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
The Parks altitude varies as it ranges from 1,190m-2,607m above sea level. Though, about 60% of the park is at an altitude of over 2000m above sea level. The total annual rainfall received ranges between 1,400mm and 1,900mm. Note that more rain is received in the months; March and April.
Gorilla trekking (tracking) in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is always the most amazing and interesting part while on a Ugandan safari. And because of that Sir Winston Churchhill was never wrong to call Uganda ‘the pearl of Africa’. Also the country is stable politically of which gorillas can be tracked in any area of the park.











