Experience the best of Bwindi’s irresistible natural beauty and also enjoy up close with the massive mountain gorillas while in their natural habitat. This lifetime opportunity is guaranteed on this captivating 3-day Bwindi gorilla tour. The key safari highlight as per this trip is mountain gorilla trekking and community visit (either in the Batwa or Bakiga community).
Trekking with Bwindi means spending quality time winding through the park’s rainforest and you have an hour of observing how these large apes behave. Our 3 days Bwindi gorilla tour is budget-friendly Uganda safari.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and lies between altitude 1160 and 2607m. The park boundaries stretch up to 331sq.km and supports not only mountain gorillas but also other varied animal species. They include buffaloes, forest elephants, side-striped jackals, black-fronted duikers, golden cats, giant forest, clawless otters, and more.
The park also holds about 350 bird species which include the grauer’s broadbill, handsome francolins, regal sunbirds, African green pigeon, giant kingfishers, cinnamon chested bee-eaters, Kivu ground thrush, Knob-billed ducks, Egyptian goose, blue-billed teal, white tailed blue fly catchers, red headed bluebill, and more.
Brief itinerary
Day 1: Pick up, drive up to Bwindi via Equator crossing
Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Park & Cultural Experience
Day 3: Depart from Bwindi to Kampala/Entebbe
Detailed Itinerary
Following your hefty breakfast, get a short briefing from your safari leader while still at the hotel facility. Have everything you require on a trip packed in the car and start your long journey towards the Southwestern Uganda through the Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara road. Today’s road trip includes a stopover at the Kayabwe Equator crossing for photography and after, proceed to have lunch at Igongo Cultural Centre or hotel at Mbarara.
Driving from Kampala to Bwindi may take from 8 to 9 hours but comes with great sights en-route. On arrival, check in at the safari lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Buhoma Lodge
- Midrange: Engagi Lodge
- Budget: Buhoma Community Rest Camp
After you have enjoyed your heavy breakfast, transfer to Bwindi offices for briefing and during this morning orientation, get to know the various guidelines to be followed when trekking gorillas. You will be leaving the park offices with the ranger guide by 8:00am. Hike through the misty Bwindi Impenetrable Forest while you look out for the mountain gorillas. It will be tiresome journey because it involves conquering some high elevation, lush rainforest and at times muddy areas.
As you wind through the forest, you may come across other species including birds, primates, and butterflies, plus floral species. The special moment with a family of mountain gorillas will be enjoyed for a maximum of an hour once you have located them. While observing how these apes behave, a maximum distance of 8-10m must be maintained. Use this time to take as many pictures as you can then you will be accompanied back to the lodge for relaxation, lunch and enjoy some refreshments.
Leave your accommodation for a thrilling community experience, visit and interact with the Batwa pygmies –the original occupants of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. After, have the rest of the evening sharing your long day memories, enjoy leisurely dinner and retire for the night at the lodge.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Buhoma Lodge
- Midrange: Engagi Lodge
- Budget: Buhoma Community Rest Camp
At leisure, enjoy a hefty breakfast and after, have your property packed in the safari vehicle. It is from here where you will begin your return trip to Kampala or Entebbe and you will have second round visit at the Equator crossing.
End of safari
Inclusions
- Travel by road for 3 days
- Accommodation and all meals
- An English-speaking driver guide
- All safari activities excluding the optional
- Park entry fees
- Bottled water
- All relevant government taxes
Exclusions
- Alcoholic drinks
- Costs on telephone calls
- Travel Insurance
- Shopping costs
- Tipping done to guides, drivers, waiters and others
- Extra accommodation fees
- Additional activities (optional)
- Services for laundry
- Flight fees and any other personal expenses.