3 Days Bwindi Gorilla Safari in Uganda – Bwindi National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the best gorilla trekking destination in the world and has the largest number of habituated gorilla groups and the most affordable gorilla permits where each costing US$800. Below is the detailed day-by-day itinerary.
Day 1: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Home of Gorillas)
After morning breakfast, you will be picked up by our tour driver/guide from your hotel in Entebbe Or Kampala and then set off for the adventurous journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You will have a stopover in Mbarara for lunch before continuing with the journey through the green hills, and flatlands and settle in Kabale which is also known as the “Switzerland of Africa”! Later continue and have dinner and overnight at Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp or Lake Mutanda Resort.
Day 2: Gorilla trekking, and Batwa Entertainment in the Evening
Early in the morning after breakfast, you will transfer to the park headquarters for briefing from the Park rangers about the dos and don’ts while with the Gorillas, before embarking on the memorable activity of tracking the amazing apes. The hike takes you through thick vegetation and the ease of finding the gorillas will depend on the movement of these animals within their natural environment.
A maximum of one hour is allowed to be with the gorillas and take memorable photographs and videos. Later descend to your Lodge for hot lunch and relax as we prepare for lots of entertainment from the Batwa group of people known as the “Keepers of the forest”. Dinner and overnight as on day 1.
Day 3: Return to Entebbe Airport– Departure
After breakfast, drive back to Entebbe Airport. Lunch en route in Mbarara and then another stopover at the Uganda equator for photographs, art and crafts shopping on the way back to Entebbe for your flight back home.
End of the 3 Day gorilla safari in Uganda
About Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in South Western Uganda, on the edge of the Albertine Rift Valley, on an altitude range from 1.160 m to 2.607m. This tropical rainforest is spread over a series of steep ridges and valleys. It is regarded as one of the most biologically diverse forests in Africa. There are 11 species of primates, such as L’Hoest’s Monkeys, Chimpanzees, red-tailed and blue monkeys, black and white Colobus monkeys, olive baboons, and many more. In particular, Bwindi forest is home to half the remaining mountain gorilla population. There are about 350 bird species of which 90% of them are Albertine Rift endemics, rarely seen in any other part of East Africa) and 200 of butterflies. Mammals count only 30 (buffaloes, elephants and Leopards). There are 324 species of tree.
Things to do in Bwindi National Park
- Gorilla Trekking
The main activity is “gorilla trekking” with about 20 habituated families of mountain gorillas, some of which include; Habinyanja, Nkuringo, Kahunjye, Bikingi, Christmas, Rushegura, Nshongi, Mishaya, Mubare, Bitukura and Oruzogo among others.
- Gorilla Filming
Gorilla filming is also possible.
- Nature Walk and Birding
Hiking trails are open to tourists for birding experience, butterflies and primates. River Ivy trail, Kashasha trail, Buhoma waterfall trail, Bambou Zone and Mubwindi swamp nature walks are highly recommended for bird watching.
- Village and Cultural Tours
Cultural walk to villages / local communities around Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo, to see the traditional homestead, the traditional healers, the banana beer brewing, handicrafts and cultural performances for Batwa pygmies.
- Mountain Biking
Mountain biking is also conducted in Bwindi National Park with different routes depending on your ability to ride.
Getting to Bwindi National Park
- By Road
Bwindi Gorilla Park can be accessed from Queen Elizabeth National Park in the north (2-3 hour drive), and 7-9 hours from Kampala or Entebbe International Airport (EBB). The route is determined by the sector you are going to track the gorillas. A 4×4 vehicle is highly recommended during the rains.
Daily bus services are leaving Kampala for Butogota via Rukungiri and Kihiihi. A matatu can be hired from Butogota to Buhoma the park entrance gate. Other buses go to Kisoro if you are going to Rushaga or Nkuringo sectors.
The Kabale – Ruhija- Buhoma segment on this route is 72 km on a Murram road branching off at the Harutenga junction on the Kabale-Kisoro road
From Kigali, getting to Bwindi is much easier, the journey is only 4 hrs drive through Katuna or Cyanika borders.
- By Air
Travellers can fly from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to the modern tarmac airstrip at Kisoro if they are going to Southern Bwindi (Nkuringo, Rushaga sector and Mgahinga National Park). Visitors to the Northern side of Buhoma or Ruhija can also fly to Kayonza or Kihihi airstrips.
Where to Stay in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Gorilla Park has a quite wide range of accommodation facilities ranging from budget / basic to Mid-range / deluxe and Luxury, among these include; the Gorilla Forest Camp, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Gorilla Resort, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Lake Mutanda Resort, Silverback lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp, Broad Bill Forest Camp, Ruhija Gorilla lodge and Engagi lodge, Bakiga Lodge, Buhoma community rest camp, and Nkuringo safari camp among others.
