This 3-day Gorilla Safari takes you to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to nearly half the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. You will travel to Bwindi by road and spend a night close to the forest to acclimatize to the climate. The following day, you will track mountain gorillas in one of the habituated groups. This trip is ideal for those with limited time in Uganda. The tour starts in Kampala, and you can either return there or be dropped off in Kigali.
Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After a hearty breakfast at your hotel in Kampala, you will meet your driver-guide and set off for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwestern Uganda. En route, you will have a brief stop at the Equator for water experiments and the opportunity to stand at the point where the two hemispheres meet. The journey continues with another stop at Mpambire Drum Village, famous for its drum-making. You will enjoy lunch in Mbarara town before heading to the park headquarters in Buhoma. Dinner and overnight stay options include Gorilla Forest Camp or Gorilla Resort for upscale accommodations, Lake Kitandara Camp or Buhoma Lodge for mid-range options, and Buhoma Community Bandas for budget travelers.
Day 2: Gorilla Tracking Experience
After breakfast at the lodge, you will go to the park headquarters for a briefing by the Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger guides. Following the briefing, the ranger will lead you into the dense, impenetrable forest to begin your search for the endangered mountain gorillas. The search starts at the last known location of the gorillas. Upon reaching the area where these remarkable creatures are found, you can interact with them for one hour. It is essential to maintain silence during this time. Photographing the gorillas is allowed. Finding the gorillas can be physically demanding, often taking 3 to 8 hours. However, once you encounter them, the challenges you face to find them will be forgotten, and you will cherish the wonderful memories of your experience. After the interaction, you will return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 3: Transfer Back to Kampala
After an early breakfast at the lodge, you will drive back to Kampala, where lunch will be en route to Mbarara town. The return trip will pass through Kabale, known as the “Switzerland of Africa” due to its picturesque hills and scenery. You will arrive in Kampala by late evening and be dropped off at your hotel. This marks the end of your safari.
Tour Includes:
Mountain gorilla permits
All activities as per the itinerary & park entry fees
Accommodation and meals
Transport in a standard safari vehicle
Professional tour guide
Tour Excludes:
International flights
Personal items
Tips and gratuities