This 3-day Uganda gorilla safari takes you by road from Kampala or Entebbe into the forested highlands of southwestern Uganda, with two nights near your confirmed trekking sector and one full day set aside for gorilla trekking. You travel to Bwindi on Day 1, giving you time to settle into your lodge and prepare for the following morning. On Day 2, you head to the park for an early ranger briefing before entering the forest in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family. The trek can take anywhere from about 2 to 7 hours, depending on where the gorillas are on the day. Once you find them, you have one hour to sit quietly with the family, watch their behaviour and take photographs before making your way back through the forest. Gorilla trekking in Uganda is open to visitors aged 15 and above. Your accommodation and road route are arranged around your confirmed gorilla permit because Bwindi has four main trekking sectors: Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo. Choosing the right sector is important, as it determines where you stay and the route you take into Bwindi.
Safari Highlights
- 3-day Uganda gorilla safari to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Private road transfer from Kampala or Entebbe
- Two nights close to your confirmed Bwindi trekking sector
- Gorilla trekking permit arranged for your travel date
- Morning briefing with Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger guides
- Guided trek through Bwindi’s rainforest
- Approximately 2 to 7 hours of trekking depending on gorilla movements
- One full hour with a habituated mountain gorilla family once located
- Opportunities for mountain gorilla photography
- Experienced English-speaking driver-guide throughout the safari
- Full-board accommodation during the Bwindi stay
- Optional porter assistance during the gorilla trek
- For visitors aged 15 years and above
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Kampala or Entebbe to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Your safari begins with an early morning pickup from Kampala or Entebbe. Meet your driver-guide and set off southwest towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The journey takes most of the day, with the exact route depending on your gorilla trekking sector. Whether you are heading to Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga or Nkuringo, your driver will take the most suitable route based on where your trek is scheduled. Settle into the journey as you travel through Uganda’s countryside, with stops along the way for refreshments and lunch. As you continue southwest, the scenery gradually changes from open farmland to rolling hills and the cooler highlands around Bwindi.
Buhoma Lodge – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Arrive at your lodge in the late afternoon or early evening and settle in. Your driver-guide will brief you about the following morning, including your wake-up time, what to wear, what to pack and the transfer time to the gorilla trekking headquarters. Enjoy dinner and get an early night. Tomorrow is your gorilla trekking day, so a good rest will prepare you for the morning ahead.
Overnight: Buhoma Lodge – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Day 2, Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Wake up early for breakfast before heading to the visitor centre for registration and the morning gorilla trekking briefing. The rangers take you through the trekking rules, how to behave around the gorillas, and what to expect once you enter the forest. You are then placed into your trekking group before setting off with your Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger guides. The trek can feel very different from one sector of Bwindi to another. Some trails are fairly gentle, while others take you up steep slopes, through muddy ground and thick forest vegetation. The walking can take anywhere from 2 to 7 hours, depending mainly on where your gorilla family has moved since the previous day. Once the trackers find the family, the long search through the forest comes to an end and you get your time with the gorillas. You have one hour to watch them as they go about their day. A silverback may be resting or feeding nearby; females move through the vegetation, while younger gorillas climb, play and stay close to their mothers. Your ranger guides you throughout the encounter, showing you where to position yourself and when it is appropriate to take photographs.
Bwindi Gorilla Briefing
After your one-hour encounter, begin the walk back through the forest and meet your driver for the return journey to the lodge. Depending on the length of the trek, lunch may be served at the lodge, or you may return later for a late meal. Keep the rest of the afternoon relaxed, as the trek can be physically demanding, particularly on the steeper trails. If you would like extra support during the trek, a porter can be arranged to carry your daypack and assist you on difficult sections of the trail.
Day 3, Return to Kampala or Entebbe
After breakfast, check out and start the drive back to Kampala or Entebbe. The journey takes you through the southwestern highlands and central Uganda, with time for lunch along the way. Make a stop at the Equator for photographs and a chance to stretch your legs before continuing the journey towards Kampala or Entebbe. Continue to your hotel or preferred drop-off point. If you have an international flight that evening, allow plenty of time for the journey. Traffic around Kampala and Entebbe can slow you down, so your departure time should leave enough room to reach the airport comfortably.
Inclusions and Exclusions
Included
- One Uganda gorilla trekking permit
- Two nights accommodation
- Meals
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle
- Fuel for the full road journey
- English-speaking driver-guide
- Kampala or Entebbe pickup and drop-off
- Park entry fee
- Bottled drinking water during road transfers
Excluded
- International and domestic flights
- Uganda visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Porter fees during gorilla trekking
- Tips for ranger guides, porters, driver guides and lodge staff
- Alcoholic and premium drinks
- Laundry and personal expenses
- Additional accommodation before or after the safari
- Optional activities not listed in the confirmed itinerary
