3 Days Uganda gorilla tour
Tour Overview
The 3 Days Bwindi gorilla tour is a captivating primate adventure package designed for you to unearth in depth about mountain gorillas in Bwindi National Park. On this pocket-friendly Uganda gorilla tour package, expect to engage in a thrilling gorilla trekking and Batwa cultural experience. This primate package is special in the sense that primate enthusiasts embark on guided foot walk in search of the rare mountain gorillas and upon finding them, you explore how they behave and also take their pictures.
Gorilla trekking is such a mind-blowing adventure that allows you encounter the massive mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. The entire gorilla trek expedition will be conducted with the presence of an experienced park ranger guide.
The Batwa cultural experience allows you connect with the Batwa pygmies in their community adjacent to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The Batwa pygmies originally occupied the present Bwindi National Park and they were displaced in 1991 when the park was established.
Bwindi National Park is lying in the extreme southwestern Uganda and covers 331 sq. km of land area. It is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site lying at an altitude of 1160-2607m and provides refuge to over half of the world’s 1063 rare mountain gorillas. Your captivating 3 Days Bwindi gorilla tour will begin and end in Entebbe/Kampala.
Tour Details
Highlights of the 3 Days Bwindi gorilla tour in Uganda
- A thrilling mountain gorilla trekking experience.
- Authentic Batwa cultural experience.
- Trekking through the lush Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
- Stopover at the Equator crossing (Kayabwe) for photo taking or experiment.
- Travel on road in a classic 4×4 safari vehicle.
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Travel from Entebbe or Kampala to Bwindi via Mbarara city
Day 2: Gorilla trekking with a guide in Bwindi & Batwa cultural experience
Day 3: Departure
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Travel from Entebbe or Kampala to Bwindi via Mbarara city
Today, you will be picked up from your respective hotel and this will find when you are done with your early morning breakfast. Your gorilla safari leader will take you through what the 3 Days Bwindi gorilla tour and what you should expect. After the short briefing, you start your long day road trip from Entebbe or Kampala to Bwindi driving via Masaka-Mbarara-Kabale route.
It will be an enriching long day drive of about 8-9 hours and includes photography experience at the Equator crossing in Kayabwe. It also covers an en route lunch break at the Igongo Cultural Centre. After lunch, continue on a scenic drive to the far southwest while viewing the rolling hills and vast banana plantations.
When you arrive at Bwindi National Park, you will be checking in your pre-booked accommodation in the respective gorilla sector where your gorilla trek will be done the following day. The 4 main gorilla regions in Bwindi and include Buhoma, Nkuringo, Rushaga, and Ruhija.
Accommodation
- Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge/Buhoma Lodge (Luxury)
- Mahogany Springs Lodge/Four Gorillas Lodge/Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge (Midrange)
- Bakiga Lodge/Buhoma Community Rest Camp/Ruhija Community Rest Camp (Budget)
Meal plan: Half board
Travel time: About 8-9 hours’ drive
Day 2: Gorilla trekking with a guide in Bwindi & Batwa cultural experience
Get up early from your respective gorilla safari lodges to prepare for your actual gorilla trekking adventure. Enjoy a delicious breakfast at leisure and later, join the park official at the briefing area to learn the various gorilla trekking rules to be followed. The early morning briefing session also covers allocation of gorilla groups and park ranger guides.
At around 8:00 am local time, you will be led through the enriching Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to search for a family of mountain gorillas allocated to you by the park official. The gorilla trek today will last for 2-6 hours and includes a special one-hour which you will have to maximize exploring more about the unique behaviors, body gestures, and taking pictures of mountain gorillas.
The gorilla groups to be explored exist across the four regions of Bwindi –Nkuringo, Rushaga, Buhoma, and Ruhija. Each gorilla group from these sectors will be visited by a maximum of 8 visitors and is a single gorilla trekking session. Once you have encountered your gorilla group and enjoy photography moment, expect to return to where you were briefed from to meet the park official. This time round it is for you to have your gorilla trekking certificate which signifies that you successfully trekked gorillas.
After getting the certificate, proceed to the lodge for leisurely moment and also to freshen up. Later, you will leave the lodge ready for the Batwa community walk and today’s late afternoon session is all about exploring more about the Batwa pygmies. You will have great entertainment from cultural and traditional dances, learn the various traditions and cultures, etc. The rest of the evening after the Batwa cultural experience will be had in your lodge.
Accommodation
- Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge/Buhoma Lodge (Luxury)
- Mahogany Springs Lodge/Four Gorillas Lodge/Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge (Midrange)
- Bakiga Lodge/Buhoma Community Rest Camp/Ruhija Community Rest Camp (Budget)
Meal plan: Full board
Day 3: Departure
Have a leisurely cup of tea or coffee and later, expect to check out of your lodges. After, meet your driver guide who will safely pack your luggage in your 4WD vehicle and you will exit Bwindi National Park. Driving back to Entebbe/Kampala from Bwindi will take you again about 8-9 hours. Note, this is a flexible itinerary and you also start and end it in Kigali.
End of the 3 Days Bwindi gorilla tour
Inclusions
- A valid gorilla permit in Uganda
- Cultural experience in the Batwa pygmy community
- Park ranger guide fees
- Full time English-speaking driver services in Uganda
- Accommodation through the 3 days plus meals as per the itinerary
- Transportation on the ground using a 4WD vehicle
- Airport transfers provided the flight is scheduled on the day your trip ends
Exclusions
- Airfares
- Passports
- Visa fees
- Travel Insurance
- Tipping
- Cigarettes
- Cost on telephone
- Beverages
- Additional activities
