Main Info
This 4 Days (3 Nights) Gorilla Safari to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to almost half of the world’s remaining population of the mountain gorillas.This trip starts in either Kampala or Kigali. A gorilla tour to this impenetrable forest enables you to get up close and personal with the endangered mountain gorillas.
Trip highlights
- Gorilla tracking in Bwindi
- Explore Lake Bunyonyi
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & Transfer to Bwindi
Pickup from Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda. Take a brief Kigali City Tour. Visit the Gisozi Genocide Memorial Site where you will learn about the 1994 Rwanda Genocide that saw almost a million people dead in just a few days. Have Lunch in Kigali and Travel to Southern Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Travel via Cyanika Border, you will have a stopover at the Twin Lakes of Bulera and Ruhondo. Then continue past the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, and on a clear day you will take great photos of the 3 Virunga Mountains: Sabinyo, Muhabura and Gahinga Mountains. Continue to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in South Western Uganda.
Dinner and Overnight:
RUSHAGA: Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge (Budget) / Rushaga Gorilla Camp (Midrange) / Chameleon Hill Lodge (Luxury)
NKURINGO: Nkuringo Bwindi Lodge (Midrange) / Clouds Lodge (Luxury)
DAY 2: GORILLA TRACKING
Early breakfast to give you the energy needed for gorilla tracking in the Bwindi forest. With packed lunch in your carry-on, your guide will transfer you to the park HQ before 8:00 am for registration and a briefing on what to expect on the day before commencing the gorilla trek. The guides will then take you through the bush, pushing your way through the undergrowth, parting thick creepers, to track the gorillas. (This trek can take from half an hour to 5 hours – a reasonable degree of fitness is required as well as a sturdy pair of walking shoes). When you finally locate the family that you are tracking, sit in the forest among the gorillas, listening to them grumble to each other, and marvel at the sheer size of the dominant male; the silverback. It is an extraordinary feeling sitting in the dense rain forest in the knowledge you are in the presence of the few remaining Mountain Gorillas in the world. It is amazing to think there are only about 800 of these beautiful creatures left with more than half found on the Ugandan side of the ecosystem that is shared by Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo. After the gorilla trek, travel to Lake Bunyonyi.
Dinner and Overnight:
Bunyonyi Overland Camp (Budget) / Arcadia Cottages (Midrange) / Bunyonyi Bird Nest (Luxury)
DAY 3: Explore Bunyonyi
After breakfast, take a boat cruise along the Lake Bunyonyi. The journey takes you through the Kigezi area which is well known as the “Switzerland of Africa”, to Lake Bunyonyi. This lake is a result of lava flow from one of the Virunga Mountains, which blocked off the Ndego River at present-day Muko to create a natural dam. Dotted with at least 20 small islands and encircled by steep terraced hills, Bunyonyi is a magical spot. You will enjoy many views of different bird species since Lake Bunyonyi is referred to as a birders paradise. You will see the grey-crowned crane and a variety of herons and egrets. It is probably the best place in Africa to see otters – the diurnal spotted-necked otter in particular with several pairs resident around Rutinda and nearby islands. Dinner and Overnight at Lake Bunyonyi
Day 4: Drop Off at the Airport
After breakfast, travel back to Kampala or Kigali. Drop off at the hotel.
The above rate includes:
- All ground transportation in a 4×4 land cruiser/Minibus, fuel and an English speaking driver guide
- Full board accommodation as per the itinerary
- All park entrance fees
- Bottled water
- Gorilla permit
- Air fare as per itinerary
- Airport Pick up and transfer as per itinerary
- Batwa Community Experience
This trip is offered by Go Gorilla Trekking, a local tour operator organizing safaris in Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo. Click here for a detailed 3 Day Gorilla Safari to Bwindi offered by this operator. To book this tour email info@gogorillatrekking.com
