This 2 Day Gorilla Trekking Uganda tour from Kigali Rwanda is the ideal gorilla trekking package to book if you have limited time or a very tight budget.
The tour has been designed for visitors who would like to use the shorter route of about a 4 to 5-hour drive to Bwindi from Kigali instead of the 9 to 8 hours journey from Entebbe or Kampala in Uganda.
Yes, you can have a wonderful gorilla tour in Rwanda except that you might find the gorilla permit fee of $1500 in Rwanda a bit expensive.
The permit for gorilla trekking in Uganda costs $700, hence more affordable. So, without spending a fortune this 2 Day Gorilla Trekking Uganda tour offers you a great opportunity to achieve your dream of seeing rare mountain gorillas in their natural habitat in the jungle, huge apes that cannot be found in any zoo in the world.
Highlights
- Unforgettable wildlife encounters with endangered mountain gorillas
- Inspiring photographic opportunities
- Guided forest trekking and exceptional birding
- Eco-conscious accommodation
- Comfortable road transfers through Rwanda& Rwanda’s stunning landscapes
Details
Day I: Drive from Kigali to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Encounter the green emerald hills of Rwanda – “the Land of a Thousand Hills” and Uganda – “the Pearl of Africa” on a scenic drive from the city of Kigali to the gorilla trekking destination of Bwindi.
The winding roads meander through lush tropical rainforests, skirting hilltops (keep your eyes open for the volcanoes!), and passing through quiet African rural villages before arriving at your booked safari lodge or camp at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Our company representative/guide will carry out this transfer and can pick you up at Kigali International Airport (KGL) or any address within Rwanda’s Kigali city.
If you arrive early at Bwindi, there are also opportunities for a community village walk, Batwa Pygmies cultural tour, or a nature walk excursion. Also, the sunset scenes here are remarkable so ensure you find your way to the lodge/camp’s veranda in time for sundowners.
Please note: Your international flight should arrive no later than 1.00 pm to make the drive to Bwindi on the same day. If you arrive late, we can arrange for you an overnight stay at a hotel in Kigali at an additional cost.
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Mutanda Lake Resort
Midrange: Gorilla Mist Camp/Ichumbi Lodge/Agandi Eco Lodge
Budget: Trekkers Tarven
Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner
Drive Time: 4 -5 hours
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking In Bwindi & Transfer Back To Kigali.
On day two of your 2 Day Gorilla Trekking Uganda, you will embark on your exhilarating mountain gorilla trek – an experience to be treasured! The day will start with an early breakfast at the lodge/camp, before transferring to the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park headquarters.
Don’t forget to take your rain jacket, drinking water, snacks, and packed lunch from the lodge. Also, ensure that you bring strong waterproof hiking for walking on the dump forest trails in the jungle.
At around 8.00 am, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) staff will hold a short talk at the headquarters, briefing you about the gorilla trekking rules and regulations.
After the briefing, the UWA rangers guide will lead you into the lush Bwindi Impenetrable Forest where half of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas live.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, because of its critical population of mountain gorillas and the rich biodiversity it contains.
The trek through the jungle itself is a remarkable wilderness experience! All kinds of exotic birds, insects, mammals, and reptiles can be spotted as you walk through the thick undergrowth and tangled vines.
There are 11 primate species to be seen and about 120 mammal species in total, as well as a huge variety of endemic birds and colorful butterflies. You will be trekking through the jungle for 2 to 7 hours, which can be challenging, but well worth the effort. Once you find your designated gorilla family, you will stop and spend an hour watching them. You will watch these social Great Apes – some of our closest living relatives – as they groom each other, feed on the undergrowth, doze off, play, and interact. This spell-binding experience is considered one of the most poignant wildlife encounters in the world.
After this life-changing gorilla trekking experience you will enjoy a packed lunch and return to the starting point where you will be rewarded with a gorilla trekking certificate. Then, leave Bwindi. Our company representative or tour drive guide will drive you back across the border to Rwanda and drop you off at Kigali city.
Accommodation: Not included
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
Drive Time: 4 – 5 hours
End Of 2 Day Gorilla Trekking Uganda
Tour Includes:
- Gorilla permit
- Transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle & fuel
- Accommodation for one night
- Meals: 1x breakfast, 1 x dinner, 2 x lunch
- Bottled drinking water
- An experienced English-speaking tour driver/guide
- Park entry fees
- Park ranger and guiding
- 24-hour emergency contact
Tour Excludes:
- Optional Activities
- Visas and other costs of personal nature
- Porter fees, gratuities, travel insurance, and medical expenses
- Any other costs not listed in the itinerary
What to Bring
- Hiking boots
- Garden gloves
- Rain jacket or poncho
- Long-sleeved shirt/blouse
- Cameras and extra batteries
- Hat/cap and sunglasses
- Pair of binoculars
- Flashlight (torch)
- Mosquito repellent
- Energy bars/bites
