Gorilla trekking Uganda itinerary

Gorilla trekking Uganda is famously best done in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park although it can also be done in Mgahinga national depending on the gorilla trekking permit availability and the choice of the travelers. Bwindi forest has almost half of the total mountain gorilla population in Africa that is why it is given first priority to travels that would to enjoy the gorilla trekking Uganda and Africa at large.

The park is not only known for the rare endangered mountain gorillas but it is also a home to other 11 primate mammals like black and white Columbus monkeys, red tailed monkey, L’Hoest’s monkeys, baboons, chimpanzees, De Brazza monkeys, spectacled Galago monkey, among others.

Bwindi forest also wildlife animals such as elephants, buffaloes, yellowed backed duiker, bush pigs, golden cats, forest hogs, bats, rodents, black fronted duiker, among others. The park also numerous bird species which are libertine endemics thus being an ideal for bird watching, butterflies and amphibians.

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable forest can be done in a minimum of 3days although it can be stretched to 4days double gorilla trekking, 4 days gorilla trekking and lake Bunyonyi safari, 5days gorilla trekking and wildlife safari, 6 days gorilla trekking, chimpanzee and wildlife safari among other itineraries depending on how many days the traveler will spend in Uganda. Contact adventure in the wild safari concerning your customized gorilla trekking itinerary to enjoy the unforgettable gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi.

3 days detailed itinerary

Day 1: transfer from Kampala to Bwindi forest.

Our company driver guide picks you up from your hotel in Kampala very early in the morning and set off to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park which is a habitat to the half of the endangered mountain gorilla species.

From Kampala to Bwindi forest, it will take you 8-9 hours’ drive to reach your lodge to Bwindi and check in to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay. The journey will have stopover at the equator to stretch, take photos and get some refreshments.

Another stopover will be at Igongo culture center in Mbarara to have lunch where you will have an opportunity to enjoy the Ugandan local food or continental dishes. After the lunch break you will proceed with the journey directly to Bwindi forest at your lodge.

The accommodation options include, Trekker’s Tarvern lodge-budget, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge- mid range, Chameleons hill lodge –luxury. Note there are accommodation options ranging from budget, mid-range and luxury depending on which sector you’re going to trek the mountain gorillas.

Day 2: Mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi forest

After morning breakfast, you will report to the headquarters of the park at 7:00 amfor briefing by the park ranger guide who will take you through the guidelines, dos and don’ts as you search for the gorilla family hiking the slippery slopes in the thick dense vegetation cover. At exactly 8:00 am you will begin the trekking, don’t for get to carry your picnic lunch box and enough drinking water since the activity might last for an hour to 8 hours before you return to lodge. The activity is  will require some physical energy to hike rough slippery slopes but travelers are grouped according to their level of fitness and those that are unable to hike are allocated to nearest gorilla families that don’t need a lot of hiking. After locating the gorilla family will be allowed to spend only one hour with it observing their character, behavior and lifestyle in their natural environment. Later you will return from the strenuous mountain gorilla trekking adventure in the Bwindi forest dense jungle.

While you back at your lodge, you can opt to supplement your gorilla trekking adventure by visiting the batwa community and have an insight to interrupt with the short people in the world experiencing their traditional cultural dances and lifestyle at large. As you will told by the batwa guide these indigenous people originally used to stay in Bwindi forest, they were fruit gathers and hunters in the forest as their source of food. Later the Government of Uganda relocated them and settled them at the edges of the forest. After the batwa community walk, you will then return to your lodge in Bwindi for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 3: Depart from Bwindi impenetrable forest national park back to Kampala.

After an early morning breakfast, you will have to checkout of the lodge marking the end of your gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi forest, then drive to Kampala and have stopover at Igongo cultural center where you will have an opportunity to have a short tour at cultural center that you help you know more about the Ankole culture, have en-route lunch and embark on the drive to kampala. Your driver guide will drop you at your hotel of residence in Kampala or to Entebbe airport to catch up with your flight.

The itinerary is inclusive of transportation, accommodation and meals, English speaking guide, pick up and drops and drinking water. It excludes, tips, beverages and hard drinks and extra optional activities etc.

Adventure in the wild safari welcomes you from your 3 days mountain gorilla safari, we offer tailor made gorilla trekking itineraries which can be customized depending on your needs and interest. Book with us your next gorilla trekking, chimpanzee and wildlife safari.

Travelers should note forget to book their Uganda gorilla trekking permit before their date of travel, the Uganda permit costs 600 USD per person per day however by July next year 2020 there will be some changes in the gorilla trekking permit from 600 USD to 700 USD Person per day per gorilla family and it is not reusable.