You’ll be picked up from the airport (or hotel). Accommodation before the tour departs can be arranged for extra cost.
You will be picked up and briefed by Encounter Africa Safaris’ guide, who will then drive you to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You will pass several small towns and roadside markets, make a stop at the Equator crossing, and have lunch before proceeding to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, arriving late in the afternoon for dinner and overnight.
Drive time: Approximately 8-9 hours
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner
Lodging: Rushaga gorilla Havens Lodge(Budget) or Four Gorillas Lodge (Midrange) or Buhoma Lodge/Sanctuary forest camp/Gorilla Heights lodge(Luxury)
After breakfast and with your packed lunch, you will walk to the park headquarters for briefing about gorilla trekking. Your guide will take you through all the dos and don’ts while with mountain gorillas and after that, you will be transferred to the starting point of your gorilla family. Please note that gorilla family allocation depends on your interests, fitness and age. Please inform your guide of your interests and he will try to request for the gorilla family of your choice before you start the trek into the forest. Gorilla trekking can be strenuous and a certain level of fitness is required. Gorilla trekking can take from 30 minutes to three quarters of the day so one needs to prepare for both. You guide will try to provide information about trees, birds and other wildlife in the forest until you reach a given gorilla family of gorillas. You will be allowed only one hour of photography and observing mountain gorillas as they go about with their daily day activities and then trek back to the park headquarters to pick your certificates and then dinner and overnight at your Lodge.
Lodging: Rushaga gorilla Havens Lodge(Budget) or Four gorillas lodge(Midrange) or Buhoma Lodge/Sanctuary forest camp/Gorilla Heights lodge(Luxury)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Packed Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, you will take a scenic drive from Ruhija side of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to Ishasha side of Queen Elizabeth National Park. You will arrive in time for lunch at the lodge, relaxation followed by a late afternoon game drive in Ishasha in search for tree climbing lions and other wild game whose chance of seeing them will highly depend on your luck of the day.
Lodging: Ishasha Jungle Lodge(Midrange) or Ishasha Wilderness camp(Luxury)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, you will drive to Ishasha side of Queen Elizabeth National park for your morning game drive. Ishasha is popular for tree-climbing lions and the chances of seeing them climbing depends on your luck of the day. Ishasha has other animals like Buffaloes, Elephants, Antelopes and many othere. You may also drive to River Ishasha to see the border of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Return to the Lodge for Lunch and then evening game drive in Ishasha.
Lodging: Ishasha Jungle Lodge(Midrange) or Ishasha Wilderness camp(Luxury)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Having explored all parts of Queen Elizabeth National Park, we will drive back to Kampala or Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight out.
Gorilla permits: We encourage you to book gorilla permits in advance so that we secure your trekking spot. Gorilla permits are served on first come first serve at Uganda wildlife Authority. Please contact us so that we book them for you.
Cost of the gorilla permit: The gorilla permits in Uganda cost USD800 for Non-Foreign residents, USD700 for East African Foreign Residents, USD500 for Rest of Africa Residents and UGX300,000 for East African Citizens, cost applies for trekking in Both Bwindi impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park
Gorilla trekking Regions: Bwindi has 4 gorilla trekking sectors namely Buhoma, Ruhaga, Nkuringo and Ruhija. We shall book for you accommodation in respect to the permits location.
Physical Fitness: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi can be physically demanding, a certain level of fitness will be required, please ensure you are in good health and have a certain level of fitness before you leave your country.
Packing List: Please ensure you have comfortable walking/ hiking shoes that can handle the terrain in Bwindi, a rain Jacket, gloves, Camera, Binoculars,
Age Limit: The Minimum age for gorilla trekking in Uganda is 15 years and above, please ensure all travelers are aged 15years and above.
Accommodation Options: Please choose the accommodation that suits your budget, Bwindi has all options of Budget, Midrange and Luxury.
Means of Transport: You can opt to fly or drive to Bwindi, Flights take 1-2 hours, and driving takes 8-9 hours drive to Bwindi. For budget clients, we recommend use of safari vans, then others can opt for Safari Land Cruisers. All vehicles are comfortable with enough leg room, AC and are driven by our professional driver guides.
Best time to visit: Bwindi can be visited all year round for gorilla trekking, The most prefered time is June to September, December to February because they are the drier months of the year.
Gorilla trekking Regulations: Uganda Wildlife Authority has rules and regulations to adhere while on your gorilla trek.
Chances of Seeing the Gorillas: The chances of seeing gorillas are 98% because there are trackers who follow the movement of gorillas on a daily basis, they communicate to the Park guides and you walk in the direction they are.
Choose a gorilla family: You can choose your preferred gorilla family of the day of the trek, if you prefer a close/ easy trek due to your fitness level, please request it and communicate to your guide.
Gorilla Habituation experience: Bwindi has an option of spending 4 hours with the gorillas called gorillas habituation, the is only possible when you book a gorilla permit that costs USD1500 for Non- foreign residents, USD1000 for East African Residents, and UGX750,000 for East African Citizens
Other activities: There are several activities you can do in Bwindi namely Birding, Batwa cultural experience, Nature walks, Community visits. All these can supplement your gorilla trek in Bwindi.
Trip cost estimate: The cost of the 3day gorilla tour ranges from USD1300 to USD2860 per person, based on your travel style which is Budget to Luxury. The cost Includes gorilla permit, accommodation, Meals, transport, and all services.
About Bwindi: Bwindi impenetrable National Park is a UNESCO world heritage site, with half of the worlds gorilla population, it has more than 20 Habituated gorilla families in regions of Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija and Nkuringo.
This safari is available on a private basis, so you can contact us for a quote. Provides us with details of how many people you will be in a group, when you intend to travel, and one of our specialists will reply to you as soon as we receive your email.