You’ll be picked up from the airport (or hotel). Accommodation before the tour departs can be arranged for extra cost.
Morning/Transfer
Upon your arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be welcomed by our professional tour guide who will take you for a city excursion in and around Kigali. This is to enable you orient yourself with this great country of ‘a thousand hills’. After this excursion, you will proceed to Virunga National Park located in the North of Ruhengeri via undulating and beautiful terraced hills which shows a clear picture of the general landscape and altitude of Rwanda.
Afternoon
You will have lunch and later relax at the lodge as you prepare for next day’s gorilla trekking experience
Evening
You will have dinner and overnight at the lodge
Lodge: Lebambou Gorilla Lodge
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner
Drive time: 2 hours
Morning/Briefing
Have an early morning tasty breakfast at the lodge, you will start your exciting morning drive to the Volcanoes National Park Headquarters for briefing about the do’s and dont’s of gorilla trekking experience
Trek and Observation
You will depart for your gorilla trek into the indigenous forest in search for the Gorillas. This trek gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself into the strange but intimate part of the rain-forest where you will hear live calls of colorful birds, chattering of the rare golden monkey, as well as the forest filled with fresh spoor of the mountain elusive populations of buffalo and elephant.
Evening
You will return from the forest and drive back to the lodge for dinner and overnight
Lodge: Lebambou Gorilla Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Morning
After breakfast, you will bid farewell to the lodge and drive back to Kigali for afternoon City tour experience
Afternoon
Upon arrival you will have hot lunch and later city tour experience, you will visit the Genocide memorial, Kimironko Market and later drive to the hotel for relaxation
Hotel: Mille Colines
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Drive time: 2 hours
Morning
After an early morning breakfast, you will drive to Butale region of Rwanda for a visit to the Kings’ Palace. You will be taken through the rich culture of Rwanda, the history of kingship from the first king to the last one and after that you will visit the National Museum
Afternoon
You will have lunch and later transfer back to Kigali at the hotel for relaxation and overnight
Hotel: Mille Colines
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Drive time: 3 hours
Morning
Depending on your departure schedule, you will be transferred to Kigali Airport for your international 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.
You’ll be picked up from the airport (or hotel). Accommodation before the tour departs can be arranged for extra cost.