You’ll be picked up from the airport (or hotel). Accommodation before the tour departs can be arranged at an extra cost.
Morning/Transfer: You will be picked by Encounter Africa safaris Professional driver guide from the airport or Hotel in Kampala/Entebbe to start your 3 day gorilla habituation experience road tour to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Afternoon/Lunch: You will have stops at the Equator crossing for photography and a lunch break in Mbarara town.
Evening/Hotel: You will then proceed to the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park because this is where gorilla habituation experience is currently taking place. This journey is very scenic as you have an opportunity to see the Kigezi rolling hills and valleys as you travel to Kisoro or southern part if Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You will arrive late afternoon for Dinner and Overnight.
Drivetime: 8-9 hours
Meal plan: Lunch and Dinner
Accommodations
Budget: Rushaga Havens Lodge
Mid Range: 4 Gorillas Lodge/Gorilla Leisure Lodge/ Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
Luxury: Gorilla Heights Lodge/ Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Morning/Briefing: You will wake up early in the morning and head to the park headquarters to join other clients for briefing about dos and don’ts while with mountain gorillas on your habituation experience. After briefing, you will start your trek into the forest guided by researchers and guides. During your trek, you may encounter several birds, other animals and primates in the forest.
Trek and observation: Once you have found the gorillas you will spend four hours with them, you will have an opportunity to listen and observe reserchers training these gorillas to get used to people, if possible you will have a chance to participate in the naming the group members and collecting samples,
Afternoon/Lunch: You will then have your packed Lunch while in the forest, and Later return from the forest and be awarded a certificate and
Evening: You will drive back to the Lodge for relaxation and overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Packed Lunch and Dinner
Accommodations
Budget: Rushaga Havens Lodge
Mid Range: 4 Gorillas Lodge/Gorilla Leisure Lodge/ Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
Luxury: Gorilla Heights Lodge/ Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Morning/Travel Back: After breakfast and depending on your departure flights, you will drive back to Kampala or Entebbe International Airport,
Afternoon: You will again have a stopover in Mbarara for Lunch
Evening: You arrive in Entebbe/Kampala after 5pm, and the driver will drop you off, marking the end of your 3-day gorilla habituation experience road tour.
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. Provide 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.