5 Day Low Season Uganda Gorilla and Wildlife Safari from Kigali

OVERVIEW

5 Days / 4 Nights

Our 5 Day low-season Uganda gorilla and wildlife safari from Kigali is meant for those who would love to trek gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park during the low season months to take advantage of our discounts on packages during this season, and the fact that travelling to start a trip in Rwanda gives a much shorter drive time compared to starting the trip from Entebbe. Our 5 Day low-season gorilla and wildlife safari starts and ends in Rwanda(Kigali) and visits two great National Parks of Bwindi Impenetrable and Queen Elizabeth National Park for game drives and boat cruises.

ITINERARY

Our 5 Day low-season Uganda gorilla and wildlife safari from Kigali will begin by picking you up from Kigali International Airport or your hotel and driving to southwestern Uganda. You first major stop will be at the Genocide Museum of Kigali. From here you will proceed to Katuna Border and transfer to Uganda via Kabale town, you will have lunch and then proceed to Bwindi for an overnight.

Drive time: Approximately 4-5 hours

Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation:

Budget: Rushaga Havens Lodge/Bakiga Lodge/Ride 4 A Woman

Mid Range: 4 Gorillas Lodge/Gorilla Leisure Lodge

Luxury: Gorilla Heights Lodge/Buhoma Lodge/Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge/Kiho Lodge
You will wake up very early to prepare yourself for your gorilla trek. Make sure you put on the right gorilla trekking gear which may include trousers, long sleeved shirts, garden gloves, long socks, sun glasses, a hat, insect repellants, and energy giving food, your cameras before proceeding to the restaurant for breakfast. The lodge will provide enough drinking water so there is no need to worry. Proceed to the park headquarters to join other clients for briefing and then to the forest to look for the gorillas. Once you find them, you will be given one hour of photography and observation before returning back to the lodge. Gorilla trekking can be a little bit strenuous and a certain level of fitness may be required. We also encourage our clients to take porters to give them a push or a pull during the trek. Gorilla trekking is absolutely an amazing experience one cannot explain in one word. 5 Day low season Uganda gorilla and wildlife safari from Kigali and save time.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Packed Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation:

Budget: Rushaga Havens Lodge/Bakiga Lodge

Mid Range: 4 Gorillas Lodge/Gorilla Leisure Lodge

Luxury: Gorilla Heights Lodge/Buhoma Lodge/Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge/Kiho Lodge
After breakfast, you will leave Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for Queen Elizabeth National Park. On the way, you will have great views of the great East African rift valley, its escarpments and associated crater lakes, the Rwenzori mountains and then onward to the Lodge for relaxation and late afternoon game drive in Kasenyi plains.

Drive time: Approximately 5-6 hours

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation:

Budget: Bush Lodge

Mid Range: Buffalo safari lodge/ Elephant Hab Lodge/ Parkview safari lodge

Luxury: Elephant Plains Lodge/ Kyambura Gorge Lodge
After an early morning cup of coffee or tea, you will drive to Kasenyi plains for your game drive design for you on this 5 day off season gorilla and wildlife safari. Kasenyi plains boost of several wild animals whose chance of seeing them depends on your luck of the day. On a good day, you may spot big cats like lions and leopards hunting, buffaloes, elephants, several antelopes, warthogs and other small mammals. Return to the lodge for lunch and then drive to Mweya peninsular for a two hour boat cruise on Kazinga channel. Kazinga channel has the highest concentration of hippos in the whole world, over 400 water bird species and is a place where most animals converge to drink water. You will have high chances of spotting hippos, birds, elephants, buffaloes, crocodiles and so much more. Retire to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation:

Budget: Bush Lodge

Mid Range: Buffalo safari lodge/ Elephant Hab Lodge/ Parkview safari lodge

Luxury: Elephant Plains Lodge/ Kyambura Gorge

THINGS TO CONSIDER

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.

PRICING PER PERSON

1 Person	USD 2,620
2 Persons	USD 1,995
3 Persons	USD 1,880
4 Persons	USD 1,850
5 Persons	USD 1,800
6 Persons	USD 1,750

Cost Includes: Airport transfers, gorilla permit (USD 800 per person per trek), game drives, boat cruise, transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle, fuel for the round trip, services of an English-speaking driver guide, all park entry fees, and drinking water in the vehicle.

Cost excludes visa fees, and all expenses of personal nature such as drinks, tips, or simply anything else not included in the itinerary.