Safari Overview
This 3 day gorilla trekking safari Uganda is a journey to the forested highlands of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to trek mountain gorillas. For those willing to hike the 1 to 4 hours or more in search of these gentle apes, finding them is almost guaranteed. This 3 day gorilla tour is flexible to start and end in Entebbe/ Kampala or Kigali in Rwanda and is customizable to fit budget, midrange and luxury travelers.
Trip Facts:
Private Tour:
This 3 Day gorilla trek Uganda will be arranged exclusively for you and will not be shared by others.
Getting There:
This tour starts and ends in Entebbe/Kampala, Uganda or Kigali, Rwanda – Fly to and from Entebbe International Airport or Kigali international Airport respectively.
Trip Highlights
- Mountain Gorilla Trekking
- Countryside Road Trip in a 4×4 Safari Vehicle
- Optional Batwa Cultural Tour and Community Tour
Itinerary
Depending on your pickup location either in Entebbe/Kampala or Kigali Rwanda, our safari guide will be at your place of residence or hotel at 7am to pick you up. Upon meeting and greeting, you will embark on a drive to the jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. From Entebbe or Kampala, it is a approximately 9 hours drive on a good Tarmac road traversing through some of Uganda best scenic landscapes. For our 3 day gorilla safari Rwanda with pickup from Kigali, the journey is approximately 4 hour to Bwindi on a smooth Tarmac road crossing the Rwanda - Uganda border at Katuna or Cyanika to proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. On arrival to the park, we proceed to our booked lodge for dinner and overnight stay which marks the end of our first day of the 3 day gorilla tracking Bwindi.
This is the day we meet the gentle apes of Bwindi; after a warm morning coffee, we pack up our gear and packed lunch then depart for the Park headquarters for briefing on the gorilla tracking etiquette that starts 8:00 am. We are then grouped into 8 people, with each group led by a park ranger, two trackers and two armed rangers and so the actual gorilla trek begins. Porters are available for hire if you need help with luggage and can also assist anyone who may need help hiking.
The trek involves ascending hills and descending gullies, taking you to altitudes of 1160 to 1982m, gorilla trekking in Bwindi is unpredictable because of the movement behavior of the gorillas and therefore the activity lasts from 1 to 4 hours or more. These hours are spent in search of the gorillas however only 1 hour is spent the presence of these gentle giants. At the end of this memory-filled 1 hour, you will break off for a picnic lunch and later return to the park headquarters where you receive a Uganda gorilla trekking tour certificate to mark the end of the second day of our 3 days gorilla trekking Uganda. You will be transferred back to lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay.
After a beautiful night in the foothills of the gorilla land, our 3 days gorilla tour is closer to an end; we checkout lodge after breakfast to embark on the road drive back to Entebbe/Kampala or Kigali where our safari guide will drop you off at your hotel or the Airport for your departure flight to mark the end of our 3 day gorilla trekking Bwindi.
Price Inclusions
- 2 Nights' Accommodation on full board basis (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Transportation in a Pop-roof 4x4 Safari Vehicle with unlimited mileage
- Gorilla Permit priced at USD 800 per person
- Fuel
- All Meals as stated in the daily meal plan
- Service of an English-speaking guide/ driver
- Drinking water on board
- All Mentioned Activities
- All Taxes
Price Exclusions
- Drinks/Beverages
- Visa fees
- Accommodation in Entebbe/ Kampala or Kigali
- International Flights
- Optional Activities
FAQs
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is not an easy activity, as it can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 8 hours, depending on the location and movement of the gorillas. You will need to be physically fit and mentally prepared for the challenge. You will also need to wear appropriate clothing and footwear, carry enough water and snacks, and follow the instructions of your guide.
Another aspect of our 3 Day gorilla trekking Uganda that makes it unique and meaningful is the opportunity to engage in a cultural tour visiting the Batwa community. The Batwa are indigenous people who used to live in harmony with the gorillas in the forests. They were hunter-gatherers who relied on the forest for their food, shelter, medicine, and spirituality. However, they were evicted from their ancestral lands when the national parks were gazetted to protect the gorillas. Today, they live in marginalized conditions and struggle to preserve their culture and identity. You can visit them as part of the optional activities we offer on this 3 days Uganda gorilla safari and learn about their history, traditions, and customs, witness their skills in making crafts, music, and dance.
- Buhoma Lodge: This is a luxury lodge located in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, offering stunning views of the forest and comfortable rooms with en-suite bathrooms, solar power, and Wi-Fi. The lodge also provides delicious meals, complimentary massages, and laundry services.
- Gorilla Safari Lodge: This is a mid-range lodge situated in Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, offering spacious cottages with private balconies, fireplaces, and hot water. The lodge also has a restaurant, bar, lounge, and gift shop.
- Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge: This is an eco-friendly lodge located in Nkuringo sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, offering cozy rooms with African decor, solar lighting, and hot showers. The lodge also has a garden, library, and craft shop.
- Keep a distance of at least 7 meters from the gorillas at all times.
- Do not make eye contact with the silverback
- If a silverback begins to act aggressively, look down and take a submissive posture by sitting or squatting.
- Do not touch, feed or disturb the gorillas in any way.
- Avoid flash photography or make loud noises around the gorillas.
- Follow the instructions of your guide and rangers at all times.
- Avoid wearing bright clothes, jewelry, perfumes or colognes because these distractions may excite the gorillas
To prepare for this 3 day gorilla trek Uganda, you should pack appropriately for the weather and terrain, some of the items to pack include; hiking shoes or boots, long pants, long-sleeved shirts, a rain jacket or poncho, a hat or cap, gloves, binoculars, a camera, extra batteries, and memory cards.
As of 2024 – 2025, a gorilla permits costs USD 800 per person, gorilla permits need to obtained in advance, as they are limited and sell out quickly.
The price for this 3 day gorilla tour varies on when you plan to visit, number of people and the level of comfort you are looking for.
For a 3 Days budget gorilla trekking safari Uganda, based of a sharing basis, starting and ending in Entebbe or Kampala, expect to pay the rates below:
- 2 Pax – USD 1,535 per Person
- 3 Pax – USD 1,375 per Person
- 4 Pax – USD 1,300 per Person
- 5 Pax – USD 1,240 per Person
- 6 Pax – USD 1,215 per Person
Alternatively, for midrange travelers looking for better comfort, below are the rates for this 3 day gorilla trekking safari starting and ending in Entebbe or Kampala on a sharing basis.
- 2 Pax – USD 1,745 per Person
- 3 Pax – USD 1,545 per Person
- 4 Pax – USD 1,485 per Person
- 5 Pax – USD 1,415 per Person
- 6 Pax – USD 1,395 per Person
Similarly, the 3 Day Uganda gorilla safari Luxury option that offers the best comfort, the prices are as follows:
- 2 Pax – USD 2,160 per Person
- 3 Pax – USD 1,890 per Person
- 4 Pax – USD 1,860 per Person
- 5 Pax – USD 1,760 per Person
- 6 Pax – USD 1,745 per Person
To book your 3 Day gorilla trekking safari, you will need to share your dates of interest so we can check for the availability of gorilla permits for the trekking date. If available, we shall reserve the permits for you upon receipt of 30% deposit payment of the total trip quote. You can consider your 3 day gorilla safari confirmed upon payment, you can the pack and wait for your adventure, expect to pay the remaining balance a month to your travel date.
Mornings are always cool and misty, but temperatures get warmer in the day. It rains at any time of the day which is very common even in the dry seasons, it is essential to carry a water proof jacket at all times.
