This 3 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari to Bwindi includes two days of road travel to and from Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and one day of trekking the Bwindi mountainous forest and tracking the gorillas that reside there. Although the mountain gorillas roam freely within the forest, meeting the gorillas in Bwindi is guaranteed, and you will have ample time to watch them.
Meeting Mountain Gorillas in the wild is a once in a lifetime experience, which is why selecting the right trekking location in Bwindi is the first step in ensuring your gorilla trekking safari is nothing short of a memorable experience. In our 3 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari to Bwindi, we take your age, fitness level, and travel experience into account when advising you on a suitable gorilla trekking location in Bwindi. These factors consequently determine the most suitable lodging for your stay in Bwindi. Whether you are a budget or a more delicate traveler, our 3 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari to Bwindi has an appropriate lodging option.
Last but not least, the kind of vehicle and guide you use can either enhance or tarnish your gorilla trekking experience. On our 3 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari to Bwindi, you are accompanied by a friendly and informative guide in a comfortable and well-maintained vehicle.
We recommend booking your gorilla trekking safari three months before your travel date to ensure the best experience.
Get picked up by our guide at 6 am from your accommodation in Kampala (Contact us, and we can arrange for a pick-up if you stay out of Kampala), then begin your 3 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari to Bwindi. It’s important to leave early to avoid the Kampala morning traffic and hence cutting down on your travel time. It’s a 9 to 10-hour drive with time included for a couple of rest stops for taking a bathroom break or buying a cup of coffee or snacks.
Although the journey is long, most of it is on paved roads, with only the last 2 hours on dirt roads. Along the way to Bwindi are numerous villages, bustling small towns, and colorful roadside fruit and vegetable markets, making for a fascinating drive. Be sure to stop and try the delicious finger bananas at one of the roadside markets. Arrive at your lodge late in the afternoon, in time for a cup of tea or coffee. With the assistance of your guide, you may take a stroll into the nearby village and learn about the local life and culture of the Batwa.
Return to your lodge in time for dinner and rest in anticipation of an exciting gorilla trekking experience the following day.
As part of your 3 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari to Bwindi, you can take a guided walk into the village close to your lodge. If you prefer resting, the village-walk can be done the following day after returning from your gorilla trekking expedition. The Batwa are an indigenous tribe who once lived in the Bwindi forest, and since relocated on the outskirts for preservation and protection of the endangered mountain gorillas. Get to meet them on the village-walk and learn about their history and way of life.
After breakfast, head to the Bwindi park offices at 8 am for a pre-trek briefing by the rangers. Get oriented about the Bwindi forest, the gorilla family you are tracking, it’s location, size, and behavior, as well as some helpful tips to keep in mind while on the trek. After that, begin your trek into the forest. The trek can take 2 to 8 hours, depending on the location and movement of the gorilla family that you will be tracking.
Once you find them, watch the whole family interact with each other. Adult gorillas spend most of their time feeding, while the infants and juvenile play and wrestle with each other. It’s a surreal experience getting to spend time with these magnificent creatures. Afterward, trek back and return to the lodge. In the evening you can take a walk to the village or have dinner and rest.
This 3 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari to Bwindi involves a one-time encounter with the mountain gorillas on the second day. If you would like to track the mountains gorillas more than once on your trip, check out our one day extension or contact us, and we can modify your safari to suit your needs. Trekking the Bwindi is quite strenuous and requires a moderate level of fitness.
If you have no previous hiking or trekking experience, we recommend practicing in the gym or power walking and hiking to prepare for your gorilla trekking safari. We also recommend bringing a trekking pole with you no matter your level of fitness. A porter is also provided to you at the start of the trek and will assist you by carrying your backpack or navigating tough terrain on the trek.
To learn more about what the trek is like and how to prepare for it, check out our gorilla trekking page.
After breakfast, set off at 8 am and begin your journey back to Kampala. Stop in Mbarara for lunch and also by a few towns along the road for souvenir shopping. One of the small towns along the way is known for making traditional African drums.
You can make a short stop to learn how the drums are made, or buy one for yourself. After that, embark on your journey back to Kampala or your preferred destination, marking the end of your 3 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari to Bwindi.
View our price plans for the available extensions.
