3 Days 2 Nights Gorilla Trekking Safari Uganda/Rwanda

A 3 day gorilla trekking safari gives you a condensed and yet a thrilling experience in either Rwanda, Uganda or Democratic Republic of Congo. A standard intinerary basically involves traveling to gorilla trekking national parks on day one, trekking the mountain gorillas on day two and returning on the third day. The best country for your gorilla trek depends on the time of travel , your budget and whether you would like to combine gorilla trekking with any other activities like chimpanzee trekking, golden monkey trekking, game viewing among others.

3 day Rwanda gorilla tours offer shorter travel times of 2-3 hours from Kigali airport to Volcanoes National Park while 3 day Uganda gorilla tour may take from 9-10 hours from Entebbe Airport to Bwindi or Mghainga National Parks. You may consider a 3 day Uganda gorilla safari from Kigali for 5-6 hours via Kyanika or Katuna Border.

Uganda 3 day gorilla safaris are more friendly compared to Rwanda gorilla safaris due to the gorilla permit price difference. Uganda gorilla permit costs usd800 for foreign non residents while Rwanda trekking permit costs usd1500.

A Typical 3 Days 2 Nights Uganda Gorilla Safari Intinerary

• Day 1: Travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Our expert driver-guide will pick you up from Entebbe Airport or Kampala for an 9- to 10-hour for our scenic drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You will have a stop over at the Equator, lunch in Mbarara and enjoy the amazing views of the Kigezi Highlands. You will then arrive at your lodge near the National Park in the late evening.
• Day 2: Gorilla trekking Experience. After an early morning breakfast, you'll drive to the park headquarters for a briefing before you start your trek. You'll then begin your trek with an expert ranger guide to find the habituated mountain gorillas which can last atleast from 30 minutes to 3 quarters of the day. Upon finding the gorilla family in question, you will spend one hour observing them and taking photos before returning to your lodge for dinner and overnight. Depending on your time of return, you can do an optional activity such as Village walk, Batwa Experience etc.
• Day 3: Travel back to Entebbe International Airport or Kampala.

Alternative 3 days 2 Nights gorilla Uganda trekking safari itinerary (starts in Kigali, Rwanda): 

• Day 1: You will be driven from Kigali Airport to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This itinerary works for those with limited time, as the drive time is only about 4-5 hours with border crossing at Chanika or Katuna. Proceed to your lodge in Bwindi for dinner and overnight.

• Day 2: Gorilla trekking Experience. After an early morning breakfast, you'll drive to the park headquarters for a briefing before you start your trek. You'll then begin your trek with an expert ranger guide to find the habituated mountain gorillas which can last atleast from 30 minutes to 3 quarters of the day. Upon finding the gorilla family in question, you will spend one hour observing them and taking photos before returning to your lodge for dinner and overnight. Depending on your time of return, you can do an optional activity such as Village walk, Batwa Experience etc.

• Day 3: Return to Kigali. Drive back to Kigali for your departure flight. Depending on your flight time, you can do a city tour in Kigali.

Rwanda:

Rwanda is considered a higher-end gorilla trekking destination with a higher permit price, but the park is a much shorter drive from the capital, Kigali.

3 Days 2 Nigthts Rwanda gorilla trekking safari (Volcanoes National Park)

Standard 3-day Rwanda gorilla trekking safari (starts and ends in Kigali City/ Airport):

• Day 1: You will be picked up by our expert driver guide and drive from Kigali City to Volcanoes National Park. The drive from Kigali to Volcanoes National P[ark is about 2-3 hours. Check in at your lodge for dinner and overnight.
• Day 2: Gorilla trekking Experience. After an early morning breakfast, you'll drive to the park headquarters for a briefing before you start your trek. You'll then begin your trek with an expert ranger guide to find the habituated mountain gorillas which can last atleast from 30 minutes to 3 quarters of the day. Upon finding the gorilla family in question, you will spend one hour observing them and taking photos before returning to your lodge for dinner and overnight. Later, you can choose to visit the Gorilla Guardians Village (formerly Iby'iwacu Cultural Village).
• Day 3: After your early morning breakfast, your driver guide will transfer you to Kigali City/ International Airport. Depending on your flight time you can choose to do optional activities like Kigali City Tour among others.

Costs and what's included

The price of your gorilla tour depends on the country, your choice of accommodation (budget, mid-range, or luxury), and the optional activities included.

Standard inclusions:

• Transport in a 4x4 safari vehicle.
• Gorilla permit: In Uganda, a gorilla permit is $800, and a habituation permit is $1,500(4 hours experience). In Rwanda, a gorilla permit costs $1,500 per person.
• Accommodation and meals.
• English-speaking driver-guide.
• Bottled drinking water during travel and trekking.
• Park entry and ranger fees.
• Security during the trek

Typical exclusions:

• International airfare and visas.
• Travel insurance.
• Personal expenses like tips, laundry, and alcoholic beverages.

What to expect during the trek

• Start time: Gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda begins at 7:00 am with briefing from your ranger guide before proceeding to the forest to look for gorillas.
• Duration: The gorilla trekking experience usually lasts from 30 minutes to 3 quarters of the day depending on the location of the gorillas. But once you find the gorillas, you will be allowed only one hour of observation and photography with them.
• Guidelines: Ensure to follow the instructions given by your ranger guide. Always keep a maximum distance of about 7 meters from the gorillas.
• Sedan Chair: For the elderly or people with disabilities, sedan chairs are available for hire to assist you access the given gorilla family in Uganda or Rwanda. It costs between $300 to $500  to hire a sedan chair.
• Porters: You can hire a porter at $30 to $50  to assist you carry your backpacks and to also give you a push or pull during your trek. Porters are hired from the local community and by engaging one of them you are giving back to support the community.
• Certificate: Each participant is given a certificate after gorilla trekking as a souvenir to show their contribution towards the conservation of the mountain gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda.

Tips for booking

• Book your gorilla permit in advance: Gorilla permits in Uganda and Rwanda are limited, can sell out quickly and are given out on first come first serve basis especially during peak season. We advise you to book your permit at least 6 months to a year in advance.
• Assess your level of fitness: Gorilla trekking can be physically demanding, with treks in Uganda and Rwanda lasting several hours over rugged terrain. Consider your fitness level before booking. There is an option of hiring a sedan chair for the elderly or people with disabilities. A sedan chair costs from $300.
• Check your intinerary details: If traveling to Uganda, confirm whether your tour starts from Entebbe/Kampala (longer drive) or Kigali (shorter drive) as this will determine the distance and also the visa requirements.
• Clothing for gorilla trekking: Waterproof hiking boots/shoes with good grip, long comfortable trousers, long-sleeved shirts(avoid bright colors), a rain jacket, and gloves.
• Gear: A daypack, insect repellent, a camera with extra batteries, and binoculars.
• Other: Snacks(usually offered at the lodge), a reusable water bottle, sunscreen, and a hat.

Cost and Key booking considerations

• Total safari cost: Including gorilla permits, ground transportation in a 4x4 vehicle, meals, and accommodation, an all inclusive 3-day gorilla safari can cost anywhere from $1,200 to $2,500 or more per person, depending on the country and level of luxury.
• Fly in option: To save time, consider taking a scheduled or charter flight to Kihihi or Kisoro Airstrip which is a bit expensive but allows you more time at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for relaxation or optional activities.
• Starting point: Our 3 Day gorilla trekking tour can start from either Entebbe/Kampala or Kigali/Rwanda. Our 3 Day gorilla trekking safari from Kigali involves a shorter drive of 5-6 hours compared to the 3 Day gorilla safari from Entebbe that is approximately 9-10 hours drive.
• Gorilla Permits: The gorilla permit to see gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park costs $800 per person per trek for foreign non residents, $700 for foreign residents with a working permit, $500 for the rest of Africa and 300,000ugx for East African citizens. Ensure to book your gorilla permit in advance since they sell out quickly.
• Addons/optional activities: On top of your gorilla trek, you can add on a forest walk, community/village walk or Batwa experience.
• Documents: You should ensure that you carry your passport, yellow fever card, visa and any other vaccination certificates.

When to go/ Best time to visit

• Dry seasons (peak): Dry seasons of June to August and December to February are the best times to go for gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda, as the trails are dry and less slippery. This is also the most sought after period, so you must book your gorilla permit way in advance.
• Wet seasons (off-peak): Wet seasons of March to May and September to November see higher downpour, making trails a bit challenging. However, this period usually has fewer crowds and potentially low accommodation prices.

For more information, please get in touch with us.