3 Days and 2 Nights Uganda Fly-In Gorilla Habituation Experience

This 3 days and 2 nights fly-in gorilla habituation experience in Uganda is in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where you spend up to four hours with a semi-habituated mountain gorilla family in their natural habitat. This is a more immersive and intimate option than standard gorilla trekking, which is limited to one hour with the gorillas. A fly-in safari significantly cuts travel time compared to the 9-hour road trip from Entebbe or 4-5 hours drive from Kigali.

Trip overview

• Location: Rushaga sector, southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
• Access: Fly from Entebbe International Airport (EBB) to Kisoro Airstrip (KXO) southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
• Habituation permit cost: $1,500 USD per person.
• Group size: Limited to a maximum of 4 participants.
• Gorilla Families Under Habituation: 1 Gorilla Family

3-Day and 2 Nights fly-in gorilla habituation experience

Day 1: Arrive in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

• Morning: Pick up from your hotel in Kampala/Entebbe and transfer to Entebbe International Airport to catch up for your scheduled domestic flight for morning or mid morning to Bwindi impenetrable National Park (approximately 1.5 hours) from Entebbe International Airport (EBB) to Kisoro Airstrip (KXO).
• Afternoon: Your guide will meet you at Kisoro airstrip and transfer you to your lodge in the southern sector of Bwindi arriving in time for lunch, you will be welcomed and briefed about the lodge followed by hot lunch.
• Optional activity: After settling in and having lunch, you can join a guided tour of a local Batwa community to learn about the area's indigenous culture.
• Evening: Return to your lodge for dinner and briefing about the next day’s program and later move to your room for an Overnight

Day 2: Gorilla habituation experience 

• Early morning: Have breakfast, pack your provided lunch, and transfer to the park headquarters.
• Briefing: You will attend a briefing by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) rangers and researchers on safety rules and what to expect during the day.
• Trek: You will follow the research team into the forest to find the gorilla family. The trek can be physically demanding, with unpredictable terrain.
• Habituation: Once you locate the gorillas, you will spend up to four hours with them, observing their behaviours, family dynamics, and interactions. You may be invited to participate in habituation activities like collecting samples.
• Late afternoon: Trek back to the park headquarters, receive a certificate for your participation, and return to your lodge for dinner.

Day 3: Departure from Bwindi to Entebbe

• Morning: Enjoy a final breakfast at your lodge, depending on your flight time, you will bid farewell to the lodge and drive Kisoro airstrip.
• Mid Morning: You will check in at Kisoro airstrip and fly back to Entebbe International Airport to end the tour.

Lodge options in the Rushaga sector

The following lodges are located in Rushaga sector and Nkuringo which are the easiest access to Rushaga sector where gorilla habituation is done

• Luxury:

Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge or Gorilla Heights Lodge

• Mid-range:

Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Leisure Lodge or 4 Gorillas Lodge

• Budget:

Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge, Bweza Gorilla Lodge or Nshongi Camp