5 Things to do and see in Kisoro District

When in Kisoro district, some of the 5 things to do and see include gorilla safaris, visit lake Bunyonyi, Community visit, Mountaineering, Birding and others. Kisoro district is situated in the southwestern region of Uganda where temperatures are the lowest in Uganda.

Most Popular Safaris

14 Day Uganda birding and wildlife

9 Day mountain Rwenzori hiking

4 Day Gorillas & Sabinyo hiking

20 Days Birding, game and culture

15 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari

14 Day Uganda safari via Kigali

3 Day Bwindi double trek via Kigali

4 Days Gorillas & Golden monkeys

5 Day Chimp & Gorilla Habituation

3 Day fly in Safari

Note that Kisoro district is part of the wider Kigezi sub-area which is mountainous as volcanic action affected this area. Do not expect a smooth ride during the voyage to Kisoro district because the roads are winding and bumpy. During the rainy seasons, the roads may get messy and slippery around Kisoro district so you may need to use alternative routes to get to the district.

Gorilla safaris are some of the main activities to do around Kisoro district that is gorilla trekking or gorilla habituation experience. For gorilla trekking, tourists have on Kisoro district one hour with the fully habituated gorilla family and maximum 8 tourists are allowed with a number of these primates. During Gorilla Habituation experience, maximum 4 tourists have 4 hours with a semi-habituated gorilla family.

What to do And See in Kisoro district

Gorillas safaris in Kisoro district

You can choose to do gorilla trekking or gorilla habituation experience in Kisoro district. The southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park where gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experience happen part of them is in Kisoro district. Mgahinga National Park is situated in Kisoro district too even though it is the smallest Uganda National Park is worth exploring.

The southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is composed of Nkuringo and Rushaga areas. These two areas of Bwindi forest have gorilla families including Nshongi, Busingye, Kahugye, Nkuringo, Bweza and others. So far four gorilla habituation experience families are open to the public in the southern part of Bwindi forest.

To go for a gorilla safari in Uganda, you need to book a gorilla permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority. there is a limit to the maximum number of permits open to the public per day. Other than the mountain gorillas, during the search or the mountain gorillas you may find other primates, a number of birds including Albertine rift endemics.

Lake Bunyonyi in Kisoro district

Lake Bunyonyi is the deepest rift valley lake in Uganda situated in the southwestern part of this country. The word Bunyonyi locally means small birds and indeed these are present around Lakes Bunyonyi. Lake Bunyonyi has 29 Islands but some of the most significant include Akampene Island where girl who got pregnant before official wedding were abandoned to die while swimming to cross to the main land. The Bwama is where leprosy patients where threated from.

While at this lake, you can explore to different Islands of Lake Bunyonyi using a wooden boat. It is stunning scenery to walk around Lake Bunyonyi. You can do zip lining, visit the local community, enjoy swimming in the lake, or honeymooners on Uganda safari a visit to lake Bunyonyi is an unforgettable adventure and much more.

Community Visit in Kisoro district

The community visit in Kisoro district may give you chance to spend time with the Batwa. The Batwa were evicted from Bwindi forest which was their sole provider but the conservation of the mountain gorillas took precedence. When the Batwa were evicted, they were left with no place to particularly stage there stay.

During the community visit to the Batwa community, you may engage in food preparation, collecting some eats, honey collecting, and others. You may get the chance to enjoy the traditional dance moves of the Batwa. Another community tour to the Bakiga or Bafumbira people.

Mountaineering In Kisoro District

Enjoy a hiking experience in Kisoro district where you may get the chance to get to the top of a number of highlands. Some of the prominent highland around Kisoro district to hike include mountain Gahinga, Sabyinyo and Muhavura. The excursion guided hike to these mountains may take about 8 hours return trip.

You need to have some level of fitness to enjoy this adventure. There are other mountaineering locations you can choose to hike in Kisoro district.

Birding in Kisoro district

The birding experience in Kisoro district is amazing with chances of spotting a number of birds including the Albertine rift endemics. During the birding adventure in Kisoro district, you may find species including Malachite Sunbird, Rwenzori Turaco, Alpine Chat, Mountain Masked Apalises, Rwenzori Batis, African Hill Babbler and others.

When organizing the birding safari in Kisoro district, you need to select which destinations to visit for this experience but more time on holiday is necessary. Starting the Uganda birding safari early gives you the chance to discover more number of birds.

How to get to Kisoro district

From Kampala, the distance to Kisoro district is about 589 Kilometers for about 8 to 9 hours drive.  You need a 4x4 wheel drive to get to Kisoro district but ensure to have a vehicle in good condition. The driver must Know alternative routes to Kisoro district because sometimes the roads get messy and impassable.

Daily schedules domestic flights are available from Kampala to Kisoro airstrip but advance booking is required because sometimes they get over booked especially when the locals move up country. Carry the required weight of baggage so that you do not have to leave some behind.

Charter flight services from Kampala to Kisoro airstrip are open for those who wish to have more private transport. Note that for flights to Kisoro districts, the mornings may be suitable as the weather changes any time without warning.

How much is the cost of activities in Kisoro district

The cost of safari activities to do in Kisoro district, vary but they are categorized into luxury, mid-range and basic. Some safari activities in Kisoro district require having a permit which doesn’t discriminate include gorilla safaris, golden monkey safaris and others.        

Other involved costs likely to be incurred during the visit to Kisoro district include accommodation costs, transport costs and others. Our team of Tours consultants are on ground to assist you make quotation with in your budget and including activities of your choice.

What accommodation to Use on a Visit To Kisoro district

A number of accommodation options are available in and around Kisoro district. For accommodation to use during the gorilla safari or golden monkey safaris in Uganda, it is best to spend the night closer to the park. Some of the accommodation to book when on safari in Kisoro district include Gahinga Lodge, Traveller’s Inn, Kisoro Tourist Hotel, Mgahinga gorilla Triangle, Majambere Iwachu, Community Camp

You need to know the inclusions and exclusions in the cost of accommodation to stay at during the visit in Kisoro district as majority offer bed and Breakfast service.

Why Visit Kisoro district

To visit Kisoro District, expect to have a chance to see the mountain gorillas which are the few leftover primates in the world. Other than the primates, the features surrounding Bwindi forest and Mgahinga forest are stunning. For honeymooners on Uganda safari, a choice of time in destinations in Kisoro District including lake Bunyonyi a place of tranquility and freshness.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Kisoro District

The best time to visit Kisoro District is the dry season when the roads are passable. The roads around Kisoro District are winding and may get messy when the rivers over flow. Kisoro District is known to be cold most of the day but during the dry season, there is generally a rise in temperatures.

Most of the activities to do around Kisoro District are outdoor so requiring a fine weather. If you choose to do gorilla safaris, these primates spend most of there time closer to the ground in the dry season and are easier to spot. The trails to use in the forest are drier permitting faster movement around the different parks searching for the mountain gorillas and other forest occupants.

Expect to find more tourists at the destinations within and demand for logistics that support tourism is high including accommodation and transport. This season is regarded as the peak tourism season in Uganda too.

The rainy season which normally March to May and November when more rains are expected to fall. There are some safari activities you may you may do when on safari in Kisoro District including gorilla safari, Golden monkeys safaris and others.

How Much Is A Visit To Kisoro District

The cost of safari in Kisoro District varies with category and budget that is luxury, mid-range and basic. ensure to include the cost of compulsory expenses including gorilla permits, golden monkey safaris and others. If you have to book a scheduled domestic flight or charter flights, you need to reserve the necessary tickets in advance.

Do not forget to include to consider cost of tips as we encourage our tourists to generously tip those who offer services while on safari.      

How Safe Is A Visit In Kisoro District

The safari in Kisoro District is safe as on ground there are security bodies to keep law and order. The well trained ranger guides at the destinations are on ground to keep routinely supervise what is happening at the destinations. For gorilla safaris and golden monkey trekking, tourists have to attend briefing before proceeding to find these primates.

Ensure to be in company of a ranger guide when on a nature walk in destinations around Kisoro District. The hike up the mountains in this area must be escorted by a ranger guide and have some level of fitness.

Wear the right attire during the forest walks and gorilla safari experience as sometimes the conditions in the forest rough. There are some itchy surfaces including biting nettles in the wilderness that may irritate your skin so wear the right attires.

Never enter the forest without an escorting ranger guide as you may encounter other forest dwellers that may hurt you. Donot carry your belongings that are precious to you and you are afraid of losing.

How Easy Or Difficult Are Activities In Kisoro District

Most activities to do around Kisoro District are quite challenging especially outdoor activities because of the nature of the terrain in this area. Most outdoor activities include in Kisoro Districtinvolves hiking be it gorilla safaris, golden monkey safaris, mountaineering, nature walks and many others.

To enjoy the entire experience, having some level of fitness and determination to be part of these activities may offer better enjoyment. Ensure to wear the right gears especially trekking boots that cover beyond the ankles so that you donot face the rough surfaces in the wilderness. Don’t forget to pack some warmers because Kisoro District is cold most of the day with less sun views.

What to Pack for a Visit in Kisoro District

• Extract fully charged batteries to exchange with if one runs low
• Garden gloves to cover your hands in case you need to secure a tighter grip.
• Safari Boots that can withstand water logged conditions in the forest in case the rivers over flow.
• A foldable safari hat with a large brim that can protect your hair from water dripping off the tree leaves
• Safari long shirt and trouser that can withstand forest conditions. They must be in colors like Tan or Khaki to camouflage dirt.
• A raincoat in case it fall while in the jungle as this area is known to receive down pours any time without warning.
• First Aid kit with emergency items especially if you have a non-communicable infection that may require urgent medical care.
• Medicated Insect repellent to keep away stinging insects in the wilderness
• A camera to capture highlights of the gorilla trekking tour for memories of your safari.
• A pair of binoculars to bring close the far ranging items of your interest
• Toiletries especially if your skin is sensitive to certain types of body chemicals.
• Energy bites to snack on when hungry and keep you going.
•  Shoe bag to keep in your dirty shoes especially when you get no time of cleaning them up after the trek.

Contact our team for more information.