Before booking any gorilla safari, you need to know the minimum days for a gorilla tour either in Rwanda or Uganda. Gorilla trekking, unlike other tourist activities in Africa, is scheduled. In all countries of Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Rwanda, gorilla trekking start at 8:30am. This, therefore, means that all those booked for gorilla trekking on the day must be at respective park headquarters for briefing and then gorilla trekking.

What are the minimum days for a gorilla tour in Uganda?

If you are coming from Kampala, the capital city of Uganda or Entebbe the main airport and entry point of Uganda, Minimum days for a gorilla tour is three (3 days). There several reasons to explain why you need the three days to be able to successful trek mountain gorillas in Uganda’s Bwindi impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park.

One of the reasons why you need a minimum of three days for an Uganda gorilla tour is that the distance from Entebbe or Kampala is long and you need a whole day of driving. Its approximately 8-9 hours drive to the eastern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and 9-10 hours drive to the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park. This means that the first day should be reserved for driving the park if departing Kampala or Entebbe for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

The second day is for your gorilla trek. While gorilla trekking starts at 8:30am, you need to be at the park headquarters by at least 7am so that you close check with the park authorities to ascertain all requirements. From 7am to 8:30, you will be taken through registration, briefing, and so much more so that all is in order. Some entertainment may be provided while at the park headquarters before the trek. General briefing about the dos and don’ts while with mountain gorillas will be conducted before heading to the forest with your assigned ranger guide. It is the same guide that will be with you as you look for the rare and once endangered mountain gorillas in the forest. Once you find them, you will be allowed a maximum one hour of observation and photography before returning to the park headquarters where you will be awarded a certificate in recognition of your contribution towards conservation of mountain gorillas in Uganda. A certain percentage from the gorilla permit fee is used to conserve mountain gorillas in Uganda by providing medication for gorillas as well as paying employees of Uganda Wildlife Authority. They are in charge of all national parks in Uganda.

Usually, gorilla trekking may take from 30 minutes to three-quarters of the day. This, therefore, means that you cannot drive back to Kampala since tourist vehicles are not supposed to drive past 7pm. You will, therefore, spend the second night of your 3 minimum days for a gorilla tour. The third day will be for driving from Bwindi impenetrable National Park to Kampala or Entebbe. Please look at our 3 Day gorilla trekking tour starting from either Kampala or Entebbe.

Minimum days for a gorilla tour to Bwindi from Kabale or Kisoro

While one needs a minimum of three days for a gorilla safari from Kampala or Entebbe, minimum days for a gorilla tour from Kabale and Kisoro is one or two days. It is possible to undertake a gorilla trekking excursion from Kabale or Kisoro to Bwindi impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park, trek gorillas and the drive back to the respective town. This arrangement is only for those who would have spent a night in Kabale or Kisoro or resident in Kabale or Kisoro. All those hoping to trek mountain gorillas from Kabale or Kisoro need to wake up early to start their journey to Bwindi impenetrable National Park. We recommend starting your drive at 5am so that you arrive at the park headquarters in time for the briefing. Sometimes road tends to blocked by Landslides, and you may end up being delayed along the way. If something like this happens, you need to call for a rescue by UWA or fellow tourists. After gorilla trekking, you will return to Kisoro or Kabale. Please note that all those who are interested in trekking gorillas from Kabale or Kisoro need to book their gorilla permits in advance from UWA park headquarters and then make sure that they get them before driving to Bwindi impenetrable national park.

While minimum days for a gorilla tour from Kabale or Kisoro is one day, Encounter Africa safaris recommend at least two days so that the first day is for driving closer to the park headquarters. After gorilla trekking, you can drive back to Kabale or Kisoro. By doing this, you would have saved yourself dangers of missing out on your gorilla trek by challenges that you may encounter on your early morning drive from Kisoro/Kabale to Bwindi impenetrable National Park. It should be noted that road connecting Kabale/Kisoro to Bwindi impenetrable National Park tend to be slippery, flooded or blocked by mudslides. So it is better to arrive a day before so that you don’t feel the stress and worry of all these mentioned challenges.

Tips for organizing a successful gorilla tour in Uganda.

Whether you intend to start your gorilla tour in Entebbe or Kabale, you need to make sure that your gorilla trek to Bwindi impenetrable National Park of Mgahinga National Park is well organized. Gorilla trekking is a bit expensive but an experience of a lifetime. Any error incurred during preparations may cost you dearly. Before anything, you need to do some research about the best time to trek gorillas, availability of gorilla permits, read more about the different gorilla families and various sections of Bwindi impenetrable National Park, explore more on how to book your accommodation as well as your gorilla permits. You may also need to read about how to get to Bwindi impenetrable National Park since we have options of flying or driving to the park. All this should help you get the right information to prepare for your gorilla trek.

Are you wondering about minimum days for a gorilla tour to Uganda or Rwanda? Are you looking for the right information about gorilla trekking in Uganda? Are you puzzled about booking a gorilla tour as well as gorilla permits? Look no more than Encounter Africa safaris. If contacted, we will advise on availability, reserve and book all services on your behalf so that your booking process is hassle-free.

Minimum days for a gorilla trek in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park

Rwanda as an advantage over Uganda because of the proximity of Volcanoes National Park to Kigali City of International Airport. Many tourists tend to prefer trekking Rwanda gorillas than Uganda because of the short distance and drive time involved. For example, it is 2-3 driving hours from Kigali to Musanze something that you cannot do if you trekked Uganda gorillas from Entebbe to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Because of this the minimum days for a gorilla tour can be one or two but preferably 3 days so that you enjoy the lodge and other activities in the park.

Why book your Uganda or Rwanda gorilla tour with Encounter Africa Safaris.

Encounter Africa safaris operate tours and excursions to Rwanda and Uganda. Because of our small niche, we have been able to create relationships and expertise when it comes to these two great tourist destinations. Our office staff behave professionally and will provide you with information that you can rely on to arrange a successful gorilla tour. Encounter Africa safaris is highly recommended on Trip advisor as well as Safari bookings. For more details on Uganda or Rwanda gorilla treks, feel free to contact us on email or phone.