Organizing a three-day Ugandan double gorilla trekking tour via Kigali

Organizing a three-day Ugandan double gorilla trekking tour via Kigali. A three-day Ugandan double gorilla trekking tour via Kigali involves trekking gorillas in either Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park on two separate days. This allows you to spend more time with the mountain gorillas visiting different gorilla families on different days. The three-day trek involves transfers from Kigali to Uganda and then back, transport, accommodation and purchase of the gorilla permits.

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Accessing the mountain gorillas involves a scenic drive from Kigali to Bwindi, including about 4 to 5 hours, and this includes the time spent crossing the border. After crossing the border, you will be driven directly to the park and this is much quicker as compared to the 9 to 10 hours drive from Kampala to Bwindi.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda is an unmatched and fun-filled experience that nature and adventure seekers dream of. You get to meet the largest population of the mountain gorillas which is almost half of all the mountain gorillas remaining in the world. What better way to start your trip from Kigali in Rwanda with a journey through the rolling hills.

Is it possible to go for a double gorilla trek safari in Uganda?

Yes, it is possible for tourists to double trek mountain gorillas in Uganda via Kigali. This is possible for all tourists who are 15 years and above. You, however, need to purchase two permits for different days to be able to do a double gorilla trek. Communicate with your operator and find out if you can purchase two permits for consecutive days or skip a day.

What is double gorilla trekking?

Double gorilla trekking refers to two separate gorilla trekking experiences in a single trip, and this is usually done in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park because it has about 21 habituated gorilla families. Below is a breakdown of what double gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via Kigali involves.

• Separate gorilla treks: Double gorilla tracking sees tourists embarking on two separate treks with each lasting about 2 to 8 hours. This is not done on the same day but on different days.
• The cost: The cost of the double trek varies depending on several factors including transport, accommodation and personal purchases. The cost of the permit is $800 per permit and you will need to purchase two for the double trek.
• The different gorilla families: When it comes to double gorilla treks, you get to track different gorilla families each day giving tourists a unique experience of observing the characteristics of the different gorilla families and their family members.

You need to be physically prepared for the double gorilla trek because of the challenging hikes that come with steep ascents, slippery trails, and descents.

In this article, we are going to look at the details on how to organise a three-day gorilla safari, the logistics involved, and how to access the gorillas starting from the heart of Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali.

Gorilla trekking permits

Gorilla permits are your ticket to tracking mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. These permits allow tourists to enter the natural habitat of the mountain gorillas (Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park), and you get to spend an hour with the gorillas, getting a close-up and observing their behaviour. Below are some important details that you need to know about gorilla permits in Uganda.

Booking permits in advance: Gorilla trekking permits are always in high demand and can be booked through a registered tour operator from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). We advise our clients to secure the permits ahead of time with travel dates so that the availability of the permits is confirmed. The demand for the permits is high and yet there are few permits that are printed per day.

The cost of the permit: The permit cost in Uganda is $800 for foreign non-residents, $700 for foreign residents, $500 for African citizens and UGX300,000 for East African Citizens. These prices keep on changing, and you need to check for the latest rates; however, the ones stated here are valid from July 2024 to 2026.

Inclusions of the permits: Some tourists believe that the cost of the gorilla permit is high, and this is because it covers the services of a professional guide, an armed ranger, an hour with the gorillas, it contributes to the conservation of the gorillas and the surrounding areas, and it also covers security.

Exclusions of the permits: The permit does not cover personal purchases, accommodation, other safari activities and transport.

NB: You have to present a valid passport when purchasing the gorilla permits in Uganda. A copy of the biodata page will be needed with the passport number, country of origin, date of birth and names visible.

How to purchase the permits for the double gorilla trek in Uganda from Kigali

Select the dates on which you would wish to track the mountain gorillas in Uganda and share them with a tour operator. They will go ahead and check for the availability of the permits on the dates provided, and when it is proven that they are available, you will be contacted.

 After you have made the payments and they are confirmed, the permits will be purchased on your behalf and you will be sent to your email.

• Visa and crossing the border

You have to go through the border crossing process when travelling to Bwindi from Kigali for a 3-day double gorilla trek. Below are some of the essentials needed to have a smooth transition between Rwanda and Uganda.

• Visa requirements: Many travellers need to have a visa to travel between Rwanda and Uganda for gorilla trekking. You need to obtain a visa to Uganda in advance before you get to the border. You can also apply for the East African Tourist Visa, which eases border crossing between Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya and is valid for 90 days. This can be applied for from Rwanda as it is your first entry point using their online visa application portal of migration.gov.rw/visa
• Currency exchange: You can exchange your local currency at the border or in the nearby towns found near the border. Exchange the currency that you have with the Uganda shillings for easy tipping, purchase of personal items and souvenirs while in Bwindi and other parts of the country. Get to know the current currency rate and beware of scammers with fake notes.
• The Yellow Fever Vaccination: Before travelling to Uganda and Rwanda, you need to take note that the yellow vaccination certificate is a must, especially if you are coming from a high-risk country. The certificate needs to be valid and needs to be obtained before travelling.
• Accommodation

Do not forget to get accommodation for the 3 days of your safari and this can easily be arranged by the tour operator. The accommodation is in three categories, including budget, mid-range and luxury accommodation facilities, and you have to book them in the sector that you have been assigned (Rushaga sector, Ruhija sector, Buhoma sector and Nkuringo sector).

An overview of the 3-day double Gorilla trekking

Day 1: You will be picked up from Kigali city or the airport and transferred to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Day 2: Day 2 is all about gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Day 3: This is the second gorilla trekking attempt and transfer back to Kigali, bringing your double trekking safari to an end.

Summary: You have to go to Uganda for gorilla trekking through Kigali, the safari starts and ends in Kigali, and the activities carried out include gorilla trekking. A 4x4 safari vehicle is used for transport and transfers, and in case you are getting additional accommodation, note that this comes at an extra cost.

Some of the things you need to consider when it comes to this trip include accommodation, meals, the age limit of 15 years and do not forget the start of the trip day and the last day of the trip.

Detailed itinerary

Day 1: You will be picked up from the airport or hotel in Kigali and driven to Uganda via the land borders of Katuna border and Cyanika border. The journey takes 4 to 5 hours with beautiful scenery from Rwanda to Uganda. After crossing the border from Uganda via the Katuna border and a stopover in Kabale town, you will proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 2: After an early morning breakfast at the lodge, you will head to the park headquarters where guides will be waiting to go through the rules and regulations to follow while on the trek. After the briefing, you will be assigned a habituated gorilla family and the trek will officially start.

After locating and encountering the gorillas, you have an hour with the mountain gorillas taking photos, videos and enjoying the general company of the giant mountain gorillas. After the one hour is up, you will head back to the headquarters where certificates will be awarded to each participating member.

You will then head back to the hotel/lodge and later on participate in other safari activities as per the itinerary. Then dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 3: After an early morning breakfast, you have a chance of trekking a second gorilla family and the same procedure is followed. After gorilla trekking on the second day, you will be driven back to Kigali either to a hotel or the airport, depending on your preference, and this marks the end of the 3-day double gorilla trekking in Uganda via Kigali.

The double gorilla trekking experience in Uganda

After getting to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park from Kigali, your adventure for the double gorilla trek officially begins. This is a glimpse of what you should expect during your double gorilla trekking experience.

The briefing: Early on the morning of the trek, you will have to attend a compulsory briefing which is led by the park guides and rangers. This usually happens at around 7:30 am, where you will be given essential information regarding gorilla trekking, including the rules and regulations and safety precautions.

Gorilla family allocation: This is done immediately after the briefing, and you will be assigned a specific habituated gorilla family, and each family gets a maximum of 8 people per day.

Trekking the gorillas: As you start the trek, note that the trek can be as short as 30 minutes or as long as 8 hours depending on the location of the mountain gorillas. When you get to meet the gorilla family, you have 60 minutes observing the gorillas. Always remember to keep a safe distance from the mountain gorillas.

Why choose the double gorilla trek in Uganda via Kigali

• Double gorilla trekking gives you a chance to compare two different gorilla families and get to study the different behavioural traits of the gorilla family members belonging to the different gorilla families.
• You have more time to observe the gorilla families, learn more about their behaviour, take photos and videos of the two gorilla families you have been assigned.
• It is the best chance for tourists who love adventure and physical challenges.

FAQs about double gorilla trekking in Uganda via Kigali

How many permits are available for double gorilla trekking?

When planning on a double gorilla trek, you will need two separate permits one for each day per person. All the permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and there are 152 trek permits printed per day in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Is double gorilla trekking in Uganda physically demanding?

Yes, double gorilla trekking in Uganda is physically demanding because you are going to trek two gorilla families on different days, but each trek can take about 2 to 8 hours or less, depending on where the gorilla family you have been assigned is located on the day of the trek. You have to be physically fit to take on the terrain within the park.

Why Uganda for a double gorilla trek?

Uganda has a remarkable population of mountain gorillas with half the remaining population of gorillas in the world.  It is also home to 21 gorilla families allowing tourists to participate in the double gorilla trek since there are many gorilla families to choose from.

When is the best time to go for a double gorilla trek in Uganda via Kigali?

Double gorilla trekking in Uganda can be carried out all year round, however, the best time is during the dry season (June to September and December to February). This is because of the conducive trekking conditions, the weather, dry trek routes and thinning vegetation, which makes trekking easy. However, note that double gorilla trekking can be done throughout the year, and each season, whether dry or rainy, comes with unique advantages and disadvantages.

For more information, get in touch with us at Encounter Africa Safaris for your 3-day double gorilla trekking safari in Uganda via Kigali.