3 Day Gorilla Safari in Uganda – Bwindi National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the best gorilla safari destination in the world with the largest numbers of habituated gorilla groups (about 20) and the most affordable gorilla permits where each costs US$700. Below is the detailed day by day itinerary.
Day 1: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Home of Gorillas)
After morning breakfast, you will be picked by our driver/guide from your hotel in Entebbe Or Kampala and then set off for the adventurous journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National park. You will have a stopover in Mbarara for lunch before continuing the journey via green hills, and flatlands and settle in Kabale which is also known as the “Switzerland of Africa”! Later continue and have dinner and overnight at Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Chameleon Hill Lodge or Lake Mutanda Resort.
Day 2: Gorilla trekking, and Batwa Entertainment in the Evening
Early in the morning after breakfast, you will transfer to the headquarters for briefing from the Park rangers about the dos and don’ts while with the Gorillas, before embarking on the memorable activity of tracking the amazing apes. The hike takes you through thick vegetation and the ease of finding the Gorillas will depend on the movement of the animals within their natural environment.
A maximum of one hour is allowed to be with the Gorillas and take memorable photographs and videos. Later descend to your Lodge for late lunch and relax as we prepare for lots of entertainment from the Batwa group of people known as the “Keepers of the forest” Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight as on day 1.
Day 3: Return to Entebbe Airport– Departure
After breakfast, we shall set off for the journey to Entebbe Airport. Lunch en route in Mbarara and then another stopover at the Uganda equator for photography and buy art crafts on the way back to Entebbe for your flight back home.
End of the 3 Day gorilla safari in Uganda
About Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable national park, 331 kms, is located in South Western Uganda, on the edge of the Albertine Rift Valley, on an altitude range from 1.160 m to 2.607m. This is a real tropical rainforest, spread over a series of steep ridges and valleys. It is regarded as one of the most biologically diverse forest in Africa. In the local language “Bwindi” (from “mubwindi”) means “dark place”, referring to the impenetrable nature for human beings to the swamp located the South East of the actual Park, according to legends.
Species
There are 11 species of primates, such as L’Hoest’s Monkeys, Chimpanzees, red-tailed and blue monkeys, black and white Colobus monkeys, olive baboon and many more. Particularly, Bwindi forest is home to about 500 mountain gorillas, which is half of the total remaining world population. There are about 350 bird species of which 90% of them are Albertine Rift endemics, rarely seen in any other part of East Africa) and 200 of butterflies. Mammals count only 30 (buffaloes, elephants and Leopards). There are 324 species of tree.
Things to do in Bwindi National Park
- Gorilla Trekking
The main activity is “gorilla trekking” with about 20 habituated families of mountain gorillas, some of which include; Habinyanja, Nkuringo, Kahunjye, Bikingi, Christmas, Rushegura, Nshongi, Mishaya, Mubare, Bitukura and Oruzogo among others.
- Gorilla Filming
Gorilla filming is also possible.
- Nature walk and Birding
Hiking trails are open to tourists for birding experience, butterflies and primates. River Ivy trail, Kashasha trail, Buhoma waterfall trail, Bambou Zone and Mubwindi swamp nature walks are highly recommended for bird watching.
- Village and Cultural Tours
Cultural walk to villages / local communities around Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo, to see the traditional homestead, the traditional healers, the banana beer brewing, handicraft and cultural performances for Batwa pygmies.
- Mountain Biking
The mountain biking is also conducted in Bwindi National Park with different routes depending on your ability to ride.
Getting to Bwindi National Park
- By Road
Bwindi Gorilla Park can be accessed from Queen Elizabeth National Park in the north (2-3 hour drive), and 7-9 hours from Kampala or Entebbe International Airport (EBB). The route is determined by the sector you are going to track the gorillas. A 4×4 vehicle is highly recommended during the rains.
There are daily bus services leaving Kampala for Butogota via Rukungiri and Kihiihi. A matatu can be hired from Butogota to Buhoma the park entrance gate. Other buses go to Kisoro is you are going to Rushaga or Nkuringo sectors.
The Kabale – Ruhija- Buhoma segment on this route is 72 km on a murram road branching off at Harutenga junction on the Kabale-Kisoro road
From Kigali, getting to Bwindi is much easier, the journey is only 4 hrs drive through Katuna or Cyanika boarders.
- By Air
Travellers can fly from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi airfield to the modern tarmac airstrip at Kisoro if you are going to Southern Bwindi (Nkuringo, Rushaga sector and Mgahinga National park). Visitors to Northern side of Buhoma or Ruhija can also fly to Kayonza or Kihihi airstrips.
Where to Stay in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi gorilla park has got a quite wide range of accommodation facilities ranging from budget / basic to Mid-range / deluxe and Luxury, among these include; the Gorilla forest camp, clouds Mountain gorilla lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Gorilla resort, Mahogany springs, Lake Mutanda Resort, Silverback lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Lake Kitandara Tented Camp, Ruhija Gorilla lodge and Engagi lodge, Bakiga Lodge, Cuckoo land camp, Buhoma community rest camp, and Nkuringo safari camp among others.