3 Days Uganda Gorilla Tracking Experience

Duration

3 Days 2 Nights

Destinations

Kampala, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Accommodation

Gorilla Resort, Buhoma Lodge or Buhoma Community Bandas

Meals

As Per Itinerary

Flights

Excluded

Overview

About this tour

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park holds roughly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, and this three day trip is the most direct way to reach them from Kampala. It is built around a single objective: one hour in the forest with a habituated gorilla family, which by common consent is one of the great wildlife encounters left on earth.

The drive out crosses the equator at Kayabwe, where you can stand in both hemispheres at once, and continues through Mbarara into the southwest highlands. Trekking begins with a briefing at Buhoma park headquarters before rangers lead you into the forest, and along the way you may meet other residents of Bwindi including pottos, bush babies and several monkey species. Transport in a 4WD, fuel, a full time English speaking driver guide, accommodation, park entrance fees and one gorilla permit are all included.

Day by day

Detailed itinerary

An early start from Kampala after breakfast. Enroute you stop at the Kayabwe equator crossing for photographs, and in Mbarara town for lunch. After lunch you continue southwest, reaching Bwindi late in the evening. Dinner and overnight at Gorilla Resort, Buhoma Lodge or Buhoma Community Bandas.

Report to Buhoma park headquarters for a briefing on the gorilla trackers’ code of conduct, delivered by a park official. A park ranger then leads you into the forest to search for the mountain gorillas. Maximum tracking time with the family is one hour. The time spent with these great apes is exhilarating and the minutes go by before you realise it. You may also observe other resident primates on your tracking expedition, including pottos, bush babies and monkeys. Dinner and overnight at Gorilla Resort, Buhoma Lodge or Buhoma Community Bandas.

After a morning breakfast, return to Kampala stopping enroute for lunch and arriving in the early evening.

What is covered

Inclusions and exclusions

Included

Transportation in a 4WD vehicle
Fuel costs
Full time English speaking driver guide
Accommodation
Park entrance fees
1 gorilla permit and other tourist activities included in the itinerary

Not included

Tips
Drinks
All items of personal nature consumed during the trip

Before you go

Key information

Starting and ending point: Kampala
Full time English-speaking driver guide.
One gorilla permit per person is included.
Park entrance fees are included.
Transport in a 4WD vehicle with fuel costs covered.
Minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15 years.

Good to Know

Gorilla trekking, good to know

A gorilla permit is required and is strictly limited. Book well in advance.
Minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15 years, set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Trekking can take anywhere from half an hour to five hours over steep, muddy forest terrain.
A reasonable level of fitness and sturdy walking boots are essential. Long trousers, long sleeves and gardening gloves are strongly recommended.
Maximum time permitted with the gorillas is one hour.
You may not trek if you are unwell. Gorillas are highly susceptible to human illness.
Porters can be hired at the trailhead and are worth every shilling.

Dietary requirement(s) are catered for upon Request