3 Days Bwindi Gorilla Safari
This 3-day Bwindi Gorilla safari is one of the shortest – yet most gratifying excursions to Uganda. The safari takes you on a face-to-face encounter with the giant mountain gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Furthermore, this 3-day Bwindi gorilla safari will entail an optional cultural visit to the Batwa pygmies. The Batwa pygmies were the original inhabitants of the Bwindi impenetrable forest park thousands of years ago, before being transferred elsewhere to make way for mountain gorilla protection.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located on Uganda’s border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, adjacent to Virunga National Park, in Kanungu district. Because of its variety and relevance to overall ecology, the park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bwindi encompasses over 331 sq. km of lowland and montane forest. These huge forests are home to over 163 tree species and 100 species of ferns. The Park also protects more than 348 bird species and 120 animal species including forest elephants, stripped jackals, giant forest hogs, and bushbucks, to mention but a few. Besides mountain gorillas, Bwindi also hosts colobus monkeys, chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, and olive baboons, among other primate species. Key bird species in Bwindi include the African Broadbill, Cream-banded Swallowtail, etc.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is one of two national parks in Uganda that harbor mountain gorillas: and together, these two are home to half of the world’s remaining population of mountain gorillas. However, Bwindi harbors the biggest number of gorillas in Uganda. The remaining population of these giant apes is found in Virunga National Park in Congo and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Bwindi, there are now 21 habituated gorilla groups available for gorilla trekking.
Safari Highlights;
- Stopover at the Equator Monument
- Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
- Batwa cultural experience
- Sightseeing
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
After an early morning breakfast, our guide will take you up from your hotel in Kampala or Entebbe Airport at 7 am and drive you to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. But before you set off, you will be briefed about your entire 3-day Bwindi gorilla safari and what to expect. Along the way, make a stopover at the Equator where you will enjoy a brief Equator experience. You can also take a photo break and buy a few crafts and souvenirs before proceeding to Mbarara where you will have lunch.
After that, proceed with your journey to Bwindi, appreciating endless views of rolling hills and farmlands. After traveling for about 8 hours, you will arrive in Bwindi in the late afternoon and drive straight to your lodge. Check into the lodge and unwind. Overnight stay at your booked lodge.
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
Following an early breakfast at 7:00 am, drive to the park headquarters for gorilla trekking which kicks off with a briefing from by the park rangers. The briefing will entail information about mountain gorillas in Bwindi and the guidelines for gorilla trekking. You will also be separated into groups of eight and assigned a gorilla group to trek. After that, your assigned ranger/guide will you into the forest in search of these gentle giants. Trekking is a memorable and amazing experience to observe the mountain gorillas
Gorilla feed, play, and go about their daily activities. However, trekking the gorillas can take between 6 hours, depending on the gorillas’ location and movement. Expect to walk lengthy miles in muddy and steep terrain, which will necessitate the use of a walking stick. But, given the riveting encounters with other creatures such as monkeys, butterflies, and antelopes, among others, the trek will be a fulfilling one. When you meet the gorillas, you will spend one hour observing and photographing them. Nonetheless, please be advised that flash photography is not allowed during gorilla trekking.
Return to the lodge after gorilla trekking and relax. Later in the evening, you can opt to rest at the lodge or visit the Batwa village, where you will be exposed to their culture through how they live. Enjoy watching them dance to their traditional songs, and hear stories about their history that will leave you surprised. Head back to your lodge. Have dinner and rest.
Day 3: Return to Kampala/Entebbe
Have an early breakfast, check out, and Bwindi goodbye as you begin your drive back to Kampala. Enjoy driving through rolling hills with terraces and admiring the rich nature of the many locations you will pass through. You will have a stopover for lunch in Mbarara before proceeding with your journey to Kampala. On arrival in Kampala, you will either be dropped off at your hotel or the Airport for your departure. This marks the end of your 3-day Bwindi gorilla safari.
Inclusions;
- Gorilla trekking permits
- Bottled drinking water
- An English-speaking driver/guide
- Full-board accommodation
- Transport
- All Mentioned Activities
Exclusions;
- International flights
- Entry Visas
- Travel insurance
- Laundry services, souvenirs, telephone, etc.
- Tips
- alcoholic beverages
- All optional activities excluded in the itinerary
