Overview
3-Day Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda offers an adventure to the jungles of south western Uganda to see the rare mountain gorillas. Uganda is one of the best destinations for gorilla trekking in the world, as it is home to more than half of the remaining population of these endangered primates. Uganda has two national parks where you can encounter the gorillas: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
However, this 3 Day gorilla trekking Uganda focuses mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which is the most popular and accessible park for gorilla trekking in Uganda. The Park covers an area of 331 square kilometers, boasts a rich biodiversity of flora and fauna and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a host to 19 habituated gorilla families that can be visited by tourists. While in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, you will have the opportunity to trek mountain gorillas, interact with the local communities, learn about their culture and traditions which is also a chance to support the conservation efforts in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest before returning back to Entebbe/ Kampala
Day by Day Itinerary
After an early breakfast by 6;30 am, we depart from Kampala/ Entebbe towards southwestern Uganda, where the magnificent Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park awaits. This scenic drive will take you through countless green hills, terraced plantations, and rural villages, providing a glimpse of Uganda’s natural beauty with an enroute stop at the Kyahabwe Equator Point for photography and Igongo Cultural Center for Lunch
Upon reaching the park, settle into our booked chosen lodge and if time permits, explore the local community or engage in a guided nature walk to familiarize yourself with the surroundings of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
The highlight of our 3 day gorilla trekking Bwindi beckons on this day – an unforgettable face-to-face encounter with the gentle giants of the forest, the mountain gorillas.
The gorilla trekking experience starts with an early morning briefing at the park headquarters, where you will be assigned to a gorilla family and a ranger guide. There are 19 habituated gorilla families in Uganda, distributed across four sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo) and one sector of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (Nyakagezi). Each gorilla family has a unique name, history, and personality.
The ranger guide will lead you into the forest, following the trails and signs left by the gorillas. The trek can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 8 hours, depending on the location and movement of the gorillas. The terrain can be steep, muddy, and slippery, so you need to be physically fit and prepared for a challenging hike.
Once you find the gorillas, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them, observing their behavior, taking photos, and marveling at their beauty and intelligence. You will be amazed by how human-like they are, as they groom each other, play with their young, communicate with vocalizations, and display emotions. You will also be able to witness their unique features, such as their silver backs, muscular arms, expressive eyes, and gentle demeanor.
The trekking time will vary on the location of the gorilla group and their movements but normally a trek in anywhere between 30 minutes to 6 hours. After the unforgettable one hour we trek back to the park head quarters to receive a gorilla trekking certificate before we head back to our lodge. This evening you can opt for a cultural tour to meet the Batwa People or take on a community walking tour.
The Batwa are an indigenous group of hunter-gatherers who used to live in harmony with the forest before they were evicted to make way for gorilla conservation. You can join the Batwa Experience or the Batwa Trail to learn about their traditional way of life in the forest get to witness how they make fire, hunted animals, collect honey, harvest plants, build shelters, and their ritual performances
On the final day, we bid farewell to the forest and begin our journey back to Kampala or Entebbe. Reflect on the incredible experiences, memories, and photographs gathered during your Uganda gorilla trekking safari. Our safari guide/ driver will drop you off your hotel in Kampala/ Entebbe or at the Airport for your departure flight home
Cost Inclusions/ Exclusions
Cost Includes
- 2 Nights’ Accommodation on full board basis (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Transportation in a Pop-roof 4×4 Safari Vehicle with unlimited mileage
- Gorilla Permit priced at USD 800 per person
- Fuel
- All Meals as stated in the daily meal plan
- Service of an English-speaking guide/ driver
- Drinking water on board
- All Mentioned Activities
- All Taxes
Cost Excludes
- Visa fees
- Accommodation in Kampala/ Entebbe
- International Flights
- Drinks/Beverages
- Optional Activities
FAQS
A gorilla permit is your ticket to be able to trek the mountain gorillas in Uganda. A gorilla permit costs $700 per person per trek, and it includes park entry fees, ranger guides, and a one-hour interaction with a gorilla family. You can book your gorilla permit through a reputable tour operator or directly with the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). Gorilla permits are limited and sell out quickly, so it is advisable to book them at least 6 months in advance.
You need to pack wisely for your 3 day gorilla trekking Uganda safari, as you will be trekking in a tropical rainforest with varying weather conditions. Some of the essential items you need to pack are:
A valid passport and visa
A yellow fever vaccination certificate
A printed copy of your gorilla permit
Comfortable hiking shoes or boots
Long-sleeved shirts and trousers
A waterproof jacket or poncho
A hat and sunglasses
A pair of gloves
A pair of binoculars
A camera and extra batteries
Insect repellent and sunscreen
A small backpack with snacks and water
Personal medication
The best time to embark on this 3 Days Gorilla trekking Uganda safari is during the dry seasons, which are from June to August and December to February. During these months, the trails are less slippery and the weather is more favorable. Nevertheless, Uganda’s gorilla parks are open all year long making it possible to trek these majestic apes throughout the year
Gorilla Habituation allows you more time with the gorillas upto 4 hours unlike the one hour you would get with a normal gorlla trek. This is a special activity that allows you to join the researchers and trackers who are habituating a new gorilla family in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The gorilla habituation involves following and observing the gorillas as they get used to the presence of humans. You will also be able to participate in collecting data, taking notes, and recording behaviors.
The gorilla habituation experience can be arranged as part of our 3 Day Gorilla Trekking Safari on request. A permit for gorilla habituation costs $1,500 per person per trek, and it is only available in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. There are only two gorilla families that are undergoing habituation, and only four permits are issued per day. Therefore, you need to book your gorilla habituation experience well in advance.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is divided into four sectors: Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo. Each sector has its own gorilla families. The park generally hosts 19 habituated gorilla families that can be visited by tourists. Each gorilla family has a unique name, history, and composition. Some of the most famous gorilla families in Bwindi are:
Mubare: The first gorilla family to be habituated in Bwindi in 1993. It is located in the Buhoma sector and has 8 members, including one silverback named Kanyonyi.
Rushegura: A splinter group from Mubare that was formed in 2002. It is also located in the Buhoma sector and has 19 members, including one silverback named Kabukojo.
Habinyanja: Another splinter group from Mubare that was formed in 1997. It is also located in the Buhoma sector and has 17 members, including two silverbacks named Makara and Rwansigazi.
Bitukura: A relatively young gorilla family that was habituated in 2008. It is located in the Ruhija sector and has 14 members, including four silverbacks named Ndahura, Karamuzi, Rukara, and Rukumu.
Oruzogo: Another relatively young gorilla family that was habituated in 2011. It is also located in the Ruhija sector and has 17 members, including one silverback named Tibirikwata.
Nshongi: The largest gorilla family in Bwindi that was habituated in 2009. It is located in the Rushaga sector and has 26 members, including two silverbacks named Nshongi and Kakono.
Mishaya: A splinter group from Nshongi that was formed in 2010. It is also located in the Rushaga sector and has 12 members, including one silverback named Mishaya.
Kahungye: Another splinter group from Nshongi that was formed in 2011. It is also located in the Rushaga sector and has 13 members, including three silverbacks named Rumansi, Rwigi, and Ruhamuka.
Bweza: Another splinter group from Kahungye that was formed in 2012. It is also located in the Rushaga sector and has 9 members
Uganda has more gorillas than any other country. According to the latest census conducted in 2018, there are about 1,063 mountain gorillas left in the wild, and 459 of them live in Uganda. That means that Uganda has almost half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas making it the ideal destination for a 3 day Uganda gorilla safari
Uganda has more habituated gorilla families than any other country. Habituation is a process of gradually getting the gorillas used to human presence without altering their natural behavior. This allows tourists to observe them from a close distance without disturbing them. Uganda has 19 habituated gorilla families that can be visited by tourists, while Rwanda has 12 and Congo has 8.
Uganda has more diversity in terms of gorilla trekking options than any other country. You can choose your 3 day gorilla trekking Uganda safari between two different national parks (Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park), four different sectors within Bwindi (Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo), and different levels of difficulty depending on the location and terrain of the gorilla family you are assigned to. You can also opt for a longer and more immersive experience called gorilla habituation, where you can spend up to four hours with a semi-habituated gorilla family under the guidance of researchers.
Uganda also has more affordable prices for gorilla trekking than any other country. A gorilla permit in Uganda costs $800 per person, while in Rwanda it costs $1,500 and in Congo it costs $400. However, Congo is less stable and secure than Uganda and Rwanda, and its gorilla trekking infrastructure is less developed. Therefore, Uganda offers the best value for money for gorilla trekking in terms of quality and quantity
