It is amazing to learn that a gorilla trek in Uganda can be done in only 2 days from Kigali, Rwanda. This is very possible because Kigali city is only 164.4 kilometers away from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. This is in comparison to the distance of Bwindi from Kampala. The latter is almost 500 kilometers away which makes the journey quite longer. From Kigali, you will travel for 4-5 hours, crossing the Katuna border.
A gorilla trekking tour in Bwindi offers the best opportunity of tracking the critically endangered mountain gorillas in their natural home. Since Bwindi has at least 22 habituated gorilla families, this is the best place in Africa to see gorillas. You are given 1 hour to spend with the gorillas interacting with each other in front of your very own eyes. All you have to do is ensure that you are at least 15 years old and get a gorilla permit with Monteero Safaris.
The 2 days Bwindi gorilla trek from Kigali has more benefits besides the captivating experience with a habituated gorilla family. You can also see birds, beautiful countryside, landscapes and wild animals. You will also meet the Batwa Pygmies and hear their wonderful experiences as former dwellers of this pristine forest. Road trips are also wonderful, with an experienced driver guide from Monteero Safaris transporting you on a comfortable safari car.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site found in the Albertine Rift region. With a land size of around 321 square kilometers it is situated in the southwestern part of Uganda. Bwindi was established as a national park in 1991. Today, it has 459 gorillas, almost a half of the world total population. Habituated gorillas are available for gorilla tracking in its 4 sectors. These are Buhoma, Rushaga, Nkuringo and Ruhija.
The trip begins and ends in Kigali. Meals and accommodation while on tour is included on the itinerary.
Tour Highlights
- Gorilla trekking
- Batwa encounter
- Road trips
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Batwa encounter
In Kigali city at your accommodation or after your flight at Kigali International Airport, our guide will welcome you. After a briefing about the itinerary, you will start the 164.4-kilometer road trip to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. With some of the best breathtaking views of Rwanda’s scenery, you will enjoy this transfer. After crossing the Katuna border, you will enter Uganda and have an enroute lunch in Kabale district.
You will proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Arrive at your lodge, check in, freshen up. You will go for a cultural encounter with the Batwa Pygmies. Meet these beautiful former dwellers of the forest. You will have plenty of things to learn from their captivating way of life. Elders will tell you folktales. Demonstrations on using hunting tools will be done for you, and you can try as well. Live performances of music and dance are also done to entertain you.
Your driver will bring you back to your lodge. You will get lovely views of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and plenty of bird species that will be flying at your lodge. You will have a delightful meal for dinner. You will then go for your overnight stay here.
Day 2: Gorilla trek in Bwindi and return to Kigali
On this second day, wake up early in the morning for a nice breakfast at your lodge. Pack lunch from the lodge and check out. Your punctual driver will take you to the trailhead where you arrive at around 7:00 AM. This is to ensure that you do not miss the crucial briefing. This is conducted by the park ranger. You will be told which habituated gorilla family your group of 8 visitors will trek. You will also be given the dos and don’t of trekking gorillas in the forest.
An experienced park ranger guide and armed ranger will take you into the forest, leading you to locate your habituated gorilla family. You will finally get in direct proximity with the gorilla family. At this point, the rangers will guarantee you a full hour in the presence of these majestic apes. This is important for you to observe different aspects of their behavior and physical characteristics. Take as many pictures as you can.
You will return to the trailhead where a certificate of successfully trekking to encounter these unique gorillas will be given to you. The entire gorilla trek will take 3-6 hours, depending on the location of these great apes. Your fitness level is also a significant factor on how fast you can walk to find them. You will return to the trailhead and also get a certificate that indicates your successful gorilla trek.
Your driver will immediately take you back to Kigali city. You will arrive in Kigali city in the evening. Your driver will take you to your booked accommodation or drop you off to Kigali International Airport. You will board your flight to depart back home. This is the end of your 2 days Bwindi gorilla trek from Kigali.
