2 Day Bwindi Gorilla Safari via Kigali
2 Day Bwindi Gorilla Safari via Kigali
Overview
This 2 day Bwindi gorilla safari via Kigali is perfect for travelers who want to experience Uganda’s mountain gorillas in the shortest time possible. Starting from Kigali, Rwanda, this itinerary offers a shorter and more scenic 4–5-hour drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park compared to the 9–10 hours from Entebbe.
It is ideal for travelers with limited time who still want a life-changing gorilla trekking experience in Uganda while benefiting from the more affordable gorilla permit cost of USD 800 per person.
Whether you are short on time or prefer to avoid long drives, this 2 day Bwindi gorilla safari through Kigali offers a convenient and memorable way to encounter mountain gorillas in the wild.
Safari Highlights
- Starts and ends in Kigali, Rwanda
- Cross the border into Uganda via Katuna
- Track endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Scenic drive through Rwanda’s “Land of a Thousand Hills”
- Gorilla permit included – USD 800 per person
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof or open-sided option
- Solo travelers welcome
- Daily departures available
Safari Summary
- Day 1: Pick-up from Kigali (city or airport), visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via the Katuna border.
- Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi, return to Kigali for your international flight or overnight stay.
Trip Itinerary
Morning: Your professional driver-guide will pick you up from Kigali International Airport or your hotel in Kigali. Begin your journey with a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a powerful and educational site that honors the victims of the 1994 genocide and highlights Rwanda’s journey of reconciliation.
Afternoon: Continue your scenic drive through Rwanda’s rolling hills toward the Uganda border. Cross into Uganda at the Katuna border and proceed to the town of Kabale for lunch.
After lunch, continue to your lodge near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, arriving in the late afternoon.
Evening: Check in at your lodge, relax, and enjoy dinner as you prepare for your gorilla trekking adventure the following morning.
Drive Time: 4–5 hours
Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation Options
- Budget: Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge / Bakiga Lodge
- Midrange: 4 Gorillas Lodge / Gorilla Leisure Lodge / Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
- Luxury: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge / Gorilla Heights Lodge / Kiho Gorilla Lodge
Morning: After an early breakfast, transfer to the Bwindi park headquarters for a pre-trek briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers. During the briefing, you will learn about gorilla trekking rules, safety guidelines, and the conservation efforts protecting these endangered primates.
You will then begin your guided trek into the forest in search of a habituated gorilla family. The trek can last anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours depending on the location of the gorillas and your fitness level.
Once the gorillas are located, you will spend one unforgettable hour observing them in their natural habitat—watching them feed, groom, and interact with one another.
Afternoon: After the trek, return to the park headquarters to receive your gorilla trekking certificate before beginning the drive back to Kigali. Cross the border again at Katuna and arrive in Kigali in the late afternoon or evening.
Note: If you plan to fly out the same day, we recommend booking a flight departing after 8:00 PM to allow sufficient travel time.
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
Tour Inclusions
- Gorilla trekking permit (USD 800 per person)
- Transportation in a 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Accommodation as listed in the itinerary
- Meals as specified in the itinerary
- Park entrance fees
- Bottled drinking water during the safari
- Airport or hotel transfers in Kigali
Tour Exclusions
- International flights
- Uganda visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses such as laundry, souvenirs, and phone calls
- Alcoholic and soft drinks not included in meals
- Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Tips and gratuities
- Accommodation before or after the safari (can be arranged on request)
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