3 Day Uganda Gorilla Safari from Kigali
3 Day Uganda Gorilla Safari from Kigali
Overview
This 3 day Uganda gorilla safari from Kigali is perfect for travelers who want to trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park while minimizing travel time and enjoying more affordable permit costs.
Starting and ending in Kigali, Rwanda, the journey to Bwindi takes only about 4–5 hours compared to the longer 8–9 hour drive from Entebbe. By trekking gorillas in Uganda instead of Rwanda, you also benefit from a lower gorilla permit cost of USD 800 per person—saving up to USD 900 compared to Rwanda permits.
This short safari offers a convenient way to experience one of Africa’s most extraordinary wildlife encounters while enjoying scenic landscapes across Rwanda and southwestern Uganda.
Safari Highlights
- Start and end the safari in Kigali, Rwanda
- Track endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Scenic drive through Rwanda’s “Land of a Thousand Hills”
- Comfortable transportation in a 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Airport or hotel transfers included
- Ideal for solo travelers, couples, or small groups
- Fully customizable itinerary
- Minimum age for gorilla trekking: 15 years
Trip Itinerary
Morning: Your driver-guide will meet you at Kigali International Airport or your hotel in Kigali. Begin the journey with a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a powerful and educational site that reflects Rwanda’s history and resilience.
Afternoon: Continue your scenic drive through Rwanda’s rolling hills before crossing into Uganda via the Katuna border. Stop in Kabale town for lunch before proceeding to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas.
Evening: Arrive at your lodge near the park for check-in, dinner, and overnight rest.
Drive Time: 4–5 hours
Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation Options
- Budget: Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge / Bakiga Lodge
- Midrange: Four Gorillas Lodge / Gorilla Leisure Lodge
- Luxury: Gorilla Heights Lodge / Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge / Kiho Lodge
Morning: After an early breakfast, transfer to the Bwindi park headquarters for a briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers. You will learn about gorilla trekking rules and safety guidelines before being assigned a gorilla family to track.
Trekking: Begin your trek into the dense rainforest in search of the gorillas. The trek may take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours depending on where the gorilla family is located. Along the way, your ranger guide will share insights about the forest ecosystem, wildlife, and conservation efforts.
Encounter: Once the gorillas are found, you will spend one unforgettable hour observing them in their natural habitat—watching them feed, groom, and interact with one another.
Evening: After the trek, return to the lodge for dinner and relaxation.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation Options
- Budget: Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge / Bakiga Lodge
- Midrange: Four Gorillas Lodge / Gorilla Leisure Lodge
- Luxury: Gorilla Heights Lodge / Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge / Kiho Lodge
Morning: After breakfast, check out and begin the scenic drive back to Kigali through the beautiful hills of southwestern Uganda and northern Rwanda.
Afternoon: Stop for lunch along the way before continuing to Kigali. Upon arrival, your guide will drop you off at Kigali International Airport for your flight or at your hotel in Kigali.
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 indicated 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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