Fred is incredibly knowledgable about Ugandan and Rwandan cultures and traditions so the long drive was also a good opportunity to learn lots of interesting facts about the two countries. The vehicle (Land cruiser 4X4) is super comfortable and well sturdy which makes a big difference on “Africa’s massage roads” ie unpaved, full of holes and with landslides during the rainy season. Overall I’ve had a great experience with Bamboo Ecotours and would certainly recommend them to anyone interested in the gorilla trek.
2-Day Gorilla Trekking Safari at Bwindi National Park
A Full Day of Mountain Gorilla Tracking
Learn About & Visit Local Communities
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Visit the kingdom of mountain gorillas! This spectacular national park is the proud home of roughly half the world’s gorilla population, proving why gorilla safaris in Uganda are a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Learn about and see these rock stars of the forest in their natural habitat, explore the traditions and culture of the local people. This trip is the perfect addition to Uganda and Rwanda safaris.
Tour Highlights
Glimpse these rare creatures in the wild and observe their human-like interactions up close
Learn the meaning of adventure on this Uganda trekking tour through the rainforest with experienced local guides
Explore the green expanse of ancient rainforest and its abundance of wildlife
Try your hand at coffee-making, hiking, or canoeing on Lake Mutanda
Learn about the local community with visits to their villages and the Kigali Genocide Memorial and Museum
Make the most of your time with short (but scenic) connections from Kigali to Bwindi National Park
Click the Tabs to Find out More
Trip Details
Trip Details
Price
Adults (15-80): $1,976
Please inquire for the budget accommodation price, this is our midrange/comfortable accommodation tour
2 persons or more: $1,530 per person
3 persons or more: $1,420 per person
4 persons or more: $1,330 per person
Departure Time
Anytime between 7:00 am to 11:00 am (Kigali, Rwanda timezone)
Meeting Point
We offer pick-up from the following places for this experience:
- Kigali International Airport (on day 1), Rwanda
- Your guesthouse in downtown Kigali, Rwanda
- Please inquire for information on a custom pick up
Availability
Monday to Sunday, year-round
Duration
2 days
Difficulty Level
Moderate – uphill trekking
Group Size
1 to 4 persons
Included
- Meals: 1 x breakfast, 1 x dinner, 1 x lunch
- Accommodation for one night in a mid-range lodge
- One gorilla trekking permit per person (value of $800 USD)
- Transport in a 4×4 vehicle and fuel
- Admission to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Not Included
- Optional activities (see tab 4)
- Visas and other costs of personal nature
- Porter fees, gratuities, travel insurance, and medical expenses
- Any other costs not listed in the itinerary
- Admission to Lake Mutanda – $30 USD
What to Bring
- Hiking boots
- Garden gloves
- Rain jacket or poncho
- Long-sleeved shirt/blouse
- Cameras and extra batteries
- Hat/cap and sunglasses
- Pair of binoculars
- Flashlight (torch)
- Mosquito repellent
- Other items to include: zoom lens for wildlife shots and energy bars/bites
Participation Requirements
- Age restriction: 15-80 years old
- A valid passport is required on the day of travel
- This tour is not wheelchair accessible
- We advise against people with heart problems or other serious medical conditions participating on this tour
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
Good to Know
Depending on the availability of gorilla permits, we may propose trekking gorillas at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
What You'll Do
We will pick you up at Kigali Airport or downtown Kigali and drive you to Bwindi National Park. The scenic drive to Uganda will go through Rwanda’s northwestern town of Ruhengeri, the gateway to Volcanoes National Park, another popular spot for mountain gorilla tracking. We will then circle around the mountains to cross over into Uganda via the Cyanika or Katuna border posts. The trip continues through the nearby towns of Kisoro or Kabale, both are small towns nestled into the luscious greenery at the feet of the Virunga Mountains and the hills adjacent to Lake Bunyonyi respectively. We will wind through the mountain roads to our final destination — Bwindi, arriving early afternoon. Spend the afternoon as you wish and choose from our array of optional activities such as hiking through the luscious hills, visiting the local Batwa community, learning about the area’s largest industry with a coffee-making tour, or paddle at sunset on a canoe trip on the idyllic Lake Mutanda, with the mountains as your backdrop.
Meal plan: lunch, dinner
Today is the main event, our Uganda gorilla trek! You will embark on a full-day adventure to track the mountain gorillas in Bwindi Forest National Park. This national park is the home to roughly half the world’s population of mountain gorillas, making it THE destination for tracking. The trek will commence with a short briefing on gorilla trekking rules to ensure the safety of guests and the protection of these animals in their natural habitat. You will then start the trek into the impenetrable forest to encounter the gentle giants of Bwindi National Park. This is a true adventure and part of the excitement is finding the gorillas. Follow the guides as they make paths through the thick vegetation until the special moment that you encounter these majestic creatures. It is a truly unique experience and will surely be one of the standout moments of your trip. After the gorilla trek, head back downhill and drive back to Kigali, Rwanda.
Note that since gorilla trekking can at times take more than 5hrs, it is recommended not to book a flight out of Kigali that departs before 10:00 pm local time in the evening of Day 2. Uganda’s time zone (East Africa Time) is one hour ahead of Rwanda’s time zone (Central Africa Time).
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch
Lodges & Accommodation
- Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge(opens in a new tab)
- Mutanda Lake Resort(opens in a new tab)
- Rushaga Gorilla Camp(opens in a new tab)
- Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge(opens in a new tab)
- Lake Chahafi Resort (opens in a new tab)
We will choose from one of these lodges according to availability.
Optional Activities
- Golden Monkey Trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park – $100 USD
- The Batwa Trail Cultural Tour inside Mgahinga Gorilla National Park – $80 USD
- Visit the Batwa Community in the Village – $30 USD
- Canoe Trekking at Lake Mutanda – $30 USD
- Coffee-Making Experience – $30 USD
- Mabungo Community Village Tour in Kisoro – $30 USD
See our Local Experiences(opens in a new tab) page for more information on each activity.
See What Our Previous Guests Have Said
The first trip was to Bwindi to see the mountain gorillas. Jackson was the driver for this and he was fantastic. He was extremely knowledgeable about the area and was a joy to talk to during the journey and I highly recommend him. Edison and Bamboo Ecotours took care of the gorilla permit and everything was completely ready upon my arrival to Bwindi.
The trip organised by Bamboo Ecotours was seamless, from the correspondence with Edison before our trip to our lovely driver, Fred, during the visit. Fred was always friendly, punctual and ready to help us with any request. The gorillas themselves are magnificent and we were extremely happy with the accommodation options Edison suggested. It was an all-round unforgettable weekend!