Uganda · Up-Close Animal Experiences

3-Day Gorilla Trekking Tour to Bwindi from Kampala with Permit

3 Days Round trip from Kampala Easy pace

Meet the mountain gorillas at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Trek through the thick creepers of Bwindi to find endangered mountain gorillas
02 Spend one hour observing mountain gorillas in their natural habitat
03 Receive a certificate for participating in gorilla trekking
04 Experience Uganda's rural life and meet traditional royal drum makers

Search for endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest on this 3-day tour from Kampala. Trek through the park's exuberant vegetation to observe these elusive creatures in their natural habitat, with the chance to spot other primates, birds, and rare tree species along the way. Beyond the wildlife experience, interact with local communities, glimpse Uganda's rural life, and see the traditional drum-making process.

After the briefing, trek through thick creepers and undergrowth with your guides to find the mountain gorillas, which can take anywhere from half an hour to three hours.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 3 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Kampala, Mbarara, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Kampala to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Meet your tour guide in Kampala and depart for your 8-9-hour road trip to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a large primeval forest known for its exceptional biodiversity.
On your way to the park, meet and interact with the royal drum makers. Stop at the equator to capture some amazing memories. You will also find that Ugandans are friendly by nature and eager to interact with visitors.
Continue to Mbarara for lunch and then embark on a scenic drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Accommodation: Buhoma Community Rest Camp

Meals: Lunch and dinner

Day 02

Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

After an early morning breakfast, drive to the park headquarters for registration and join others for a gorilla trekking briefing to learn about the do's and don'ts during your trek.
After the briefing, trek through thick creepers and undergrowth with your guides to find the mountain gorillas, which can take anywhere from half an hour to three hours. The steeply forested landscape is incredibly dense, but it is crisscrossed by numerous animal trails that allow access to tourists. On your trek, you are likely to spot other primates, birds, and rare tree species.
After finding the gorillas, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them before trekking back to the park headquarters. This is indeed an extraordinary feeling - being with these beautiful yet endangered creatures. You will be awarded a certificate for participating in gorilla trekking and thus contributing to the conservation of mountain gorillas.

Accommodation: Buhoma Community Rest Camp

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 03

Bwindi to Kampala

After breakfast, drive back to Kampala and be dropped off either at your accommodation or at the airport by your Ugandan tour guide.
Make occasional stops along the way to catch a glimpse of Uganda's rural life, watch herdsmen with their cattle, and enjoy the beautiful landscape as it unfolds before you.
Visit the drum makers - one stop you should not miss - and get a sneak peek into the process of making traditional drums.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch

Where this trip takes you

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, the equator, Mbarara

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Kampala 3 cities · 3 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Gorilla permit
All meals and accommodation as per the itinerary
All ground transportation in a comfortable 4×4 vehicle
Park entrance fees
Services of a full-time English-speaking driver
Water while on safari
All activities stipulated in the itinerary
All government taxes and levies

What's Not Included

Phone calls and bar bills
Personal insurance
Airfare
All other services of a personal nature
Driver/guide's gratuity
No accommodation on day 3, although it can be arranged at an extra cost
Activities not mentioned in the itinerary

Know before you go

You have always wished to trek gorillas, but has your budget always limited you? This 3-day budget gorilla trekking tour to Bwindi is perfect for you. You will spend 3 days in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, located in southwestern Uganda and home to half of the endangered mountain gorillas (approximately 400 individuals). Depending on the availability of gorilla permits at the time of confirmation, you may trek gorillas in Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, or Nkuringo.
Uganda is a land of contrasts. Uganda is alive with these contrasts: the massive, lumbering yet silent elephant disappearing like vapor behind the trees, the chimpanzees crashing about the forest canopy, the lugubrious gorilla chewing thoughtfully in the bamboo thicket, snowcapped peaks, tropical sandy freshwater beaches, and smiling faces everywhere.

Logistics