Uganda · Trekking

3-Day Bwindi Gorilla Trek from Kampala with Batwa Community Visit

3 Days Round trip from Kampala Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Trek through Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to find a habituated gorilla family
  • 02 Travel via Buhoma Gate with scenic stops at the Kayabwe Equator and Mbarara
  • 03 Visit the Batwa community and the Buhoma community to witness local life
  • 04 Experience the rich beauty of southwestern Uganda on breathtaking drives

Embark on a 3-day tour from Kampala to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwestern Uganda. Travel through scenic countryside with stops at the Kayabwe Equator and Mbarara before reaching Bwindi via Buhoma Gate. Trek through unmade paths, moist, thick jungles, hills, valleys, and slopes in search of a habituated gorilla family, then spend time with the Batwa and Buhoma communities to witness local life. This journey combines breathtaking drives, unforgettable gorilla trekking, and meaningful cultural encounters.

You will be allowed to see the gorillas for strictly one hour before walking back to the starting point.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 3 Days
Tour type Private
Activity level Moderate
Accommodation Included · Standard
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Kampala, Entebbe, Mbarara, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

  • Today, your driver-guide will be ready to pick you up from your lodge or hotel in Kampala, brief you about the trip, and start your journey to southwestern Uganda. It is a long day of driving; however, we will make en-route stops at the Kayabwe Equator for photographs and Mbarara City for lunch.
  • You will reach Bwindi in the late evening via Buhoma Gate, check in at your lodge, have dinner, and rest for the next day.

Accommodation

Luxury: Buhoma Lodge

Mid-range: Bwindi Forest Lodge

2
Day 02

Gorilla Trek and Community Visit

  • Today, you will enjoy breakfast and hurry to the Buhoma starting point for the trekking briefing. A group of trekkers, accompanied by an armed ranger-guide, will search for the gentle giants. This kind of adventure is limited to the central African jewel of the Virunga Conservation Area and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The trek lasts from about 30 minutes to about 4 hours to find your assigned habituated gorilla family. The tour involves walking through unmade paths, moist, thick jungles, and hiking slopes through hills and valleys in search of the gorillas. It is a tiresome moment, but it is worth the trek. You will be allowed to see the gorillas for strictly one hour before walking back to the starting point. You will be exhausted, so you must drive back to your lodge and relax.
  • In the late afternoon, you will visit the Batwa community and the Buhoma community to witness local life. Then, return to your lodge, relax, have dinner, and rest for the next day.

Luxury: Buhoma Lodge

Midrange: Bwindi Forest Lodge

3
Day 03

Scenic Drive Back to Kampala

  • Today, following your breakfast, we will have a scenic and breathtaking drive from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park back to Kampala. We will make an en-route stop for lunch in Mbarara or at the Equator in Kayabwe, depending on the time.
  • You will reach Kampala in the evening, and your driver-guide will take you to your hotel or Entebbe Airport for your next flight back home.
Kayabwe Equator, Buhoma Gate, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Where this trip takes you

Kayabwe Equator, Buhoma Gate, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Kampala 4 cities · 3 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • 4x4 safari vehicle with a professional licensed English driver-guide
  • Airport pick-up and drop-off
  • All trip fuel
  • All meals and soft drinks
  • All park entrances
  • One gorilla permit per person
  • Accommodation
  • Community visits

What's Not Included

  • Visa and air ticket
  • Laundry
  • All hard drinks
  • Souvenirs
  • Tips
  • All domestic and international flights

What to bring

  • Valid travel documents, such as a photocopy of your passport
  • A mask for gorilla trekking
  • Binoculars, cameras, memory cards, enough batteries for the camera, and any other item you find necessary on this trip
  • A reasonable amount of money for your personal needs as indicated in the itinerary (lunch en route on the first and last day)
  • Rain gear, hiking shoes, gloves, a hat or cap, sunglasses, sunscreen, gaiters, insect repellents, and after-bite treatment
  • Nature-blending coloured clothes such as green, lemon green, brown, and cream
  • Personal medication, and if you have any sickness, please inform the driver-guide so they know

Know before you go

  • Please note that drones are not allowed.
  • Mornings and evenings may be cooler, and it may rain at any time, so carry some sweaters or jackets.
  • Solid walking shoes or flip-flops and sturdy clothing are ideal for walks.
  • Do not forget to wear a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a waterproof jacket, as the guide will advise you.
  • During safaris, we advise you to avoid black, white, yellow, pink, red, and dark blue clothes because they attract many insects and are not nature-friendly. Since you will be travelling through the community with the local people, we suggest wearing appropriate clothing, such as trousers or long skirts and a top that covers the shoulders.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Kampala, Uganda
Tour start
Kampala, Uganda
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 3 days finish where they began, in Kampala.

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Estimated room rates

Single Room $1,000.00 — $1,200.00
Double Sharing $1,000.00 — $1,200.00

When

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