Your 5-day adventure in Bwindi Forest National Park begins with a flight from Entebbe to Kisoro Airstrip, where you’ll meet your safari guide. From there, you’ll head into the lush, impenetrable forest, home to our closest relatives—the majestic mountain gorillas. The quest to find these incredible creatures in their natural habitat promises to be one of the most unforgettable experiences of your life.
Summarized itinerary
Day 1: Arrive at Entebbe International airport. Meet your driver and transfer to your hotel for an overnight.
Day 2: Transfer back to Entebbe International airport for your scheduled flight to Kisoro Airstrip. Meet your guide and transfer to your accommodation in Bwindi National Park. Afternoon Batwa community experience.
Day 3: Gorilla trekking – Bwindi Forest National Park
Day 4: Gorilla Habituation – Bwindi Forest National Park
Day 5: Transfer back to Kisoro Airstrip for your morning scheduled flight to Entebbe International airport. End of services.
Price inclusions
- Safari vehicle and guide.
- Accommodation in the itinerary
- Activities in the itinerary
- All meals and house drinks while in the park at the Lodge.
- Gorilla permit
- Park entrance
Price exclusions
- Additional activities
- Premium drinks
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Arrive at Entebbe International airport. Meet your driver and transfer to your hotel for an overnight.
Your driver will be waiting for you at the airport exit lounge, holding a sign to transfer you to K-Hotel. This luxury accommodation features well-appointed rooms and upscale amenities designed for an executive stay, including free internet access, a television, a stylish reading table, and a safety deposit box.
From your room’s balcony, you’ll enjoy stunning views of Lake Victoria and the botanical gardens. K-Hotel is conveniently located within walking distance of Victoria Shopping Mall and the gardens. Picture yourself sipping a cup of coffee on your balcony as the sun sets over the second-largest freshwater lake in the world.
The hotel also offers a gym and a massage spa, perfect for rejuvenating and refreshing before your safari adventure the next day.
Dinner and Overnight at K-hotel.
Day 2: Transfer back to Entebbe International airport for your scheduled flight to Kisoro Airstrip. Meet your guide and transfer to your accommodation in Bwindi National Park. Afternoon Batwa community experience.
Your driver will meet you at the Hotel and transfer you back to Entebbe International Airport for your morning scheduled flight to Kisoro Airstrip. Meet your Guide and continue to your accommodation and Bwindi National Park. Bwindi National Park covering over 331 square kilometers is one of the last remaining habitats for mountain gorillas in the world and it is home to half of the world’s population.
It was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site after being converted into a National Park.
The park is located in South Western Uganda and it is one of the most treasured natural wonders due to its rich biodiversity boasting more than 120 species of mammals, 200 species of butterflies, and over 350 species of birds, including the rare Albertine Rift endemics.
The dense forests are a sanctuary for various primate species, including the grey-cheeked mangabey and the L’Hoest’s monkey in addition to its popularity of endangered mountain gorillas’ population in the spectacular landscapes featuring steep hills, deep valleys, and a mix of vegetational zones ranging from montane and lowland forests to bamboo and swampy areas covered in mist.
Return to the Lodge, relax and later head out in the afternoon for the Batwa Cultural experience.
Experience the rich culture of the Batwa, one of the original inhabitants of Bwindi Forest. After a 3–4-hour hike to their village, you’ll meet Batwa elders and families, gaining insight into their daily lives. An interpreter will be available to bridge any language gaps as you learn about their traditional practices, bush life, and connection to the forest. Visitors can even try their hand at lighting a fire with sticks or using traditional weapons.
Dinner and overnight at Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Safari Lodge.
Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Safari Lodge offers an unforgettable experience nestled in the breath-taking landscape of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. With stunning views of the surrounding mountains and lush forests, this lodge combines luxury and comfort for an exceptional stay.
Accommodations feature well-furnished rooms with modern amenities, ensuring a relaxing retreat after a day of gorilla trekking. Enjoy delicious local and international cuisine at the lodge’s restaurant, and unwind on the terrace while taking in the picturesque scenery.
The lodge’s proximity to gorilla trekking starting points makes it an ideal base for your adventure. After an exhilarating day in the forest, you can relax at the lodge, perhaps enjoying a massage or sharing stories around the campfire with fellow travelers. Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Safari Lodge is a perfect blend of nature, adventure, and comfort.
Day 3: Gorilla trekking – Bwindi Forest National Park
After enjoying your breakfast, your guide will escort you to the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) Park headquarters. Once there, you’ll register in the UWA logbook before participating in a briefing conducted by a ranger. This session will cover essential guidelines for your trek, including the important rule against using flash photography with the gorillas. Following the briefing, you’ll be assigned a specific gorilla family to track, and your adventure will begin as you set off with your ranger.
Get ready to meet the majestic giants of Africa—an experience that promises to be unforgettable! Your journey will start from the park headquarters as you navigate through marked trails in the dense forest, searching for these incredible creatures. Since gorillas are wild and constantly on the move in search of food, your trek might extend up to nine hours, though many guests are fortunate enough to find them within just a few hours. You’ll have a remarkable 95% chance of encountering them.
When you finally locate a family, you’ll have the privilege of spending an hour observing them as they engage in their daily routines and capturing the moments with your camera. This experience is often described as exhilarating, awe-inspiring, and profoundly humbling.
In addition to the gorillas, keep your eyes peeled for other wildlife, such as monkeys, various bird species, and rare trees that inhabit the forest. After your encounter, you’ll return to the UWA headquarters to collect your participation certificate before your guide takes you back to your lodge.
GORILLA TREKKING ESSENTIALS:
- Dress in long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, layering a t-shirt underneath.
- Choose sturdy walking boots and long socks for comfort.
- Pack a daypack with waterproof gear, 2-3 liters of water, and a packed lunch.
- Consider wearing gardening gloves to protect your hands from thorns and nettles.
- Hiring a porter can be beneficial to carry your daypack and assist you on the trails.
- Remember, flash photography is not permitted when capturing images of the gorillas.
- Reach at the lodge, relax and proceed later for enjoy an amazing experience with the local community around Bwindi.
Dinner and overnight at Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Safari Lodge.
Day 4: Gorilla Habituation – Bwindi Forest National Park
Prepare yourself for another exciting day in the Bwindi Forest!
Gorilla habituation is a unique process that helps Gorillas become familiar and comfortable with human presence. This journey takes about two years, during which the gorillas are gradually acclimated to their human visitors. Unlike gorilla trekking, where visitors spend just one hour with the gorillas, habituation allows for up to four hours of observation. During this time, researchers collect valuable data to deepen our understanding of mountain gorilla behavior.
In Africa, gorilla habituation occurs exclusively in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi National Park. Currently, only two families are habituated, with a maximum of four visitors allowed per family each day. This means only eight people can participate in gorilla habituation daily, making permits highly sought after. To avoid disappointment, it’s essential to book through Nirvana tours well in advance.
Dinner and overnight at Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Safari Lodge.
Day 5: Transfer back to Kisoro Airstrip for your morning scheduled flight to Entebbe International airport. End of services.
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