The tour starts in Rwanda (the land of a thousand hills) at Kigali international airport or your hotel in Kigali, from which you will be transferred to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southern Uganda, a journey of only 4 hours. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a UNESCO world heritage site and a home to 459 gorillas, an increase from 400 as of the 2018 census.
In Bwindi, there are currently four gorilla trekking sectors. These include; Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo. Therefore, you will do gorilla trekking from one of these sectors, especially Rushaga since it is nearest to Rwanda. You can also do your gorilla trekking from Mgahinga National Park, since it is closer to Rwanda.
Contact Ugandan tour for this amazing Gorilla safari. it will reward you with the most important highlight of an African safari that is filled with the art of nature and thrill of pleasure. This safari is recommended, most importantly because you get to save a lot on money, since gorilla trekking in Uganda is cheaper (US$ 700) than in Rwanda (US$ 1500) making the whole gorilla trekking more exciting and affordable. You will also save time by spending less time on the way since Kigali to Bwindi is shorter (4 to 5 hours) as compared to the Entebbe-Bwindi route that requires 8 to 9 hours.
The driver guide will pick you up from Kigali and transfer you to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via Cyanika border point through the terraced hills of Kisoro and head to the location of your booked gorilla group. This is faster as compared to the Entebbe- Bwindi route where one spends approximately 8 hours during the journey. You will drive through Ruhengeri in the Musanze region, where you will have a thrilling taste of the “a thousand hills”, before you exit Rwanda. You’ll witness spectacular views of the terraces and Lake Mutanda.
Have early breakfast, carry enough drinking water and transfer to the briefing point by 7.30am. While here, you will carry out registration and join others for a gorilla trekking briefing about the precautions and guidelines of the gorilla trekking activity. You will then be assigned a gorilla group, meet the ranger guide and start the trek into the forest. The forest is usually wet and muddy with steep slopes.
The sounds and sights of different birds and butterfly species offer a variety of form and colour that satisfy you with a rare sort of happiness! The guide will keep providing information about trees, birds, butterflies and other wildlife in the forest until you reach the gorilla family you’ve been tracking.
The gorillas are located in different places across the forest and therefore the time taken to find one group varies and cannot be estimated before. It is just estimated to range from 30 minutes to over 5 hours.
Once you have reached them, you will be allowed to stay for one hour to observe these gentle giants. During this time, you will observe the gorillas carrying out their daily activities and also have photography moments. At the end of the trek, you will return to the park headquarters to pick certificates. You will then meet the driver guide and transfer back to the lodge for relaxation and overnight. Then the next day, cross back to Rwanda for your arranged flight.
