Overview.
The 7 Days gorilla trekking safari takes you through a trek to see mountain gorillas in all the 4 sectors in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It is in the 4 sectors where you will find the habituated gorilla families and they include Buhoma, Nkuringo, Rushaga and Ruhija Area.
Bwindi National Park is situated in the Southwestern side of Uganda, a 331sq.km protected area and home to over 459 endangered mountain gorillas.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Travel to Buhoma sector
After a hefty breakfast, first you will get a briefing about your gorilla safari to Bwindi and set off via the Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara-Kanungu route. It is a long road trip, but exciting because you have a variety to explore en-route and great time to relax the muscles.
You will be making a stopover at the Equator crossing, stretch and purchase some craft products and proceed to enjoy a lunch meal in Igongo cultural center. You will set off from Igongo with a scenic drive, view the rolling hills of Southwestern Uganda and connect to your accommodation in Buhoma region.
Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Buhoma region & transfer to Ruhija sector
Briefing about gorilla trekking rules will be done at the Buhoma offices and of the 4 gorilla families, you will be trekking only one as of today. The trek begins at 8:00 am with the company of an experienced park guide taking about 2-6 hours inclusive of photography and observing how gorillas behave, groom, and bond.
Get back from Buhoma forest and enjoy lunch, check out and drive to a lodge around Ruhija –the eastern region in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Day 3: Gorilla trekking in Ruhija region
Ruhija region is comprised of 4 groups (Mukiza, Oruzogo, Kyaguriro & Bitukura) and trekking any of these families starts at 8:00 am after briefing. Depending on the fitness levels and location of gorilla families, you will take between 2 and 6 hours inclusive of unforgettable encounter with these larges for 1 hour.
Day 4: Ruhija community walks and connect to Rushaga sector
Wake early and enjoy breakfast at leisure, then leave the lodge for a community walk to interact with residents living adjacent to Bwindi National Park. The community walk experience includes learning the different traditions, cultures and norms. Retreat from community tour and have lunch, after, proceed to the Southern sector – Rushaga region.
Day 5: Gorilla trek in Rushaga & relaxation
A lovely breakfast will be enjoyed at the lodge and you will transfer to Rushaga trailhead for briefing. Rushaga has over 9 habituated families of mountain gorillas and include Nshongi, Mucunguzi, Bweza, Busingye, Mishaya, Kahungye, and others. Only one group will be allocated to you by the park official to visit today and the trek may go for 2-6 hours which covers one hour of a close encounter. Return and have some relaxation before connecting to Nkuringo sector.
Day 6: Gorilla trekking in Nkuringo
You will walk up early morning and have a heavy breakfast, after which you will be transferred to Nkuringo trailhead for briefing. This area has 3 gorilla families all open for tourism and include Nkuringo, Posho, Christmas and Bikingi.
After observing and photography, walk back to chill at the comfortable lodge in or around Nkuringo.
Day 7: Departure
You will meet the driver guide for pick up and return to Kampala/Entebbe. This 8-9 hours’ road trip includes en-route stopover at the hotel in Mbarara city & photography at the Equator.
End of tour
