4 Day Uganda Gorilla Trek – Bwindi

Day 1: Kigali
Upon arrival at the Kigali airport you will be welcomed by our tour guide/ driver and after a short briefing you will be transferred to your Hotel in Kigali

Kigali was founded in 1907 as small colonial outpost by Dr. Richard Kant, the first German colonial resident of Rwanda. The city has made tremendous progress since 1994 genocide. Considered one of the safest and friendliest of African capitals, Kigali is blessed with a moderate high altitude climate. It is inhabited by approximately 1 million people who now enjoy the benefits of peace. You will be pleasantly surprised at how comfortable it feels to be among the gentle people of Rwanda who will be delighted to welcome you to their beautiful, exceptionally friendly country.

Upon arrival to your Hotel you will immediately check in to your room for your overnight stay.
Accommodation: Onomo Hotel or similar

Day 2: Kigali to Bwindi National Park
After a leisure morning breakfast at around 9 am, your driver/guide will pick you up from your Hotel and immediate transfer to Bwindi National park in Uganda though Cyanika Boarder. You will enjoy the landscape of Rwanda and Uganda and the journey from Kigali to the border takes around 3 Hours. From the border to Rushaga southern sector of Bwindi takes another 2 hours. The Journey Kigali to the Bwindi national Park/Uganda takes approximately 5 hours including border crossing. Arriving at the lodge in the late afternoon or in the early evening depending on the time you have spend on your way stopping for some pictures, admiring the views, having lunch, etc…, check in, dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Icyumbi Gorilla Lodge [Breakfast, lunch and dinner]

Day 3: Gorilla trekking in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Wake up for an early morning breakfast and at around 7AM, we head to the Bwindi National Park Head quarter. Assemble at the park headquarter for your Gorilla Trek experience, briefing from the park rangers about the dos and don’ts while with the gorillas. Today, your gorilla trek is sure to be the highlight of your tour. We will be at the ranger station by around 8:00am, where we are allocated guides and briefed before heading into the forest. We will track one of the seven habituated Gorilla groups in Uganda and the rest of the other 6 groups remain in Bwindi National Park. Move in a company of experienced ranger guides through the forest while searching for mountain gorillas. Only eight people are able to track each habituated group. Time taken while searching for these great apes, rangers between 2 to 6 hours depending on the movement of the gorilla groups as their territory can range up to 40km. The park rangers and guides will clear the way and assist you through the forest. Once the gorilla group is located you will spend an hour with them as they feed, rest and play.

Habituation of a gorilla group takes a minimum of two years, with daily visits to allow the gorilla group to tolerate human presence. It is only when the gorillas are completely comfortable with human presence that tourists are allowed to share the daily hour of contact with them.

Sitting with the mountain gorilla is one of the most amazing wildlife experiences you will ever have. A dominant male silverback can weigh over 200 kilos and is the largest living primate. He will control our meeting as well as deciding when his group will eat, sleep and move on. His females care for their young with affection and playfulness but also with discipline. They are very curious, and are capable of making over 25 different vocalizations, including chuckling and purring. Communication also includes posturing, chest beating and if all else fails – the charge! The privilege of spending an hour with this family group is an experience that will never leave you. After your hour is up, you wind your way slowly out of the forest and back to the camp to swap stories about your amazing experience.

For the gorilla trek please bring walking boots, or waterproof trainers and socks. You need to wear long pants whilst walking in the bush due to stinging nettles. Layers are best, as conditions in the tropical rain forest can change from hot to wet and cold in an instant. Start with a long sleeved t-shirt and long pants thick socks and boots, add a fleece and rainproof jacket and you should be right for all conditions. Volcanoes National Park where the gorillas reside is a high altitude rainforest so come prepared for all conditions.

After the Gorilla trekking, return to your lodge, refresh a bit and the reminder of your day is at leisure.
Accommodation: Icyumbi Gorilla Lodge [Breakfast, lunch and dinner]

Day 5: Bwindi to Kigali
After a Leisure morning breakfast at around 9:00 am, you will drive to Kigali through Gatuna boarder. You will drive though the Hills of Kabale and Kisoro with terraced landscape; an area referred to as the “Switzerland of Africa”. The Journey from Bwindi National Park/Uganda to Kigali will generally take approximately 5 hours. and you will be dropped off at Kigali airport for your onward flight.
[Breakfast]

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