The 6-day triple gorilla trekking safari will take you to one of Uganda’s most primitive national parks, Bwindi impenetrable forest with the endangered species of gorillas. This park is found in the south western region of Uganda with about 450 mountain gorillas; these are found in the 4 sectors of the park with only three to be visited on this 6 days’ gorilla trip in Uganda that will give you a full experience of the park dwellers. This trip will commence and end in Kampala.
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Bwindi impenetrable national park (Rushaga sector)
An early breakfast, and pick up by our professional safari guide as early as 8:00am, a short briefing about the entire movements and activities of the tour will be done and later start off a 9-hour drive to Bwindi impenetrable national park for lifetime gorilla experience in the three sectors of the park.
Along the way, stop overs will be made at the equator and in Mbarara for lunch and some bit of relaxation. Arrive in Rushaga sector in the southern part of the park, check in at a lodge for overnight stay and where dinner will be served.
Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Rushaga sector
The second day commences with the main tour activities after a delicious breakfast early in the morning, head to the park headquarters for a briefing about the trek. In Rushaga, there are about 5 gorilla families that include Nshongi, Bweza, Kahungye, Busingye, Mishaya, etc. Only one will family will be trekked for 2 to 6 hours, any of your choice as the guide explains to you the bird and plant species you will come across in the forest.
You will be able to see these magical primates as they feed and play. After this activity, head back to the lodge for relaxation and transfer to Batwa communities in the periphery of the park for traditional dances, songs, and craft shopping. Dinner and sleep over will be at your lodge.
Day 3: Transfer from Rushaga to Ruhija sector
Leave Rushaga sector in the south and drive north east wards towards Kabale town. Ruhija sector is located 35km west of Kabale town and home to about 5 gorilla families. It is the second famous and most visited sector after Buhoma. Drive for about 3 hours until you reach Ruhija and in the afternoon, you may choose to visit the Batwa villages and experience their authentic cultures.
Day 4: Gorilla trekking in Ruhija. Overnight stay in Buhoma sector.
After breakfast, head to the headquarters of Ruhija where you will still have a briefing about the dos and don’ts wile on the trek. A number of only 8 individuals will be allowed to trek a designated family of gorillas and only one hour will be spent with these species in the jungle.
This sector has some of Bwindi’s pioneer gorilla families that include Bitukura, Oruzogo and Kyaguriro, but one family will be trekked by the tourists. Bitukura is the friendliest family among the three and it was the first family to be habituated. Ruhija has about 23 bird species, and during the trek for a gorilla family you will experience some of these bird species as well as other primate dwellers in the park. After this experience, drive northwards to Kanungu district based Buhoma gorilla sector.
Day 5: Gorilla trekking in Buhoma sector. Cultural tour in the evening.
Leave your jungle lodge, attend a briefing session at Buhoma park headquarters and penetrate into the forest for trekking. Buhoma sector is home to the oldest gorilla family to be habituated, Mubare gorilla family and you may be lucky to visit it, though allocation of gorilla families to track depends on sole discretion of park officials, but personal requests are occasionally considered.
A gorilla trek experience in Buhoma sector lasts for about 2-8 hours and only 1 hour given to trekkers to experience the presence of mountain gorillas. In the evening, you may visit the neighboring Batwa villages for traditional dances, folk songs, and Buhoma community hospital which is a successful sustainable tourism – community project.
Day 6: Transfer to Kampala from Buhoma sector
Leave Bwindi forest after six days of trekking endangered mountains, and drive through Kanungu – Mbarara – Masaka highway. Stop at equator for photo moments and shopping some souvenirs for memories.
