Guide to Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest National Park

5 Days Gorilla Trekking Uganda from Kigali

5 DAYS GORILLA TREKKING UGANDA FROM KIGALI.

5 Days Gorilla Trekking Uganda from Kigali: Given how expensive gorilla trekking in Rwanda is, visitors can now opt to do gorilla trekking in Uganda from Kigali which is much cheaper. Main highlights of this 5 days Uganda Safari include gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable national park and golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga national park, located in the southwestern part of Uganda.

Highlights for 5 Days Gorilla Trekking Uganda from Kigali.

DAY 1: Arrival in Kigali & Transfer from Kigali to Bwindi.

DAY 2: Gorilla Trekking & Batwa Trail Experience.

DAY 3: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

DAY 4: Golden Monkey Tracking in Mgahinga National Park.

DAY 5: Transfer Back to Kigali.

Detailed Itinerary for 5 Days Gorilla Trekking Uganda from Kigali.

DAY 1: Arrival in Kigali & Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Arrival & Transfer to Bwindi: On Day 1 of your 5 Days Gorilla Trekking Uganda from Kigali Safari, your guide will pick you up from your hotel in Kigali City and you will embark on a journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park passing through either Katuna or Cyanika borders. It is a 4- 5 hour drive from Kigali city with a stopover at Lake Mutanda in Kisoro district in Uganda. You will have lunch here while enjoying the beautiful scenery at the Lake. Later proceed to the national park where you will check into your lodge for dinner and overnight stay while on a Uganda Safari.

DAY 2: Gorilla Trekking & Batwa Trail Experience.

Gorilla Trekking: Have breakfast every early in the morning at your Lodge then proceed to the park’s headquarters in Buhoma. Please do note that it is important to be at the park by 7:00 am. This marks the start of your Uganda Gorilla tracking activity with a briefing from the head ranger/ park warden. Actual gorilla trekking activities in the park commence at exactly 8am. You will then be placed in groups of 8 individuals along with a well-trained park ranger and guide. You can request for a porter to carry your luggage but this will come at an extra fee. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi national park can take between 4 to 8 hours or more depending on how long it will take for you to locate a given gorilla group. Once your gorilla group has been located, you will only get to spend an hour with these majestic primates. You will be given time to have your lunch which you packed from your lodge.

5 Days Gorilla Trekking Uganda from Kigali
Bwindi Gorillas

Batwa Trail Experience: After your lunch, you will proceed to do the Batwa Trail Experience, which is conducted by local Batwa guides. Get to learn more about the Batwa’s long and ancient history with the forest, and also learn how to make some local herbal medicines, and Batwa traditional hunting skills.

Later, return to your Lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 3: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi: After having your breakfast in the morning, check out of your lodge and meet-up with your guide. You will then embark on a 2½ hours’ drive to Lake Bunyonyi in Kabale district. The lake is the second deepest lake in Africa measuring about 900 meters deep. You will enjoy a boat ride on one of the traditionally made canoes as you view birdlife around the lake and its surrounding areas. If you wish, you can as well explore any of the 29 islands on the lake including the Punishment Island and Bushara Island.

Transfer to Kisoro: You will have lunch at Lake Bunyonyi Overland Resort and then drive to Kisoro town where you will check into your hotel for dinner and accommodation at Mutanda Lake Resort/Mondi Lodge/ Clouds Gorilla Lodge.

DAY 4: Golden Monkey Tracking in Mgahinga National Park.

Golden Monkey Tracking: Start your day early in the morning with breakfast. You will then drive to the park headquarters in Ntebeko arriving at 7am for a briefing from the head ranger at the park. You will be placed in tracking groups consisting of at most 8 members and then head into the forest in search for golden monkeys. Tracking a group of golden monkeys can at times take between 4 to 6 hours or more depending on the location of a group of monkeys. Once you have located a group of golden monkeys, you will be given an hour to spend with the monkeys hence make sure your camera is ready to capture the wonderful experience.

5 Days Gorilla Trekking Uganda from Kigali
Golden Monkey trekking in Mgahinga

Later drive back to your lodge/hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 5: Transfer Back to Kigali with Optional City Tour.

Transfer Back to Kigali: Have your morning breakfast and transfer back to Kigali City where upon your arrival in Kigali City, you can opt to take a short tour of the city. While on the tour of Kigali City, you will visit sites like Camp Kigali; where 10 Belgian soldiers were killed the day after the Rwandan genocide began. Other historical and cultural sites you will visit while on your tour include; Kigali Genocide Memorial, Umusambi Village (home to over 50 rescued grey crested cranes) and Caplaki Craft Village, where you can get some souvenirs for your loved ones back home. Later transfer to your Hotel or Airport in Kigali.

End of your tour.

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