1 Day Bwindi Gorilla Tour from Kigali
This wonderful 1 day Bwindi Gorilla tour from Kigali is extraordinarily different from other one day gorilla tours mainly because it starts and finalizes from Kigali City, hence allowing trekkers to take advantage of the less exorbitant gorilla permits of Uganda.
A gorilla permit in Rwanda costs $1500 per person but in Uganda it’s currently at $700 per person thus the 1 day Bwindi Gorilla tour is the perfect plan B for the 1 day Rwanda Gorilla tour. You will be picked up very early from your place of residence on the day of trekking, move to the south-west of Uganda to track the gorillas and be dropped to your place of choice in the evening.
What to expect with the 1 day Bwindi Gorilla tour from Kigali
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off.
- Scenic views of the lush hills of Rwanda and Uganda.
- One to four hours trek within the jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
- One hour encounter with a habituated gorilla group.
- Lunch at one of the best Safari Lodges in Bwindi.
- Transport by a comfortable and customized 4WD Vehicle.
Detailed itinerary of the 1 day Bwindi Gorilla tour from Kigali
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is approximately 3-4 hours’ drive from Kigali City and the day will start with an early morning pick-up from your Hotel (at 3:00am) so as to arrive at the Park Headquarters/or briefing point at 7:00am.
The tour involves border crossing through the Cyanika border to Kisoro Town or through the Katuna border to the Town of Kibale then finally to Bwindi’s southern sector of Rushaga. Drive straight to the briefing point where the Park ranger will take you through the guidelines of trekking the Mountain gorillas to protect you as well as that of these endangered great apes.
Slowly begin the trek in the forest to search for the allocated gorilla group and after 1-4 hours, your efforts will yield positive results when you finally approach the group being signaled by your group ranger. You will spend only one hour taking photos of the Mountain gorillas and if lucky, they will even pose to the camera while other continuing with their usual activities such as feeding, resting and playing. Later head back to the briefing point for your trekking permit then for lunch at Gorilla safari Lodge in Rushaga (the sector you will be tracking from). Return back to Kigali.
End of your 1 day Bwindi Gorilla Tour from Kigali
The 1 day Bwindi Gorilla Tour from Kigali package includes;
- Service of a driver guide and his allowances.
- Border crossing.
- Lunch at Rushaga Gorilla Lodge.
- Relevant Government taxes.
- Gorilla permit (at $600 but will be $700 with effect from 1st July 2020).
- Bottled water.
- Transport with our customized 4WD Vehicle plus fuel.
- Relevant Government taxes.
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off.
This 1 day Bwindi Gorilla tour from Kigali package excludes;
- Ugandan visa.
- Accommodation in Kigali City.
- Personal expenses like souvenirs, cigarettes, alcoholic, non-alcoholic drinks and gratuities.
- Optional activities not included on your itinerary.
What to pack and wear on your 1 day Bwindi Gorilla tour from Kigali.
- Gorilla permit.
- Gardening gloves.
- Walking sticks (acquired from at the briefing point).
- Wide brimmed hat.
- Sunglasses.
- Non-flash camera.
- Waterproof safari pants.
- Strong waterproof hiking boots.
- Packed lunch.
- Rain jacket.
- Long sleeved shirts.
- Pair of binoculars.
Dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking
- Maintain a distance of 7 meters when seeing the Mountain gorillas.
- Spend only one hour with the visited Gorilla group.
- Avoid visiting the mountain gorillas when you have cold or other contagious diseases.
- Only 8 persons can visit a habituated gorilla family per day.
- Do not drink, eat or smoke while in the presence of mountain gorillas.
- Avoid making noise while trekking or when in the presence of mountain gorillas.
- Do not litter the Park.
- Always turn your mouth and face away from the mountain gorillas when coughing or sneezing.