2 days Bwindi gorilla trekking tour from Kigali involves border crossing from Rwanda to Uganda either via Katuna border to Kabale Town or Chanika to Kisoro then you transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwestern Uganda. This short gorilla excursion is a perfect alternative for trekkers with limited time and do not wish to spend 8 to 10 hours on road from Entebbe or Kampala to Bwindi National Park to trek mountain gorillas.
Bwindi National Park is shared by Kisoro, Kanungu and Kabale districts in southwestern Uganda. It offers refuge to a portion of mountain gorillas that currently account for fewer than 1004 individuals on planet earth. Gorilla treks in this pristine park start from Buhoma region in the north, Ruhija area in the east, Rushaga and Nkuringo area in the southern side. Your 2 days Bwindi gorilla trekking tour will commence and end in Kigali.
What you should expect on 2 days Bwindi gorilla trekking tour
- Kigali city tour
- Magical encounter with a family of mountain gorillas.
- Breathtaking sceneries of southwestern Uganda.
- Batwa cultural experience.
- Transportation in a 4×4 drive safari car.
- Services of an English-speaking driver guide, park ranger guide.
- Border crossing through Katuna or Chanika.
Brief itinerary of 2 days Bwindi gorilla trekking tour
Day 1: Kigali city tour and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 2: Gorilla trekking and drive back to Kigali
Detailed itinerary of your 2 days Bwindi gorilla trekking tour
Day 1: Kigali city tour and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Get the best of your tasty Rwanda tea or coffee at your respective hotel or area of residence and after, meet your driver guide for a quick briefing about your 2 days Bwindi gorilla trekking tour. Later, you will have Kigali city expedition with a chance to visit Kigali genocide site in Gisozi where you will have insight into what happened during the 1994 civil war between the Hutu and Tutsi; visit the nearby local markets, craft shops among others.
After Kigali city tour, start your 4-hour journey to southwestern Uganda via Katuna or Chanika border area. Arrive early enough to check in at your safari lodge and in the evening visit the Batwa community for enjoyable and thrilling cultural dances, music performances as well as learning the unique traditions of Batwa pygmies.
Travel time: 4 hours
Accommodation options at Bwindi National Park
Luxury: Buhoma Lodge/Chameleon Hill Lodge/Gorilla Forest Camp
Midrange: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge/Gorilla Valley Lodge/Nkuringo Gorilla Camp
Budget: Broadbill Forest Camp/Buhoma Community Rest Camp
Day 2: Gorilla trekking and drive back to Kigali
Start your day with an early morning breakfast at your safari lodge and after, connect to a respective trekking region for briefing on the set rules and regulations to be observed while on gorilla trek. Today, you will be allocated a gorilla family to trek in a group of trekkers and one park ranger guide will take you through your adventure. You will also be joined by trackers and porters. A gorilla trek in Bwindi National Park is done in Buhoma, Nkuringo, Rushaga or Ruhija depending on where your gorilla trekking permit directs you to and each of these regions have habituated families. This park consists of 20 gorilla groups and they include Mucunguzi, Kutu, Nshongi, Mishaya, Kahungye, Busingye, Rwigi, Bikingi and Bweza-in Rushaga area; Nkuringo, Christmas and Bushaho family in Nkuringo region; Mukiza, Bitukura, Kyaguriro and Oruzogo in Ruhija region; Mubare, Katwe, Rushegura and Habinyanja group in Buhoma area.
A trek to view mountain gorillas in Bwindi may take you about 2 to 6 hours including an hour of magical encounter, photography and exploring in depth about behaviors of these remarkable apes. On a gorilla trek in Bwindi National Park, trekkers won’t only see mountain gorillas but also other creatures including several primates, birds, flora to mention but a few. Later, return to the lodge to have lunch and then check out from your lodge ready to embark on a return road trip to Kigali.
End of 2 days Bwindi gorilla trekking safari
2 days Bwindi gorilla trekking safari includes
- Gorilla trekking permit ($600)
- Kigali city tour
- Batwa cultural experience
- Ground transportation in a 4×4 drive safari car
- Accommodation and meals
- All activities in the itinerary except the optional ones.
- Relevant government taxes
- Services of an English-speaking driver guide
2 days Bwindi gorilla trekking safari excludes
- Personal insurance
- Tips
- Alcoholic drinks
- Uganda visa
- Airfares
- Hotel fees
Other safari activities to enjoy in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park include;
- Birding
- Nature walks
- Mountain biking
- Gorilla habituation experience
The rules and regulations for gorilla trekking
- Do not eat, drink or smoke while in the presence of mountain gorillas.
- Do not trek mountain gorillas if you are sick; in case of cough, please cover your mouth and nose in case of sneezing.
- Only one hour is given to you to have a magical encounter, take photographs and exploring the behaviors of mountain gorillas.
- Only persons above 15 years are allowed to trek mountain gorillas.
- Eight visitors are allowed to trek one gorilla family.
- Leave the gorilla habitat the way you found it.
- Keep a distance of 7 meters away from gorillas at all times.
What to pack on your 2 days Bwindi gorilla trekking tour
- Long sleeved shirt/t-shirt
- Waterproof hiking boots that are light weight and comfortable
- Energy giving snacks
- Bottled water
- Hat and sun glasses
- Rain jacket or poncho
- Camera with no flashlight.
When to go for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can be visited at anytime of the year. However, the dry months are the best for gorilla trekking that is; June, July, August, September and December, January, February. They are characterized by low rainfall and the gorilla habitat remains relatively drier thus making it easier for trekkers to hike through the montane forest and steep slopes while in search for mountain gorillas. It is also possible for you to go for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park during the wet season which occurs in the months of March, April, May and October, November. However, during the wet season Bwindi receives much rains which makes the habitat to be muddy, slippery thus making it a bit challenging to trek mountain gorillas.