The 3 days gorilla trekking safari Buhoma is an exceptional budget gorilla safari set for you to strike your imaginations with the rare mountain gorillas specifically in Buhoma region, the northern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. While Bwindi is comprised of four gorilla trekking regions (Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga), Buhoma is exceptional the fact that it is where the first gorilla family-Mubare group was habituated and also to be opened for trekking. Trekking mountain gorillas in Buhoma is also of great advantage the fact that this region is closely linked to other trekking areas, especially Ruhija-the eastern region of Bwindi and Nkuringo in the south where most gorilla conservation initiatives are found which you can take part.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is in Southwestern Uganda and it is shared by Kisoro, Kabale and Kanungu districts. Unlike other gorilla destinations, over half of all the 1004 mountain gorillas that remain of earth today are confined within this 331sq.km protected area and not to forget over 350 bird species, about 400 chimpanzees and other primate species. Despite the many safari activities, gorilla trekking features are the prime safari experience and major reason why thousands flock into Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
While on your 3 days gorilla trekking safari Buhoma, you will trek anyone of the four habituated families; Katwe, Rushegura, Habinyanja or Mubare. Your safari will begin and end in Kampala/Entebbe. Remarkably, it is also possible for you to start and end your journey in Kigali.
What to expect on your 3 days gorilla trekking safari Buhoma.
- Magical encounter with one of the habituated gorilla families in Buhoma sector.
- Afternoon/evening cultural experience in Batwa community.
- Stopover at the Equator and Igongo Cultural Center.
- Ground transportation in a 4×4 drive safari car.
- Service of an English-speaking driver guide.
Brief itinerary of your 3 days gorilla trekking safari Buhoma
Day 1: Travel from Kampala/Entebbe to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Buhoma sector and evening community walk to the Batwa community
Day 3: Drive back to Kampala/Entebbe
Detailed itinerary of your 3 days gorilla trekking safari Buhoma
Day 1: Travel from Kampala/Entebbe to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Since your journey from Entebbe/Kampala to Bwindi is about 8-10 hours’ drive, you are expected to get up early in the morning to enjoy your breakfast and later, meet your driver guide. He will brief you on what your 3 days gorilla trekking safari Buhoma covers and then drive from Kampala via Masaka to Kabale to Kanungu and finally to Buhoma, about 414kms. Your first stopover will be at Equator at Kayabwe for photography and the second one at Igongo Cultural Center where you will have lunch.
Later, drive southwestwards to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park while enjoying the breathtaking sceneries of rolling hills, banana plantations. Arrive early enough so that you can check in at your lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Travel time: 8-10 hours
Meal plan: Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation choices at Buhoma sector of Bwindi National Park
Mahogany Springs Lodge/Buhoma Lodge (Luxury)
Silverback/Engagi Lodge (Midrange)
Buhoma Community Rest Camp/Bwindi View Bandas (Budget)
Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Buhoma sector and evening community walk to the Batwa community
You will start your day with a tasty cup of Uganda’s tea or coffee and at 7:00am, you are expected to gather at Buhoma area for briefing on the set dos and don’ts to be observed while searching for a gorilla family that will be assigned to you. It is today that the park official will also assigned to you a gorilla group to trek in a group of 8 trekkers and at 8:00am, hit the jungles to search for your gorilla family. You will be led by a park ranger guide and also be joined by trackers and porters. This primate adventure usually takes about 2 to 6 hours although this depends on your speed of hiking, where these creatures are in the course of the day and nature of the habitat. Once you come across your gorilla group, count your dreams achieved! You have an hour with these world’s massive creatures, take their pictures and also learn more about their behaviors.
Since it is a strenuous adventure, it is advisable that you have some energy giving snacks and enough drinking water. After striking your imaginations, get back to the lodge to relax and in the afternoon or evening, you have community walk to Batwa community for cultural encounter. While here, you have a chance to explore and experience the unique dances, music performances, traditions, lifestyles of the Batwa pygmies. Later, return to the lodge to chill, dine and spend a night.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation choices at Buhoma sector of Bwindi National Park
Mahogany Springs Lodge/Buhoma Lodge (Luxury)
Silverback/Engagi Lodge (Midrange)
Buhoma Community Rest Camp/Bwindi View Bandas (Budget)
Day 3: Drive back to Kampala/Entebbe
Get up early in the morning to enjoy breakfast and later, check out from your lodge ready to embark on a return journey to Kampala/Entebbe. Arrive at Mbarara early enough where you will have a stopover for lunch in Agip Hotel. Later, drive back to a hotel in Kampala or Entebbe for your flight back home in case it is scheduled the same day.
End of your 3 days gorilla trekking safari Buhoma
3 days gorilla trekking safari Buhoma includes
- Gorilla permit (at $600 but from 2020, each of Uganda’s gorilla permit will cost $700).
- Cultural encounter at Batwa community
- Ground transportation in a 4×4 drive safari vehicle.
- Service of an English-speaking driver guide.
- Accommodation for 2 nights and meals.
- Relevant government taxes
- Bottled water.
- Stopover at Equator.
3 days gorilla trekking safari Buhoma excludes
- Uganda visa fees.
- Airfares
- Laundry services
- Personal insurance
- Alcoholic drinks
- Tips to staff
- Telephone calls
- Souvenirs
Safety measures to observe while on gorilla trek
- Only 8 visitors are allowed to track one habituated gorilla group.
- Flashlight cameras are not accepted while taking pictures of mountain gorillas. Turn off the flashlight before you start taking photos of these massive creatures.
- Keep a distance of 7 meters away from gorillas.
- Only person’s above 15 years are eligible to trek mountain gorillas.
- Keep your voices low at all times while on gorilla trek.
- Do not track mountain gorillas in case you don’t feel well/sick. Cover your mouth in case of cough and nose in case of sneezing.
What you should pack on your 3 days gorilla trekking safari Buhoma
Pack lightly starting with essential items such as;
- Waterproof daypack.
- A camera with no flashlight.
- Long sleeved shirt or t-shirt but choose neutral colors.
- Long trousers are preferable so that you can tack into socks.
- Rain jacket or poncho.
- Sweater.
- Gardening gloves.
- Insect repellent.
- Sun glasses.
Getting to Buhoma sector of Bwindi National Park
Buhoma sector is in the northern side of Bwindi National Park and can be reached by road or by air. By road, expect to spend about 8-10 hours on road depending on the route you will take. There many routes that take you to Buhoma sector of Bwindi and they the Kampala-Ntungamo-Rukungiri-Kihihi-Buhoma route; Queen Elizabeth National Park-from Mweya to Kihihi to Buhoma which is 2 to 3 hours’ drive or from Kampala to Kabale to Kanungu to Buhoma or connect from Kigali via Kabale to Buhoma sector, about 4 hours’ drive.
Alternatively, take a flight from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kihihi airstrip.