3 Day Gorilla Trekking in Uganda from Kigali
Tour Overview
Our 3-Day Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda from Kigali is the perfect choice if you have limited time but still want to experience the magic of seeing mountain gorillas in the wild. It is one of the fastest and most affordable ways to go gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, one of Africa’s most remarkable rainforests.
Starting from Kigali, Rwanda, makes this trip easy and efficient. The drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park takes only 4 to 5 hours, compared to 8 to 10 hours when traveling from Entebbe or Kampala. This shorter journey means less time on the road and more time enjoying your adventure. You also save money. Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda cost $800, which is $700 less per person than Rwanda’s permits. This makes Uganda the best-value destination for gorilla trekking without sacrificing the quality of the experience.
We will pick you up directly from your hotel in Kigali or Kigali International Airport. From there, we handle everything. This includes border crossing assistance, comfortable transport, and the drive to the Rushaga Sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, known for its high success rate of gorilla sightings. All transfers, accommodations, and logistics are carefully arranged for you. The result is a smooth, well-organized, and stress-free safari. All you need to do is relax, enjoy the journey, and prepare for one of the most unforgettable wildlife encounters on Earth.
Your Itinerary In Brief
- Day 1: Travel from Rwanda to Lake Mutanda (Near Bwindi)
- Day 2: Face to face with mountain gorillas
- Day 3: Return to Kigali
Your Itinerary In Details
Day 1: Travel from Rwanda to Lake Mutanda (Near Bwindi)
Today, your safari guide will pick you up from your hotel in Kigali or Kigali International Airport at around 7:00 am. After a short briefing, you will begin your scenic journey into Uganda. Along the way, you may choose to stop at the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund (optional), an inspiring center dedicated to mountain gorilla conservation. After the border crossing, you continue toward one of East Africa’s most beautiful and tranquil destinations—Lake Mutanda.
You will arrive in the afternoon and immediately be rewarded with breathtaking views of the Virunga Volcanoes reflected in the lake’s crystal-clear waters. The rest of the day is yours to relax and enjoy the surroundings. You may take a refreshing swim or explore the lake by traditional dugout canoe, kayak, stand-up paddleboard, sailboat, or motorboat.
Visit to the Ellen DeGeneres Campus (Optional)
This optional visit offers a fascinating insight into gorilla conservation at the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund’s Ellen DeGeneres Campus, located near Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. The environmentally friendly campus features a Research Center, Education Center, and Conservation Gallery. It serves as a global hub for conservation research and education, inspiring visitors and future generations to protect endangered mountain gorillas.
Lake Mutanda
Lake Mutanda lies in the far southwest of Uganda, at the foothills of the Virunga Volcanoes, a dramatic volcanic chain shared by Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Surrounded by lush rainforests that are home to endangered mountain gorillas, the lake is an ideal base for gorilla trekking in nearby Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
The area is rich in biodiversity. Birdlife includes colorful kingfishers and Uganda’s national bird, the grey crowned crane. The lake’s shores are also home to otters, chameleons, frogs, lizards, and various snake species, making it a paradise for nature lovers.
Watersports on Lake Mutanda (Optional)
From Mutanda Lake Resort, you can enjoy a variety of water activities on this bilharzia-free lake. Swim in the clear waters, relax on one of the jetties, or take part in activities such as kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, laser sailing, or traditional canoeing. A motorboat ride is perfect for birdwatching or simply soaking in the scenery—perhaps with a glass of wine in hand. All activities can be booked directly on-site at the lodge.
Please Note: Depending on your chosen package, overnight stays vary. The luxury version takes you to the northern edge of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Buhoma, about 6 hours from Kigali. The basic option spends the night in the town of Kisoro, a 4-hour drive. Another choice is the beautiful Mutanda Lake Resort, perched on the lake’s edge, roughly 5 from Kigali.
Accommodation Options:
Budget: Travellers Rest Hotel
Midrange: Mutanda Lake Resort – Standard Cottage
Semi-Luxury: Mutanda Lake Resort – Luxury Cottage
Luxury: Buhoma Lodge
Included Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Day 2: Face to face with Mountain Gorillas
This morning, you’ll travel to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park for what is undoubtedly the highlight of your journey—mountain gorilla trekking. Your lodge will provide a packed lunch, which you’ll enjoy during a break in the forest.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Bwindi’s ancient montane rainforest, together with Rwanda’s Virunga Mountains, forms the most important habitat for mountain gorillas in the world. Despite its relatively small size, Bwindi is home to nearly half of all remaining wild mountain gorillas. The park is also rich in biodiversity, sheltering over 120 mammal species and more than 350 bird species.
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest
Gorilla trekking is a thrilling and immersive experience. Accompanied by highly experienced rangers from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), you’ll hike and sometimes crouch through dense forest vegetation, tracking a habituated gorilla family. Along the way, signs such as nests, dung, chewed bamboo, and broken branches reveal that you’re getting closer. When you finally come face to face with a silverback gorilla, calmly watching over his family, time seems to stand still. It’s a deeply moving encounter—one that will remain etched in your memory forever.
Gorilla Habituation Experience – Bwindi Forest (Optional)
For travelers seeking a deeper and more exclusive experience, Greenway Nature Tours offers the Gorilla Habituation Experience as an alternative to the standard trek. During this rare excursion, you’ll join researchers as they gradually acclimate a gorilla family to human presence. With a maximum of four participants, you are allowed to spend up to four hours with the gorillas—providing exceptional insight into their behavior and social structure. A truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Bwindi & Lake Mutanda Excursions (Optional)
The lush and diverse surroundings of Bwindi and Lake Mutanda offer something for every traveler. Optional activities include kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, sailing, or enjoying a scenic sundowner boat cruise on Lake Mutanda. In nearby Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, you may climb one of the Virunga Volcanoes or track the playful Golden Monkeys. Within Bwindi itself, you can enjoy guided forest walks, cultural visits to the Batwa pygmy community, or village tours that offer insight into local life. If you have specific interests, simply let your travel specialist know. They’ll be happy to help arrange activities in advance or organize experiences once you’re on the ground.
Accommodation Options:
Budget: Travellers Rest Hotel
Midrange: Mutanda Lake Resort – Standard Cottage
Semi-Luxury: Mutanda Lake Resort – Luxury Cottage
Luxury: Buhoma Lodge
Included Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Return to Kigali
Savor your final morning in this tranquil corner of Uganda with a breakfast at the lodge. At around 10 am, your driver-guide will transfer you back across the border to Kigali, Rwanda, arriving in time for your departure flight. Please ensure your flight departs no earlier than 6:00 pm to allow for border crossing and drive time. For earlier flights, we recommend an overnight stay in Kigali, which we can happily arrange at an additional cost.
Meal Plan: Breakfast
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