3 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari

A standard 3-day UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authority) itinerary runs as follows:

Day 1: Transfer to Bwindi
Depart from Kampala/Entebbe or connect via Kigali (Rwanda). The drive from Entebbe to Bwindi is approximately 8-10 hours, so many travelers choose to fly into Entebbe and take a domestic 1-hour charter flight to the Kihihi or Kisoro airstrips.

Day 2: Gorilla Trekking
The hike begins at 8:00 AM with a mandatory briefing by UWA guides. Trekking can take anywhere from 2 to 8 hours depending on the location of your assigned habituated gorilla family. Once you find them, you will have exactly 1 hour to watch and photograph them in their natural habitat.

Day 3: Departure
Transfer back to your point of origin or spend the morning enjoying local community activities before your journey home.

Essential Planning Details & Tips
UWA Gorilla Permits: A foreign non-resident permit costs $800, while foreign residents pay $700, and East African citizens pay UGX 250,000. Permits are highly competitive and must be secured months in advance through the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

What to Pack: You will need sturdy waterproof hiking boots, long-sleeved shirts, and long trousers to protect against stinging nettles and insects. Also, pack a waterproof backpack, high-quality insect repellent, and gardening gloves.

Sectors of Bwindi: Bwindi has four sectors—Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo. Your permit will be assigned to a specific sector, and it is crucial that your accommodation is booked near that same sector to avoid hours of driving on the morning of your trek