1 Day Gorilla Trekking Uganda – Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi from Kigali
1 day gorilla trekking Uganda is a short Uganda gorilla tour uniquely designed to let you immerse into the jungles to see mountain gorillas. The short gorilla trekking tour introduces you into Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to see a family of habituated mountain gorillas. The 1 day gorilla trekking Uganda tour in Bwindi National Park starts and ends in Kigali/from Kisoro or Kabale.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in Southwestern regions of Uganda. Featured with an extensive thick tropical forest, is a habitat to over 459 endagered mountain gorillas.
Bwindi was established as one of the National Parks of Uganda in 1991 and in 1994, it was officially designated as a UNESCO Heritage Site.
In 1993, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was opened for gorilla trekking with Mubare gorilla group being the first habituated family to be trekked.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park occupies an area of 331km2 in Kabale District and has 4 main sectors namely Ruhija, Rushaga, Nkuringo and Buhoma.
In Bwindi National Park , there are over 120 mammal species inclusive of mountain gorillas, 360 bird species, 1000 flowering plants, 220 butterfly species, 163 species of trees, 104 fern species to mention but a few. 20 habituated mountain gorilla families are open for gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park.
Detailed itinerary for 1 day gorilla trekking Uganda
Pick up of tourists by our hospitable and descent company driver guide at 4:00am to start their 1 day gorilla trekking Uganda experience.
The trekking team which will be starting it’s journey to Bwindi from Kigali cross over to Kisoro/Kabale where it will be picked up at 6:00am.
Driving from Kigali to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a 3-4 hour journey covering a distance of 164km.
On arrival, Park guides will brief you about the gorilla trekking rules and regulations, gorilla group to be trekked and the park ranger allocated to take you through gorilla trekking.
It will be a long day filled with adventurous moments of tracking mountain gorillas taking about 2-6 hours and this is why you are advised to pack some lunch/snacks and plenty of drinking water.
When you encounter mountain gorillas, it will be an amazing experience, approximately 1hour will be spent watching their behavioral manner while maintaining a distance of 8-10m, take as many pictures as you wish.
After a magical interaction, you will then start returning to briefing point depending on the region you came through (Ruhija, Rushaga, Buhoma or Nkuringo).
Get a gorilla trekking certificate at park offices and meet your driver guide ready to return to Kigali via Katuna/Chanika border. Arrive early at Kigali and this will mark the end of your 1 day gorilla trekking Uganda.
End of 1 day gorilla trekking Uganda
Tour inclusions
- Valid Uganda gorilla permits- @ at USD700
- Lunch & bottled water
- Ground travel in a 4WD vehicle
- Park entrance fees & guide services
Tour package excludes
- Tips
- Air ticket/airfares
- Laundry
- Telephone
- Optional activities on 1 day gorilla trekking Uganda
- Shopping
- Personal insurance
Gorilla trekking guidelines to follow during 1 day gorilla trekking Uganda
- Each gorilla permit in Bwindi is issued to only persons of 15 years and above.
- A distance of 8 to 10m should be maintained at all times from gorillas.
- Only 8 visitors shall be allocated to track one gorilla family.
- Upon getting a gorilla family, only one hour is guaranteed for you to enjoy a face to face encounter and taking photos.
- Always keep your voices low while tracking gorillas in Bwindi.
- All visitors on gorilla tour in Bwindi must have valid gorilla permits each costing USD700.
- Don’t touch a gorilla while on gorilla trekking even when it rubs itself on you.
- Stay calm when gorilla charge- observe the guide’s instructions and avoid direct eye contact.
- If you happen to be sick or show any signs of illness-flu etc, you won’t be allowed to go track gorillas.
Things to pack for 1 day gorilla trekking Uganda
- Daypack (find waterproof one)
- Camera (free from flashlight)
- Long sleeved shirts
- Trousers
- Gardening gloves
- Insect repellents
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Snacks
- Bottled water
- Hat
- Rain jacket/poncho
Best time to visit Uganda for gorilla trekking-one day gorilla tour
Dry seasons are the best times of the year to enjoy a thrilling Uganda gorilla trekking experience. This usually starts in June to September and December to February, the best months of the year with low or no rains and trails kept relatively drier.