An Unforgettable 3-Day Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Safari by Star Wilderness Safaris

Start of the Uganda Gorilla Safari: Scenic Drive and Cultural Insights

Your 3-Day Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Safari adventure begins with an early departure from Kampala or Entebbe, traversing through Uganda’s lush countryside en route to the captivating Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The approximately 9-hour journey offers breathtaking views of terraced hillsides, rural homesteads, and rich plantations. Along the way, you’ll stop at the Equator crossing in Kayabwe, a symbolic point that separates the northern and southern hemispheres. Here, enjoy captivating photo moments and participate in a brief water experiment to visualise the Coriolis effect.

A Scenic Journey into the Gorilla Highlands

Lunch is served at the Igongo Cultural Centre in Mbarara, where you’ll gain insights into the Ankole culture and its ancient traditions. After lunch, continue the drive through Kabale to the Bwindi Highlands, where the air turns cooler and the landscape transitions into dense, misty rainforest—home to some of the most elusive primates on earth. Upon arrival, check in at your selected lodge, such as Mahogany Springs Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, or Buhoma Lodge for luxury travellers; or Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Silverback Lodge, and Gorilla Mist Camp for mid-range comfort. For budget-friendly options, Bwindi Guesthouse, Nshongi Camp, or Buhoma Community Rest Camp are available.

The first day of your Uganda gorilla trekking safari sets the tone for an immersive encounter with nature, culture, and scenic splendour. It is also a great opportunity to prepare mentally and physically for the unforgettable gorilla trekking experience that lies ahead.

• Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Lodge
• Meal Plan: Full Board

Uganda Gorilla Trekking Tour Highlight

The second day of your 3-Day Gorilla Trekking Safari in Bwindi is undoubtedly the most anticipated. After an early breakfast, you’ll head to the Bwindi Park Headquarters for a mandatory briefing by experienced rangers. Here, trekkers are divided into groups of eight and assigned to one of the over 20 habituated gorilla families within the park’s four trekking sectors: Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo.

Your gorilla trekking experience begins at 8:00 AM, accompanied by a professional guide and park rangers. The duration of the trek can vary, ranging from 2 to 6 hours, depending on the movement of the gorilla family you’re tracking. Once the gorillas are located, you are allowed a magical one-hour encounter to observe and photograph these majestic creatures. Witnessing them forage, interact, and nurture their young is a moment of awe that resonates deeply with visitors. This is the core moment of any Uganda gorilla trekking tour, and one that transforms your understanding of wildlife conservation and coexistence.

Meeting the Gentle Giants

After the trek, return to the park office to receive your gorilla trekking certificate. Then head back to the lodge for a well-deserved lunch and rest. Later in the evening, a cultural excursion awaits as you visit the Batwa Community, the original forest dwellers of Bwindi. Enjoy traditional dances, storytelling sessions, and learn about their hunter-gatherer lifestyle, spiritual beliefs, and survival skills. This cultural immersion enriches your 3-Day Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Safari by adding a human dimension to the forest ecosystem.

• Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Lodge
• Meal Plan: Full Board

Final Day of the Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari

After a refreshing breakfast at your lodge, it’s time to bid farewell to the captivating Bwindi forest. Your Uganda safari driver guide will lead you back to Kampala or Entebbe, making several stops along the way for lunch and cultural exploration. Enjoy your meal at Agip Hotel in Mbarara, and if time permits, make a stop at Mpambire Drum Village, where you can witness traditional drum-making techniques and shop for souvenirs.

Reflecting on a Priceless Journey

This drive is a moment to reflect on your transformative Uganda gorilla trekking experience, reliving the awe of your face-to-face encounter with the mountain gorillas and the rich cultural exchanges. As the hills and forests recede into the horizon, the memories of this safari remain vivid—a reminder of the beauty and diversity of Uganda.

The 3 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari Bwindi ends with a drop-off in Kampala or Entebbe, marking the conclusion of one of the most fulfilling gorilla safaris in Uganda.

• Accommodation: None
• Meal Plan: Half Board

End of 3 Days Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Safari

Combining Your Gorilla Safari Experience

Why Not Extend Your Uganda Gorilla Tour?

The 3 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari Bwindi can easily be extended or combined with other remarkable Ugandan experiences. Many travellers choose to add a visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park for a chance to see tree-climbing lions and enjoy boat cruises on the Kazinga Channel. Others venture north to Murchison Falls National Park, where the Nile explodes through a narrow gorge, creating one of the world’s most powerful waterfalls. For primate lovers, a detour to Kibale Forest National Park for chimpanzee tracking is highly recommended.

Adventure seekers can go white-water rafting on the Nile River in Jinja, while those keen on culture can explore the vibrant city life in Kampala or historical sites in Entebbe. These combinations turn your Uganda Gorilla Trekking Tour into a comprehensive journey of discovery, blending wildlife, culture, and natural wonders.

Additionally, Star Wilderness Safaris can tailor-make a longer itinerary to include Golden Monkey Tracking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, hiking safaris in the Rwenzori Mountains, or community volunteer experiences in rural Uganda.