1 Day Bwindi Gorilla Tour from Kigali
Fly into Kigali Rwanda and visit mountain gorillas in Uganda on this 1-Day Bwindi gorilla tour from Kigali Rwanda. The drive time from Kigali to Bwindi is approximately 5 hours giving travelers with limited time chance to trek these endangered species at a lesser cost in Uganda. The 1-Day Uganda gorilla trek starts very early at 3:30am with a pick up from Kigali airport or your hotel and crossing over to Uganda via Cyanika border in Kisoro district. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is quite chap at $700 per permit compared to Volcanoes National park in Rwanda at $1500 and hence the reason for the increased 1-Day gorilla trips to Bwindi starting from Kigali.
The short tour is suitable for short time travelers especially who came for conferences and meetings. It is also best for those who are already in Kigali!
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is located in Kabale and Rubanda districts in southwestern Uganda and is home to half of the world’s total gorilla population. It’s believed that over 600 of the 1006 gorillas surviving in the whole world live in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Mountain gorillas in Bwindi Forest have been habituated into 17 families to ease trekking.
The forest is bisected into four regions, Buhoma in the north, Ruhija in the south Rushaga and Nkuringo n the south. Trekking in each sector is unique in its kind given difference in terrains and gorilla families. Rushaga sector is the nearest region to Cyanika borders hence the best place to do 1-Day gorilla trekking starting from Kigali.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park provides shelter to 1000 flowering plants, 220 butterflies, 120 mammals, 163 tree species and 348 bird species. Due to diverse in wildlife, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was named as a heritage site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Gorilla groups in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park include Mubare, Habinyanja, Rushegura, Katwe, Nkuringo, Bushaho, Christmas, Bitukura, Oruzogo, Kyaguliro, Mukiza, Nshongi, Mishaya, Bweza, Kahungye, Busingye, Bikyingi, Rwigi and Mucunguzi gorilla families. The trekking experience with each gorilla is exceptional in its kind!
Bwindi Forest is also a former home of the indigenous batwa pygmies who co existed with gorillas in the jungle. You can therefore add a cultural trip to see Batwa on your gorilla trekking experience.
Trip Details
At 3:00am, setoff from Kigali and drive to Uganda crossing via Cyanika border in Kisoro district. The major reason for early setoff is to catch-up with pre gorilla trekking briefing in Bwindi Forest at 7:00am. The drive takes roughly 5 hours! Join other travelers and rangers at the park head quarters in Bwindi, register, present your documents and embark on the trek to search for the gorillas. Trekking time range between 30 minutes to over 7 hours up and down hill. This depends on your hiking sped and the location of the allocated gorilla family. On meeting the gorillas, you will be allowed to spend an hour with them! Take pictures, capture live videos and enjoy this once in a lifetime experience. You may see other animals and birds, which live in this impenetrable Forest. Thereafter, refresh and drive back to Kigali for your next programs.
NOTE: Porters and walking stick are highly recommended to ease you gorilla trekking experience. You can get a stick at the park head quarters while porters are local people who help you carry baggage t and from the forest at a small fee.
End of the tour
Tour Inclusions
- Mountain gorilla trekking permit
- Packed lunch
- Bottled drinking water
- Full time English speaking guide
- Ground Transport
- Government taxes
- Miscellaneous
Tour Exclusions
- Porter’s fee & tips
- Personal expenses (phone calls and shopping)
- Extra activities not included in the itinerary
- Alcoholic beverages
- Guide tips