2 Days Uganda Gorilla trekking in Bwindi forest

On a tour for only two days purposely to trek gorillas, you will automatically visit the southwestern part of Uganda which has forests that are conducive for the stay of mountain gorillas. The forest in Bwindi national park is divided into four sectors; Nkuringo, Buhoma, Ruhija and Rushaga to easily allocate trekkers to different groups of gorillas to be searched for. However, gorilla trekking can also be done in Mgahinga national park which is about 95km from Bwindi Impenetrable national park.

Detailed programme of the 2 days gorilla tour in Bwindi Impenetrable national park

Day 1: Travelling from Kampala to Bwindi Impenetrable national park

The driver guide picks you up in the morning after your breakfast, gives a briefing of the tour and you start the journey of about 8-9 hours. You will briefly stop at the equator in Kayabwe and proceed through Masaka to Mbarara town where you’ll stop to have lunch. The journey continues to Bwindi where you arrive in the evening, check in at your lodge, have dinner and relax overnight. The sector where you’ll trek will determine the lodge where to spend the night.

Accommodations/lodges

  • Buhoma sector: Mahogany springs, Bwindi forest lodge, Buhoma lodge
  • Rushaga sector: Gorilla safari lodge, Ichumbi lodge
  • Ruhija sector: Bakiga lodge, Gorilla mist lodge, Gift of nature lodge
  • Nkuringo sector: Nkuringo Bwindi lodge and Clouds Mountain lodge

Day 2: Gorilla trekking

Breakfast will be taken early in the morning and also have your lunch packed since we are never sure of the time to spot the gorillas in the forest. At that moment you are required to allow the driver to take your passports so that he gets you registered for gorilla tracking that morning. You’ll thereafter be briefed about the activity you are heading for including the do’s and don’ts.

The trek is led by a ranger guide of the park at 8:00am who takes you through the trails until you find the gorillas. Those that have heavy bags may make use of the porters who help to hike through the forest with your bags at a fee of US$15-20. Once the gorillas are spotted, you are allowed to watch and take photos as you get more information about them for an hour. You’ll thereafter have your lunch and move back to the headquarters of the park so that you are awarded with a certificate for having participated in gorilla trekking and start the journey back to Kampala where the driver will drop you back at the hotel by 9-10 pm.

Before starting on the trek, you are normally required;

  • To always keep a distance of 7 meters from the gorillas
  • Not to use flash cameras
  • Not to eat or smoke when gorillas are at a distance of 200 meters close
  • Not to go for gorilla trekking if you have a communicable disease
  • To maintain one group instead of surrounding the gorillas when you spot them