On this 3 Days Uganda Gorilla tour to Bwindi can begin and end in either Entebbe, Uganda or Kigali, Rwanda. For visitors interested in taking photographs at the Uganda Equator crossing can begin this trip from Entebbe airport. This is an 8 to 9 hours’ drive through Mbarara town. There are scheduled flights from Entebbe to Kihihi or Kisoro for guests who would not like long drives.
In south-western Uganda lies the Bwindi Impenetrable national park. This montane rainforest occupies 32,000 hectares with a unique biodiversity harboring more than 160 tree and 100 ferns species. This is where half of the world’s mountain gorillas live.
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Bwindi NP
After breakfast, your driver guide will transfer you southwards to Bwindi National park, with en route stops for photography at the equator and lunch in Mbarara or Kabale depending on the day’s schedule. Arrive in Bwindi NP in the evening and relax at the lodge.
Day 2: Gorilla tracking and community walk
3 Days Uganda gorilla tour in the morning assemble at the park headquarters for briefing from the senior park ranger on the day’s gorilla trekking activity. Proceed for the memorable adventure in the forest, an activity that may take 2-6 hours depending on the movement of the animals.
Guests are allowed an hour in the presence of mountain gorillas. In the evening, you may go for a community tour to the Batwa village or take a canoe ride on any of the nearby lakes depending on the lodge you will sleep in. Overnight stay at the lodge you stayed in the previous night.
Day 3: Transfer back to Entebbe
Today’s drive back to Entebbe airport for your return flight is relatively long. You will need some good breakfast. Make a stopover at the Igongo cultural center for lunch and if time permits, visit the museum just to learn about the history and culture of the Ankole kingdom. Alternatively, a side trip to L. Mburo NP for a short safari may spice up your day on this long journey. Proceed for drop off at the airport or hotel.
Optional routes – 3 days Uganda safari
The 3 days gorilla safari to Bwindi national park in Uganda can be done either through Cyanika or Katuna border posts
Kigali to Bwindi through Katuna
The drive distance between Kigali and Katuna border post is 80 Km / 50 Mi. Rwanda government is very strict on speed limit. So, it takes a minimum of 1.30 hours to arrive at the border post. Immigration clearance may take approximately an hour. From Katuna border you may access Bwindi national park from different directions depending on the availability of gorilla permits: –
Katuna to Buhoma
The drive distance on an approximately 117 Km / 73 Mi marrum road from Kabale town to Buhoma takes 3 to 4 hours. Most visitors would love to track the Mubale gorilla group, the oldest family to be habituated.
Katuna to Nkuringo
This is also a 3 to 4 hours’ drive on a similar nature of the road as above. It is 106 Km from Kabale. The nature of road is relatively slippery on a rainy day. Thus, one needs to have a 4*4 Wheel drive land cruiser to comfortably go through it.
Katuna to Ruhija
This is the most 3 hours comfortable and convenient drive route. This sector is referred to as Rushaga. Both gorilla tracking and habituation take place in this part of Bwindi.
Kigali to Bwindi via Cyanika border post
For gorilla trekking and habituation, Cyanika is the closest border point to Bwindi impenetrable national park. It is approximately 119km/74 miles between Kigali and Cyanika (about 2hr drive).
The 3 routes from Cyanika to Bwindi
Cyanika to Nkuringo – 43km/27 miles
This is an hour’s drive on quite a picturesque road. Slippery on a rainy day and a 4×4 vehicle is the most ideal.
Cyanika to Rushaga – 43km/27 miles
This is a similar route to Cyanika to Nkuringo in terms of distance and driving time and it is up to the driver to choose between these two.
Cyanika to Buhoma – 128km/90 miles (4-5 hours’ drive)
Tourists prefer tracking mountain gorillas from Buhoma owing to the sector’s gorilla tracking history dating from 1993. Mubare group, the first gorilla family to be habituated in Bwindi lived in Buhoma