Gorilla Trekking Tours from Entebbe

Gorilla Trekking Tours from Entebbe

Gorilla Trekking Tours from Entebbe offer an incredible opportunity to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. If you’re planning to visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, this guide covers everything you need to know about getting there, what to expect, how to prepare and where to stay for your once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

How Far Is Bwindi from Entebbe?

Bwindi is about 540km from Entebbe and the drive takes approximately 8 to 9 hours, depending on your sector within the park. Alternatively, you can choose to fly from Entebbe, with flights taking around 1 to 2 hours, landing at airstrips in Kisoro or Kihihi. From there, you’ll be picked up by your guide or hotel shuttle to your accommodation in Bwindi.

How to Get to Bwindi for Gorilla Trekking Tours from Entebbe

By Road: To reach Bwindi by road, the drive will vary depending on which sector of the park you’re trekking in. From Entebbe/Kampala, you can take the main highway, which leads to both the northern sectors (Buhoma and Ruhija) and the southern sectors (Rushaga and Nkuringo). Each sector is clearly signposted and your guide will help you navigate the route. The journey takes around 8 to 9 hours.

By Air: Flying from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kisoro or Kihihi airstrips is another option. Scheduled and chartered flights are operated by domestic airlines like Aero Link and Fly Uganda. Your tour operator will arrange transfers from the airstrip to your lodge in Bwindi.

About Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is one of only four parks worldwide that are home to the endangered mountain gorillas, along with Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (Uganda), Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda) and Virunga National Park (DR Congo). This ancient forest is a biodiversity hotspot, with over 350 bird species, 200 types of trees, 310 butterfly species and 120 mammal species, including the iconic mountain gorillas.

With more than 1,000 mountain gorillas worldwide, Bwindi is home to about half of the population. The park boasts 15 habituated gorilla families, each open for trekking, with only 8 permits available per group per day.

Gorilla Trekking Locations in Bwindi

Gorilla trekking is done in four main sectors of Bwindi: Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga.

• Buhoma and Ruhija are located in the northern part of the park, close to Queen Elizabeth National Park. These sectors offer the possibility of combining gorilla trekking with wildlife viewing.
• Rushaga and Nkuringo are located in the southern part of the park, near Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, where you can also track golden monkeys.

Each sector has several habituated gorilla families and Rushaga is known for having the largest number of families available for trekking.

Which Sector is Best for Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi?

The Rushaga sector is often preferred by tourists due to the abundance of habituated gorilla families, making it easier to secure a permit. However, if you prefer a shorter trek, Buhoma might be the ideal choice, as treks in this sector are often completed within 3-4 hours. Nkuringo has the highest elevation, making treks here more challenging but rewarding.

No matter which sector you choose, you’ll have a 99% chance of encountering the mountain gorillas—this is a well-organized activity with expert guides ensuring a successful trek.

Cost of Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi

• Foreign Non-Residents: USD 800 per person per trek
• East African Residents: USD 700
• East African Citizens: USD 80

This price gives you a one-hour encounter with the mountain gorillas once you find them during your trek.

How to Book Your Gorilla Trekking Permit for Bwindi

Gorilla trekking permits for Bwindi can be purchased through Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) in Kampala or Kisoro. If you’re flying into Entebbe, it’s recommended to purchase your permit through UWA’s Kampala office. Alternatively, if you’re coming from Kigali, you can arrange to buy your permit in Kisoro, which is about a 1-2 hour drive from Bwindi.

Trek Africa Gorillas is here to help you secure your gorilla trekking permits. Once you confirm your dates with us via email or WhatsApp, we will reserve your permits online, send you an invoice for payment and once payment is received, we will finalize the purchase and send you the scanned permits for your records.

Gorilla Trekking vs. Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi

The key difference between Gorilla Trekking and the Gorilla Habituation Experience is the amount of time spent with the gorillas.

• Gorilla Trekking: You’ll spend one hour with the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat and you’ll be part of a group of up to 8 tourists.
• Gorilla Habituation Experience: This offers a more immersive experience, with 4 hours spent with a semi-habituated gorilla family. This experience is limited to a smaller group of just 4 tourists.

Both activities are physically demanding, as they involve trekking through the dense, hilly forest, so a reasonable level of fitness is required.

Best Time for Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest

The best time to visit Bwindi Forest for gorilla trekking is during the dry months—generally from January to February and June to early September. These months offer the most favorable weather for travel, with drier conditions that make hiking easier and provide clearer views of the gorillas, as vegetation is less dense.

What to Pack for Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest

When preparing for your gorilla trek, it’s essential to pack for varying weather conditions and challenging terrain. Here’s a list of recommended items:

• Comfortable hiking boots with sturdy soles (conditions can be muddy and there are steep sections)
• Long sleeve cotton shirt and lightweight long pants for protection against the undergrowth, stinging nettles and insects
• Insect repellent to keep bugs at bay
• Torch/flashlight (and spare batteries)
• Water bottle to stay hydrated
• Camera and lenses for capturing moments
• Gardening gloves to help when tracking gorillas
• Sunscreen and a hat to protect yourself from the sun
• Rain jacket (the weather can be unpredictable)
• Sweater or fleece for cooler temperatures
• Swimwear (if your accommodation has a pool)
• Binoculars for birdwatching and wildlife spotting

How Challenging is Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest?

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi is physically demanding. The terrain is often steep, with no marked paths and the weather can change rapidly. Depending on where the gorillas are located, treks can last anywhere from a couple of hours to a full day (up to 8 hours or more). You may be hiking in hot, humid conditions at high altitudes, so it’s essential to be in good physical shape and prepared for a strenuous adventure.

Where to Stay During Your Gorilla Trekking Tour

Bwindi Forest has accommodation options near each of the four trekking sectors: Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo.

• Rushaga Sector:
  • Rushaga Gorilla Camp
  • Four Gorillas Lodge
  • Gorilla Safari Lodge
  • Icumbi Gorilla Safari Lodge
  • Gorilla Valley Lodge
  • Karungi Camp
• Nkuringo Sector:
  • Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
  • Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
  • Lake Mutanda Resort
• Buhoma Sector (Northern part of Bwindi):
  • Buhoma Lodge
  • Bwindi Lodge
  • Buhoma Community Rest Camp
  • Ride 4 a Woman
• Ruhija Sector:
  • Trekkers Tavern Cottages
  • Agandi Eco Lodge
  • Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge
  • Broadbill Tented Camp

Why Book Your Gorilla Trekking Adventure with Trek Africa Gorillas?

At Trek Africa Gorillas, we take care of everything for you. From booking your gorilla trekking permits to organizing budget, mid-range or luxury safari packages, we ensure a seamless experience. Our expert team is here to provide personalized advice and help you plan the perfect trip.

Feel free to check out our TripAdvisor reviews and see what other happy travelers have to say about their experiences with us. We are committed to delivering an unforgettable safari experience in Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo.

Contact us today to start planning your gorilla trekking adventure from Entebbe!