Join a 3 days gorilla habituation tour in Rushaga Bwindi National Park. Spend 4 hours with mountain gorillas in the wild, studying, photographing gorillas in their habitat. The tour starts in either Kigali Rwanda or Entebbe depending on your flight schedules.
Trip Activities
- Mountain gorilla habituation
- Batwa cultural tour
Trip Summary
Day 1: Pick up – transfer to Bwindi Forest National Park
Day 2: Gorilla Habituation & Batwa communities
Day 3: Departure
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Pick up – transfer to Bwindi Forest National Park
Upon your arrival at Kigali/Entebbe international airport, meet your driver guide and depart for Bwindi Forest. The driving time from Entebbe to Bwindi is roughly 8-9 hours hence a full day of driving with a stop over at the Uganda Equator and lunch in Mbarara. The long drive offers you beautiful sceneries along the way. On the other hand, driving from Kigali to Bwindi takes roughly 4 hours via Katuna or Cyanika border in Kabale and Kisoro respectively. If you are starting from Kigali, you may do a simple Kigali city tour and connect to Bwindi later. Overnight stay at Mahogany springs Lodge/ Bakiga Lodge/ Bwindi Jungle Lodge/ Rushaga Gorilla Camp
Day 2: Gorilla Habituation & Batwa communities
Wake-up on a cup of coffee, get your packed lunch and transfer to Rushaga park head quarters for a pre gorilla habituation experience. In your group of 4 plus park rangers and conservationist start off for a 4 hours encounter with wild gorillas. Enjoy the session of training wild gorillas to make them used with human presence, imitate their behaviors and have fun. However, keep alert and sober to deal with these wild gorillas, which keep moving. If possible, hire a porter at $15 to carry your baggage ensuring easy hikes. On meeting gorillas, you will spend an hour I their company, observe the social traits of gorillas, take pictures and feel this magical encounter. Return to the lodge for refreshment and if time allows visit Batwa communities to learn about their initial forest life. Batwa pygmies are former forest dwellers who lived harmoniously with wild animals for over 1000 years before the introduction of gorilla tourism. Overnight stay at Mahogany springs Lodge/ Bakiga Lodge/ Bwindi Jungle Lodge/ Rushaga Gorilla Camp
Day 3: Departure
Have breakfast, check out and transfer to either Kigali or Entebbe international airport for your return flight.
End of the tour
Tour Inclusions
- Full time English speaking guide
- Gorilla Habituation permit
- Accommodation and meals
- Bottled drinking water
- Ground transport
- Miscellaneous
Tour Exclusions
- International flights
- Driver guide/porters tip
- Alcoholic beverages
- Visa and visa fees
- Personal expenses
- Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary