3 Days Uganda Gorilla trekking Buhoma
3 days Uganda gorilla trekking Buhoma leads you to the misty and Impenetrable Bwindi, one of the wonderful havens to over half of the World’s remaining 1004 mountain gorillas.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is sprawled within the south-western side of Uganda for an area of 32100 hectares and rewards tourists with the opportunity of encountering mammals including primates, extraordinary bird species and enjoying indescribable cultural encounters in addition to the views of the alluring hills and verdant vegetation occupied by the extraordinary giant apes.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offers a medley of activities but gorilla trekking is the most interesting and cherished activity offering trekkers with extraordinary experiences while encountering the 20 habituated gorilla groups occupying the four sectors/regions of the Park (Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo, and Rushaga). Buhoma found in the northern part of Bwindi is the most-visited sector with four habituated gorilla groups that include Mubare, Habinyanja, Rushegura as well as Katwe and is where the S days Gorilla Trek Bwindi safari will lead you.
Summary of things to expect during the 3 days Uganda gorilla trekking Buhoma
• Tracking one of the four gorilla groups in Buhoma.
• Spending one hour with the gorilla group.
• Evening guided community walk to the Batwa people.
• 2 stopovers one at the Equator and another in Mbarara Town or Igongo Cultural Center.
• Transport in one of our best 4 WD vehicles.
• An English speaking driver/guide.
• Expect to enjoy the best sceneries while traveling to and from Bwindi.
Highlights of the 3 days Uganda Gorilla trekking Buhoma package
Day 1: Transfer from Kampala to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Day 2: Mountain gorilla trekking and evening walk to the Batwa community.
Day 3: Return to Kampala.
Detailed itinerary of the 3 days Gorilla Trek Bwindi safari
Day 1: Transfer from Kampala to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Start the day with an early breakfast and get picked from the Hotel at 6:00 am to start the 540 kilometers’/8-9 hours’ journey to the misty Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Travel south-westwards and have your first stopover at the Equator that crosses Kayabwe to have the once in a lifetime opportunity to be in two hemispheres at the same time as well as take photos, and continue with the journey until Agip Motel in Mbarara Town for lunch. While here, don’t hesitate to have a taste of some of the mouth-watering local cuisines.
Continue with the journey while relishing the views of the vast banana plantations, the long-horned Ankole cattle, the lush tea plantations and cultivated rolling hills of the Kigezi highlands also known as the Switzerland of Africa until arriving the Park in the evening to freshen-up, relax and enjoy your dinner.
Accommodation options
Luxury: Buhoma Lodge/Mahogany Springs Camp
Midrange: Silverback Lodge, Lake Kitandara Bwindi Camp or Engagi Lodge
Budget: Buhoma Community Rest Camp or Bwindi View Bandas.
Meal Plan: Lunch and dinner.
Travel time: 8-9 hours.
Day 2: Mountain gorilla trekking and evening walk to the Batwa community
You will be treated to an early morning breakfast and depending on the location of the accommodation facility, you will move or be driven to the Park Headquarters at 7:00 am where you will join other trekkers in the pre-tracking briefing on how to act/behave while trekking or when in the presence of the mountain gorillas.
Start the trek through the thick undergrowth and creepers at 8:00 am with other trekkers, an armed ranger, guides, and porters to search for the allocated gorilla group, and this lasts between 30 minutes and 4 hours depending on the trekkers’ pace of movement and exact location of the gorilla group.
The terrain of the forested Bwindi is steep but endowed with numerous attractions and crisscrossed by several trails that can be used by trekkers. Spend one hour with the gorilla group to take their photos and be amazed by their outstanding behavior before enjoying your packed lunch/snacks and returning back to the Lodge.
Freshen-up and relax for some time then head for a relaxed community walk to the nearby Batwa or Bakiga communities in the evening to have an insight on how typical rural communities live their lives and be entertained in their vibrant cultural dances. Retreat to the Lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation options
Luxury: Buhoma Lodge/Mahogany Springs Camp
Midrange: Silverback Lodge, Lake Kitandara Bwindi Camp or Engagi Lodge
Budget: Buhoma Community Rest Camp or Bwindi View Bandas.
Meal Plan: Full-board.
Day 3: Return to Kampala
You will be woken by the whispering sounds of the wilderness and sounds of singing forest birds to enjoy your breakfast that will end your stay at the home of the mountain gorillas. Leave with the sweet memories of the time spent with the endangered giant apes and return to Kampala. Lunch will be at Igongo Cultural Center then continue straight to Kampala or Entebbe if your flight is scheduled for that day.
End of the 3 Days Uganda gorilla trekking Buhoma
Inclusions of the 3 days Uganda gorilla trekking Buhoma package are;
• 2 nights’ accommodation.
• Park entrance and ranger fees.
• Ground transportation with comfortable 4 WD Vehicles.
• Meals at the Lodge and the en-route ones.
• An experienced driver.
• Relevant Government taxes.
• Fuel.
• All activities on the itinerary.
• Bottled water.
Exclusions of the 3 days gorilla trekking Buhoma are;
• Personal expenses including laundry fees, insurance, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, tips, souvenirs, and telephone bills.
• Visa fees
• Airfares.
• Optional activities not included in the itinerary.
Dos and don’ts of mountain gorilla trekking
Some of the guidelines of gorilla trekking in Bwindi are;
• Littering the Park is prohibited because rubbish acts as a breeding ground for germs.
• Trekkers have only one hour with the habituated gorilla family.
• A maximum of 8 persons can trek a gorilla family per day.
• Avoid using flash cameras.
• Only persons above the age of 15 years can trek the mountain gorillas.
• Trekkers should maintain a distance of 7 meters when seeing the mountain gorillas.
• Making noise during trekking and when with the mountain gorillas is prohibited.
• Do not trek the gorilla when sick especially with flue or cough.
What to carry for the 3 days gorilla trekking Buhoma
• Non-flash camera.
• Long trousers to protect your legs from being scratched while trekking the mountain gorillas.
• Long-sleeved shirts of neutral colors.
• Sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat.
• A rain jacket or poncho.
• Gardening gloves to protect hands from being scratched by tree branches when using them for support.
• A backpack for carrying the things you will need during trekking.
• Energy giving snacks and enough drinking water
• A flash torch.
• A thick sweater to keep you warm during chilly mornings and evenings.
Best Time for the 3 days gorilla trekking Buhoma
The 3 days Gorilla trek in Bwindi is an all year round package although trekking the mountain gorillas during the dry season guarantees a more comfortable trek through less slippery and muddy trails. The dry months are June, July, August, September, December, January and February, which are also within the peak season where demand for permits is high.
The rainy season in Bwindi is characterized by heavy rainfall making the forest trails muddy and more slippery, in addition to the hazy skies hence making the activity uncomfortable during the wet season. The heavy rains in March, April, May, October, and November are also responsible for the thick vegetation growth hence providing enough food for the giant apes. This makes trekking a lot easier and faster because the primates hardly move and forage farther.