3 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari to Bwindi Impenetrable & Lake Bunyonyi Tour – Overview

The 3 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari to Bwindi Impenetrable and Lake Bunyonyi is short gorilla tour in the Pearl of Africa Uganda that allows you to explore the critically endangered apes in the famous impenetrable forest of Bwindi and take a recreational encounter on the lake of a thousand Islands.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park positioned to the south west of the country features over 400 counts of the critically endangered mountain gorillas a group of the Big Ape species known to be thriving in Bwindi and the Virunga massif alone with only 880 population left in the wild and none known to be thriving in captivity.

The 3 days Gorilla Safari offers you the possibility to explore any of the twelve habituated gorilla families in the four regions of Bwindi.

Whether you opt to explore Buhoma region with the families of Rushegura, Habinyanja and Mubare, Ruhija with the families of Bitukura, Oruzogo and Kyaguliro, Nkuringo with Nkuringo or Rushaga with Mishaya, Kahungye, Bweza, Nshongi and Busigye, the gorilla trekking experience in the jungle will be a life time encounter that you would live to remember.

Lake Bunyonyi to the south of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park presents a perfect haven for relaxation after the long day trek in the jungle.

With a count of 29 Islands, Lake Bunyonyi is profoundly scenic surrounded by the fascinating Kigezi Highlands dubbed the Switzerland of Africa which make a recreational canoe ride in the evening and a walk on any of the resort Islands a justifiable supplement to the primary gorilla trek.

Explore these two amazing destinations in a mini break 3 day holiday departing and ending in Kampala Uganda though it can be customized to depart and end at any point of interest.

3 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari to Bwindi Impenetrable & Lake Bunyonyi Tour – Highlights

• Day 1: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Make an en route stop at Uganda Equator crossing Kayabwe for beautiful photo-shoots and water experiments and Igongo Cultural Center for traditional lunch
• Day 2: Do gorilla trekking in the Impenetrable forest exploring the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation and overnight
• Day 3: Drive back to Kampala. Optional game drive in Lake Mburo Np en route

3 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari to Bwindi Impenetrable & Lake Bunyonyi Tour – Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Following a cup of coffee at your place of stay in Kampala, you embark on the drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park 527km about 10 hours drive leaving Kampala at 6:30am.

The drive to the south west of the country takes you through amazing scenic countryside landscapes before making a stop at Kayabwe 77km from Kampala where the world’s main latitude – the Equator that partitions the world into the north and southern hemispheres can be explored.

The geographical divide can be justified by the water experiments performed at the site and the impressive photo shoots would help you keep the memory.

You proceed on the drive and have a lunch stop at Igongo Cultural Center 12km to Mbarara town where the famous Kahwa Kanuzire restaurant literally translated as its finished when still sweet is set to serve you fresh and iconic African buffet.

The amazing surrounding Ankole ranches filled with counts of long horned Ankole cows that are at times mixed with Impala and Zebras from the neighboring Lake Mburo National Park also impressive to explore. You proceed on the drive to arrive in Bwindi in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Up market / Luxury: Chameleon Hill Lodge, Midrange / Standard: Gorilla Mist Camp, Budget / Basic: Broadbill Forest Camp

Day 2: Do Gorilla Trekking in The Impenetrable Forest Exploring The Mountain Gorillas in Their Natural Habitat and Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi For Relaxation And Overnight

Take breakfast at the lodge and connect to the respective gorilla trekking start point in the respective region to attend briefing at 8am.

The Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger guides are in charge and following the gorilla family allocation and briefing, you head to the mist in search of the critically endangered apes.

In the company of the armed ranger guides, you hike through the impressive landscapes of Bwindi which at times can be challenging considering the steep hills, narrow valleys marked by streams and dense forest cover.

The sights of forest birds may not be missed considering the fact that Bwindi is the number one birding spot in Africa as noted by Africa’s Bird Club along with various wildlife species like duiker.

The magical moment with the gorillas comes at the time when you glance at them. The flamboyant gentle giants will give you a courtesies welcome with the Silverback concerned about your presence and may beat its chest for a few times to demonstrate its might.

The gorilla viewing takes a maximum of one hour where you have unlimited viewing experience and unlimited photographing opportunities.

The entire trek can range from 2 – 8 hours depending on the gorilla family allocated to you and the gorilla movement.

You retreat from the encounter and connect to Lake Bunyonyi driving through the fascinating Kigezi Highlands with impressive terraced scenery.

The evening at Lake Bunyonyi is a thrilling experience of its own considering its 29 Islands that have earned it a dub as the lake of a thousand Islands.

Taking a local canoe ride on the second deepest lake in Africa amidst the magical Highlands of Kigezi present fun filled recreational experience. Retire for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation: Upmarket / Luxury: Birdnest @Lake Bunyonyi Resort, Midrange / Standard: Lake Bunyonyi Eco – resort, Budget / Basic: Byoona Amagara Island Retreat

Day 3: Transfer From Lake Bunyonyi Back to Kampala

Following breakfast at the lodge in the cool breath taking lake environment, you embark on the drive back to Kampala 437km about 7 hours drive.

The stop will be made at Igongo Cultural Center for Lunch. From here you can take an optional game drive in the adjacent Lake Mburo National Park entering through Sanga Gate to stand possibilities of exploring a range of game including the Rothschild giraffes, Elands, Burchell’s Zebra, Impala, Topis among others.

You proceed on the drive to Kampala 240km about 3 – 4 hours drive arriving in the evening to mark the end of the tour.

End of The 3 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari to Bwindi Impenetrable & Lake Bunyonyi Tour

Safari Inclusions

• Gorilla Permit (for gorilla trekking safaris)
• Chimpanzee Permit (for chimpanzee trekking safaris)
• Full Board Accommodation on Safari
• Transportation in either 4X4 Safari Van or 4X4 Safari Land Cruiser all with Pop up roof & AC
• Fuel
• Professional English Speaking driver guide. Any other foreign language speaking guide can be arranged on request.
• Entrance fees to the tourist sites including Protected areas mentioned
• Activity fees of the tourist activities mentioned
• Bottled water while on safari
• Border crossing fees (for cross border safaris)

Safari Exclusions

• General tips for the driver guide, site guides and service staff at the lodges
• Laundry Services
• Other Beverages / drinks of personal nature like Alcohol
• International Flights (Arranged on request)
• Domestic Flights (Arranged on request)
• Visas
• Optional Activity fees
• Other extras not mentioned in the Itinerary
• Airport Transfer (Arranged on request)
• Accommodation in Kampala or Kigali unless it is part of the Itinerary (Arranged on request)