1 Day Uganda Gorilla Tour – Short Gorilla Trekking From Kigali or Kisoro

1 Day short Gorilla Tour to Bwindi Uganda takes you to a park hosting half of the remaining population of Mountain gorillas. The rest are found in Uganda’s Mgahinga gorilla park, Rwanda’s volcanoes national park and DR Congo’s Virunga National Park. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Park in Uganda is recognized as a UNESCO world heritage site for its breathtaking green/dense forests and creatures that live therein.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park lies in South Western corner of Uganda at the edge of the East African Rift Valley. Bwindi became a full national park in 1994. Bwindi is covered by a large and diverse rain forest that is believed to be over 25,000 years old. Of the 324 tree species, 10 are only found in Uganda. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to 120 mammals including forest antelopes, elephants, baboons, chimpanzees, giant forest hogs and buffaloes. The park also has about 350 recorded species of birds and 200 of butterflies. Mountain gorillas are the main attraction in the park. About half of the remaining population of mountain gorillas in the world are found in Bwindi. 17 of the 36 gorilla families in Bwindi are habituated and open to tourism. Thousands of international travelers come to the park to take part in one of the world’s most fascinating wildlife experiences. Bwindi is divided into four sectors – Nkuringo, Rushaga, Ruhijja and Buhoma. Each sector has some habituated gorilla groups, an office and a warden. Bwindi is perfect for gorilla trekking because the park has more gorilla groups than Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park or Virunga National Park in Congo. You can always find the perfect group depending on your interests. Gorilla permits in Bwindi cost $600.

If you are interested in visiting the Batwa pygmies, you can check out our 3 Day Uganda gorilla tour package. Visiting the Batwa is a great opportunity to experience the culture of one of Africa’s indigenous tribes. The Batwa lived in Bwindi as forest gatherers and hunted for thousands of years before they were evicted to create room for the gorillas. The Batwa still struggle to adapt to life outside Bwindi forest. The government and development organizations are encouraging them to embrace tourism and take advantage of the opportunities it offers. They do this by showcasing their cultural heritage through music, dance and drama. Bwindi can be very cold at night and during the rainy season. June and July are the coldest months. The park can be visited throughout the year but most visitors avoid the months between March to May and September to November. These months fall in the rainy season which is characterized by very thick vegetation, slippery trials and mud.

As already noted earlier, Mountain gorilla trekking is the main activity in Bwindi but visitors can also spot several other primates, mammals, reptiles and butterflies. Bwindi Impenetrable forest is one of the prime birding spots in Uganda but not even that can compare to gorilla watching – the ultimate wildlife experience is! If you prefer a longer tour, check out our 2 day gorilla trekking Uganda package.

Tour Overview

This 1 Day short gorilla trekking tour package to Bwindi forest is designed for clients who may not have enough time to spare but wish to track gorillas in one day before heading for work or a meeting/workshop. The package is therefore designed for those who are already in Kisoro or Kabale. The tour can also start from Kigali in Randa. This will require waking up very early in the morning (3:30 am) to start the 3 hour journey to Bwindi. The final costing includes the price of the gorilla permit which is secured well in advance of the tour.

Detailed Itinerary

You will wake up very early to have breakfast in your hotel. A guide/driver from Mission Africa Safaris will pick you up between 5am to 6am depending on whether your hotel is in Kisoro or Kabale. Request that the hotel/lodge staff wake you up on time and pack for you lunch, sandwich or other snack. Briefing at the park offices usually starts between 7:30am to 8am and is meant to guide you on how to act around the gorillas and what to expect.

You will be dived in groups of 8 (or less depending on season) and assigned different gorilla groups depending on your overall fitness and preference. There are 10 habituated gorilla groups in the park. Be mentally prepared for the trek as it could get tiring or go on for more hours than expected depending on the location of your assigned gorilla family that day. Bring with you gorilla tracking boots, long stockings, rain coat, caps, and rain-proof pants.Park rangers will provide you with a trekking stick and be with you throughout the tracking – Listen and follow what they have to say. Porters for hire are available at about $15 to help relieve you of the burden of carrying extra heavy luggage- so you focus on gorilla watching. You will only be with the gorillas for one hour so take as many photos and videos as you can as soon as you catch sight of them and are cleared. As soon as you are done watching the gorillas, our guide will pick you up and head for your hotel in either Kisoro of Kabale.
End of Tour

What is included and excluded

Tour Includes:

Gorilla permit (700USD)
Transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle
Lunch
Bottled drinking water
An experienced English speaking tour driver/guide
Park entry fees
Park ranger and guiding
Fuel

Tour Excludes

Personal expenses such as beverages, crafts, cigars, souvenirs and tips
Accommodation (can be arranged on request)

Lodges and Hotels

Buhoma Community Haven Lodge: This a relatively new extension of the Buhoma Community lodge. Haven Lodge was opened in 2014 with funding from the American people to offer luxury facilities to clients who are interested in higher end facilities but still want to support the community in Buhoma. Buhoma Haven Lodge is owned by the local community. The lodge is located in an elevated area close to the park offices and the village of Buhoma. This elevated position enables residents to get beautiful views of Bwindi forest and the village below. Buhoma haven lodge has only 3 rooms. They include a family cottage and 2 double/twin cottages. All the cottages are all self-contained with high quality locally made furniture. Meals are prepared by experienced Ugandan chefs and consist of intercontinental cuisines. Breakfast consists of eggs cereals, toast, fresh fruits, juice and tea/coffee. The hotel packs for their client’s sandwich, juice, chicken, biscuits and eggs whenever they go out for gorilla trekking.

Other facilities and services in the lodge include a standby generator, laundry services, massage, a restaurant, a bar and a large parking space. The lodge organizes village walks to allow clients experience life among the communities living in Buhoma. All proceeds go to the local community. Book with this luxury facility if you want to support the community of Buhoma.

Broadbill Forest Camp: Broadbill Forest Camp is a budget lodge located at the Ruhija sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It gets its name from the threatened African Broadbill. The lodge is excellent for tourists who have come to see the gorillas but also wish to go for birding during their free time. The camp is built in a quiet place with beautiful scenery. Birds are attracted to the thick forest and vegetation around the lodge. Their beautiful sounds will encourage residents to move out and check them out from their balcony or by going for a nature walk. Broadbill Forest camp organizes birding trips to the forest and will provide an experienced birder to help search for species that are endemic to the Albertine Rift. The other activities offered by the lodge include nature walks, community tours, biking and storytelling by an elder in the area.

Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge: Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge is arguably one of the best two mid-range lodges in Bwindi. It is located by the lakeside in a peaceful and quiet environment. The lodge offers facilities that can rival the very best lodges around. Lake Mulehe Safari lodge has 12 cottages which are divided into single, twin, double and family rooms. The cottages are self-contained, comfortable and very spacious. Each cottage has a private balcony and amazing views of the beautiful lake Mulehe. Other facilities in the lodge include a restaurant, a bar, free Wi-Fi, laundry service, parking space and room service. Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge is built close to Mgahinga National park and hence can be used by those who are doing gorilla trekking, mountain hiking or golden monkey tracking in the park. The lodge organized boat cruises, forest walks, community walks and a visit to the Batwa pygmies.