Bwindi Gorilla Trekking
One hour with a habituated mountain gorilla family in Bwindi — permit, transfers and full-board lodging included.
There are roughly 1,060 mountain gorillas left, and about half live in Bwindi. A trekking permit buys you one strictly-timed hour with a habituated family, at close range, on foot in genuine rainforest.
The gorilla permit ($800 at current Uganda Wildlife Authority rates) is included in the price. Permits are limited to eight visitors per family per day and sell out months ahead, so we secure yours the moment your deposit clears.
Trip at a glance
Highlights
- Gorilla trekking permit included — a $800 value, secured on deposit
- One hour at close quarters with a habituated gorilla family
- Lake Bunyonyi terraced-hills scenery en route
- Batwa community cultural experience
- Porter hire available at the trailhead (recommended)
What's included
Included
- Park and reserve entrance fees for all listed parks
- Transport in a 4×4 pop-up-roof safari land cruiser or minivan
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Full-board accommodation (breakfast, lunch, dinner) as per itinerary
- Unlimited bottled drinking water in the vehicle
- All game drives as described
- Government taxes and levies
- Flying-doctor emergency evacuation cover
Not included
- International flights and visa fees
- Travel and medical insurance
- Tips for your driver-guide and lodge staff
- Drinks, laundry and items of a personal nature
- Optional activities (balloon safari, cultural village visits)
- Accommodation before and after the safari
- Any increase in park fees or government taxes
Day-by-day itinerary
Entebbe → Lake Bunyonyi
Long but scenic drive south-west through Uganda's tea country to Lake Bunyonyi. Dinner and overnight.
Bunyonyi → Bwindi
Morning at the lake, then transfer to Bwindi. Afternoon Batwa community visit and trek briefing. Dinner and overnight.
Gorilla trek
Early briefing at the park headquarters, then trek into the forest — anywhere from two to seven hours — for one hour with the gorillas. Afternoon at leisure. Dinner and overnight.
Bwindi → Entebbe
Breakfast and the return drive to Entebbe, or connect onward to Kigali (two hours closer).
Where you'll be
Good to know
Before you travel
- Passport valid 6+ months beyond your return date
- Kenya eTA or the East Africa Tourist Visa ($100, covers 3 countries)
- Yellow fever certificate if arriving from an endemic country
- Antimalarials — speak to a travel clinic 6 weeks out
- Travel insurance covering cancellation and medical repatriation
Booking & payment
- 30% deposit secures your dates; balance due 30 days before departure
- Card, M-PESA and Airtel Money via Pesapal; bank transfer on request
- Confirmation and receipt by e-mail within minutes
- Free changes up to 21 days before departure
- Track your booking any time with your reference number
On safari
- Pop-up-roof 4×4 with a guaranteed window seat for everyone
- Neutral clothing; avoid dark blue and black (tsetse flies)
- Binoculars, a 200mm+ lens and a power bank earn their place
- Light aircraft transfers cap luggage at 15kg in a soft bag
- Flying-doctor evacuation cover included at no extra charge
After your trip
- We e-mail a short feedback form — we read every one
- Returning guests get priority on peak-season dates
- Photos shared with us may feature in our gallery, with credit
- Any concern raised within 28 days gets a reply in 14
$2,450 is per person sharing a twin or double room, in USD. Solo travellers pay a single supplement of $539. Rates are held for 30 days from the date we quote you and are subject to availability.
Park fees are set by the relevant wildlife authority and occasionally change without notice; where that happens we pass on the difference at cost and never mark it up. Peak-season dates (July–October and Christmas/New Year) may carry a supplement, which we will always state in writing before you pay. Full terms are in our Terms & Conditions.
Questions about this safari?
Ask us anything — dates, lodges, whether it suits your family. We reply within 24 hours.
