Trip Overview
Step into the misty highlands of East Africa and meet endangered mountain gorillas in their natural sanctuary. This 3-day gorilla trekking with Nomara Safaris begins in Kigali and follows the safest, most scenic route to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park — a route far shorter and smoother than the long 8–10 hour drive from Entebbe.
This journey is an adventure for your senses, a story for your soul, and a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with nature’s gentle giants.
Trip Highlights
- Day 1: Kigali to the Misty Forests of Bwindi
- Day 2: Gorilla Trekking – Into the Wild
- Day 3: Scenic Journey Back to Kigali
Itinerary
Duration: 3 Days / 2 Nights
Start & End: Kigali, Rwanda
Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Rushaga Sector
Accommodation: Budget Safari Lodges
Experience Level: Active | Adventure
The day begins early in Kigali, where your Nomara Safaris driver-guide meets you for a brief orientation. Then, the road unfurls before you — rolling hills, patchwork valleys, and the lush green quilt of Rwanda’s countryside, famously called the “Land of a Thousand Hills.”
Crossing the Rwanda-Uganda border is smooth and assisted by your guide, and soon the roads give way to winding highland tracks. The air cools, the jungle thickens, and your excitement grows with every twist of the trail.
Arrive at the Rushaga sector, where your home for the next two nights awaits at one of these adventure-friendly lodges nestled in the forest:
- Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge
- Broadbill Forest Camp
- Rushaga Gorilla Camp
As night falls, dinner is served under the whispers of the jungle. Close your eyes and listen — tomorrow, the forest will reveal its secrets.
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
The forest wakes with you. Birds trill, leaves drip with morning mist, and the scent of earth fills the air. After a hearty breakfast, you journey to the park headquarters for a briefing by the Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers.
Assigned to a habituated gorilla family, you set off. Your boots sink into soft mud, vines brush your shoulders, and every step takes you deeper into Bwindi’s ancient cathedral of green. The trek can last 2–6 hours, depending on where the gorillas roam, but time here seems to bend — slowed by anticipation and the raw beauty around you.
Then it happens.
A sudden rustle. A deep, resonant chest beat. The forest holds its breath. And there, framed by ferns and filtered light, stands a massive silverback.
For one unforgettable hour, you watch, silent, humbled, and amazed. Gorillas feed, groom, and play just meters away — a family, a moment, a memory you’ll carry forever.
Return to your lodge exhilarated, mud-stained, and full of stories you’ll tell for a lifetime.
After breakfast, bid farewell to Bwindi’s misty forests. The drive back to Kigali is a panorama of rolling hills, villages, and rivers. Memories of gorilla eyes, forest sounds, and mountain mist linger with every mile.
Arrive in Kigali at your hotel or the airport, completing your 3-day adventure — but leaving a lifetime of stories etched into your soul.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Costs
Included
- Gorilla trekking permit (USD 800) per person.
- Chimpanzee Trekking Permit (USD 250) per person
- Meals specified and accommodation.
- Comfortable 4×4 safari Land Cruiser.
- Park entry, activity fees.
- 1 Assigned English-speaking Professional Tour Driver-guide
- Bottled water while on safari.
- Complimentary airport/hotel pick-up and drop off.
Excluded
- Phone calls and bar bills.
- Personal/travel insurance.
- Driver guide Tips
- All Other Services of a personal nature e.g. LAUNDRY, Flight ticket(s).
- Entry visa into Uganda
FAQs
Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits are issued in limited numbers each day and tend to sell out quickly during peak travel seasons. For this reason, tour companies must apply for permits well in advance. Once your safari is confirmed and payment is received, Nomara Safaris secures your permits early to ensure availability. We strongly recommend booking at least one month in advance, especially for travel during the high season.
Chimpanzee and gorilla trekking involves walking through forested terrain that can be steep, uneven, and sometimes muddy. A moderate level of fitness is recommended, but the pace is manageable and guided by experienced ranger guides throughout the experience.
The minimum age for both gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is 15 years, as set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
This safari can be enjoyed year-round. However, the best trekking conditions are during the dry seasons from June to September and December to February, when trails are less slippery and wildlife viewing is generally better.
Absolutely. This itinerary can be tailored to suit your travel dates, budget, accommodation preferences, and personal interests, including upgrading lodges or adding extra nights and activities.
