The 3 Days Flying Gorilla Trekking Tour to Bwindi Forest by Gorilla Tour Rwanda is a memorable short safari designed for you to experience Uganda’s endangered mountain gorillas without undertaking the long road journey from Kampala or Entebbe. This adventure takes you to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its ancient rainforest, extraordinary biodiversity, and mountain gorilla conservation. By using scheduled or chartered domestic flights to an airstrip serving your assigned trekking sector, you can spend more of your limited time enjoying the forest and its wildlife.
Day 1: Fly from Entebbe to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Your safari begins with a morning pick-up from your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala, followed by a transfer to the appropriate domestic departure airport or airstrip. After check-in, you will board your scheduled or chartered flight to Kihihi or Kisoro, depending on the gorilla trekking sector allocated to you. The flight offers beautiful aerial views of Uganda’s green countryside, rolling hills, agricultural landscapes, and the dramatic highlands of south-western Uganda. Flying considerably reduces the overland travel time and allows you to reach the Bwindi region in comfort.
Upon arrival, your local driver-guide will welcome you and transfer you to your lodge near the designated trekking sector. During the drive, you will enjoy views of terraced hills, rural settlements, and the lush vegetation surrounding the forest. After checking in, you will enjoy lunch and have time to relax before the following day’s trekking adventure. Depending on your arrival time and lodge location, you may take a guided community walk, visit a local craft centre, or learn about traditional livelihoods in the communities surrounding Bwindi. These optional experiences provide insight into the relationship between local residents and the forest’s conservation. In the evening, your guide will brief you on the gorilla trekking arrangements, the recommended clothing, and the park’s rules, before you enjoy dinner and retire for the night.
Accommodation options: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Buhoma Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge.
Meals: (Lunch, Dinner)
Day 2: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest
After an early breakfast, you will travel to the Uganda Wildlife Authority briefing point in your assigned trekking sector. Here, park rangers will explain the trekking procedures, gorilla conservation guidelines, and safety precautions you must follow while in the forest. You will then join a team of experienced rangers and trackers who will lead you into Bwindi’s dense rainforest in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family. The duration of the trek varies according to the location of the gorillas, the terrain, and weather conditions, so you should be prepared for several hours of walking on steep and sometimes muddy trails.
As you walk through the forest, you will encounter towering trees, thick undergrowth, colourful butterflies, and a remarkable variety of birdlife. Your ranger will help you recognise signs of gorilla activity, such as feeding sites, footprints, and nests, while sharing information about the forest’s ecology. Once your assigned gorilla family is located, you will spend up to one hour observing the gorillas at close range under the supervision of your guides. You may see young gorillas playing, adults feeding on vegetation, or members of the family interacting peacefully within their group. Photography is permitted, subject to park regulations, but flash photography is not allowed.
After this extraordinary encounter, you will return to the park headquarters and transfer back to your lodge for lunch and some well-earned relaxation. Depending on your interests and available time, you may arrange an optional cultural visit to meet members of the Batwa community or enjoy a guided walk in the surrounding area. These experiences can provide a deeper understanding of the region’s cultural heritage and conservation efforts. In the evening, you will enjoy dinner at your lodge, reflect on the day’s adventure, and prepare for your flight back the following morning.
Accommodation options: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Buhoma Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge.
Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 3: Breakfast and Fly Back to Entebbe for Departure
You will wake up to the peaceful sounds of the forest and enjoy breakfast at your lodge before checking out. If your flight schedule permits, you may spend a little time appreciating the surrounding mountain scenery, taking photographs, or enjoying the lodge’s facilities. Depending on your location and interests, a short guided nature walk or community experience may be arranged, provided it does not interfere with your flight departure. Your guide will ensure that you leave the lodge with sufficient time to reach the correct airstrip.
You will then transfer to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrip, depending on your flight arrangements and the trekking sector you visited. After check-in, you will board your domestic flight to Entebbe, enjoying final aerial views of Uganda’s beautiful countryside and highlands. Flight schedules and baggage allowances vary by operator, so your departure arrangements will be confirmed before the start of the safari. If you have an onward international flight, Gorilla Tour Rwanda will coordinate the timing of your domestic connection as far as the confirmed flight schedule allows.
Upon arrival in Entebbe, you will connect with your international departure flight or arrange a transfer to your hotel or another agreed destination. If you have a late international departure, additional accommodation or a day room can be arranged at an extra cost. Your three-day flying gorilla trekking safari concludes with unforgettable memories of Uganda’s mountain gorillas, rainforest scenery, and conservation heritage.
Meals: (Breakfast)
Items Included in the Safari Package
- Return domestic flights between Entebbe and the appropriate airstrip serving Bwindi, subject to confirmed flight schedules and routing.
- Airport and airstrip transfers as specified in the itinerary.
- Two nights of accommodation at a selected lodge near the assigned gorilla trekking sector.
- Meals as specified in the daily itinerary.
- One mountain gorilla trekking permit per person, provided it is included in the confirmed quotation.
- Park entrance fees and applicable fees for the included activities.
- Services of an experienced English-speaking driver-guide for scheduled transfers and excursions.
- Ranger guidance during the gorilla trekking activity.
- Ground transportation in a suitable vehicle between the airstrip, lodge, and trekking headquarters.
- Bottled drinking water during scheduled transfers and safari activities, subject to the operator’s arrangements.
- Applicable taxes and service charges included in the confirmed quotation.
Items Excluded from the Safari Package
- International flights to and from Uganda.
- Uganda visa fees and other immigration charges.
- Travel insurance, medical expenses, and emergency evacuation cover.
- Optional cultural visits and other activities not specified in the confirmed quotation.
- Porter services during gorilla trekking, if required.
- Tips and gratuities for guides, rangers, lodge staff, and other service providers.
- Personal expenses, including laundry, telephone calls, souvenirs, and additional drinks.
- Alcoholic beverages and premium drinks not included in the lodge package.
- Additional accommodation before or after the safari.
- Meals not specified in the itinerary.
- Excess baggage charges or additional luggage handling fees imposed by the airline.
- Costs arising from flight changes, missed connections, or itinerary alterations outside the agreed package.
- Any other services not expressly listed under the included items.