Day Bwindi Gorilla Habituation from Kigali, Rushaga Sector

Spend four immersive hours with a semi-habituated mountain gorilla family in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, starting conveniently from Kigali. This three-day safari is designed for travelers who want more than the standard one-hour gorilla trek and prefer a deeper, research-focused experience in Uganda. Bwindi holds nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas and is the only place where visitors can participate in the Gorilla Habituation Experience. Unlike normal trekking, this program allows you to accompany researchers and trackers as they work with a gorilla family that is still undergoing the habituation process. You move with the gorillas, observe natural behaviours over an extended period, and gain a rare behind-the-scenes understanding of conservation in action. The habituation permit costs USD 1500 and is conducted exclusively in the Rushaga sector of southern Bwindi, making it ideal for travelers accessing Uganda through Kigali.

Tour at a glance

- Duration, 3 days, 2 nights
- Start and end, Kigali, hotel or airport pickup and drop off
- Destination, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Rushaga sector
- Permit cost, USD 1500 per person, Uganda Wildlife Authority
- Drive time, approximately 4 to 5 hours from Kigali to southern Bwindi
- Transport, private 4×4 safari vehicle with English-speaking driver guide
- Group size, maximum of 4 visitors per gorilla family during habituation
- Best for photographers, wildlife enthusiasts, and travelers seeking deeper engagement
- Optional add-ons, porter hire, community visit, upgrade to luxury lodge

What is included, what is not included

Inclusions (private 4×4, driver-guide, border support, meals, park fees, water)
Exclusions (visas, tips, drinks, personal insurance, optional activities)

Accommodation options near Rushaga

Midrange, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
Budget, Rushaga Haven Lodge
Luxury, Clouds Gorilla Lodge

Detailed itinerary

Day 1, Kigali to Bwindi, check in

Depending on your location in Kigali, you will meet your safari driver and transfer to Bwindi National Park. The park is located in the south-western part of Uganda, close to the Rwanda border, and it’s about a 4-5 hours’ drive with an en route lunch. On arrival at the park, you will proceed and check into your lodge for relaxation.

Day 2, gorilla habituation experience

Enjoy an early morning breakfast and transfer to the park headquarters with your packed lunch for a briefing by the ranger guides, and later head into the forest for your trek. Gorilla habituation in Bwindi involves visiting a semi-habituated gorilla family that is in the process of habituation. This activity takes a whole day, and you are granted 4 hours to stay with the gorillas. After the habituation experience, meet your guide and drive back to your lodge to rest.