1-Day Gorilla Trekking Experience in Bwindi (2-Night Stay)
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of Africa’s most biologically diverse rainforests, covering 331 sq. km across southwestern Uganda. Established in 1991 and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the park is home to over 120 mammal species, including nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. This package is designed for travelers who are already arranging their own long-distance transport to Bwindi (from Kigali, Entebbe, or elsewhere) and require a professionally handled gorilla trekking experience once in the park region. Your gorilla trekking day begins at the assigned sector headquarters and concludes back at your lodge. Long-distance transfers to and from Bwindi can be arranged upon request. This is a focused, streamlined option for travelers seeking a professionally managed gorilla experience without a full safari circuit.
Quick Overview
- 1 Trekking Day / 2 Nights in Bwindi
- Best for( travelers) already near Bwindi; Rwanda extensions; tight schedules
- What’s included (permit, lodge, meals, briefing, lodge↔park transfers)
- What’s not included by default (Kigali/Entebbe long transfers optional add-on)
Gorilla Trekking Permits in Bwindi
A gorilla trekking permit is mandatory to visit a habituated mountain gorilla family in Bwindi.
Current Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) permit fee:
USD 800 per person (Foreign Non-Resident)
Each permit includes:
Park entry on trekking day
Professional ranger guides
Security escorts were required
Allocation to a habituated gorilla family
One hour of viewing time with the gorillas
Trekking begins with a morning briefing at the park headquarters. Groups are limited to a maximum of 8 visitors per gorilla family to ensure conservation standards and visitor safety. Permits are limited and often sell out several months in advance, especially during peak travel seasons (June to September and December to February). We secure permits only after confirming availability for your preferred dates.
Itinerary (Arrival Day & Gorilla Trekking Day)
Day 1: Arrive in Bwindi, check in, and briefing
Own drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Check in at Buhoma Haven Lodge/Bakiga Lodge/Four Gorilla Lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2: Gorilla trekking day & drop-off
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 trekking in Bwindi takes 2 to 8 hours, depending on the movement of the gorillas. These primates roam the park freely, and there is no way of telling where they will be for a particular day. On finding them, you will be allowed 1 hour to view and take photos of these gentle primates, enjoy your lunch packs, and meet your driver/guide.
What’s Included / Excluded
Included: permit, lodge + meals, bottled water, trekking-day 4×4/local guide support
Excluded: long-distance transfers unless added, tips, and insurance, items of personal use; Beverages, Shopping, Laundry e.t.c
