The 3 days Uganda gorilla habituation tour in Bwindi national park in Rushaga sector starting from Kampala or from Kigali in Rwanda. This short gorilla trip allows you to spend more quality time with a family of mountain gorillas in the wild than the usual gorilla trekking adventures. Unlike normal gorilla treks, gorilla habituation experience is special in the sense that it is done only in the tropical rainforest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Starting your journey from Kigali makes it more convenient for you to connect to the park regardless of the tight schedule. At Bwindi, the key area of interest will be Rushaga region in the Southern side of the park, also a renowned sector with the highest concentration of gorilla groups. Connecting to Rushaga from Kigali is easier via Cyanika border to Kisoro then you proceed to the southern side of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, about 4-5 hours’ drive.
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Pick up and drive to Cyanika –Kisoro –Rushaga, visit the Batwa
Day 2: Embark on a thrilling Bwindi gorilla habituation experience
Day 3: Road transfer from Rushaga to Kigali, departure
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Pick up and drive to Cyanika –Kisoro –Rushaga, visit the Batwa
Begin your special with breakfast and after, leave Kigali capital in a 4×4 safari car. Drive to Cyanika border crossing to clear with authorities and after, continue to Kisoro while enjoying the spectacular countryside surrounding. Proceed up to the lodge in or around Rushaga region, have lunch and some relaxation.
In the evening/late afternoon, meet your guide for Batwa community visit. Today’s evening, you will be interacting with the original dwellers of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Get to know how they managed to live in the jungles for years without causing any negative impact on the environment, get entertained by the unique dances and traditional dances, then get back to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation
- Four Gorillas Lodge/Gorilla Valley Lodge
- Rushaga Gorilla Safari Lodge/Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge/Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge (Midrange)
- Bakiga Lodge/Nshongi Camp
Day 2: Embark on a thrilling Bwindi gorilla habituation experience
Transfer up to Rushaga region for morning orientation about gorilla habituation guidelines in Bwindi. Report to the briefing centre when fully ready with packed lunch, all essentials for your adventure and enough bottled drinking water. Begin a search for a semi-habituated gorilla group in Rushaga with park ranger guide/trackers and other scientists.
Today’s excursion takes a bit of time and entirely, you will be following the semi-habituated gorilla group so as to make these apes acquainted to human presence. This exercise is done across all gorilla groups before they are officially opened for normal gorilla trekking. The standard time allowed for you to enjoy a face-to-face encounter with mountain gorillas during gorilla habituation is 4 hours.
Accommodation
- Four Gorillas Lodge/Gorilla Valley Lodge
- Rushaga Gorilla Safari Lodge/Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge/Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge (Midrange)
- Bakiga Lodge/Nshongi Camp
Day 3: Road transfer from Rushaga to Kigali, departure
Rise early morning and be provided breakfast at the lodge. After breakfast, get your property packed in the vehicle and you will set off to Kigali capital. Early arrival may include a short Kigali city tour to Kigali genocide site or drive direct to the hotel or airport for you to depart back home.
End of safari
Inclusions
- Valid gorilla habituation permit ($1500)
- Accommodation for 2 nights and all meals as stated on the itinerary
- Travel by road using a 4×4 vehicle
- A professional English-speaking driver guide or park guide
- On board-a bottled drinking water
Exclusions
- Tips
- Alcoholic drinks
- Laundry
- Telephone bills
- Insurance
- Airfares, etc.
