Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Safari from Kigali

Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Safari from Kigali: One of the outstanding safari experiences is to plan gorilla trekking in Bwindi from Kigali and after it ends in Kigali city. The safari begins in Kigali, travels to the dense forest national park of Bwindi, then returns to Kigali. Using the Katuna border in Kabale or the Cyanika border in Kisoro, visitors are driven from Kigali city to Bwindi’s impenetrable forest national park. It takes three to four hours to go from Kigali to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, where you may take in breathtaking vistas along the way. By trekking the mountain gorillas of Bwindi from Kigali, one can save the 9–10-hour journey from Entebbe to the thick forest national park of Bwindi. Additionally, the trip helps save money because gorilla climbing permits in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park cost $1500, while those in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park cost $800.

Bwindi Gorilla trekking safari from Kigali

You can spend four hours trekking semi-habituated mountain gorillas in the Nkuringo and Rushaga regions of Bwindi when you travel there from Kigali. Only in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is it possible for visitors to train mountain gorillas to become accustomed to human presence. The Bwindi Mountain gorilla trek begins early in the morning with a briefing from park wardens, during which you are informed of the guidelines for the trek.

Following the briefing, groups will be formed, and each group will be assigned a gorilla family to trek with. Trekkers have the chance to encounter various park monkeys, mammals, and birds as they follow armed ranger guides along several trekking trails. In Bwindi, trekking begins early in the morning and lasts for two to seven hours, depending on the trekkers’ pace and the position of the mountain gorillas. Once the armed ranger guides have located the mountain gorillas, trekkers will get an hour to spend with the gorillas, observe their daily activities, study their behaviours, and take photos.

How much is Bwindi gorilla trekking safari from Kigali?

The cost of a gorilla trekking permit for Kigali residents is the same as it is for tourists from other countries. Gorilla trekking permits for Bwindi are sold by the Uganda Wildlife Authority for $300,000 for East African citizens, $800 for foreign non-residents, and $700 for foreign residents. It is recommended that you get your gorilla trekking permits in advance to prevent last-minute reservations, as they are sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

How do I book mountain gorilla permits for Bwindi from Kigali?

For the same price, visitors in Kigali who wish to trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi can reserve gorilla permits directly from the Uganda Wildlife Authority or through a local tour company. One of the local tour companies in Uganda that can assist with arranging gorilla trekking permits from Kigali to Bwindi is Journeys Uganda. If you have chosen to use Journeys Uganda to reserve gorilla permits for Bwindi while you are in Kigali, you will email us the month and year you wish to visit, and we will use these dates to check with the Uganda Wildlife Authority to see if the trekking permits are available. You will receive an email with banking information as soon as the permits are available, and as you send the money, we shall book permits for you.

Best time to trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi from Kigali

Although it is possible to trek mountain gorillas from Kigali to Bwindi at any time of year, some months are better than others. The best times to embark on a gorilla trekking safari from Kigali to Bwindi are during the drier months, which are June through September and December through February. They are distinguished by little to no rainfall, usable roads from Kigali to Bwindi, sparse vegetation in the park that allows for unobstructed views of the park’s fauna, and dry walking paths.

Visitors from Kigali can still take advantage of significant savings on lodging when they visit Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park during the rainy seasons of March through May and October through November. However, there is so much rain during the rainy season that the roads from Kigali to Bwindi become impassable, the park’s trekking trails are muddy and slick, and the heavy vegetation obscures the gorillas’ sight.

Accommodation on a Bwindi gorilla trekking safari from Kigali

Accommodation in Buhoma sector

Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Bwindi Forest Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Bwindi View Bandas, Silverback Lodge, Buhoma Rest Camp, Haven Lodge, Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, and Engagi Lodge.

Accommodation in Rushaga sector

Rushaga Gorilla Resort, Wagtail Eco Safari Lodge, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, Nsongi Camp, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Bwindi Jungle Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge, and Rushaga Gorilla Camp.

Accommodation in Nkuringo sector

Nshongi Camp, Crested Crane Bwindi Hotel, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, Virunga Campsite, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Clouds Backpackers Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, and Gorilla Heights Lodge

Accommodation in Ruhija sector

Ruhija Gorilla Friends Resort, Bakiga Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp, Broadbill Forest Camp, Agandi Lodge, Gift of Nature Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, Ruhija Community Rest Camp, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Cuckoo Land Tented Lodge, Ecomarvels Gorilla Lodge, and Trekkers Tavern.