Trekking Bwindi Gorillas From Kigali

Trekking Bwindi Gorillas from Kigali: Are you planning to trek mountain gorillas from Kigali? By flying to Kigali International Airport, visitors can now trek the Bwindi gorillas via the Cyanika border in Kisoro or the Katuna border in Kabale. The ideal option is to fly into Kigali and trek the mountain gorillas in Rwanda, as it takes just 4-5 hours to drive from Kigali to Bwindi. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in southwest Uganda in the districts of Kanungu, Kisoro, Rubanda, and Rukiga, respectively.

Bwindi is one of the national parks with the highest concentration of mountain gorillas compared to other parks gifted with mountain gorillas such as Volcanoes National Park, Mgahinga National Park, and Virunga National Park. Trekking Bwindi gorillas from Bwindi enables travellers to see mountain gorillas at a lower cost by flying to Kigali and trekking mountain gorillas in Bwindi than trekking in the Volcanoes National Park. Gorilla permits in Bwindi cost $800 per person, while permits for Volcanoes National Park cost $1500.

There are 23 mountain gorilla families in Bwindi Gorilla Park, which may be reached from anywhere in the world. They are located in the park’s four sectors, Nkuringo, Ruhija, Buhoma, and Rushaga. Because armed ranger guides accompany you along various paths and protect you from dangerous wild creatures while you follow the activity’s rules and regulations, trekking mountain gorillas is a very safe activity in the park. Travellers can arrange affordable gorilla safaris in Bwindi from Kigali with Journeys Uganda Limited. The company has skilled drivers who can pick you up at Kigali International Airport and transport you to the park.

Accessing Bwindi from Kigali

Accessing Bwindi from Kigali is the easiest way to trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park because it is easier and cheaper for travellers who wish to use road transport from Kigali. Accessing Bwindi from Kigali on your gorilla trekking safari begins at Kigali International Airport, through Kigali city, stops at several locations along the way, and ends at the Rwanda-Uganda borders. When accessing Bwindi, travellers will drive to the Katuna border in Kabale or use the Cyanika border in Kisoro when accessing Bwindi from Kigali. Beautiful views of many locations, including hills, homesteads, Lake Bunyonyi, genocide memorials, Virunga volcanoes, and much more, can be seen along the way.

Trekking Bwindi Gorillas from Kigali

In Bwindi, gorilla trekking starts early in the morning in every area of the park. After breakfast, trekkers have to get up early to meet their driver guides, who will then take them to the sector offices. Park wardens will meet with you here to go over the many guidelines for the gorilla trekking excursion. Each group will have an armed ranger guide to escort them through the jungle. Groups of no more than eight persons will be created. The trekkers are shielded from dangerous wild creatures by the armed ranger escorts, who also show them the proper pathways to swiftly find the gorilla family.

The experience of searching for mountain gorilla families can take two to seven hours, depending on the group’s location and the trekkers’ pace. Trekkers get the chance to encounter a variety of park animals during the activity, including buffalos, jackals, elephants, gigantic forest hogs, bushpigs, birds, and flora. Armed ranger rangers will allow trekkers to spend an hour with mountain gorillas so they may see their daily activities, take pictures, and learn about their habits.

Gorilla trekking permits for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Travellers must get a gorilla permit in order to trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi. The Uganda Wildlife Authority issues gorilla permits, which are still available through reputable local tour companies like Journeys Uganda. The fixed fees for the permits are UGX300,000 for East African citizens, $800 for non-foreign residents, and $700 for foreign residents. Gorilla habituation permits cost UGX750,000 for East African citizens, $1500 for non-foreign residents, and $1000 for foreign residents.

Best season to fly to Kigali and trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi

Since the park is open year-round, visitors can fly to Kigali to trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi at any time of year, but some months are better than others. The greatest time of year to trek mountain gorillas from anywhere in the world is during the dry months, which are June through September and December through February. They are distinguished by thin forest that provides good views of gorillas and other park animals, little to no rainfall that leaves the hiking trails dry, and, finally, well-maintained roads that lead to the park.

In order to take advantage of significant savings on lodging, tourists can also fly to Kigali and trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi Gorilla Park during the rainy season. The roads leading to the park are in poor shape, the vegetation is tall and dense, making it difficult to see the park animals, and the trekking routes are muddy and slick due to the heavy rainfall that happens during the rainy season, which runs from March to May and October to November.

What to pack on a gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi?

It is recommended that you bring items like waterproof hiking shoes, cotton stocks, gardening gloves, a pair of gaiters, a sweater, long-sleeved shirts and pants, a hat, sunscreen, a rain jacket, a light backpack, a camera, a pair of binoculars, sanitiser, insect repellents, energy-boosting snacks, and a drinking water bottle when you go on the Bwindi gorilla safari.

Accommodation options in Bwindi gorilla park from Kigali?

There are numerous lodging options for those that fly into Kigali and drive to Bwindi Gorilla Park for gorilla trekking, where they can stay for one night or longer. In order to trek mountain gorillas, visitors must stay in one of the four sectors of the national park, each of which has its own lodging options.

Accommodation facilities in Buhoma sector

The following accommodations are available: Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, Silverback Lodge, Buhoma Rest Camp, Haven Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Bwindi Forest Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Bwindi View Bandas, and Ride 4 Women Guest House.

Accommodation facilities in Ruhija sector

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

Accommodation facilities in Nkuringo sector

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

Accommodation facilities in Rushaga sector

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, Rushaga Gorilla Lodge, and Rushaga Gorilla Camp.