This 3-day gorilla trekking Nkuringo involves exploring anyone of the three habituated gorilla families (Nkuringo group, Christmas and Bushaho) in the southern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Nkuringo region is on the southern side of Bwindi National Park, Kisoro district. A visit to this area while on gorilla trekking safari rewards you not only with magical encounters with the rare mountain gorillas but also with breathtaking view of its exceptional landscape, scenic views of the three magical Virunga Volcanoes; Sabyinyo, Muhavura, and Gahinga as well as the scenic Lake Mutanda which is one hour’ drive away from Nkuringo region. Your 3 days gorilla trekking safari Nkuringo will begin and end in Entebbe or Kampala. It is also possible for you to start and end your safari to Nkuringo from Kigali.
What you should expect on your 3 days gorilla trekking Nkuringo
• A magical encounter with a group of mountain gorillas.
• Exploring one of the 3 incredible gorilla families in the Nkuringo region.
• Magical view over the Virunga Volcanoes and Lake Mutanda.
• Stopover at the Equator.
• Tasty traditional meal at Igongo Cultural Center.
• Ground transportation in a comfortable 4×4 drive safari car.
• Service of an English-speaking driver-guide.
• Bottled water
Brief itinerary of the 3 days gorilla trekking Nkuringo
Day 1: Travel from Entebbe/Kampala to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 2: Gorilla trekking and drive to Lake Mutanda.
Day 3: Drive back to Kampala.
Detailed itinerary of the 3 days gorilla trekking Nkuringo
Day 1: Travel from Entebbe/Kampala to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
You will be picked up by our driver-guide at your hotel after breakfast and later, he will brief you on what your package covers. After, start your 8-10 hour’s road trip to Kisoro, Southwestern Uganda along Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara route to Kisoro. En-route, make a stopover at Uganda Equator for photography and relaxation than at Igongo Cultural Center, have a tasty traditional meal. Later, proceed to the Nkuringo area to check-in at the lodge where you will relax, dine and spend a night as you wait to embark on a gorilla trek the next day.
Travel time: 8-10 hours
Meal plan: Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation choices
Luxury: Chameleon Hill Lodge/Clouds Mount Gorilla Lodge
Midrange: Nkuringo Gorilla Camp
Budget: Wagtail Eco Safari Camp/Lake Mutanda Resort
Day 2: Gorilla trekking and drive to Lake Mutanda.
After breakfast, you will gather at the Nkuringo area where you will be briefed on the set gorilla trekking etiquette and also be assigned to a gorilla family to trek. There are only 3 gorilla groups in Nkuringo (Christmas, Nkuringo, and Bushaho) and only one will be allocated to you to trek in a group of 8 visitors. At 8:00 am, you will begin a search for the rare mountain gorilla and the park ranger guide, porters and trackers will join you. You will spend about 2-6 hours which also includes an hour of a face to face encounter, photography and exploring the unique behaviors of these large apes in the wild.
You will also come across bird species, colorful butterflies and other mammal species that will spice up your gorilla trekking experience in the Nkuringo area of Bwindi National Park. After a thrilling experience returns and connects to Lake Mutanda to have a rest, dinner and spend a night.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation choices
Luxury: Chameleon Hill Lodge
Budget: Lake Mutanda Resort
Day 3: Drive back to Kampala.
Following an early morning breakfast, check out from your lodge ready to embark on a quick canoe ride along the scenic Lake Mutanda. This will reward you with breathtaking views of the Virunga Volcanoes and the lake itself. Later, drive back to Kampala/Entebbe and marks the end of your 3 days gorilla trekking Nkuringo.
End of the 3 days gorilla trekking Nkuringo
3 days gorilla trekking Nkuringo includes
• Gorilla permits (at $600 but from 2020, each of Uganda’s gorilla permits will cost $700).
• Cultural encounter at Batwa community
• Ground transportation in a 4×4 drive safari vehicle.
• Service of an English-speaking driver-guide.
• Accommodation for 2 nights and meals.
• Relevant government taxes
• Bottled water.
• Stopover at the Equator.
3 days gorilla trekking Nkuringo excludes
• Airfares
• Alcoholic drinks
• Uganda visa fees.
• Tips to driver guide, waiter, waitresses
• Cigarettes
• Laundry services
• Personal insurance
• Telephone calls
Gorilla trekking etiquette
• Flashlight cameras are prohibited when taking photos of mountain gorillas.
• Always keep a distance of 7 meters away from gorillas.
• Each habituated gorilla group is trekked by only eight visitors.
• Persons above 15 years are considered eligible to trek mountain gorillas.
• Keep your voices low while on a trek to see these great apes.
• You may not be allowed to trek gorilla if you are sick. In case you need to sneeze please cover your nose and mouth when coughing.
Essential items to pack on gorilla trek
• Waterproof hiking boots
• Waterproof daypack.
• No flashlight camera.
• Long-sleeved shirt or t-shirt.
• Socks.
• Long trousers.
• Bottled water
• First aid kit
• Gardening gloves.
• Insect repellent.
• Rain jacket/poncho.
• Sweater.
• Sunglasses.
Related Gorilla Trekking Tours
3 days Bwindi Gorilla Tour
3 days Bwindi Gorilla safari Ruhija
3 days gorilla habituation experience