The 3 days Bwindi Gorilla safari Ruhija involves trekking one of the four habituated gorilla groups of Ruhija, in the eastern side of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park that includes Kyaguliro, Mukiza, Oruzogo, and Bitukura thus 32 gorilla permits are available per day.
Highlights of the 3 days Bwindi Gorilla Safari Ruhija
• Hotel pick-up on the first day of the trip and drop-off on the last day of the trip.
• Uganda Equator experience.
• A chance to track Kyaguliro, Bitukura, Oruzogo or Mukiza group.
• One hour encounter with one of the mentioned gorilla groups.
• Tour of Lake Bunyonyi.
• One night in a cozy Safari Lodge in Ruhija and another night around Lake Bunyonyi.
• Transport by our customized vehicle.
• Smooth 8-9 hours’ journey.
• En-route lunch and at the Lodges.
• Bottled water.
• Scenic views of the terraced hills of Kigezi.
• A chance to see other residents of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park including primates, butterflies, birds, and other mammals.
Itinerary of the 3 days Bwindi Gorilla Safari Ruhija
Day 1: Drive from Kampala to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Breakfast will be served from your hotel in Kampala and is followed by a pick-up by our professional driver/guide. Leave the city early enough to avoid the morning traffic jam and proceed towards Masaka road. This 8-9 hours’ journey will involve several stopovers (two to be precise) and the first will be at the Uganda Equator for 30 minutes taking photos and conducting some of the equator experiments and continue with the journey until Igongo Cultural Center (Biharwe) before reaching Mbarara Town.
Continue driving through Mbarara, Ntungamo, Rukungiri and Kabale Towns while enjoying the beautiful scenery and arriving on the eastern side of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Ruhija sector) in the evening. Check-in at the Lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation
• Budget: Gift of Nature Lodge or Broadbill Forest Camp.
• Midrange: Bakiga Lodge.
• Luxury: Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge.
Meal Plan: En-route Lunch and dinner at the Lodge.
Journey time: 8-9 hours journey.
Day 2: Mountain Gorilla Trekking and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi.
The second day of this 3 days Bwindi Gorilla safari Ruhija is the most exciting because it’s the big day of meeting the most sought-after primates in Africa, the mountain gorillas. Start the day with breakfast followed by converging at the briefing point where you will meet the Park rangers and other trekkers.
Park rangers will brief you on what to expect during the trek, what to do and not do while trekking or when with the mountain gorilla and many other expected behaviors. Move to the starting point of the trek with your trekking gear in hand. After several hours of trekking, the ranger will give a signal when you approach the gorillas with whom you will spend only one hour learning about their remarkable personalities as well as take photos of them.
Return to the Lodge for lunch and then check-out of the Lodge for your next destination-Lake Bunyonyi. Arrive in the later afternoon and proceed for a canoe ride that will introduce to some of the birds of this area as well as the numerous Islands. Return to the Lodge to freshen up, have dinner and overnight.
Accommodation
• Budget: Bushara Island Camp.
• Midrange: Arcadia Cottages.
• Up-market: Birdnest@Lake Bunyonyi Resort.
Day 3: Depart for Kampala.
Wake up in the morning to enjoy the beautiful views of the lush area around the Lodge and to listen to the sounds of the birds. Enjoy a hefty traditional breakfast and depart for Kampala. Have a stop at Igongo Cultural Center for Lunch and another at Mpambire Drum makers along Masaka road. Arrive Kampala in the evening and check-in the Hotel.
Meal Plan: Breakfast and En-route Lunch.
End of the 3 days Bwindi Gorilla safari Ruhija
What is included in the 3 days Bwindi Gorilla safari Ruhija package?
• Gorilla Permit ($600 per person until 1st July 2020 when it will be $700).
• Park entrance fees.
• Meals at the Lodges and en-route.
• Hotel pick-up and drop-off.
• Full-time English speaking guide.
• Relevant Government Taxes.
• Tour around Lake Bunyonyi.
• Customized 4WD Vehicle.
• Bottled water.
• En-route activities.
What is not included in the 3 days Bwindi Gorilla safari Ruhija package?
• Airfares.
• Personal insurance.
• Personal Expenses such as souvenirs, tips, beverages and cigarettes among others.
• Ugandan visa.
• Activities not included in the itinerary.
Other Gorilla trekking areas/sectors
• Buhoma.
• Rushaga.
• Nkuringo.
Dos and don’ts of Gorilla Trekking
• Trekkers have to be 15 years and above.
• A minimum distance of 7 meters has to be maintained when viewing mountain gorillas.
• Sick tourists are advised not to trek the mountain gorillas
• Only 8 persons are allowed to trek a habituated gorilla family per day.
• Flash cameras are prohibited.
• Tourists are allowed to spend a maximum of one hour with the habituated gorilla group.
What to wear or carry for Gorilla trekking.
• Gardening gloves.
• Waterproof hiking boots.
• Safari pants of neutral colors and light-weight.
• Long-sleeved shirt/s.
• Poncho.
• Sunglasses.
• Safari hat.
• Warm sweater.
• Waterproof backpack.
• Energy giving snacks.
• Water bottle.
• First aid kit.
• Cotton socks.
• Walking stick (can be acquired from the briefing point).
• Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, hair gel, and lip balm among others.
• Insect repellant.
Related Gorilla Safaris
3 days gorilla habituation experience
3 days Bwindi Gorilla Tour
2 days Gorilla Trekking Bwindi