1 Day Gorilla Trekking Uganda | Bwindi/Mgahinga Gorilla Trek (Kigali)

The perfect 1 Day Gorilla Trekking Uganda from Kigali, Kabale, or Kisoro (A Uganda Gorilla Trek to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. 1 Day Gorilla Trekking Uganda in Mgahinga National Park Uganda costs. Pick-up will be from Kigali, Kisoro, or Kabale, then transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (we highly recommend tracking gorillas in Mgahinga because of the drive distance) for an ultimate Gorilla trekking and return to Kigali, Kisoro, and or Kabale.

1 Day Gorilla Trekking Uganda From Kigali. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the top Gorilla trekking destination in Uganda hosting almost half of the world’s remaining population of Mountain Gorillas found only in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. About 19 Mountain Gorilla families are habituated in Bwindi Forest National Park and are open to trekking by eligible tourists each day. Mountain Gorilla families of the Bwindi family are allocated in 4 sectors of the parks. 1 Day Gorilla Trekking Uganda from Kigali, Kisoro, or Kabale to Bwindi National Park is private and available all year round. 1 Day Gorilla Trekking Uganda Included in the package are the Gorilla Permit cost, transportation, guide fees, meals, and accommodation.

This 1 Day Gorilla Trekking Uganda is very convenient for travelers who wouldn’t love to have the drive from Kampala to Bwindi which is almost twice that from Kisoro or Kabale to Bwindi/Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Note: A 1-day gorilla trekking experience in Uganda is possible but typically requires starting and ending the tour from Kigali, Rwanda, due to proximity to the parks. The drive from Entebbe International Airport/Kampala to the trekking locations in Uganda takes 9-10 hours, which is too long for a single day trip.

Location: Trekking occurs in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, located in southwestern Uganda near the Rwandan border.

Starting Point: Tours almost exclusively start with an early morning pickup (around 3:00-4:00 AM) from Kigali, Rwanda, as the drive to the parks is only about 3-4 hours.

Cost: A Uganda gorilla permit costs $800 USD per person. The total tour cost, including transport, guide, park fees, and sometimes lunch, ranges from approximately $1,350+ USD per person, depending on the tour operator and inclusions.

Activity: After an early morning briefing at the park headquarters, you hike into the forest with a ranger in search of a habituated gorilla family. The trek can be physically demanding and last anywhere from 1 to 6 hours. Once the gorillas are found, you spend one hour observing them.

What to Expect on the Day

  • Early Morning Departure: A driver will pick you up from your hotel in Kigali, Rwanda, often between 3:00 AM and 4:00 AM.
  • Border Crossing: You will cross the border into Uganda (either the Katuna or Cyanika border).
  • Briefing: Upon arrival at the park headquarters (Bwindi or Mgahinga) around 7:30 AM, you receive a briefing on the rules and guidelines for the trek.
  • The Trek: Led by experienced guides and trackers, you will hike through dense forest terrain, which can be strenuous.
  • Gorilla Encounter: You will spend a maximum of one hour with the assigned gorilla family, observing their natural behavior and taking photos (without flash).
  • Return Journey: After the trek, you return to the starting point, receive a tracking certificate, and your guide drives you back to Kigali.

A Detailed 1 Day Gorilla Trekking Uganda

Following an early breakfast, you will head to the park headquarters for a briefing on the rules and regulations for Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari. During the briefing, a total of 8 tourists are allocated a single gorilla family depending on their hiking ability. The trek starts with each group being accompanied by a park ranger; the activity can take about 2-6 hours depending on where the gorillas spent their previous night. Upon seeing the gorillas, a maximum of 1 hour is allocated in the presence of these gentle giants for photography and amazing gorilla safari experiences. After the trek, you return to the park headquarters where you receive an Uganda gorilla trekking certificate. Your driver-guide then ensures a safe transfer back to Kigali, Kisoro, or Kabale.

End of the 1 Day Gorilla Trekking Uganda from Kigali, Kisoro, or Kabale

Inclusions

  • Uganda Gorilla trekking permit to Mgahinga or Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
  • Accommodation & meals as indicated
  • 4×4 Safari vehicle
  • A professional English-speaking knowledgeable driver guide.
  • Bottled drinking water on board

Exclusions

  • International flights & Visas
  • Tips
  • Drinks
  • Any changes to the itinerary
  • Laundry
  • Border crosing fees ($ 80 USD)

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