Best Short Uganda Gorilla Safaris for All Budget Travelers

Short Uganda gorilla safaris typically range from 2 to 5 days and offer an immersive experience in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. While a 1-day option exists, 2-day and 3-day trips are common, often starting from Kigali, Rwanda, or Kampala, Uganda’s capital, to fit limited timeframes. These safaris focus on trekking through the dense jungle to find and observe the majestic mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.

Short Uganda Gorilla Safari Packages

Short Uganda gorilla safari packages typically range from 3 to 5 days, focusing on a trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and include a gorilla permit, accommodations, park fees, and ground transport. While shorter, they are still significant investments, with 3-day packages costing around $1,500 to $2,900+ per person, primarily due to the $800 gorilla permit. Booking in advance and considering low-season travel can help manage costs.

Serengeti And Uganda Gorilla Trek

1 Day Gorilla Trekking Uganda
The 1 Day Gorilla Trek is a concise primate observation safari designed for enthusiasts anxious to partake in the extraordinary experience of encountering our close relatives, who share 98% of their DNA with humans. To observe these endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, one must participate in a Gorilla Trekking Experience. This one-day Gorilla trek safari itinerary encompasses two of the world’s premier Gorilla Safari destinations: Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.

1 Day Gorilla Trekking Uganda

Gorilla Trekking Uganda minimum age

2 Day Gorilla Trekking Uganda
A 2-day gorilla trekking tour in Uganda involves a quick, albeit intense, visit to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, typically starting and ending in Kigali, Rwanda, to minimize travel time. Day 1 is primarily a travel day, with the journey from Kigali, Rwanda, to Bwindi, Uganda, often crossing the Katuna border. Day 2 features the gorilla trek itself, allowing for a 1-hour encounter with mountain gorillas, followed by the return journey to Kigali.

2 Day Gorilla Trekking Uganda

Gorilla flying Safari Bwindi

3 Days Uganda Gorilla Flying Safari
A 3-day Uganda Gorilla Flying Safari involves a short domestic flight from Entebbe or Kajjansi to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (via Kihihi or Kisoro Airstrip), offering a quick and luxurious way to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. The safari includes the gorilla permit, accommodations, meals, and transfers to and from the airstrip by a 4×4 vehicle, with highlights being the gorilla trek, a one-hour interaction with the gorillas, and often a Batwa community visit.

3 Day Uganda Gorilla Flying Safari

Andre, Brehanna - After Gorilla Trekking

3 Day Gorilla Trekking Uganda
A 3-day gorilla trekking safari in Uganda focuses on the main event: encountering mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Typically, day one involves a long drive from Kampala or Entebbe to Bwindi, with Day 2 dedicated to the actual trek and gorilla viewing, and Day 3 for the return journey to your starting point. The trek involves hiking through dense forest for several hours, with the highlight being one hour spent observing the gorillas in their natural habitat.

3 Day Gorilla Trekking Uganda

3 Days Uganda Gorilla trekking from Kigali

Bwindi Gorilla Trekking From Kigali
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a popular destination for gorilla trekking from Kigali, with tours typically lasting 2-3 days and involving a scenic drive through the Kigezi region of Uganda. You will cross the Rwanda-Uganda border via the Katuna or Cyanika crossing, then head to the designated trailhead in Bwindi for your trek. Permits are required for the trek, and the experience involves a hike to find a habituated gorilla family, followed by an hour with the gorillas and then a return to Kigali.

Bwindi Gorilla Trekking From Kigali

Serengeti And Ngorongoro Safari

Uganda Gorilla trek And Serengeti Safari
A “gorilla trek and Serengeti” safari is a multi-country East African tour combining mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda with a safari in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park. The two experiences are physically separate, requiring travel between countries, often by flight, and can be combined for a comprehensive wildlife adventure. The best time to combine these activities is during the dry seasons, from June to October, when both gorilla trekking and the Great Migration are more favorable.

Uganda Gorilla Trek And Serengeti

4 Days Queen Elizabeth National Park Wildlife Safari Uganda

Gorillas And Lion Tracking
Lion tracking involves observing lions from a vehicle in savannahs, often with collared lions for tracking purposes, while gorilla trekking involves hiking through forests to find and observe mountain gorillas. These are two distinct, popular safari activities offered in Uganda, which can be combined into a single trip to experience both large predators and primates in different habitats.

Gorillas And Lion Tracking

gorilla images

Uganda And Rwanda Safaris
Safaris in Uganda and Rwanda are centered on mountain gorilla trekking, but also offer chimpanzee tracking, golden monkey spotting, and wildlife game drives, with Rwanda generally offering a more luxurious experience and Uganda providing wilder adventures and diverse wildlife. Costs are significant, with permits ranging from $800 (Uganda) to $1,500 (Rwanda) and daily tour prices varying by style from budget to luxury. Booking permits months in advance is crucial due to limited availability.

Uganda And Rwanda Safaris

Short Uganda Gorilla Safaris

Do you aspire to witness African mountain gorillas in their natural habitat? This animal experience is exceptionally dramatic and profound.

Gorilla trekking involve hiking into the rainforests of central Africa to observe and interact with the endangered gorillas in their native environment. Encountering the highly endangered African mountain gorillas, with a population of just over 1000 remaining in the wild, is an exceptionally uncommon pleasure.

Planning a short Uganda gorilla trekking safari is possible all year round, however, depending on the activity to be undertaken always be aware of the best time to go for a short trip. Generally, the best time to visit Uganda is during the dry season, which is in the months of June – August, and December to February, this is also a good time for your short Uganda gorilla safaris. Taking a short Uganda safari is in most cases affordable compared to long safaris in Uganda.

In case you are interested in a single activity which is gorilla tracking, then a short trip is a good option. The number of days for these short gorilla safari itineraries is dependent on where the trip starts and ends. Uganda gorilla tours from Entebbe International Airport can only spend a minimum of 3 Days because of the long driving distance which is about 10 hrs. The first and last days are reserved for the road drives. You can also take a flight to the Bwindi National Park, however, there are no flights that can make it possible to reach the park by 8:00 am which is the start of the trek. Therefore the first and last days are reserved for flights. Uganda Gorilla trekking from Kigali International Airport can last 2 days because the airport is closer to the park than that Uganda.

It takes a drive time of about 4-5 hours to reach the park and this makes it possible to drive back to Kigali after trekking compared to returning to Entebbe. The starting time for gorilla trekking is 8:00 am and therefore it is only possible to make it to the park if you have spent the night within the lodges around the park. This makes the distance short and therefore possible to reach the park on time for gorilla trekking.

When Is The Best Time To See Gorillas In Uganda

The best time for gorilla trekking in Uganda is during the two dry seasons, from June to September and December to February. While trekking is possible year-round, the dry seasons offer clearer trails, easier trekking conditions, better photographic opportunities, and more predictable weather. If you’re on a budget, the lower-demand rainy seasons (March to May and October to November) can also be a good option, though you should be prepared for mud.

Best Time (Dry Season)

June to September: This is a prime time for gorilla trekking, with generally good weather and fewer rainy days.
Mid-December to February: Another good dry season, offering pleasant temperatures and excellent conditions for trekking.

Pros of Dry Season:

Clearer, less muddy trails: for easier hiking.
Better visibility: and more consistent lighting for photography.
More predictable weather, allowing for more enjoyable trekking.

Shoulder Season & Rainy Season

March to May & October to November: These are the rainy or low seasons, though they can still be a good time for trekking.
Budget-friendly: You may find discounted rates on permits and accommodations.
Shorter treks: Gorillas might stay on lower, food-rich slopes, potentially leading to shorter trekking times.
Beautiful scenery: The rains bring out the lush, green environment, which can be stunning for photography.

Important Considerations:

Gorilla permits: Book your permits at least six months in advance, especially for peak season visits.
Always possible: Rain is common in Uganda’s rainforests at any time of the year, but it typically only lasts for an hour or two, allowing activities to continue.
Be prepared: Regardless of the season, always pack layers and rain gear, as the higher altitudes are chilly, and rain can occur at any time.

Worst/Best Time to Visit Uganda

Uganda Gorilla Trekking Best time to Go