Bwindi Gorilla Trekking 3-Day Tour from Kampala with Batwa Visit

Trek nine hours through rainforest to meet mountain gorillas face-to-face

A 3-day tour from Kampala to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park where you trek to mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, visit the Batwa community to learn traditional hunting and fire-making, and paddle Lake Bunyonyi. The trek takes around nine hours on foot through dense forest. You'll also drive through Lake Mburo National Park and stop at the equator on the way in and out. Meals and two nights' accommodation are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Transfer to Bwindi National Park

• Meet guide at Entebbe airport
• Drive from Kampala/Entebbe early morning
• Stop at the equator for photos
• Have lunch at equator stop
• Drive via Mbarara and Lake Mburo
• Arrive at Bwindi accommodation
• Register and check in
• Relax and briefing for next day

Day 2: Gorilla trekking and Batwa visit

• Wake up early and have breakfast
• Drive to Uganda wildlife office
• Register and attend briefing
• Join group for gorilla trek
• Trek through forest to find gorillas
• Observe birds, butterflies, plants
• Return and get certified
• Have hot lunch and relax
• Visit Batwa community
• Learn Batwa fire making and hunting
• Engage with local community

Day 3: Return to Kampala or Entebbe

• Wake up early and have breakfast
• Pack belongings and load car
• Drive back to Kampala via Mbarara
• Have lunch in Mbarara
• Continue to Kampala or Entebbe airport
• Receive appreciation and farewell

The experience

How do you actually get to the gorillas? You start before dawn on day two after an overnight drive from Kampala. At the wildlife office, you're assigned to a group of eight and paired with a ranger guide and porters who carry your lunch, cameras and gear. The trek itself runs about nine hours through the impenetrable forest, climbing through terraced hills where you'll spot birds, butterflies and plant species as you search. When you find a gorilla family, you stay and watch. This is the moment the whole three days builds toward.

The drive from Kampala takes the first full day. You leave early, stop at the equator for photos and a meal, then pass through Lake Mburo National Park before reaching Bwindi. Your guide briefs you on the route and the next day's trek. On day two after the gorilla trek, you spend the afternoon with the Batwa community learning how they make fire, hunt for food and live in the forest. You participate rather than just observe. Day three is the return drive to Kampala or Entebbe airport, with lunch in Mbarara along the way.

A licensed guide travels with you the whole time and speaks English, Spanish, French or German. The vehicle is air-conditioned, and you stay two nights at Serena Hotel. Private transportation is included from your pickup point, and the gorilla permit and park entrance fees are covered. You don't arrange those separately.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your pickup point.
• entrance fees to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the gorilla permit.
• two nights' accommodation at Serena Hotel.
• meals throughout the tour.
• an air-conditioned vehicle.
• a licensed tour guide in English, Spanish, French or German.
• WiFi on board.
• porter service during the gorilla trek to carry your belongings.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (31 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (13 to 30 years) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Infant (under 5)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and German

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 800

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Wheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by ML Afrika Safaris and Tours Uganda

Is this one for you?The gorilla trek runs nine hours on foot through rainforest with steep terrain, so you'll need moderate fitness and be ready for an early start and a full day of walking. If you're prepared for that physical commitment, the three-day structure gives you time for the trek itself, the Batwa community experience, and the long drive from Kampala without rushing any of it.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

5 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and German.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 30 years); Child (5 to 12 years); Infant (under 5).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How physically demanding is the gorilla trek on day two?

The trek runs about nine hours on foot through dense rainforest with hills and uneven terrain. You'll need a moderate level of fitness and should be prepared for a long day in the forest. Porters carry your belongings so you travel lighter, but the pace and duration are substantial.

What exactly happens when you find the gorillas?

Once your group locates a gorilla family, you spend time watching and photographing them in their natural habitat. The ranger guide explains their behavior and the forest around them. There's no set time limit, though the trek itself takes about nine hours total from start to finish.

What do you do with the Batwa community on day two afternoon?

The Batwa community visit is a local walk where you learn and participate in traditional practices: how they make fire, how they hunt for food, and how they live in the forest. It's an engagement rather than a lecture, so you're doing these activities alongside community members.

What's included in the three days, and what do I need to pay for separately?

Included are private transportation from pickup, the gorilla permit and park entrance fees, two nights' accommodation, meals, an air-conditioned vehicle, a licensed guide, and WiFi on board. Not included are your international flight, entry visa, alcoholic drinks, laundry, tips, and any airport departure tax.

Where do you stay, and how much time is spent driving versus trekking?

You stay two nights at Serena Hotel in Bwindi. Day one is mostly driving from Kampala with stops at the equator and Lake Mburo. Day two includes the nine-hour gorilla trek and the Batwa community visit. Day three is the return drive to Kampala or Entebbe.