4 Days Gorillas and Lake Bunyonyi

4 Days Uganda

4 Days gorillas and thereafter, relax by the lake side of Bunyonyi.

This 4 Days Bwindi Gorilla tracking and Lake Bunyonyi safari, takes you to see Mountain Gorillas as you track them in their home Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and conclude it by relaxing and enjoying the cool breeze and outstanding sights of Lake Bunyonyi.

Day 1: Kampala to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 2: Gorilla tracking and cultural encounters in Bwindi
Day 3: Bwindi to Lake Bunyonyi
Day 4: Return to Kampala

Detailed Itinerary

Why this safari works

This short trip suits travellers who want one gorilla trek and a quiet break afterwards, without a long time on the road. You leave Kampala on Day 1, track mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park on Day 2 and visit a Batwa community the same evening. Lake Bunyonyi follows, with a canoe trip among its islands and a community walk, before the drive back to Kampala on Day 4.

Highlights

  • Mountain gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
  • Community walk with the Batwa people near Bwindi
  • Canoe trip among the islands of Lake Bunyonyi
  • Community and nature walk at Lake Bunyonyi
  • Equator stop and views of the terraced Kigezi highlands

Your route

  1. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Uganda · 2 nights
  2. Lake Bunyonyi Uganda · 1 night
  3. Kampala Uganda · Departure

Day-by-day itinerary

  1. Day1
    Misty forested hills with tea in foreground, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda

    Kampala to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

    You will be picked up from the Hotel in Kampala after breakfast by your guide. Thereafter drive to the southwestern part of Uganda via Masaka, you will have two stopovers; at the Equator to take photographs and buy souvenirs and also in Mbarara for lunch. Later continue as you drive through the rolling hills with banana plantations, the stunning terraced Kigezi highlands.

    Basically it will be a great tour as you will have great views of various landscapes. On reaching the park, check in and you will have dinner and an overnight.

    Accommodation Options; Buhoma community camp/Kitandara camp/Gorilla resort/Mahogany springs Meal Plan; Lunch & Dinner

    • Drive to Bwindi
    • Buhoma Community Camp, Kitandara Camp, Gorilla Resort or Mahogany Springs
    • Lunch, dinner
  2. Day2
    Gorilla face peeking through leaves, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda

    Gorilla tracking and cultural encounters in Bwindi

    On this day when you are done with your early breakfast, leave the lodge with packed lunch and report to the park headquarters for briefing at 7:30am which includes the rules and guidelines for gorilla trekking. Thereafter in the same area is the starting point as you go on to trek mountain gorillas, you will be guided by an experienced and knowledgeable park ranger guide who will take you to see these gentle giants.

    How long it takes to track gorillas is determined by their location in a place so it can take 2 to 8 hours. You will have a great time with them and after return back to your lodge. Refresh and later in the evening take a community walk to engage and see how people live around this area especially the Batwa which are an indigenous group of people. Have dinner and Overnight.

    Accommodation Options; Buhoma community camp/Kitandara camp/Gorilla resort/Mahogany springs Meal Plan; Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

    • Gorilla tracking
    • Buhoma Community Camp, Kitandara Camp, Gorilla Resort or Mahogany Springs
    • Breakfast, lunch, dinner
  3. Day3
    Islands on Lake Bunyonyi under blue sky, Lake Bunyonyi, Uganda

    Bwindi to Lake Bunyonyi

    After your breakfast, you will start off your tour to Lake Bunyonyi found in Kabale which is the second deepest lake in Africa and a great place for birders. You will be welcomed by the sweet sounds of the birds, the word Bunyonyi means Small birds in the local language.

    Upon arrival, you will go for a canoe trip on the lake whereby you will be able to see various birds, communities, landforms such as the islands (around 29 islands are in the lake). Take as many photographs as you can. After the canoe, have lunch and in the evening go for a community/nature walk through the Batwa and Abaheesi communities.

    Accommodation Options; Gorilla View Resort(Budget), Bunyonyi Safari Resort(Moderate), Bunyonyi Birdnest(Luxury) Meal Plan; Lunch & Dinner

    • Canoe trip on Lake Bunyonyi
    • Gorilla View Resort, Bunyonyi Safari Resort or Birdnest at Bunyonyi
    • Lunch, dinner
  4. Day4

    Return to Kampala

    Enjoy your breakfast and checkout from the lodge and drive to Kampala having lunch en-route. You will arrive in Kampala in the evening with great memories from Lake Bunyonyi and Bwindi Impenetrable. Meal Plan; Breakfast and Lunch

    End of Safari Tour inclusions; Gorilla permits (One per person), Accommodation, Transport, Tour guide(English speaking), Drinking water, Canoeing fees on Lake Bunyonyi

    • Drive to Kampala
    • Breakfast, lunch

Tour exclusions; Any personal items purchased and Tips, Visas and International flights, any kind of drinks taken while at the lodges, Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary.

Frequently asked questions

Where does the trip start and finish?

Your guide picks you up from your hotel in Kampala after breakfast on Day 1, and you are back in Kampala on the evening of Day 4.

How long does gorilla tracking take?

It depends on where the gorillas are that day, so the trek can take from 2 to 8 hours. The day starts with a briefing at the park headquarters at 7:30am.

Is the gorilla permit included?

Yes. The inclusions list one gorilla permit per person, along with the canoeing fees on Lake Bunyonyi.

What happens at Lake Bunyonyi?

After arriving on Day 3 you take a canoe trip on the lake to see birds, island communities and some of its 29 islands. In the evening there is a community and nature walk.

Where do I stay?

Two nights at a lodge near Bwindi, with Buhoma Community Camp, Kitandara Camp, Gorilla Resort and Mahogany Springs given as options, then one night at Lake Bunyonyi at a budget, moderate or luxury resort.