Uganda Gorilla Trekking Express

Day 1: Kampala – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Your holiday time is precious, so we take advantage of every moment, departing Kampala very early in the morning. It’s a full day’s drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, but this is one drive that won’t leave you wondering, “Are we there yet?”

We wind through Uganda’s picturesque countryside, skirting the north-eastern shores of Lake Victoria before ascending into the mountainous landscapes of the south-western region. Here, terraced hillsides dot the view and traditional settlements pop up, seemingly at random. In the late afternoon, open plains and rolling mountains fade into the dense foliage of ancient rainforest – we’ve made it to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world’s most important habitat for wild mountain gorillas.

Overnight at Buhoma Lodge.

Day 2: Bwindi Gorilla Trek

You awake to a world of green: lichens and epiphytes hanging from every surface, where trees so densely cover the mountains that not even a spot of soil can be seen. It is here that approximately half of the world’s remaining mountain gorilla population – the planet’s largest primates and a critically endangered species – make their home. This magnificent swath of rainforest also shelters nine other primate species: the chimpanzee, blue monkey, redtail monkey, L’hoest’s monkey, black and white colobus, potto, Demidoff’s, and needle-clawed galago.

Today is dedicated to gorillas, and the early morning sees us hiking into the tangled and mist-shrouded forest. Our guides are experienced trackers who work to locate the gorillas by identifying the previous night’s nest. Our search for these majestic creatures leads us deep into a thick and untamed forest, where we’ll scramble over mossy rocks and through deep undergrowth. Coming face-to-face with your very first gorilla is your reward. Watch the gorillas in their natural habitat, as they care for their young and pluck tasty shoots from the trees. These memories will last a lifetime!

Overnight at Buhoma Lodge.

Day 3: Bwindi – Kampala

It’s time again to exchange rainforest for urban jungle, but this time in reverse. We leave in the early morning for our trip back to Kampala, arriving early evening for a late flight or overnight in the city.