How much does this tour cost?

The tour price depends on your accommodation choice. Budget: $650–850 per person. Mid-range: $950–1,250 per person. Luxury: $1,800–2,800 per person. All prices exclude the $800 gorilla permit, which is paid separately to the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Prices are based on 2 travelers sharing.

Is the gorilla permit included in the price?

No. We list the $800 permit separately for transparency. We handle the permit booking process for you — just let us know your preferred travel dates and we arrange everything with UWA.

HopeKitchen is a community project in Buhoma supported by our partner Hope on the road gGmbH. Local women cook together, children receive educational support, and visitors can experience genuine Ugandan hospitality. It is not a staged tourist attraction — it is a real community initiative that benefits from your visit.

Can I start this tour from Kigali instead of Entebbe?

Yes. We offer a Kigali-start version of this tour. The drive from Kigali to Bwindi takes approximately 4–5 hours via the Cyanika or Katuna border crossing. See our Kigali Gorilla Express tour for details.

How fit do I need to be?

Moderate fitness is recommended. The trek involves hiking through dense, hilly rainforest that can be muddy and steep. Porters are available to help carry your daypack and assist on difficult sections. People of all ages complete the trek — determination matters more than athletic ability.

3 days / 2 nights

Gorilla Encounter — 3 Days

The most personal gorilla trekking experience in Uganda. Based from Buhoma — our home — with a Lake Bunyonyi retreat and HopeKitchen community visit.

Route

EntebbeBwindi / BuhomaLake BunyonyiEntebbe

Quick Facts

Duration

3 Days / 2 Nights

Gorilla Trekking

Included (permit $800 extra)

Chimpanzee Trekking

Not included

Accommodation

Budget, Mid-Range or Luxury

Start Location

Entebbe

End Location

Entebbe

Private Safari

Yes

Best For

First-time gorilla trekkers, short trips

Community Visit

HopeKitchen, Buhoma

Last updated: June 2025. Information reviewed every 90 days.Sources: Uganda Wildlife Authority, Uganda Tourism Board, direct operator information.

About This Tour

This is the tour we built around what we know best: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. As a company based in Buhoma, right at the main gate of the park, we offer a gorilla trekking experience that feels personal, not packaged.

You will trek through one of Africa's oldest rainforests to spend one hour with a mountain gorilla family. After the trek, visit HopeKitchen in Buhoma — a community project where local women cook together and children receive support. It is a genuine connection, not a staged show.

The trip ends with a retreat to Lake Bunyonyi, one of Africa's most beautiful lakes, where you can canoe between islands, swim, or simply watch the hills change colour at sunset. A perfect balance of adventure and relaxation.

This is the most popular tour type in Uganda for good reason — it delivers the experience people travel halfway around the world for, without a single wasted day.

Included

Private 4x4 vehicle with experienced driver-guide
2 nights accommodation (budget, mid-range or luxury — your choice)
All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Drinking water in vehicle
Park entry fees
Gorilla trekking permit arrangement (permit fee paid separately to UWA)
Porter hire for the gorilla trek
HopeKitchen community visit in Buhoma
Canoe trip on Lake Bunyonyi
Airport or hotel pick-up and drop-off

Not Included

Gorilla trekking permit ($800 per person, paid to Uganda Wildlife Authority)
International flights
Uganda visa ($50, arranged online before travel)
Travel insurance (required — must cover gorilla trekking)
Tips for guide, porter and lodge staff
Alcoholic beverages
Personal expenses and souvenirs

Meals served at lodges are included as specified. Meals, snacks and drinks purchased during road transfers or stopovers are not included unless specifically mentioned.

Browse lodges along this route on lodgesofuganda.com

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Buhoma — Meet Duncan's Team

Pick-up from Entebbe airport, Kampala hotel, or your previous location. Scenic drive to Buhoma near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. If coming from Entebbe, the journey takes 8–10 hours with stops at the Equator and through rolling tea plantations. Alternatively, break the drive with an overnight at Lake Mburo (ask us). Arrive at your lodge, meet your guide, and receive a briefing for the next day's trek. Dinner with views of the forest.

8–10 hours from Entebbe (or 4–5h from Kigali)Lunch, Dinner

Day 2

Gorilla Trekking & HopeKitchen Community Visit

Early breakfast, then walk to the UWA park headquarters for a ranger briefing. Set off into the Impenetrable Forest with your ranger team and optional porter. The trek takes 2–8 hours depending on the gorilla family's location. When you find them, spend up to one hour observing mothers with infants, juveniles playing, and a silverback watching over his family. Return to Buhoma for a late lunch. Afternoon visit to HopeKitchen — meet the women behind the project, share a cup of local coffee, and see how tourism supports the community. Dinner at your lodge.

None — trekking dayBreakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner

Day 3

Lake Bunyonyi & Departure

After breakfast, drive to Lake Bunyonyi (approximately 1.5 hours). Enjoy a canoe trip across the lake, visit one of the 29 islands, and take in the stunning terraced hillsides. Lunch by the water. Depart for your next destination or begin the return journey to Entebbe/Kampala. Optional: extend with a night at the lake for full relaxation.

Photos

Frequently Asked Questions

Guest Reviews

“The moment we found the gorilla family, everything else faded away. A silverback sat just meters from us, completely at ease. Duncan's team made every detail seamless — from the permit to the lodge.”

Sarah M.United Kingdom

“We were nervous about the trek being too difficult, but the porters were incredible and the pace was comfortable. Seeing a mother gorilla with her baby was unforgettable. The HopeKitchen visit was a beautiful surprise.”

Thomas & Petra W.Germany