SELF-DRIVE

3 DAYS AKAGERA SELF-DRIVE TOUR

Tour Overview

Embark on an unforgettable 3 days Bwindi self-drive gorilla tour and get a chance to meet the unique mountain gorillas in the wild. This short self-drive gorilla tour in Uganda takes you on a memorable gorilla trekking adventure in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. A gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi will involve walking through the dense rainforest in search of a family of mountain gorillas. You will also have a chance to visit the Batwa community to enjoy a cultural experience.


Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the top-visited park in Uganda for gorilla safaris. Bwindi is found in Southwestern Uganda and was officially established in 1991. The park is comprised of 4 regions (Rushaga, Nkuringo, Buhoma, & Ruhija sectors) each with fully habituated gorilla group families.

About 24 habituated gorilla families are found in Bwindi National Park and include Mishaya, Mucunguzi gorilla family, Mubare, Habinyanja, Oruzogo, Bitukura gorilla group, Rushegura, and Katwe. Bwindi also features gorilla families like Kahungye, Busingye, Nshongi, Bweza, Kutu, Rwigi, Bikingi, Bushaho group, and others. Your 3-day Bwindi self-drive gorilla tour will begin and end in Kampala/Entebbe city. 

Safari Highlights of 3 Days Bwindi Self-drive Gorilla Tour


  • Road trip in a 4x4 self-drive vehicle.
  • Gorilla trekking experience.
  • Stopover at the Equator crossing in Kayabwe
  • Delicious meals & comfortable stay in a lodge/hotel/camp
  • Breathtaking views of the countryside including misty rolling hills

Brief itinerary


Day 1: Transfer from Entebbe/Kampala to Bwindi using a 4x4 Self-drive vehicle

Day 2: Gorilla trekking & Batwa cultural tour

Day 3: Drive back to Kampala or Entebbe in a 4x4 Self-drive vehicle


Detailed itinerary 

  • Day 1: Transfer from Entebbe/Kampala to Bwindi using a 4x4 Self-drive vehicle

    Enjoy a hefty breakfast at the comfort of your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala. After the heavy breakfast, you will have your luggage packed safely in the 4x4 self-drive vehicle. Set off for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, driving on the Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara-Kabale route. 


    Expect to take between 8 and 9 hours on the road to get to Bwindi. Luckily, en route, you have plenty to enjoy with a stopover to be made at the Uganda Equator crossing in Kayabwe. Have a great time taking pictures and also stretch your legs. From Kayabwe, you will proceed to Igongo Cultural Centre to be provided with lunch. 


    After lunch, you will continue to Bwindi to check in at your gorilla safari lodge. Have adequate time to chill and prepare your items to be used the following day during the gorilla trekking adventure in the Buhoma region. 


    Accommodation options 

    • Budget: Buhoma Community Rest Camp/Ride 4 a Woman Camp 
    • Midrange: Gorilla Haven Lodge/Engagi Lodge
    • Luxury: Bwindi Lodge/Buhoma Lodge/Mahogany Springs Lodge 

  • Day 2: A game drive & boat cruise

    Wake up early and have a tasty breakfast in your respective accommodation. Leave the lodge after breakfast and join the rest of the visitors for a briefing about gorilla trekking regulations. 


    The briefing is a must for you to attend because it is when you will get to know the gorilla trekking regulations to follow. The park official will use the briefing session to allocate visitors to gorilla families and park ranger guides. 


    At around 8:00 am, expect to begin your actual trekking through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest as you look for mountain gorillas. The trek with mountain gorillas may take about 2-6 hours and includes one hour to explore in depth how these apes live and take photos. 

    After up close with a group of gorillas in Bwindi National Park, expect to return to the briefing area to get your gorilla trekking certificate. Once you have received your certificate, continue to the lodge to enjoy lunch and also to have some relaxation. 


    Late in the afternoon, you will leave the lodge for the Batwa Community tour. The cultural tour in the Batwa Community involves interacting with the Batwa pygmies who spent 1000s of years in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest as hunters and fruit gatherers. 


    Accommodation options 

    • Budget: Buhoma Community Rest Camp/Ride 4 a Woman Camp 
    • Midrange: Gorilla Haven Lodge/Engagi Lodge
    • Luxury: Bwindi Lodge/Buhoma Lodge/Mahogany Springs Lodge

  • Day 3: Drive back to Kampala or Entebbe in a 4x4 Self-drive vehicle

    After a hefty breakfast in your lodge, expect to check out. Have all your property packed in the 4x4 self-drive vehicle and today, you will be driving back to Entebbe/Kampala via the Mbarara-Masaka route. The long day road trip to Entebbe or Kampala city will include en-route lunch

    End of 3 Days Bwindi Self-drive Gorilla Tour


inclusions 


  • Gorilla permit.
  • Park entrance fees.
  • Park ranger guide services.
  • Cultural experience in the Batwa community.
  • All activities excluding optional ones.
  • Travel using a 4x4 self-drive vehicle in Uganda.

exclusions 


  • Tips
  • Visa expenses
  • Laundry services.
  • International Airfares.
  • Cost of obtaining passports.
  • Beverages/alcoholic drinks.
  • Shopping bills.
  • All travel insurance bills.
  • Optional activities. 

What to pack for your 3 Days Bwindi Self-drive Gorilla Tour


Essential items to include on your packing list for a self-drive gorilla tour to Bwindi National Park include waterproof hiking boots, a daypack, a safari hat, a camera with no flashlight, long trousers, long-sleeved shirts, and a sweater. Additional items to have include the first aid kit, insect repellents, valid gorilla permits, passports, visas, and many others.


When to travel for gorilla trekking tour in Bwindi National Park


A gorilla trekking tour in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is best done during the dry season. The two phases of peak dry season occur from June to September and December to February.


Visiting Bwindi for a self-drive gorilla tour during the dry season allows you to engage in a gorilla trek with less stress from the rains. The park receives less rainfall amount around the dry season compared to the wet or rainy months.


What else to do in Bwindi besides the gorilla trekking tour


On a gorilla tour to Bwindi, visitors also have many other exciting experiences to add to their travel package. They include birding or bird watching, nature/forest walks, and gorilla habituation experience. You can also have addition of biking or cycling experience and bikes can be hired from the Ride 4 a Woman.