Can I fly into Kigali and trek gorillas in Bwindi?
Fly into Kigali and trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi which is found in the southwestern part of Uganda. Travelers can now fly to Kigali international airport and trek Bwindi gorillas using Katuna border in Kabale or Cyanika birder in Kisoro. Flying into Kigali and trekking mountain gorillas in Rwanda is the best choice because from Kigali to Bwindi is just 4-5 hours driving. The drive takes you to one of the national parks with the highest number of mountain gorillas and this is Bwindi.
Flying to Kigali and trekking mountain gorillas of Bwindi gives you an opportunity encounter to mountain gorillas at a cheap price compared to trekking in volcanoes national park. Gorilla permits for Bwindi are $700 while those for volcanoes are $1500 and this is per person per trek.
From any part of the world to Bwindi gorilla park, you have 19 mountain gorilla families to trek in Bwindi and these are found in 4 sectors of the park which are Nkuringo, Ruhija, Buhoma, and Rushaga. Trekking mountain gorillas is very safe in the park as armed ranger guides lead you through different trails while protecting you from dangerous wild animals while you keep the rules and regulations of the activity. Africa adventure vacation limited helps travelers on organizing cheap gorilla safaris in Bwindi from Kigali and well-trained drivers that can pick you up at Kigali international airport and drive you to the park.
Can I fly into Kigali and trek gorillas in Bwindi?
Accessing Bwindi from Kigali
Driving from Kigali to Bwindi gorilla park is the quickest way to get to the Bwindi gorilla park you are using road transport from outside the country. The journey from Kigali to Bwindi gorilla park starts from Kigali international airport, tales you through Kigali city, gets you different stopovers along the way, and takes you to the borders of Uganda. From Kigali to Bwindi, travelers will drive to the Cyanika border in Kisoro or Katuna border in Kabale. The journey is full of beautiful views of different places such as hills, homesteads, Lake Bunyonyi, genocide memorials, Virunga volcanoes, and much more.
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi from Kigali
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi begins early in the morning in all the sectors of the park. Trekkers must wake up early in the morning for breakfast and then meet their driver guides to transfer them to the sector offices. Here you will meet park wardens to take you through different rules and regulations of the gorilla trekking activity. Groups not exceeding 8 people will be formed and each group will be given armed ranger guides to lead them in the jungle. The armed ranger guides protect the trekkers from dangerous wild animals and also show them the right trails to locate the gorilla family quickly.
The search for a mountain gorilla family can take 2-7 hours and this time depends on the location of the mountain gorilla group and the speed of trekkers. During the trekking activity, trekkers get opportunities to meet different park animals such as buffaloes, jackals, elephants, giant forest hogs, bushpigs, birds, and plants. When the trekkers see mountain gorillas, armed ranger guides will give them 1 hour to be around the gorilla family, watch them do daily activities, take photos and learn about their habits.
Gorilla trekking permits for Bwindi
For any traveler to trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi, they must have a gorilla permit. The gorilla permits are issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority and can still be got using a trusted local tour operator such as African Adventure Vacations. The permits have fixed prices and these are $700 for foreign non-residents, $600 for foreign residents, and UGX250,000 for East African citizens. Those interested in gorilla habituation can buy gorilla permits of $1500 for foreign non-residents, $1000 for foreign residents, and UGX750,000 East African citizens.
Best time to fly to Kigali and trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi
Travelers can always fly to Kigali and trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi at any time of the year because the park is always open but there are months that are better than the rest. The dry months are the best to trek mountain gorillas from any part of the world and these occur from June to September and December to February. They are characterized by little or no rainfall that leaves the trekking trails dry, the vegetation is thin with good views of gorillas and other park animals and lastly, the roads leading to the park are in good condition.
Travelers can also fly to Kigali and trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi gorilla park in the rainy season so as to enjoy huge discounts on accommodation facilities. During the rainy season which occurs from March to May and October to November there is plenty of rainfall which makes the trekking trails muddy and slippery, the vegetation is tall and thick with unclear views of the park animals and the roads leading to the park are in poor conditions.
What to carry on a gorilla trekking safari
What to carry on a gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi?
While coming for the Bwindi gorilla safari, you are advised to carry things such as waterproof hiking shoes, cotton stocks, a pair of gaiters, gardening gloves, a sweater, long-sleeved pants, long-sleeved shirts, a hat, sunscreen, a rain jacket, light backpack, camera, a pair of binoculars, sanitizer, insect repellents, energy-giving snacks, and drinking water bottle.
Where to stay in Bwindi gorilla park from Kigali?
Travelers flying into Kigali and driving to Bwindi gorilla park for gorilla trekking have a lot of accommodation facilities available for them to spend a night or more. The national park has 4 sectors that have different accommodation facilities and travelers must stay in accommodations of the sectors they are to trek mountain gorillas.
Accommodation facilities in Nkuringo sector
Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Heights Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Bwindi Backpackers Lodge, Mutanda Eco Community Centre, Nshongi Camp, Crested Crane Bwindi Hotel, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, and Virunga Campsite
Accommodation facilities in Ruhija sector
Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, Ruhija Community Rest Camp, Bakiga Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp, Broadbill Forest Camp, Agandi Lodge, Gift of Nature Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Friends Resort, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Cuckoo Land Tented Lodge, Ecomarvels Gorilla Lodge, and Trekkers Tavern.
Accommodation facilities in Buhoma sector
Buhoma Lodge, Engagi Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Bwindi Forest Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Bwindi View Bandas, Ride 4 women Guest House, Silverback Lodge, Buhoma Rest Camp, Haven Lodge, and Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge.
Accommodation facilities in Rushaga sector
Rushaga Gorilla Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Bwindi Jungle Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, Nsongi Camp, Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Resort, and Wagtail Eco Safari Lodge.
