4 Day Uganda Holiday Bwindi Gorilla Trekking & Lake Bunyonyi

4 Day Uganda Holiday Bwindi Gorilla Trekking & Lake Bunyonyi | 4 Days 3 Nights Lake Bunyonyi Bwindi Forests Gorillas Trekking Safari | 4 Days Bwindi Gorilla Trek Lake Bunyonyi Island Holiday | 4 Day Gorilla Tracking Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Lake Bunyonyi Tour | 4 Days 3 Nights Uganda Safaris

This 4 Day Uganda Holiday combines a trekking experience at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park to see the Mountain Gorilla with some downtime and relaxation at the beautiful Lake Bunyonyi.

Beginning from Kampala, the capital city of Uganda, we drive southwest to Masaka, stopping en route to have snacks and take photos at the equator. Then we travel west to Igongo Cultural Village, pausing to visit the village centre and the fascinating Ankole Museum, housing interesting cultural and historical displays. From Igongo we continue west to Mbarara where we have lunch at a motel.

After lunch, we cover the remaining distance to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, home to nearly half of the African mountain gorillas surviving in the wild today. Tonight we have dinner at our accommodation and prepare for our incredible gorilla encounter tomorrow.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is home to around half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas (720 Mountain Gorillas). Actually, there are over 300 mountain gorillas living there. The bird watching is excellent – keep a lookout for any of the 23 endemics among the 350 recorded bird species – while even the most seasoned of nature lovers will be amazed by the dazzling colors of Bwindi’s 200 butterfly species.

On day two we are up early for breakfast, before our gorilla trek; which starts with a briefing at 08h00. The short talk is given by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) staff and covers gorilla trekking procedures and rules. After the informative talk, we set off into Bwindi National Park, following the UWA ranger into the dense rainforests.

Spending four hours with the endangered African mountain gorillas is an incredibly rare opportunity! Our intimate gorilla encounter gives you the chance to watch the gorillas go about their daily activities.  We observe the mountain gorillas feeding, dozing off, and interacting with each other on the forest floor – an extraordinary wildlife experience.

After our once-in-a-lifetime gorilla experience in the wild hills and valleys of Bwindi Park, we return to our accommodation for dinner and a good night’s rest.

On day three, we say farewell to the impenetrable forest and head to Lake Bunyonyi. Lake Bunyonyi is also known as the place of many little birds and is one of the few lakes in the region that is rumored to be free of bilharzia and safe for swimming. It is a popular location for water sports and a favorite destination for birders.

When you reach a canoe ride, check out several islands like Bwama Island good for birders or you could take a nature walk to appreciate a variety of small birds. Other activities at Lake Bunyonyi include canoeing, boat cruising, riding, and local tour, swimming, hiking the highlands around the lake, pygmy village tours, and birding or just relaxing.

On Day Four, we transfer to the capital of Uganda, Kampala. We drive via Mbarara and Masaka, stopping for lunch and crossing back over the equator along the way. Arriving in Kampala we drop you off at your post-tour accommodation or transfer you to the Entebbe International Airport for your onward flight.

Day 1: Kampala – Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 2: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Gorilla Tracking
Day 3: Bwindi Forest – Drive to Lake Bunyonyi
Day 4: Lake Bunyonyi – Drive to Kampala

Day 1: Kampala – Travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

0700 Hours: After an early breakfast at your hotel in Kampala you will depart and proceed to south-western Uganda to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park taking us approximately 9 hours. A brief stop at the Equator (a place called Kayabwe) provides an opportunity for photographs. Continue to the rolling hills and terraced landscapes of the Kabale District.

Have lunch in Mbarara town and proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park arriving in the evening. Dinner follows and we relax as we prepare for the Bwindi gorilla trekking experience the following day.

Accommodation Options:

Luxury Accommodation: Buhoma Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Clouds Mount Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Forest Camp
Budget Accommodation: Broadbill Forest Camp, Wagtail Eco safari camp, Gift Of Nature Lodge, Nshongi Gorilla Resort
Mid-range Accommodation: Gorilla Mist Camp, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Silverback Lodge Bwindi, Lake Kitandara Bwindi Camp

Meal Plan: {Lunch & Dinner}

Travel Time: About 9 – 11 Hours

Day 2: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorilla Tracking) & Cultural Entertainment:

0630 Hours: Have an early morning breakfast and then head to the gorilla sanctuary. This rainforest is spectacular as it offers a dramatic, heavily forested, and dense landscape crisscrossed by numerous animal trails, allowing access for guests.

This Park is best known for the fascinating gorillas, where the time taken to find them and the terrain varies according to the movements of these marvelous primates. The entire experience may take anything from 2 to 8 hours. 

The thrill of spending time and observing these gentle giant gorillas is a rare, moving, awesome, and also exciting adventure that will leave you with long-lasting memories of a truly unique experience. The gorillas are shy and peaceful animals and it is an unforgettable experience to watch and photograph them as they play and interact with each other.

In the evening, have a cultural walk and interact with the local people. Participate in captivating traditional performances presented by Women’s groups or orphan children groups.

Note that the fees you pay for these performances go directly to improve the welfare of families around the park.

Optional Extra: If your gorilla trekking experience is short enough, it may be possible to add on a waterfall hike – this may take anything from 2 to 5 hours depending on how much you stop along the way. Take a plunge into the bottom of the icy waterfall if you are brave enough! (additional cost).

Accommodation Options:

Luxury Accommodation: Buhoma Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Clouds Mount Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Forest Camp
Budget Accommodation: Broadbill Forest Camp, Wagtail Eco safari camp, Gift Of Nature Lodge, Nshongi Gorilla Resort
Mid-range Accommodation: Gorilla Mist Camp, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Silverback Lodge Bwindi, Lake Kitandara Bwindi Camp

Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Trekking Time: Unpredictable

Day 3: Bwindi – Drive to Lake Bunyonyi

After having that encounter with the mountain gorillas, say farewell to the impenetrable forest and head to Lake Bunyonyi. Lake Bunyonyi is also known as the place of many little birds and is one of the few lakes in the region that is rumored to be free of bilharzia and safe for swimming.

It is a popular location for water sports and a favorite destination for birders. When you reach a canoe ride, check out several islands like Bwama Island good for birders or you could take a nature walk to appreciate a variety of small birds. Other activities at Lake Bunyonyi include canoeing, boat cruising, riding, and local tour, swimming, hiking the highlands around the lake, pygmy village tours, and birding.

Accommodation Options:

Luxury Accommodation: BirdNest @ Bunyonyi Resort, Bunyonyi Overland Resort, OuterView of the Resort
Budget Accommodation: Bunyonyi Safaris Resort, Jajama Panorama Resort
Mid-range Accommodation: Bushara Island Camp, Heritage Lodge Habuharo, Arcadia Cottages

Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Travel time: About 2 to 4 hours

Day 4: Lake Bunyonyi – travel back to Kampala City

After breakfast, we transfer to Kampala through Kabale and Mbarara for a lunch stop. You also have a chance to explore the Ankole culture at Igongo Cultural center before proceeding to get to Kampala in the evening.

Meal Plan: {Breakfast & Lunch}

Travel time: About 7 to 8 Hours