Tour overview

This 4-day independent short break is the quickest way to come face to face with mountain gorillas, one of the world's most moving wildlife encounters. There is no tour leader: you travel with a driver-guide in a 4WD safari vehicle, and park rangers lead the gorilla trek. Groups are small, with up to 12 travellers aged 15 and over. You stay three nights in lodges, in Mbarara and on the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, with all meals included from dinner on the first day, and a gorilla permit is included, one of the most sought-after wildlife permits in Africa. Gorilla permits are limited each day, so booking early is essential.

Your break begins at 9am at your joining hotel in Kampala, Uganda's busy capital. Heading west, you stop at Lake Mburo National Park for a 4×4 game drive among zebras, impala, buffalo, giraffes and the park's famous herds of eland, before reaching your lodge near Mbarara for the night.

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The next day you drive through the rolling green hills and terraced farms of south-west Uganda to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to around half the world's mountain gorillas. Your lodge sits on the edge of the forest, and the evening is a chance to listen to the sounds of the rainforest.

On the third morning you receive a briefing from park rangers and set off into the forest to track a habituated gorilla family. The trek can take from one to several hours through steep, muddy terrain, but once the gorillas are found you spend a remarkable hour watching them feed, play and rest, from the giant silverback to the youngest infants. The final day is a long drive back to Kampala, with a stop to take photographs on the equator and a picnic lunch along the way.

The physical rating is medium, but the gorilla trek can be strenuous. This break suits wildlife lovers short on time, or anyone adding gorillas to a longer trip in East Africa. Porters can be hired locally to carry your bag and help on steep sections, which also supports local families.

Trip highlights

  • A 4x4 game drive in Lake Mburo National Park (Day 1)
  • Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Day 2)
  • An hour with a habituated mountain gorilla family (Day 3)
  • A gorilla permit included
  • An equator photo stop (Day 4)
  • Lodge stays on the edge of the forest

Your route

5 stops from Lake Mburo National Park to Kampala

4-day route: Kampala – Lake Mburo – Bwindi – Kampala
  1. Lake Mburo National Park Day 1
  2. Mbarara Day 1
  3. Bwindi (Rushaga) Days 2–3
  4. Uganda Equator Day 4
  5. Kampala Day 4

Why choose this tour

Mountain gorillas in four days, with the permit, transport and lodges arranged. Small groups and expert rangers, with no tour leader needed.

Best suited to

  • Wildlife lovers short on time
  • Travellers adding gorillas to a longer East Africa trip
  • Photographers
  • Independent travellers who like logistics handled
A mountain gorilla feeding on leaves in the forest

Day-by-day itinerary

4 days from Kampala, Uganda to Kampala, Uganda

  1. Day 1 · Kampala, Lake Mburo National Park, Mbarara Kampala to Lake Mburo

    A 9am pick-up in Kampala, then a 4x4 game drive in Lake Mburo National Park on the way to Mbarara.

    Hotel
    Lodge
    Meals
    Dinner
  2. Day 2 · Bwindi Impenetrable Forest To Bwindi

    Drive through the hills of south-west Uganda to a lodge on the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

    Hotel
    Lodge
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  3. Day 3 · Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Gorilla trek

    Track a habituated mountain gorilla family with park rangers and spend an hour in their company.

    Hotel
    Lodge
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  4. Day 4 · Equator, Kampala Return to Kampala

    A long drive back to Kampala, with an equator photo stop and a picnic lunch.

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
A silverback mountain gorilla resting in the forest

Where you stay

  • Mbarara (1 night) Lodge
  • Bwindi (2 nights) Lodge

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 3 nights in lodges
  • Meals 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners
  • Gorilla permit for one trek with a habituated family
  • 4WD safari vehicle with a driver-guide
  • Lake Mburo National Park game drive
  • Equator photo stop

Not included

  • Flights and accommodation in Kampala
  • Uganda visa
  • Tips for rangers, porters and driver
  • Travel insurance and personal spending
Green hills and a winding road in Uganda

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want a tour leader — this is an independent break with a driver-guide
  • You find steep, muddy walks difficult — the trek can be strenuous
  • You want a relaxed pace — there are long drives
  • You want flights included — they are not

Good to know

FCDO advice UK FCDO travel advice for Uganda
A mountain gorilla resting in the rainforest

Departures & prices

From £2,195 per person, twin share, tour only. 80 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

Is the gorilla permit included?

Yes, one gorilla permit for a trek with a habituated family is included.

How hard is the gorilla trek?

It varies from one hour to several, through steep, muddy forest. Porters can be hired locally to carry your bag and help you.

Is there a tour leader?

No. A driver-guide looks after you on the road, and park rangers lead the trek.

How close do you get to the gorillas?

Usually within about seven metres, for one hour. Rules protect the gorillas from human illness.

Do I need a visa?

UK visitors need a visa for Uganda, applied for online. A yellow fever certificate is also required.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary

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