Fly in Safari to visit Gorillas

Are you planning to visit gorillas and you want to book a Fly in Safari to visit Gorillas to avoid the long drive of 8-9 hours from Entebbe/Kampala to Bwindi, booking a flying Safari to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is the best way easy to get to the park to go gorilla trekking?

There are many options to get to Bwindi by flying, one of the options is to Fly to Kisoro and trek gorillas in Rushaga or Nkuringo region of Bwindi. Rushaga region is located in the south park to Bwindi impenetrable National Park, Rushaga is a home for 8 Gorilla Families which by far is the most of any sector and its gorilla families being easy to trek due to the nature of terrine in the region. Rushaga can be easily accessed through Kisoro and for those travelling from Kigali it is just 4-5 hours’ drive. Gorilla families include Rwigi, Muchunguzi, Busingye, Bweza, Nshongi, Mishaya and Kahungye which are all available tracking and open to tourists. Also, this is the only region in Bwindi that offers Gorilla Habituation experience.

Trekking mountain gorillas of Rushaga or Nkuringo region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park will give you an opportunity to see mountain gorillas in Bwindi that is a given travel group alone or as an individual. You need a gorilla permit for you to trek mountain gorillas of Rushaga region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park this costs USD700 for Foreign nonresidents, USD600 for Foreign residents and 250,000 Uganda Shillings for East Africa Citizens and this gives an opportunity to spend one hour encounter with the Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi.

Another option is to fly to kihihi Airstrip and trek gorillas the northern side of Bwindi that is either at Buhoma or Ruhija sectors. Buhoma region is located in the northern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Buhoma sector was the first sector to be habituated in 1993 just after the park was declared a UNESCO Heritage. Buhoma is the most famous and most visited part of the park, with the oldest Gorilla family Mubare and three other families of Habinyanja, Rushegura and Katwe Gorilla families.

Important things to consider when planning a Fly in Safari to visit Gorillas

Booking and securing your gorilla permit in advance

Gorilla trekking requires permits, which are usually limited to a specific number of visitors per day to ensure the conservation of these endangered animals. Permits are typically obtained through the respective national park authorities or authorized tour operators. It’s essential to secure your permits well in advance, as they can sell out quickly, especially during peak seasons.

For you to trek gorillas you will need to book your permit in advance so that you are assured of your spot for trekking the gorillas in this region. For you to block these permits you can either pay 100%, 70% or 30% in advance the total of each permit. Each gorilla permit costs USD700 for Foreign non residents, USD600 for Foreign residents and 250,000 Uganda Shillings for East Africa Citizens and this gives an opportunity to spend one hour encounter with the Mountain Gorillas of this family. We recommend you block the gorilla permits at least 3 to 4 month prior your gorilla safari date. This is because during high season permits sell out in advance on first come first serve basis. Contact us here for more details on how to book all gorilla permits for tracking gorillas in advance to enable you trek gorillas in this region.

Booking your accommodation where to stay in Bwindi in advance

This is very important to consider when planning for a gorilla trek in Bwindi, for you to have a great experience and comfort during your safari it is great to stay in luxury accommodations options include Four Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Safari Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge. Budget lodge options from which you can choose from and options and the best budget option is camping Nshongi Camp, Rushaga Gorila Haven Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp and Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge. You can as well stay at budget Lodges in Nkuringo and from here you will be able to trek gorillas in Rushaga.

Comfortable travel to Bwindi from Kisoro or Kihihi Airstrip

You should consider travelling in 4×4 Land cruisers this will give you comfort on the road to Bwindi. There is also an option of flying to Kisoro Airstrip which is close to Rushaga; this will help cut the long drive from Entebbe/Kampala which is normally 8-9 hours drives to only 2 hour drive that you spend from Kisoro Airstrip to your lodge in Rushaga.

Booking your flight ticket

You need to book a flight ticket in advance to confirm your stop for flying to Bwindi. Aero link is a domestic airline offering both schedule and charter flights to Kisoro Airstrip from where you connect to Rushaga. There is no direct flight to Rushaga but you can be dropped off to Kisoro Airstrip where you will be picked up by our professional guide and dropped at your lodge. The drive time from Kisoro to a nearby lodge is approximately 1 hour.

Book a Flight: Look for flights to the nearest international airport in the country you wish to visit. In Rwanda, the Kigali International Airport (KGL) is the main entry point, while in Uganda, you can fly into Entebbe International Airport (EBB). Check with airlines or travel websites to find the most suitable flights for your itinerary.

Choose a Destination:

The most well-known destinations for gorilla trekking are Rwanda and Uganda. In Rwanda, you can visit Volcanoes National Park, while in Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are popular choices.

Plan Your Safari:

Once you have your flight and permits secured, it’s time to plan your safari. Consider the duration of your stay, accommodation options near the national parks, and additional activities you might be interested in, such as wildlife safaris or cultural experiences. It’s recommended to book a guided tour or hire a local guide who is knowledgeable about the area and can enhance your experience.

Prepare for the Trek:

Gorilla trekking can involve hiking through dense forests and rugged terrain, so it’s important to be physically fit and adequately prepared. Wear comfortable and sturdy clothing, including long-sleeved shirts, long trousers, and waterproof gear. Good walking shoes or hiking boots are essential. Remember to pack essentials like sunscreen, insect repellent, a hat, and a water bottle.

Follow Guidelines and Respect Wildlife:

When you embark on your gorilla trek, it’s crucial to follow the guidelines provided by the park authorities or your guide. These guidelines are designed to ensure the safety of both visitors and gorillas, as well as minimize disturbances to the animals’ natural habitat. It’s important to maintain a safe distance, avoid direct eye contact, and listen to your guide’s instructions throughout the trek.

Enjoy the Experience:

Seeing gorillas in their natural habitat is a unique and awe-inspiring experience. As you observe these magnificent creatures up close, take the time to appreciate their beauty and the incredible conservation efforts that go into protecting them. Remember to capture memories responsibly, without causing any harm or disturbance to the gorillas or their environment.

What to wear during Trekking Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

 You might be probably wondering what to wear for your trek, below is a compiled list on what to wear;

• A long armed sweater since the park gets cold
• 2 pairs of long trousers
• Water proof hiking boots
• A hat and sun glasses depending on the weather though this is optional
• Cameras and long lasting batteries since photography are very important to keep your memories alive. Always remember to keep our flash off.
• A pair of Binoculars. This will help you to see the vast birds Bwindi impenetrable forest has among other primates
• Gardening Gloves; these will help you when you a holding onto trees are branches through the trek.
• A rain coat; Since Bwindi impenetrable forest is rainforest, the rain is unpredictable so to be on a safer side, you will be required to carry along a coat.
• A mosquito Repellent; since it is a forest, it has different dangerous insects so its advisable to carry it along or wear it
• A sun screen; Well this is optional but depending on the season, it might get too hot and you end up getting sun burns on your skin so to avoid that, you will need a sun screen.
• You should not wear very bright colors since this will charge or scare away the gorillas.
• Black and Blue colors are also not recommended since they attract Tsetse flies So I would recommend neutral colors.

Why plan and book your Fly in Safari to visit Gorillas through Eco Adventure Safaris?

Eco Adventure Safaris is experienced in organizing amazing gorilla trekking safari experiences to Uganda and Rwanda. We are also highly rated and reviewed on Trip Advisor. We combine gorilla trekking safaris with eco-friendly and unforgettable high-end adventure and wildlife safaris that help preserve biodiversity, conserve wildlife and uplift local communities, these include chimpanzee trekking, Big 5 safaris and game viewing, Mountain Hiking, Boat cruises excursions and Cultural encounters to give you a memorable and best African Safari experience including popular and great African safari destinations Tanzania, Kenya, Botswana and Namibia. Feel free to contact us about booking a Fly in Safari to visit Gorillas.