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3 Day Bwindi Gorilla Trekking and Lake Bunyonyi Safari

Walk through Bwindi to meet a mountain gorilla family, then rest beside Lake Bunyonyi. A short morning boat trip rounds off the journey before your return to Kampala or Entebbe.

Plan This Safari

3 Days / 2 Nights / Gorilla Permit Included / Private Safari

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi / Mountain Gorilla Trekking
3 Days 2 Lodge Nights
1 Gorilla Trek Permit per Participating Traveller
1 Boat Trip Lake Bunyonyi
Private 4x4 Kampala or Entebbe Return
Your Journey at a Glance

From the forest trails to Lake Bunyonyi's islands

Spend one night near your Bwindi trekking sector and one night beside Lake Bunyonyi. Both road-transfer days require an early start.

01 / DAY 1

Travel to Bwindi

Leave Kampala or Entebbe and settle into a lodge near your permit's briefing point.

02 / DAY 2

Gorillas and Lake Bunyonyi

Trek with park rangers, then continue to your lakeside accommodation.

03 / DAY 3

Boat Trip and Return

Take a short lake cruise before the road journey to Kampala or Entebbe.

Forest First, Lakeside Next

Mountain gorillas and a night in Uganda's lake country

Mist hangs above Bwindi's forested hills as you prepare for the trek. By evening, the setting changes to Lake Bunyonyi, where cultivated slopes rise above scattered islands. The journey brings together Uganda gorilla trekking and a lakeside overnight within 3 days.

Travel southwest from Kampala or Entebbe on Day 1. Your first lodge is arranged around the confirmed gorilla permit sector, keeping the morning transfer close to the correct briefing point.

Rangers lead the forest walk on Day 2. Once your assigned family is reached, spend up to one hour watching the gorillas before walking back to meet your driver. Continue to Lake Bunyonyi and keep the evening free for rest.

A short boat trip begins the final day before the return drive. The route suits travellers comfortable with 2 long road days. For more time between stops, compare our longer Uganda safari packages .

What Your Journey Includes

Safari Highlights

01

Trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

02

Spend up to one hour with your assigned gorilla family.

03

Stay near the briefing point for your confirmed trekking sector.

04

Rest beside Lake Bunyonyi after the forest walk.

05

Take a morning boat trip among the lake's islands.

06

Travel through the Kigezi highlands in a private 4x4.

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi rainforest
Bwindi Gorilla Trekking
Forest scenery in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi's Forest Trails
Boats and green hills beside Lake Bunyonyi
Lake Bunyonyi
Your 3 Day Journey

Bwindi and Lake Bunyonyi day by day

1 night near Bwindi and 1 night at Lake Bunyonyi. Your permit sector determines the first lodge and the post-trek transfer route.

01

Kampala or Entebbe to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Leave your Kampala or Entebbe hotel early with your BLS Safaris driver. Travel southwest towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park , stopping for lunch and comfort breaks along the way.

Allow around 8 to 10 hours from Kampala, with additional time possible from Entebbe and for more distant sectors. An Equator photo stop can be included when the day's timing allows.

Farther southwest, the road climbs into the Kigezi highlands. Pass terraced slopes, small settlements and forested hills before arriving at your lodge.

Check in, have dinner and prepare for the trek. Your driver will confirm the morning departure, packed lunch and transfer to the briefing point. Set aside your hiking boots, rain jacket and daypack before turning in.

Lodge Matched to Your Bwindi Sector Lunch and Dinner Private Road Transfer
Haven Lodge Buhoma Community is the best option for a Buhoma permit. A Ruhija, Rushaga or Nkuringo permit requires accommodation near that sector. Your quotation confirms the lodge after the permit is secured.
02

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

Have an early breakfast and drive to the briefing point named on your permit. Complete registration and meet the park rangers, who explain forest conduct and allocate your trekking group.

Enter the rainforest with your rangers and trackers. Allow roughly 2 to 7 hours for the outing, with longer treks possible depending on the gorillas' movements, terrain and walking pace. Expect muddy paths, uneven ground and steep sections.

Once your group reaches the gorillas, spend up to 1 hour watching them. Follow the ranger's instructions, maintain the required distance and switch off your camera flash. Take time to watch feeding, grooming and movement through the vegetation.

Walk back to the trailhead and meet your driver. Carry a packed lunch so you can eat at a suitable point during the day. Continue towards Lake Bunyonyi after the trek.

Transfer time depends on where you finish. Some eastern or southern departures take around 2 to 3 hours, while Buhoma requires longer. Arrive at Birdnest Resort, check in and rest before dinner. No extra activity is planned for this evening.

Birdnest Resort, Lake Bunyonyi Breakfast, Packed Lunch and Dinner 1 Gorilla Permit per Trekking Guest Up to 1 Hour With Gorillas
Gorilla trekking has a minimum age of 15 years. Porter hire is available at an extra cost. A long trek can mean a late arrival at Lake Bunyonyi, so the sector and transfer must be planned together.
03

Lake Bunyonyi boat trip and return to Kampala or Entebbe

Start early with breakfast, then meet your boat crew for a short trip on Lake Bunyonyi. Travel between nearby islands and look back towards the cultivated hills above the shoreline.

Keep binoculars close for birds along the water's edge. Your boat route is planned to leave enough time for the long return journey. Wear the life jacket provided throughout the trip.

Return to the lodge, collect your bags and leave for Kampala or Entebbe. Allow around 7 to 9 hours on the road, with extra time possible for traffic, stops and the final drop-off. Have lunch along the route.

If the Equator stop was missed on Day 1, your driver can include it when time allows. Continue to your agreed hotel, arriving in the evening.

Breakfast and Lunch Short Lake Bunyonyi Boat Trip Kampala or Entebbe Drop-Off No Overnight Included
An Entebbe overnight after the safari is the better fit for a next-day international flight. Same-evening airport connections need a generous margin and advance review of the flight time.
Your Safari Arrangements

Safari Inclusions and Exclusions

What's Included

  • Pickup and drop-off at agreed Kampala or Entebbe locations.
  • Private 4x4 safari vehicle and fuel for the scheduled journey.
  • Professional English-speaking driver.
  • 1 night near the Bwindi sector stated on your permit.
  • 1 night at Birdnest Resort, Lake Bunyonyi, subject to availability.
  • Meals as indicated in the itinerary and quotation.
  • 1 standard Uganda gorilla trekking permit per participating traveller.
  • Park ranger services for the scheduled gorilla trek.
  • Applicable park fees for the scheduled trekking activity.
  • Short guided Lake Bunyonyi boat trip on Day 3.
  • Bottled drinking water during road transfers.
  • BLS Safaris support during the journey.

What's Not Included

  • International and domestic flights.
  • Uganda visa fees.
  • Travel and medical insurance.
  • Gorilla trekking porter hire.
  • Tips for rangers, porters, drivers and lodge staff.
  • Alcoholic drinks and beverages outside the included meal plan.
  • Laundry, telephone calls and other personal expenses.
  • Souvenirs and personal shopping.
  • Extra canoeing, community visits and other optional activities.
  • Accommodation before or after the 3 day safari.
  • Services outside the confirmed programme.
Before You Travel

Bwindi and Lake Bunyonyi Safari FAQs

Answers about your permit, forest walk, lodge location and return journey.

1. Is a gorilla trekking permit included?
Yes. The package includes 1 standard gorilla trekking permit per participating traveller. It is issued for a specific date and sector. The first lodge and morning transfer are arranged around that permit.
2. How long does the gorilla trek take?
Allow roughly 2 to 7 hours, with longer outings possible. The gorillas' location, trail conditions and walking pace affect the duration. Once your group reaches the family, you have up to 1 hour for viewing.
3. What is the minimum trekking age?
Gorilla trekkers must be at least 15 years old. Travellers with a contagious illness must not visit the gorillas. Tell us the ages of everyone travelling and any mobility concerns before confirming the safari.
4. Which Bwindi sector will I trek from?
The sector is confirmed when your permit is secured. Bwindi has Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo reporting points. For this route, the onward drive to Lake Bunyonyi is considered alongside permit availability and lodge location. The gorilla family is allocated by the park team.
5. What should I carry for gorilla trekking?
Bring hiking boots with grip, long trousers, long sleeves, a waterproof jacket and a small daypack. Carry drinking water, your packed lunch and a camera without flash. Gloves help around rough vegetation. A porter can carry your bag and assist on difficult sections at an additional cost.
6. Is the Lake Bunyonyi boat trip included?
Yes. A short guided boat trip is included on Day 3. It takes place early so you can begin the long return drive afterwards. The route depends on lake conditions and the agreed departure time. Wear your life jacket throughout the outing.
7. Can I start from Kigali instead?
Yes. A Kigali start can be arranged as a different version of the trip, with the border crossing, permit sector and accommodation planned together. Compare our Bwindi gorilla safari from Kigali and ask to add Lake Bunyonyi.
8. Can I fly out of Entebbe on Day 3?
The boat trip and long road transfer make a tight same-day connection unsuitable. Share your flight time before confirming the itinerary. An additional Entebbe night allows a more comfortable next-day departure and can be arranged separately.
Your Bwindi Journey Starts Here

Meet the gorillas. Rest beside Lake Bunyonyi.

Send your travel dates, group size and pickup point. BLS Safaris will arrange your gorilla permit, sector-matched lodge, Lake Bunyonyi stay and private road transfers.

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BLS Safaris Ltd