How gorilla safaris to Bwindi are built
Gorilla trekking in Uganda takes place in Bwindi and in Mgahinga, and a normal visit with the gorillas lasts one hour. Around that hour sit three separate parts: the permit, the transport to the park and the lodging. A tour can bundle all three, and when you compare offers, look at each part on its own. The permit alone is $800 for foreign non-residents in the UWA tariff for July 2024 to December 2026. Check whether a tour price includes it.
A Bwindi gorilla safari is mostly a travel problem. The park lies in the southwest, far from Entebbe and Kampala, and the sectors have separate approach roads. This page shows how the days add up. Check the current amount of every fee before you book.
Our picks: Bwindi gorilla safaris
Our take: the Queen Elizabeth trips suit you if you want a second park, and the five-day safari adds chimpanzees with both permits in the price. The Kigali day trip, the private airport trip and the Queen Elizabeth trip leave the gorilla permit to you.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
5-day gorilla and chimpanzee safari
- Gorilla and chimpanzee permits
- Accommodation, full board
- Park entry fees
Five days that take in Kibale for chimpanzees, Bigodi and the Ndale crater lakes, then Bwindi for gorillas.
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6-day gorilla tracking and wildlife safari
- Gorilla permits
- Full board accommodation
- Airport transfers
A small-group trip of up to nine that visits Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi. Ask whether park fees are covered before you book.
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3-day Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi gorilla trip
- Kazinga Channel boat trip
- Queen Elizabeth park entry
- Accommodation, half board
Combines Queen Elizabeth National Park with the Bwindi trek over three days from Entebbe. Gorilla permit extra.
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3-day private Bwindi trek from Kigali or Entebbe
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- Accommodation with breakfast
- Park entry fees
A private three-day trip that starts at either airport. Gorilla permit extra, so add it to the price you compare.
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1-day Bwindi gorilla tour from Kigali
- Driver-guide and vehicle
- Border formalities
- Lunch after the trek
The Bwindi trek is part of a single-day itinerary from Kigali. The gorilla permit is extra, so add it before you compare prices.
Check availability →Gorilla safari tours to Bwindi
Gorilla safaris of different lengths to Bwindi, with live prices and availability. Check whether the permit and the park fees are in the price.
Gorilla safari Uganda: 2, 3 and 4 days
What each length allows, based on the distances.
2 days
Only practical with a flight. You fly from Entebbe on day 1 and transfer to the lodge, trek on day 2 and leave afterwards. Do not plan the trek for the day you arrive, and leave no tight connections after it.
3 days
This gives one more night. It suits a flight in and a flight out with a night before and after the trek, or a road trip that starts early. By road, the drive alone is about 9 hours to Kisoro and about 11 hours to Buhoma via Kabale.
4 days
This leaves room for a road transfer with a stop, or for a flight plus a second activity. Options include the Habituation Experience, a visit to the Batwa, Lake Bunyonyi or Mgahinga.
By air or by road
Figures for the main routes.
| Route | Figure |
|---|---|
| Entebbe to Kisoro or Kihihi, early flight | Departure 07:00, arrival 08:15 in the 2026 timetable |
| Entebbe to Kisoro or Kihihi, later flight | 10:30 to 11:45, not in March, April, May and November |
| Kampala to Kisoro by road | About 9 hours |
| Kampala to Kabale by road | 414 km, about 6 hours |
| Kabale to Buhoma by road | 120 km, about 5 hours |
| Kampala to Buhoma via Rukungiri and Kihihi | 390 km of asphalt to Rukungiri, then 82 km of murram |
Flight times are planned times and can change with routing and weather. The airstrip at Kisoro adds a surcharge of $70 per person in the timetable, which is not the full fare. For most visitors with 2 or 3 days, flying is the practical choice, while with 4 or more days a road trip with a stop becomes realistic. UWA recommends four-wheel drive on the Bwindi approach roads. The UK advice asks you to avoid driving outside larger towns after dark. See from Entebbe and getting there for details.
Combining Bwindi with other parks
Distances if you want a longer route.
A common combination links Bwindi with Queen Elizabeth National Park. The distance from Mweya to Buhoma is about 160 km, and from Ishasha to Buhoma about 62 to 64 km, mostly on unpaved road. Details of that park are at Queen Elizabeth National Park. For chimpanzees you need Kibale, covered by chimpanzee trekking in Kibale. Neither is part of Bwindi, and each needs its own permits and days.
Rwanda is the other option for gorilla trekking, and its gorilla permit is separate. If you start in Kigali, see gorilla trekking from Kigali.
What to check before you book
The details that change the price.
Permit included?
Some tours include the permit, some only for a surcharge. Compare with the permit rates on the permit page.
Sector and lodging area
Choose a place to stay that fits your trekking sector. A place near one trailhead does not fit a morning start at another. See lodging by sector.
Transport
A rental car needs four-wheel drive for the park approaches. A vehicle entering the park costs $150 per 24 hours for a foreign-registered 4WD or tour vehicle.
Dates and seasons
April, May and November have their own announced permit rates, and the later flight does not run in those months. See gorilla trekking for the rules.
Gorilla safari Uganda: frequently asked questions
How many days do I need for a gorilla safari?
Two days work only with a flight. Three days give a margin, and four days leave room for a road transfer or another activity. The visit itself lasts one hour.
Is the permit included in a Bwindi tour?
It depends on the tour. The permit is $800 for foreign non-residents in the UWA tariff for July 2024 to December 2026. If a tour does not say it is included, ask before you pay.
Should I fly or drive to Bwindi?
Flying saves time. The road from Kampala takes about 9 hours to Kisoro and about 11 hours to Buhoma via Kabale. Roads near the park are partly unpaved, and UWA recommends four-wheel drive.
Can I combine gorillas with a safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park?
Yes, the two are linked by road. The distance from Ishasha to Buhoma is about 62 to 64 km, mostly unpaved. Plan extra time.
Are tours safe?
Read your government's travel advice before you book. The German Foreign Office asks for particular caution in Bwindi and Mgahinga as of October 2026, and the UK advice describes a security escort on gorilla treks as usual.