3 days Mgahinga Gorilla Tour Itinerary Overview

A 3 days Mgahinga Gorilla Tour in Uganda is an excellent opportunity to explore the stunning landscapes of the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, which is part of the Virunga Mountain range and home to the endangered mountain gorillas.

Be the first to Book a Silverback Gorilla Tour blended with Batwa cultural tour. Enjoy an exclusive silverback gorilla tour in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park plus the cultural experience.

Set on three of the 8 volcanoes of the Virunga massif, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is one of the very scenic places to visit in Uganda. Here the Mountain Gorillas live within the forest and the Batwa pygmies live in the surrounding communities just outside what was their former home. The Batwa pygmies are one of the smallest tribes with very authentic and very unique pasts. They lived within the forest alongside the Mountain Gorillas before they were pushed out for mountain Gorilla conservation efforts. Today, you can have a glimpse of the Batwa lifestyle as they demonstrate to you their lifestyle in the forest before they were pushed to move out of it.

The Silverback Gorilla Tour with a Batwa experience is the shortest trip for tourists from Kampala. The first and third days are reserved for transfers to and from the park and the second day is for Gorilla trekking and a Batwa community tour. Your 3 Days silverback gorilla tour and Batwa Cultural Tour starts from Kampala from your place of residence with a knowledgeable driver-guide. In return, drop-off is either in Kampala or Entebbe International Airport depending on your schedule.

 Tour Summary

  • Safari starts in Kampala and ends in Kampala/ Entebbe International Airport 
  • Gorilla trekking at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
  • Batwa community tour 
  • A maximum 1 hour will be spent with the mountain gorillas
  • Transfer by road using a 4×4 safari vehicle
  • Accommodation before and after trip can be arranged on request at an extra cost

What you need to know

  • Accommodation is provided as included 
  • Pack the right Gorilla trekking clothes
  • Tour can start any time of the year (available all year round)
  • Minimum age for tour is 15 years 
  • Gorilla permit is included in the cost

Safari Highlights: Silverback Gorilla Tour

  • Day 1: Transfer by 4×4 safari vehicle to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
  • Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park & Batwa Cultural Tour
  • Day 3: Drive back from Mgahinga to Kampala by road.

Day-by-day Itinerary: Silverback Gorilla Tour & Batwa Experience

Day 1: Transfer by 4×4 safari vehicle to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Early morning, your safari guide from Marvel Gorilla Adventure will pick you up for a transfer by road to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. After meeting and greeting at your place of residence or hotel within Kampala, the drive starts.

Just about 80 Km from Kampala, you will stop at the equator line for photography.  You then continue with the drive to southwestern Uganda. Lunch is had at a good restaurant in Mbarara. After lunch, the drive continues to the park with your arrival in the evening. You check in, have dinner, and spend the night at a preferred accommodation facility. It can be budget, mid-range, or luxury.

Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner 

Accommodation Options 

Luxury: Mount Gahinga Lodge

Mid-range: Lake Chahafi Resort

Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga and Batwa Community Experience

Following breakfast at your hotel, you will be driven to the park for your lifetime Gorilla trekking experience. Your driver will drive you to the park headquarters. By 8:00 am the park rangers will take you through the dos and don’ts of Gorilla trekking. 

Gorilla trekking is such a wonderful experience as you walk through the jungles of this little gem. The trek takes a nonpredictable amount of time at least 2 hours or more and a maximum of 1 hour in the presence of the Mountain Gorillas. You spend this time taking pictures and filming the gorilla lifestyle.

After seeing the Gorillas and spending 1 hour with them, you then walk back to the park headquarters. This is where you are awarded a certificate for completing the trek. From there your driver ensures your transfer to the hotel for lunch and relaxation. 

In the evening, you will have a Batwa community tour where you interact with the Batwa people and learn about their traditions. You will be taught about the lifestyle of the Batwa people and shown their hunting techniques as well as how they set fire in the forest. 

After having the Batwa Cultural tour you return to your hotel to relax from the busy day. You spend the night in the previous night’s hotel.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner 

Day 3: Drive back from Mgahinga to Kampala by road

On the last day of your Silverback Gorilla Tour, you have breakfast and embark on the 8-9 hours drive back to Kampala. You have lunch en route. Arriving in the evening, your safari guide will ensure drop-off at a preferred destination or hotel. Marking the end of the 3 Days Mgahinga Gorilla Trekking Tour and Batwa Experience.

Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch 

End of the 3 Days Mgahinga Gorilla Trekking Tour and Batwa Experience