Rushaga Gorilla Trek
Southern Bwindi, where many gorilla families live side by side. Three days, two nights and one hour you will not forget.
The quiet south of Bwindi
Rushaga is the southern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has more habituated gorilla families than any other sector, so your trackers can match you with the family and trail that suit you best.
You drive through the hills of Kigezi, trek with a ranger to spend one full hour with a gorilla family, and head home with Lake Bunyonyi on the way. It is a short, focused journey with room to breathe.
Three moments you will carry home
Mist in the hills
Cold air, birdsong and a quiet briefing. Your trackers have already found a family, and the day feels full of promise.
Time slows down
The forest closes around you. A young gorilla studies you, an adult chews calmly, and one hour passes at the pace of the forest.
Life beside the forest
In the afternoon, meet the families who farm these hills and learn how the forest and the community depend on each other.
Your three days in Uganda
The road south
Entebbe or Kampala to Rushaga
The land rolls and rises. Tea terraces give way to steep green hills, and by dusk you are in the quiet south of Bwindi.
- 06:30Pick up at Entebbe airport or your Kampala hotel. Meet your driver guide.
- 09:00Photo stop at the Equator crossing.
- 12:00Lunch break in Mbarara.
- 14:30Pass through Kabale and the hills of Kigezi, with a view stop if the light is good.
- 17:30Arrive at your lodge near Rushaga, check in and meet your guide for a gear check.
- 19:00Dinner and an early night.
Gorilla day
Trek in Rushaga, southern Bwindi
Rushaga has many habituated families, so your trackers choose the one that suits you best. Then the forest sets the pace.
- 06:30Breakfast and packed lunch.
- 07:30Briefing at the Rushaga trailhead. Your gorilla family is assigned.
- 08:00Walk into the forest with a ranger and trackers, from 1 to 7 hours.
- MiddayYour full hour with the gorillas.
- AfternoonReturn to the lodge to rest.
- 16:00Local village walk (optional), to meet the people who live beside the forest.
- 19:00Dinner.
Hills, lake and home
Rushaga to Entebbe or Kampala
One last look at the misty hills, a pause above Lake Bunyonyi if time allows, and a long drive home full of stories.
- 07:00Breakfast.
- 08:00Depart Rushaga.
- 10:00Optional stop at a Lake Bunyonyi viewpoint, about 30 minutes.
- 13:00Lunch break in Mbarara.
- 18:30Arrive in Kampala or Entebbe.
How will your trek feel?
The forest sets the pace on Day 2. Slide to see what each kind of day looks like.
Choose your lodge level
| Area | Budget (on request) | Midrange | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rushaga, 2 nights | Rushaga Gorilla Camp | Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge | Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Nkuringo |
Or similar lodges, depending on availability. Luxury stays near Nkuringo add a short drive to the Rushaga trailhead. Tell us your preference and we will confirm.
Smooth from first mile to last
- Private 4x4 with a professional local driver guide
- Airport or hotel pick up and drop off
- Drive of about 9 to 10 hours each way, with stops
- Permit, park fees and lodging handled by us
- Fly in options to the south available on request
What you will do
- Gorilla trek with a UWA ranger and trackers
- One full hour with your gorilla family
- Local village walk
- Optional Lake Bunyonyi viewpoint stop
- Add ons: Nkuringo viewpoints, Lake Bunyonyi extension, extra night
Clear costs, no surprises
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Rushaga Gorilla Trek, midrange, per person sharing | From USD 1,450 |
| Gorilla permit (foreign nonresident), included | USD 800 |
| Luxury lodge or budget camp | Quoted on request |
| Single room supplement | Quoted at booking |
| Porter, paid on site | USD 15 to 20 |
| Uganda eVisa, paid by you | About USD 50 |
Included
- Gorilla permit
- 2 nights lodging, full board
- Private 4x4 and driver guide
- Airport transfers
- Park fees, ranger and trackers
- Local village walk
Not included
- International flights
- Visa and travel insurance
- Porter, tips and personal items
- Alcoholic drinks
- Optional extras
Seasons
Dry months (Jun to Sep, Dec to Feb) are easiest underfoot and book first. Green months (Mar to May, Oct to Nov) are quieter and lusher. Gorillas can be trekked all year.
Shape it around you
Tick what interests you and send it to our team in one tap.
Arrive ready
Documents and health
- Passport valid 6 months
- Uganda eVisa (evisa.go.ug)
- Yellow fever certificate
- Travel insurance with medical cover
- Ask your doctor about malaria advice
What to pack
Safety on trek
- Keep 7 metres from the gorillas
- Guests with colds or flu cannot trek
- Armed rangers escort every group
- Follow your ranger at all times
- Southern trails can be steep, so a porter helps
Simple, secure payment
- 30 percent deposit confirms your booking and permit
- Balance due 60 days before arrival
- Bookings within 60 days are paid in full
- Pay online through WeTravel, or ask for bank details
Fair and clear if plans change
| When you cancel | What is refunded |
|---|---|
| 60 days or more before arrival | Everything paid, except the permit and costs already committed |
| 30 to 59 days before arrival | 50 percent of the package price, excluding the permit |
| Under 30 days or no show | No refund |
Gorilla permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and are generally nonrefundable once purchased. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
Where your booking stands
- Enquiry received
- Permit availability checked
- Itinerary agreed
- Deposit paid, confirmed
- Final documents sent
- Travel day
We update your stage and share a link ending in ?status=1 to 6 so you can follow it from your phone.
Your gorilla family is waiting
Permits are limited to 8 guests per family each day. Tell us your dates and we will check availability today.
Rushaga Gorilla Trek
Southern Bwindi, where many gorilla families live side by side. Three days, two nights and one hour you will not forget.
The quiet south of Bwindi
Rushaga is the southern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has more habituated gorilla families than any other sector, so your trackers can match you with the family and trail that suit you best.
You drive through the hills of Kigezi, trek with a ranger to spend one full hour with a gorilla family, and head home with Lake Bunyonyi on the way. It is a short, focused journey with room to breathe.
Three moments you will carry home
Mist in the hills
Cold air, birdsong and a quiet briefing. Your trackers have already found a family, and the day feels full of promise.
Time slows down
The forest closes around you. A young gorilla studies you, an adult chews calmly, and one hour passes at the pace of the forest.
Life beside the forest
In the afternoon, meet the families who farm these hills and learn how the forest and the community depend on each other.
Your three days in Uganda
The road south
Entebbe or Kampala to Rushaga
The land rolls and rises. Tea terraces give way to steep green hills, and by dusk you are in the quiet south of Bwindi.
- 06:30Pick up at Entebbe airport or your Kampala hotel. Meet your driver guide.
- 09:00Photo stop at the Equator crossing.
- 12:00Lunch break in Mbarara.
- 14:30Pass through Kabale and the hills of Kigezi, with a view stop if the light is good.
- 17:30Arrive at your lodge near Rushaga, check in and meet your guide for a gear check.
- 19:00Dinner and an early night.
Gorilla day
Trek in Rushaga, southern Bwindi
Rushaga has many habituated families, so your trackers choose the one that suits you best. Then the forest sets the pace.
- 06:30Breakfast and packed lunch.
- 07:30Briefing at the Rushaga trailhead. Your gorilla family is assigned.
- 08:00Walk into the forest with a ranger and trackers, from 1 to 7 hours.
- MiddayYour full hour with the gorillas.
- AfternoonReturn to the lodge to rest.
- 16:00Local village walk (optional), to meet the people who live beside the forest.
- 19:00Dinner.
Hills, lake and home
Rushaga to Entebbe or Kampala
One last look at the misty hills, a pause above Lake Bunyonyi if time allows, and a long drive home full of stories.
- 07:00Breakfast.
- 08:00Depart Rushaga.
- 10:00Optional stop at a Lake Bunyonyi viewpoint, about 30 minutes.
- 13:00Lunch break in Mbarara.
- 18:30Arrive in Kampala or Entebbe.
How will your trek feel?
The forest sets the pace on Day 2. Slide to see what each kind of day looks like.
Choose your lodge level
| Area | Budget (on request) | Midrange | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rushaga, 2 nights | Rushaga Gorilla Camp | Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge | Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Nkuringo |
Or similar lodges, depending on availability. Luxury stays near Nkuringo add a short drive to the Rushaga trailhead. Tell us your preference and we will confirm.
Smooth from first mile to last
- Private 4x4 with a professional local driver guide
- Airport or hotel pick up and drop off
- Drive of about 9 to 10 hours each way, with stops
- Permit, park fees and lodging handled by us
- Fly in options to the south available on request
What you will do
- Gorilla trek with a UWA ranger and trackers
- One full hour with your gorilla family
- Local village walk
- Optional Lake Bunyonyi viewpoint stop
- Add ons: Nkuringo viewpoints, Lake Bunyonyi extension, extra night
Clear costs, no surprises
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Rushaga Gorilla Trek, midrange, per person sharing | From USD 1,450 |
| Gorilla permit (foreign nonresident), included | USD 800 |
| Luxury lodge or budget camp | Quoted on request |
| Single room supplement | Quoted at booking |
| Porter, paid on site | USD 15 to 20 |
| Uganda eVisa, paid by you | About USD 50 |
Included
- Gorilla permit
- 2 nights lodging, full board
- Private 4x4 and driver guide
- Airport transfers
- Park fees, ranger and trackers
- Local village walk
Not included
- International flights
- Visa and travel insurance
- Porter, tips and personal items
- Alcoholic drinks
- Optional extras
Seasons
Dry months (Jun to Sep, Dec to Feb) are easiest underfoot and book first. Green months (Mar to May, Oct to Nov) are quieter and lusher. Gorillas can be trekked all year.
Shape it around you
Tick what interests you and send it to our team in one tap.
Arrive ready
Documents and health
- Passport valid 6 months
- Uganda eVisa (evisa.go.ug)
- Yellow fever certificate
- Travel insurance with medical cover
- Ask your doctor about malaria advice
What to pack
Safety on trek
- Keep 7 metres from the gorillas
- Guests with colds or flu cannot trek
- Armed rangers escort every group
- Follow your ranger at all times
- Southern trails can be steep, so a porter helps
Simple, secure payment
- 30 percent deposit confirms your booking and permit
- Balance due 60 days before arrival
- Bookings within 60 days are paid in full
- Pay online through WeTravel, or ask for bank details
Fair and clear if plans change
| When you cancel | What is refunded |
|---|---|
| 60 days or more before arrival | Everything paid, except the permit and costs already committed |
| 30 to 59 days before arrival | 50 percent of the package price, excluding the permit |
| Under 30 days or no show | No refund |
Gorilla permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and are generally nonrefundable once purchased. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
Where your booking stands
- Enquiry received
- Permit availability checked
- Itinerary agreed
- Deposit paid, confirmed
- Final documents sent
- Travel day
We update your stage and share a link ending in ?status=1 to 6 so you can follow it from your phone.
Your gorilla family is waiting
Permits are limited to 8 guests per family each day. Tell us your dates and we will check availability today.