This cost-effective Uganda Fly-in 3-day gorilla excursion includes a flight from Entebbe to your gorilla trek in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, bypassing the lengthy 9-hour drive to Bwindi and back. The fly-in gorilla trek tour is ideal for those who prefer to avoid long journeys on Uganda’s rough roads. The flight from Entebbe to Kihihi/ Kisoro airstrip (the landing near Bwindi) departs at 0745, and the return flight from Bwindi leaves at 0945, arriving at Entebbe at 1125. This schedule means you should consider arriving at Entebbe either a day before the tour begins or earlier than 7 AM on Day 1 of the tour.
Cost Of 3 Days Gorilla Fly‑in Safari Uganda
The average cost of a 3‑day fly‑in gorilla safari, return flights Entebbe ⇄ Kihihi/Kisoro, two nights’ full‑board lodge stay and one Bwindi gorilla permit, is roughly US $2,000 – $2,400 per person for a mid‑range private tour with two travellers.
| Tour tier | 2 people (pp) | 4–6 people (pp) | Typical lodge set |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget fly‑in | US $1,600–1,850 | US $1,450–1,650 | Gorilla Haven, Gorilla Conservation Camp |
| Mid‑range fly‑in | US $2,000–2,400 | US $1,850–1,950 | Ichumbi Gorilla, Lake Mulehe, Mutanda Lake |
| High‑end fly‑in | US $2,800–3,200 | US $2,450–2,700 | Mahogany Springs, Four Gorillas, Buhoma Lodge |
The purpose of this itinerary is to ensure you reach the mountain gorillas comfortably and safely. Instead of long drives to see the mountain gorillas, you’ll be flying to them. Flying to the gorillas also provides more time for other optional activities in Bwindi besides gorilla trekking – such as the Batwa pygmies cultural experience, canoeing on Lake Mutanda, local community and farmland visits, or simply taking it easy for the day.
Day 1: Fly to Bwindi from Entebbe Airport
Your fly-in gorilla excursion starts at Entebbe International Airport, where you’ll board a flight to Bwindi. We’ll have provided your Bwindi flight tickets in advance. If you need transport from your Entebbe hotel, let us know, and we’ll gladly arrange it. At Entebbe airport, simply show your passport when checking in for the flight to Kihihi or Kisoro Airstrip. Our vehicle and driver will be waiting for you at the airstrip to take you to your lodge in Bwindi. The drive from the airstrip to the lodge takes about 45 minutes, but the scenic landscape is so impressive that you might want to take two hours for this journey. After checking in at the lodge, you can relax for the rest of the day or take a village walk through the communities, which is safe even for solo travelers. You could also inquire at the lodge about a guided tour to the Batwa Pygmies (about $30-$50) or canoe trekking on Lake Mutanda.
Your flight schedule:
Departure Entebbe: 07.00 am (check-in by 06.00 am, 1 hr before departure)
Arrival Kihihi: 09.30 am
Arrival Kisoro: 08:55 am
Upon arrival at Kihihi/ Kisoro airstrip, lodge staff will pick you up and transfer you to the lodge in about 1 hour.
Journey time: Morning or afternoon flight / 1½ hour transfer to lodge
Accommodation options (all full board):
High-end: Four Gorillas Lodge | Mahogany Springs Lodge | Buhoma Lodge | Chameleon Hill Lodge | Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge Bwindi
Mid-range: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge | Lake Mulehe Lodge | Mutanda Lake Resort
Budget: Gorilla Haven Lodge Rushaga | Gorilla Conservation Camp
Meals: Lunch and dinner
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
Today is the main event… Get ready for an encounter with one of Bwindi’s gentle giants: the rare mountain gorilla. For most visitors, this is the absolute highlight of their Uganda tour.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is home to both mountain gorillas and chimpanzees – the only forest in Africa that can claim this distinction. It also hosts five other primate species, 113 mammal species, over 200 butterflies, and 360 bird species.
The gorillas you’ll track belong to one of nine habituated family groups that can tolerate human presence for a short period each day. Your trek will be an exciting journey through forested slopes, tangled vines, bushes, and bamboo before you reach the gorillas’ habitat. Your guide will point out signs of previous gorilla activity, including dung, nests, and chewed bamboo shoots.
The trek can take anywhere from 2 to 7 hours! Once you locate the gorillas, your group will have a maximum of one hour with them. Coming face-to-face with a mountain gorilla is a truly humbling and emotional experience. This is a rare and privileged opportunity to get close to Uganda’s very own ‘Gorillas in the Mist’.
Accommodation options (all full board):
High-end: Four Gorillas Lodge | Mahogany Springs Lodge | Buhoma Lodge | Chameleon Hill Lodge | Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge Bwindi
Mid-range: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge | Lake Mulehe Lodge | Mutanda Lake Resort
Budget: Gorilla Haven Lodge Rushaga | Gorilla Conservation Camp
Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, and dinner
Day 3: Flying from Bwindi to Entebbe
Today concludes your 3-day fly-in gorilla tour to Uganda. Our representative will handle your transfer to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrip. You’ll fly back to Entebbe International Airport.
Let us know if you’d like us to include one (or more) nights in Kampala/Entebbe or arrange your transport to and from Entebbe Airport.
Your flight schedule (please confirm exact times with your sales consultant):
Journey Time for Bwindi-Entebbe flights:
45 min transfer to Kihihi/Kisoro & 1h10 min flight
Morning flight option:
Departure from Kihihi: 09.45 AM
Departure from Kisoro: 09.10 AM
Arrival in Entebbe: 11.25 AM
Afternoon flight option:
Departure from Entebbe: 12.00 PM or 14.45 PM
Arrival in Kihihi: 13.55 PM or 14.55 PM
Departure from Kihihi: 14.05 PM or 15.05 PM
Arrival in Entebbe: 15.55 PM or 16.15 PM
