4 Days Rwanda – Uganda Gorilla Trekking

Our 4 Days Rwanda – Uganda Gorilla Safari, is a double Gorilla tracking experience that offers you an opportunity to trek Gorillas in Rwanda and Uganda. The trip starts in Kigali, crosses to Uganda and back to Kigali for your flight back home.

The tour starts with a tour of Kigali city, the capital of Rwanda one of the cleanest cities in Africa with a visit to local food and craft markets, the Kigali Genocide memorial, built in the memory of more than once million Rwandans that were killed in the tribal wars in 1994. After lunch we proceed on a 2 hours journey to Rwanda’s most famous National parks -Volcanoes National Park.

Gorilla tracking is the most famous tourist in Rwanda and this offers travelers an opportunity to trek and see the endangered mountain Gorillas in the natural setting. Lead by a team of very experienced trackers and guides you will head to the jungles of baboo covered slops to search for these gentle giants in one of the 12 Gorilla families that are fully habituated for tracking. Once you meet then you will be allowed one hour to enjoy seeing these gentle giants as they carry on their daily activities. And because there are a limited number permits (96 permits) available at any single day its very important that you book your slot in advance to guarantee your experience.

After this unforgettable experience in Rwanda, we cross the border to Uganda to Mount Gahinga Gorilla National Park in anticipation of another Gorilla experience on the Ugandan side.

Gazated as a game sanctuary in 1930, and becoming a national park in 1993, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is Uganda’s smallest national park seated on 33.7 square kilometers. The Park is a home to one transboundary gorilla family called Nyakagezi, the park has one of the best sceneries at an altitude of 2,227m and 4,127m being the highest. Apart from Gorilla tracking the park is also a home to the beautiful golden monkeys. The area has well developed cultural trails to the Batwa communities this is offers an opportunity to learn about the history and life of the people that used to occupy the park before they were forcefully evicted when the area was gazetted into national park, this optional activity can be done after Gorilla tracking or on the last day before heading back to Kigali. After your second Gorilla trek in Uganda, it will be time to head back to Kigali for your afternoon/ evening flight out of Kigali.

For a more details and ideas on what else to do and to stay, please get in touch with us.

Safari Highlights

Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Gorilla trek in Mgahinga National Park
Kigali City tour

Full Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1: Kigali City tour and transfer to Volcanoes National Park.

Early morning pick up at your Hotel in Kigali or at the Airport by our experienced driver guide and set out for the half day Kigali city tour. The tour is inclusive of a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial Site and Museum to learn more about the 1994 genocide era, Nyamata genocide Church, local markets and so on. Later have Lunch and then depart for Volcanoes National Park. the journey will offer you with beautiful mountainous and green countryside from which the name of “The Land of a thousand hills” was depicted. Dinner and overnight at your Lodge.

Accommodation Options:

Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge / Davinci Lodge (Budget)
Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/ Five Volcanoes Lodge/ Ingagi Park View Lodge (Midrange)
Bisate Lodge/ One & Only Gorilla Nest/ Bishop’s House/Virunga Lodge/Sabinyo Lodge (Upmarket or Luxury)

Day 2: Gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Community walk

Today morning after breakfast, you will be transferred from your lodge to the park headquarters for the days’ briefing about Gorilla trekking activity. Its advisable to park your lunch, drinking water and hire porters as the time taken in the jungle is unpredictable. After the briefing from the Park rangers, you will be allocated your Gorilla family and then head into the forest to search for the gentle jungle giants. Tracking the Gorillas may take a few hrs. to a full day to hike up and down the mountain as this always depend on where they were last seen the previous night. Physical Fitness is highly recommended but also those who are not fit enough, they have the chance to hire Human helicopters (Sedan chair). Upon seeing the gorillas, you will be allowed to stay with them for one hour maximum (Take videos and Photographs). Then later return back to your Lodge and evening visit the Ibwachu Cultural Village (Also known as the ex-poacher’s village) for entertainment and cultural experience. Dinner and overnight stay at your Lodge. Full Board.

Accommodation Options:

Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge / Davinci Lodge (Budget)
Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/ Five Volcanoes Lodge/ Ingagi Park View Lodge (Midrange)
Bisate Lodge/ One & Only Gorilla Nest/ Bishop’s House/Virunga Lodge/Sabinyo Lodge (Upmarket or Luxury)

Day 3: Golden monkey trek in Rwanda

After morning breakfast, you will head back to the Park offices for your briefing about the morning activity. This time it will be Golden Monkey tracking. These endangered monkey species are found within the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Unlike the Gorillas, Golden monkey trekking will not take long and are easily located. Return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. Overnight at your Lodge. Full Board.

Accommodation Options:

Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge / Davinci Lodge (Budget)
Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/ Five Volcanoes Lodge/ Ingagi Park View Lodge (Midrange)
Bisate Lodge/ One & Only Gorilla Nest/ Bishop’s House/Virunga Lodge/Sabinyo Lodge (Upmarket or Luxury)

Day 4: Dian Fossey Trek and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Morning breakfast and set out in the forest for another trek to the Diane Fossey’s grave at Karisoke. At first you will drive for approx. 30 mins from the park headquarters to the trail where the trek to Karisoke research Camp starts from. Then you will trek for about 1 to 2hrs to the camp and then approx. 1 hr to the grave of the famous Dian Fossey. Along the way you will be given information on her dedication towards the great apes from the ranger guides. Her legacy left behind still outstands today. After the trek, return back to the lodge for Lunch and then depart for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Overnight at your Lodge. Full Board.

Accommodation Options:

Ride 4 A woman /Bakiga Lodge/Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge – (BUDGET)
Buhoma Haven Lodge/Gorilla Safari Lodge/Engagi Lodge (MIDRANGE)
Mahogany Springs Lodge/Bwindi Lodge /Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge (UPMARKET)

Day 5: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

The day is finally here for your unforgettable life time experience of meeting face to face with the giant mountain Gorillas. You will start your day with an early breakfast at your lodge and then transfer to the Park headquarters (Depending on which location you have booked your accommodation) for briefing. There are 4 sectors in which Gorilla trekking takes place with in Bwindi Forest. The northern side of the park is comprised of Buhoma and Ruhija Sector and the southern side comprised of Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors. After Briefing, you will start on your day’s trek. Searching for the gorillas may take like 2-5hrs depending on where they were last spotted the previous day. Once they have been spotted, you will be given one hour to take videos, photos and also get a chance to ask the rangers and the guides any questions about these giant apes. Besides the great Apes, the forest is also a home to other wildlife and bird species such as butterflies, primates, mammals, frogs and so on which all can be seen along the way to the Gorillas. After seeing the Gorillas, you will then head back to your lodge and retire for the rest of the day. The whole day activity can take between 5 to 9hrs. Packed Lunch and hiring porters are highly recommended. Dinner and overnight stay at your Lodge. Full Board

Accommodation Options:

Ride 4 A woman /Bakiga Lodge/Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge – (BUDGET)
Buhoma Haven Lodge/Gorilla Safari Lodge/Engagi Lodge (MIDRANGE)
Mahogany Springs Lodge/Bwindi Lodge /Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge (UPMARKET)

Day 6: Transfer back to Kigali and departure

Morning breakfast at your Lodge and transfer back to Kigali. Depending on the time of your departure flight, have Lunch and then transfer to the Airport for your departure flight out of Kigali. Breakfast and Lunch.

Request A Quote