6 Days Rwanda & Uganda Gorilla Trek

This 6 Days Rwanda and Uganda Gorilla safari trek starts and ends in Kigali. While on this tour, you will be doing a double gorilla trekking experience in Uganda’s Bwindi Forest National Park and Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. Besides Gorilla trekking, the tour offers you an opportunity to trek the golden monkeys, hike to the Dian Fossey’s grave but also learn about the people and culture of the local community.

The trip starts with a tour around Rwanda’s capital Kigali with a visit to the different spots including the Kigali Genocide Memorial Site and Museum to learn more about the 1994 genocide era, Nyamata genocide Church, local markets and so on. Lunch in Kigali before 2 hours drive to Volcanoes National Park – a home to Rwanda’s Gorilla and golden monkeys among other animal and bird species.

Your Gorilla tracking adventure starts at 0700hrs. After briefing from the park wardens at Kinigi you will be put in groups of 08 people for your Gorilla tracking, you will be led by a team of experienced guides and trackers, hiring a porter on this experience is so helpful as it relieves you of the extra baggage but also importantly its a source of income to the local communities who are a key stakeholder in the Gorilla conservation efforts. Once you meet the Gorillas you will be allowed to spend one hour with them, after which you will be asked to hike back to the starting point. In the evening you have an opportunity to visit the Ibwachu Cultural Village to learn but also get entertained by the ex-poachers.

The trip also offers an opportunity to track Golden Monkeys in their nature setting, there are 2 families have been fully habituated for tracking. On this tour you will also be able to hike to the Diane Fossey’s grave at Karisoke before crossing to Uganda in anticipation of your second Gorilla trek in Bwindi Forest National Park or mount Gahinga Gorilla National Park. In Uganda you have an opportunity to track one of the 19 Gorilla families spread in the five tracking sectors of Nyakagezi, Ruhijja, Rushaga, and Buhoma. Nkuringo

After your second Gorilla trekking in Uganda, it will be time to transfer back to Kigali for your flight back home. You also opt to fly from Kihihi airstrip to Entebbe Airport connect to your international flight back home.

Safari Highlights

Kigali City tour
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda,
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda
Golden monkey tracking in Rwanda
Community walk in Rwanda
Border Crossing
Diane Fossey’s Trek

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.

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