Discover mountain gorillas in Rwanda and Uganda on a 5-day safari that begins and ends in Kigali, combining 2 remarkable gorilla trekking experiences with the scenery of the Virunga Mountains and southwestern Uganda. Your journey starts in Volcanoes National Park, where you’ll trek through bamboo forest and volcanic slopes in search of a habituated gorilla family. From Rwanda, cross into Uganda and continue towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, with time to enjoy the beautiful landscapes surrounding Lake Mutanda. In Bwindi, enter the dense rainforest for your second gorilla encounter, this time among steep forested hills and ancient tropical vegetation. The 2 treks offer different landscapes and opportunities to observe mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, while the road journeys take you through terraced farmland, mountain villages and scenic highlands. With arrival and departure through Kigali International Airport, this safari is especially suitable for travellers who want to experience gorilla trekking in both countries without the long return journey to Entebbe.
Safari Highlights
- 2 mountain gorilla treks, 1 in Rwanda and 1 in Uganda.
- Kigali round trip, arrival and departure through the same airport.
- Volcanoes National Park, gorilla trekking in the Virunga Mountains.
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a second gorilla encounter in Uganda.’Lake Mutanda, beautiful lake and volcanic mountain scenery.
- Virunga Mountains, forested slopes, bamboo and volcanic landscapes.
- 1 hour with gorillas per trek, after locating the assigned family.
- Private cross-border safari, with an experienced driver-guide.
Detailed Safari Itinerary
Day 1, Arrival in Kigali and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Arrive at Kigali International Airport, where your safari driver-guide will welcome you and introduce you to the journey ahead. After a short briefing, leave Kigali and travel northwest to Musanze, the main gateway to Volcanoes National Park. The drive generally takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on traffic and the location of your lodge. As you leave the city, the landscape changes to rolling green hills, cultivated valleys and small villages. On clear days, the volcanic peaks of the Virunga Mountains begin to appear in the distance. Arrive at your lodge in the afternoon or evening and take time to relax. Your guide will explain the following morning’s gorilla trekking arrangements, including the briefing point, recommended clothing and equipment.
Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Meals: Dinner
Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Day 2, Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
After an early breakfast, travel to the designated gorilla trekking briefing point at Volcanoes National Park. Park rangers will explain the trekking rules, assign you to a habituated gorilla family and introduce the guides who will accompany you into the forest. Depending on the assigned family, you may travel by vehicle to a separate trailhead before beginning your trek. The walk takes you through the forested slopes of the Virunga Mountains, where bamboo, thick vegetation and mountain forest provide habitat for the gorillas. Some treks are relatively short, while others require several hours of walking over steep or muddy ground. Once you locate the gorillas, enjoy the permitted 1-hour encounter. Watch the family feeding, resting, grooming and interacting. You may see younger gorillas playing near their mothers or a silverback quietly observing the group. Your ranger-guide will help you maintain the required distance and follow the park’s wildlife viewing rules. After the trek, return to your lodge for lunch or relaxation. Spend the remainder of the afternoon enjoying the mountain scenery.
Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Musanze.
Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner.
Day 3, Volcanoes National Park to Bwindi via Lake Mutanda
After breakfast, leave Musanze and begin the journey towards Uganda. Travel through northern Rwanda towards the Cyanika border crossing, where you’ll complete the necessary immigration formalities. After entering Uganda, continue through Kisoro, a beautiful highland town surrounded by volcanic mountains and cultivated hills. Depending on road conditions and the day’s schedule, stop at a suitable viewpoint overlooking Lake Mutanda. Lake Mutanda lies among the green highlands of southwestern Uganda, with beautiful views towards the Virunga volcanoes. Its calm waters, small islands and surrounding hills make it one of the region’s most scenic landscapes. Enjoy the views and take photographs before continuing towards the Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Allow approximately 4 to 6 hours for the main transfer, with additional time for the scenic stop, border formalities and changing road conditions. Arrive at your lodge near Bwindi in the afternoon or early evening. Your guide will confirm the following morning’s gorilla trekking briefing point and help you prepare for the forest walk.
Accommodation: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Lake Mutanda
Day 4, Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Today brings your second mountain gorilla trekking experience, this time in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. After an early breakfast, carry your packed lunch and travel to the Rushaga gorilla trekking briefing point. Park rangers will explain the trekking rules before assigning your group to a habituated gorilla family. Accompanied by experienced ranger-guides, enter Bwindi’s dense rainforest in search of mountain gorillas. Unlike the volcanic slopes of Rwanda, Bwindi is characterised by steep forested valleys, thick undergrowth and ancient tropical vegetation. The trek may involve climbing muddy slopes, crossing small streams and walking through sections of dense forest. The time required to locate the gorillas depends on their movements and the location of your assigned family. Once the gorillas are found, enjoy the permitted 1-hour encounter. Observe the silverback, females and younger gorillas as they feed, groom and interact in their natural surroundings. Your ranger-guide will help you appreciate the family’s behaviour while ensuring that all visitors follow the conservation rules. After the encounter, return to the trekking starting point and transfer back to your lodge. If the trek finishes early and you still have energy, an optional community visit may be arranged around Rushaga.
Accommodation: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga.
Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner.
Day 5, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to Kigali and Departure
After an early breakfast, leave Bwindi and begin the journey back towards Rwanda. Travel through the highlands of southwestern Uganda, passing Kisoro and the surrounding countryside before reaching the Cyanika border crossing. Complete the necessary immigration formalities and continue through Musanze towards Kigali. The journey generally takes approximately 5 to 7 hours from the Rushaga area, depending on road conditions, border procedures and traffic. Along the way, enjoy views of terraced farmland, mountain villages and the Virunga volcanoes. Stop for lunch at a suitable restaurant before continuing towards Kigali International Airport. Your driver-guide will transfer you to the airport or your agreed hotel in Kigali. Because this is an international road transfer, travellers should arrange an evening departure flight with sufficient time for airport check-in. An additional night in Kigali is recommended for guests with earlier flights. Your 5-day Rwanda and Uganda safari comes to an end, having experienced mountain gorilla trekking in both Volcanoes National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch, subject to the confirmed booking.
Gorilla Safari Inclusions and Exclusions
Safari Inclusions
- Airport pickup at Kigali International Airport.
- Private safari transport throughout the 5-day journey.
- Services of an experienced English-speaking safari driver-guide.
- 4 nights of accommodation at the selected lodges.
- Meals as specified in the confirmed itinerary.
- 1 mountain gorilla trekking permit for Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda
- 1 mountain gorilla trekking permit for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda
- Applicable national park entrance fees for scheduled activities.
- Cross-border ground transport between Rwanda and Uganda.
- Scenic stop around Lake Mutanda, where road and weather conditions permit.
- Drinking water during road transfers, where specified.
- Return transfer to Kigali International Airport.
Safari Exclusions
- International flights into and out of Kigali.
- Rwanda and Uganda visas or other applicable entry authorisations.
- Travel and medical insurance.
- Personal expenses, including laundry, souvenirs and additional drinks.
- Tips and gratuities for safari guides, rangers and lodge staff.
- Porter services during gorilla trekking unless included.
- Optional Lake Mutanda boat excursions or canoeing.
- Optional community visits and additional forest walks.
- Additional accommodation before or after the safari.
- Any meals or services not specified in the final booking confirmation.
