5 Day Uganda and Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari
This 5-day Uganda and Rwanda gorilla trekking safari is built for travellers who want to compare two of Africa’s best mountain gorilla experiences in one journey. The tour takes you to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwestern Uganda and Volcanoes National Park in northern Rwanda, giving you two different forest settings, two trekking systems and two memorable encounters with mountain gorillas.
Bwindi offers a wilder, thicker forest experience, with trekking done through steep slopes, dense vegetation and different gorilla trekking sectors. Volcanoes National Park gives you the classic Virunga volcano setting, with open bamboo zones, dramatic mountain views and easy access from Kigali. Each trek is different, because gorilla families move daily and the walking time depends on where the assigned family is found.
This safari works well for travellers who want more than one gorilla trek and want to understand the difference between gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda through real experience, not guesswork. Along the way, you can also enjoy scenic drives, border crossing through southwestern Uganda and Rwanda, community experiences near Bwindi and the calm foothills around Volcanoes National Park.
Safari Highlights
- Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda
- Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
- Chance to compare Uganda’s dense forest trekking with Rwanda’s Virunga volcano trekking
- One hour with a habituated gorilla family during each successful trek
- Border crossing between Uganda and Rwanda with guide support
- Optional village walk near Bwindi for travellers interested in local community life
- Optional cultural visit near Volcanoes National Park, depending on time and interest
- Lodge stays selected according to the gorilla trekking sector and travel budget
- Suitable for travellers starting in Kampala, Entebbe or Kigali
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1, Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast, your safari guide will pick you up from your hotel in Kampala, Entebbe or Kigali and begin the journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. If you are starting from Kampala or Entebbe, the route takes you through central and southwestern Uganda, with a possible stop at the Equator for photos and another stop in Mbarara or Kabale for lunch.
If you are starting from Kigali, the drive is shorter and passes through Rwanda’s northern hills before crossing into Uganda. Your guide will help with the border process, then continue with you to the Bwindi sector where your gorilla permit has been booked.
Arrive in the evening, check in at the lodge and rest after the drive. The lodge should be selected according to the trekking sector on your permit, because Bwindi has different starting points and early reporting is required on the trekking day. Luxury: Buhoma Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Mid-range: Engagi Lodge or Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Budget: Buhoma Community Rest Camp
Day 2, Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Have an early breakfast at the lodge, then transfer to the park headquarters for registration and briefing. The ranger guides will explain the gorilla trekking rules, forest safety, visitor behaviour around gorillas, and what to expect during the trek.
After the briefing, you will be allocated a gorilla family and begin the trek with ranger guides and trackers. The walk can take a few hours or most of the day, depending on where the gorillas have moved. Bwindi’s forest can be steep, muddy and thick, so good walking shoes, long trousers, a rain jacket and enough drinking water are important.
When the gorillas are found, you will spend one hour with them. This is the heart of the safari, as you watch the family feed, rest, groom and move through the forest. After the experience, return to the starting point, meet your guide and transfer back to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Optional activity
A village walk or Batwa cultural experience can be added in the afternoon if the trek ends early and you still have enough energy.
Day 3, Transfer from Bwindi to Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast, leave Bwindi and drive towards Volcanoes National Park in northern Rwanda. The journey takes you through the highlands of southwestern Uganda, with beautiful views of terraced hills, farms and rural villages before reaching the border.
For this cross-border journey, travellers need an East African Tourist Visa, which covers travel between Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya. Have your visa arranged before setting off so the border crossing is straightforward. Once you have completed the formalities, continue towards the Musanze area and Volcanoes National Park, with the mountain scenery becoming part of the journey as you approach the park.
Arrive in the afternoon or evening and check in at the lodge. The rest of the day is for relaxation before your second gorilla trekking experience. Your guide will confirm the next morning’s reporting time, packed lunch arrangement and transfer to the park headquarters. Luxury: Virunga Lodge or Bisate Lodge, Mid-range: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge or Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, Budget: Kinigi Guest House
Day 4, Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Wake up early, have breakfast and transfer to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters for briefing. The park team will register visitors, explain the trekking rules and allocate gorilla groups for the day. Group allocation is normally done on the trekking morning, based on gorilla movement, visitor fitness and park guidance.
After the briefing, drive to the starting point and begin the trek with ranger guides. The walk takes you through the lower slopes of the Virunga volcanoes, with bamboo, forest vegetation and open views depending on the route used that day. The tracking team will guide you towards the area where your assigned gorilla family was last located.
Once the gorillas are found, you will spend one hour with them. This gives you time to observe their behaviour, take photos without flash, and enjoy your second gorilla trekking experience of the safari. After the trek, return to the lodge for rest, dinner and overnight.
Optional routing note
If the trek ends early, travellers continuing to Kampala can transfer to Kabale to reduce the next day’s driving distance. Travellers flying from Rwanda can transfer to Kigali instead, depending on flight timing.
Day 5, Transfer to Kigali or Return to Kampala
After breakfast, check out of the lodge and begin your return journey. Travellers ending in Rwanda will drive to Kigali for hotel drop-off or airport transfer. Depending on time, a short Kigali city visit can be added before departure.
Travellers returning to Uganda will cross the border and continue towards Kabale, Mbarara, Kampala or Entebbe, with lunch en route. The drive is longer when ending in Kampala or Entebbe, so late evening flights are better for travellers departing on the same day. This marks the end of your 5-day Uganda and Rwanda gorilla trekking safari with AA Safaris and Tours.
Inclusions and Exclusions
Included
- Airport or hotel pick-up and drop-off, depending on the confirmed route
- Transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle
- English-speaking safari driver-guide
- Fuel for the full itinerary
- 4 nights accommodation
- Meals as stated in the final itinerary
- Uganda gorilla trekking permit
- Rwanda gorilla trekking permit
- Transfers to and from the gorilla trekking briefing points
- Bottled drinking water during transfers
- Border crossing assistance from the guide
- Park entry and ranger guide services
Excluded
- International flights
- Uganda and Rwanda visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Porter fees during gorilla trekking
- Tips for guides, rangers, porters and lodge staff
- Alcoholic drinks and premium beverages
- Laundry, calls and personal shopping
- Optional village walk near Bwindi
- Optional Batwa cultural experience
- Optional Kigali city visit
- Extra accommodation before or after the safari