The 5 Days Uganda Rwanda Gorillas safari offers four nights and five days of mountain gorilla trekking across two of East Africa’s top primate destinations. This short but rewarding journey starts in Rwanda at Volcanoes National Park and ends in Uganda at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It is designed for travelers who want to experience gorilla trekking in both countries within a limited time.
Volcanoes National Park is found in Rwanda’s Northern Province, about two to three hours by road from Kigali city. The park gets its name from the Virunga volcano chain, which includes Mount Karisimbi, the highest peak in the area. More than 30 percent of the world’s remaining 1,063 mountain gorillas live here, with 12 habituated gorilla families open for tourism. The park is also home to golden monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, and many bird species.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park lies in southwestern Uganda along the Albertine Rift Valley. The park was gazetted in 1991 to protect endangered mountain gorillas. It covers 331 square kilometers and hosts over 20 habituated gorilla families available for trekking. Bwindi is also home to other mammals, birds, chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, and forest elephants.
Day 1: Road Trip from Kigali to Ruhengeri
Arrive at Kigali International Airport or enjoy breakfast at your hotel in Kigali. Meet your driver guide and begin the journey north to Ruhengeri, the gateway to Volcanoes National Park.
Before leaving Kigali, enjoy a short city tour lasting about two hours. Visit key sites such as the Kigali Genocide Memorial, local craft shops, and Kimironko Market. This visit gives insight into Rwanda’s history and daily life. After the city tour, continue the drive to Ruhengeri and check in at your lodge near the park. Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Wake up early and enjoy tea or coffee at the lodge. Transfer to Kinigi park headquarters before 7:00 am for a briefing by park rangers. The briefing explains gorilla trekking rules and safety guidelines.
At 8:00 am, begin trekking into the forest with a ranger guide to find your assigned gorilla family. Trekking time depends on where the gorillas are located and can take between one and five hours. Once the gorillas are found, you will spend one hour observing them, taking photos, and watching their behavior.
After the trek, return to the lodge for lunch and rest. If the trek ends early, you may visit the Gorilla Guardians village for a cultural walk. Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.
Day 3: Transfer from Rwanda to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast, check out of the lodge and drive to the Katuna border to cross into Uganda. Continue through Kabale town and proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park using the Chanika or Kisoro route.
Arrive at your lodge near Bwindi in time for lunch. Spend the afternoon relaxing and enjoying the calm forest surroundings. Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.
Day 4: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After an early breakfast, drive to the park headquarters for a briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers. You will be assigned a gorilla family from one of Bwindi’s four trekking regions: Buhoma, Nkuringo, Ruhija, or Rushaga.
Gorilla trekking begins at 8:00 am and can last between two and six hours. When the gorillas are located, you are allowed one full hour to observe them and take photos. After the trek, return to the lodge for lunch.
If time and energy allow, you may visit the Batwa community for a cultural experience in the evening. Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.
Day 5: Departure
Enjoy breakfast at the lodge and check out. Drive back to Kigali via the Katuna border. Upon arrival in Kigali, transfer to your hotel or Kigali International Airport for your departure flight.
This marks the end of your 5 Days Uganda Rwanda Gorillas safari.