6 Days Uganda, Rwanda Gorilla trekking Safari

6 Days Uganda, Rwanda Gorilla trekking Safari

Over view

This exceptional Gorilla Trekking Safari takes you mountain gorilla trekking in the Bwindi Forest National Park of Uganda and the Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda! You get to spend time with these endangered primates in the wild, experiencing one of the most incredible and unforgettable wildlife encounters on earth – twice!

Exploring these ancient rainforests is an incredible experience in itself, as these biodiversity hotspots also host a spectacular array of other wildlife, birds, insects, and plants, including many endemic and rare species.

The 6-Day Uganda & Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari includes excellent value-for-money accommodation, private transfers, your guide, a tracking golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park, and a Kigali City Tour.

Tour Highlights

Day 1: Transfer from Entebbe Airport and transfer to hotel in Kampala/ Entebbe

Day 2: Transfer from Kampala/ Entebbe to Bwindi National Park

Day 3: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi National Park

Day 4: Transfer from Bwindi to Volcanoes National Park Rwanda

Day 5: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Day 6: Golden Monkey Tracking in Volcanoes National Park & Kigali

Day by Day 6 Days Uganda, Rwanda Gorilla trekking Safari Detailed itinerary

Day 1: Pick up from the Airport and transfer to the hotel

Arriving at the Entebbe International Airport, which services Kampala, our guide will welcome you to Uganda. From the airport, you will be transferred to your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala. Spend the rest of the evening relaxing at the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Accommodation options: Onomo Hotel, K Hotels Entebbe

Meals included: Dinner

Day 2: Transfer from Kampala to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Have your breakfast early and your drive guide will be at the hotel by 7:00 am to pick you up for the long drive to Bwindi National Park. Leaving Entebbe and Kampala behind we drive south-west via Masaka to Mbarara, about 283 km from Kampala. Our drive takes us across the equator, where we stop for snacks and photos. Then we visit Igongo Cultural Village Centre and the interesting Ankole Museum, before having lunch at a motel in Mbarara. After lunch, we travel into the scenic highlands of Uganda, nearing the dense rainforests of Bwindi. These are some of the oldest, most lush, and most diverse forests in Africa, hosting a spectacular array of flora and fauna. Upon arrival at the park, you check in to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation options: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge(luxury), Gorilla Mist Camp/ Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge (Mid-range), Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge (Budget).

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

Travel time: about 9-10 hours

Day 3: Gorilla Trekking and afternoon Batwa community walk

Today we embark on our first exhilarating mountain gorilla trek, once in a lifetime experience you ought not to miss in Bwindi Forest.

The day begins with breakfast at the lodge, followed by a transfer to the Bwindi Forest National Park headquarters. Be sure to pack a rain jacket, drinking water, snacks, and your packed lunch from the lodge. Additionally, make sure to bring sturdy trekking boots, as you will be walking through swamps and jungles.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for its critical population of mountain gorillas and its rich biodiversity. Trekking through this jungle offers an incredible wilderness experience. As you navigate through the thick undergrowth and tangled vines, you can spot a variety of exotic birds, insects, mammals, and reptiles. The forest is home to 11 primate species and approximately 90 mammal species, along with a vast array of birds and butterflies. Our trek will last between two to six hours, which may be arduous and challenging, but the effort is truly worth it.

Once you have located the gorillas, you will be allowed one hour with them as you watch them go about their daily activities. Approximately 1,000 wild gorillas are remaining in the world with about half the total number residing in Bwindi. After the trek, you will return to the park head office where your driver guide will pick you up and transfer you back to the lodge.

In the evening you will visit the Batwa community group where you will meet and interact with the locals and get to learn more about the Batwa culture. You will also enjoy entertainment like dances, among other village projects.

Accommodation options: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge(luxury), Gorilla Mist Camp/ Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge (Mid-range), Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge (Budget).

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: Transfer from Bwindi to Volcanoes National Park

Start your day by waking up to the lush forests and scenic hills surrounding the lodge, followed by a delicious breakfast. Afterward, it’s time to leave Bwindi and its majestic gorillas behind as we travel from Uganda into neighboring Rwanda. This picturesque drive takes us through the hilly countryside of Rwanda, often referred to as the “Land of a Thousand Hills.”

Our destination for the day is the city of Ruhengeri, now known as Musanze, which serves as the gateway to exploring Volcanoes National Park. Upon arriving in this beautiful area at the foot of the Virunga Mountains, we will visit the Twin Lakes: Lake Ruhondo and Lake Burera. After enjoying the serene views of these tranquil lakes, which are surrounded by lush hills and set against the backdrop of the Virunga Massif, drive to the lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight stay.

Accommodation options: Mount Muthaura Lodge, La Palme Hotel (Budget) Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, (Mid-range) Bisate Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, or Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel(luxury)

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Have an early breakfast and thereafter, head out to the park headquarters at Kinigi, where you will attend a briefing on the rules and regulations to follow during gorilla tracking. Volcanoes National is one of the best places in the world for mountain gorilla trekking with the second total population of gorillas after Bwindi.

The Volcanoes National Park spans approximately 160 km² of untouched wilderness, featuring ancient afro-montane and bamboo forests. The park is named after the five volcanoes it encompasses but is best known for its population of African mountain gorillas. Volcanoes Park is also highly biodiverse, home to around 200 bird species and a wide variety of animals, plants, and insects, including many rare and endemic species.

After the briefing, you will be assigned to one of the ten habituated gorilla groups, accompanied by a ranger guide. Once you locate the gorillas, you will spend one hour observing them in the forest. During this time, we can watch these magnificent primates as they go about their daily activities, such as grooming, playing, sleeping, and feeding. It is an extraordinary experience to witness the gentle and social nature of the gorillas and their strikingly human-like features.

After our unforgettable gorilla encounter, we trek back to the headquarters and return to the accommodation for dinner and leisure time.

Accommodation options: Mount Muthaura Lodge, La Palme Hotel (Budget) Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, (Mid-range) Bisate Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, or Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel(luxury)

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6: Golden Monkey Tracking and transfer back to Kigali

On our final day, we return to Volcanoes National Park to track the endangered golden monkeys, which are endemic to the Virunga Mountains area. This trek is easier as it takes us through the bamboo forests on the lower slopes of the mountains.

We spend an hour observing these rare golden monkeys as they move between the tree branches and along the forest floor. These social primates are very active and playful, providing an exciting wildlife encounter.

After our trek, we have lunch in Ruhengeri and then drive southeast to Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. Along the way, we stop several times to admire the spectacular views of the lush, green hills. Upon arriving in the city, we embark on a sightseeing tour that includes a visit to the Genocide Memorial and an arts and crafts market. market and thereafter, your driver guide will drop you off at the airport in time for your departure flight back home.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch.

End of Tour

6 Days Uganda, Rwanda Gorilla trekking Safari includes and excludes

Package includes