6 Days Uganda Rwanda Double Gorilla Trekking Safari

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali, Rwanda – Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be welcomed by your professional safari guide from Verdant Safaris, who will brief you about the exciting journey ahead. After completing airport formalities, you will begin your drive towards Musanze, the gateway to Volcanoes National Park, located in northern Rwanda. The journey takes you through Rwanda’s picturesque countryside, characterised by green terraced hills, cultivated fields and traditional villages scattered across the landscape. Along the way, you may stop at suitable viewpoints to take photographs and appreciate the country’s beautiful scenery. Upon arrival in Musanze, you will check into your lodge, where you can relax, enjoy refreshments and prepare for the following day’s gorilla trekking experience. Your guide will explain the trekking procedures, recommended clothing, fitness considerations and conservation guidelines to help you prepare for your first encounter with mountain gorillas. Spend the evening enjoying dinner and the peaceful atmosphere beneath the Virunga volcanoes.

Accommodation options: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge.

Meals: (Lunch, Dinner)

Day 2: First Mountain Gorilla Trekking Experience in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

Begin your day with an early breakfast before travelling to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters at Kinigi for registration and a briefing from the park authorities. You will receive guidance on gorilla trekking etiquette, safety precautions and the importance of maintaining the recommended distance from the gorillas. Experienced park rangers will assign you to a habituated gorilla family and lead you into the forest in search of these endangered primates. The trek may take several hours, depending on the location of the gorilla family, the terrain and the conditions of the forest. Once the gorillas are located, you will spend up to one hour observing them as they feed, groom one another, care for their young and move through their natural habitat. This first encounter provides a fascinating opportunity to appreciate their social behaviour and the remarkable conservation work that has helped protect them.

After completing the trek, return to the park headquarters and then transfer to your lodge for lunch and relaxation. The afternoon can be spent enjoying the surrounding scenery, taking photographs or learning more about Rwanda’s mountain gorilla conservation initiatives. You may also arrange an optional visit to a local cultural centre if time and energy permit. In the evening, enjoy dinner at your lodge and prepare for the cross-border journey into Uganda the following day.

Accommodation options: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge.

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 3: Cross-Border Transfer from Rwanda to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda

After breakfast, check out of your lodge and depart Musanze for southwestern Uganda, where your second mountain gorilla trekking experience will take place. You will travel through the scenic Rwandan countryside towards the Cyanika border crossing, a convenient route for reaching the Kisoro area and southern sectors of Bwindi, depending on your allocated trekking location. At the border, you will complete the necessary immigration formalities before continuing into Uganda with assistance from your safari team. The journey offers impressive views of rolling hills, terraced farmland, rural settlements and the mountainous landscapes surrounding the Virunga region. Your guide will explain the differences between Rwanda’s volcanic slopes and Uganda’s extensive tropical rainforest, helping you appreciate the ecological diversity of the two gorilla destinations.

After crossing into Uganda, continue to your lodge near the appropriate sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The park is internationally renowned for its biodiversity, ancient rainforest and population of endangered mountain gorillas. Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy lunch at the lodge, relax in the gardens or take in views of the forest-covered hills. Your guide will confirm the arrangements for the following day’s trek, including the meeting point, permit details and expected departure time. Enjoy dinner and an early night, as the next morning will bring your second opportunity to encounter mountain gorillas in the wild.

Accommodation options: Buhoma Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge. Final accommodation will depend on the sector allocated for your gorilla trekking permit.

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 4: Second Mountain Gorilla Trekking Experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda

Wake up early and enjoy breakfast before proceeding to the designated park headquarters for your second mountain gorilla trekking briefing. After registration, park authorities will allocate you a habituated gorilla family, and trained rangers and trackers will guide you into Bwindi’s ancient rainforest. Unlike the volcanic slopes of Rwanda, Bwindi features dense vegetation, steep hillsides, tangled vines and forest trails that can be challenging to navigate. The trek may last several hours, depending on where the gorillas are located and the prevailing trail conditions. Along the way, you may encounter forest birds, butterflies, interesting plants and other wildlife while learning about the ecological importance of this protected habitat. Once you locate the gorilla family, you will spend up to one hour observing the animals as they feed, rest, groom one another and interact within their social group.

This second encounter offers a valuable opportunity to compare the two trekking environments and observe a different gorilla family in a distinct forest ecosystem. Your ranger will explain the behaviour of the gorillas and the importance of responsible wildlife viewing, ensuring that the encounter follows conservation regulations. After the trek, return to the park headquarters and receive your trekking certificate where provided. You will then return to your lodge for lunch and a well-earned rest. If time and energy permit, you may arrange an optional visit to a nearby community or Batwa cultural experience to learn about the traditions and history of communities associated with the forest. Spend your final evening in the Bwindi region enjoying dinner and reflecting on the two remarkable gorilla encounters.

Accommodation options: Buhoma Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, depending on your trekking sector and availability.

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 5: Scenic Drive from Bwindi to Kigali, Rwanda

After breakfast, leave Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and begin your return journey to Kigali, Rwanda, using the most suitable border crossing for your lodge location and road conditions. The drive takes you through the beautiful highlands of southwestern Uganda, with opportunities to admire terraced hills, agricultural landscapes and rural settlements along the way. Your guide will assist with the border formalities and ensure that you have your passport and relevant travel documents ready for immigration checks. After entering Rwanda, continue towards Kigali through the country’s distinctive rolling countryside, where green hills and carefully cultivated fields create spectacular views. Suitable stops can be arranged for refreshments, photographs and lunch, depending on the journey schedule.

On arrival in Kigali, check into your hotel and relax after the cross-border drive. If your arrival time allows, you may enjoy a short guided city excursion, visiting selected attractions such as the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a local craft market or a city viewpoint, subject to opening hours and available time. These experiences offer an introduction to Rwanda’s history, culture and modern development. Alternatively, you can spend the remainder of the day relaxing at your hotel and preparing for departure the following day. Enjoy your final dinner in Rwanda while reflecting on the remarkable landscapes and wildlife encounters experienced during your safari.

Accommodation options: Kigali Serena Hotel, Hôtel des Mille Collines, Four Points by Sheraton Kigali.

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 6: Departure from Kigali, Rwanda

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before checking out and preparing for your departure from Rwanda. Depending on your international flight schedule, you may have time for a short walk around the hotel area or some last-minute souvenir shopping in Kigali. If your flight departs later in the day, Verdant Safaris can arrange a brief city excursion, subject to the available time and traffic conditions. You will then be transferred to Kigali International Airport, where your safari guide will assist you with the final arrangements before you check in for your onward flight. Your journey concludes with unforgettable memories of two mountain gorilla trekking experiences, one in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and the other in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The safari offers a rare opportunity to appreciate these endangered primates across two distinct habitats while supporting conservation through responsible tourism. We hope your experience with Verdant Safaris inspires you to return to East Africa for more wildlife and cultural adventures.

Meals: (Breakfast)