Why limit your safari to just one country? Combine a gorilla trek in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park with another gorilla safari in Uganda’s famous Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with this 5 Days Uganda Rwanda Gorilla Safari. Two highlights of a safari in East Africa have to be gorilla trekking and epic wildlife, and this route combines both in two unique countries.
5 Days Combined Gorilla Tour Overview
Day 1: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park Rwanda
On arrival at Kigali Airport, clear customs and collect your baggage. Our company representative will be waiting to welcome you and brief you on your safari. Shortly after that, drive to a nearby restaurant for a cup of coffee. Enjoy a city tour in Kigali and visit the genocide museum, monuments, African craft market, presidential palace, and so much more.
Lunch in Kigali, and depart on a scenic drive North West wards through the beautiful terraced hillsides that display Rwanda’s landscape. Arrive in Musanze, a historical town located at the base for Gorilla trekking near Parc National des Volcans. The town is situated only 25km from Uganda boarder, and is relatively a small city with a population of approximately 70,000 people. The town has a wide array of accommodation facilities, all with great views overlooking the surrounding Virunga volcanoes.
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast, head to the park headquarters and receive brief briefing from the park officials about the dos and don’ts while with the gorillas as well as get allocated to the ranger guide and the gorilla family you’ll track. Head off to the jungles and start the search for mountain gorillas. It’s an amazing moment to be among 8 persons allowed to visit a specific gorilla family.
Once your allocated gorilla family has been sighted, you will be allowed a maximum of one hour with them. Coming face-to-face with a mountain gorilla is typically a humbling and sensational experience. This is an opportune moment to get up close and personal with Rwanda’s own ‘Gorillas in the Mist’.
Day 3: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast, cross to Uganda via Cyanika boarder to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. En route boat cruise on Lake Bunyonyi, to explore the numerous 29 islands and communities that inhabit the lake’s shores. Overnight stay at the lodge in Rushaga sector.
Day 4: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
After an early breakfast, you’ll venture out to the park headquarters in Bwindi impenetrable national park where you’ll begin your trek. Your guide and tracker will lead you deep into the forest in search of your allocated gorilla family. The trek can last between 30 minutes to 8 hours depending on the movement of a specific gorilla family which you’re tracking.
When you meet the gorillas you’ll have the chance to spend up to one magical hour quietly observing them. Get an up close encounter with mountain gorillas just a few meters away from you as you watch them go about their routine – feeding and interacting with each other, under the protective gaze of the giant Silverback. In the afternoon, after spotting these mighty apes, you’ll transfer back to the starting point, meet with your guide and be transferred back to your accommodation where you can spend the evening reflecting on your incredible encounter with the mountain gorillas of Uganda.
Day 5: Return to Kigali
Rise up in the morning, have breakfast at your lodge and transfer to Kigali city where you should get dropped at your preferred hotel or the airport to catch your on ward flight. If you return to Kigali early enough, you will have time to carry out another city tour. This marks the end of your 5 Days Uganda-Rwanda gorilla safari.
