This 7-Day Congo, Rwanda, Uganda Gorilla Tour is planned along the major tourism circuit from Rwanda to D.R. Congo to Uganda and departs via Kigali International Airport.
The circuit snakes through the leading tourist destinations in all three countries and offers an amazing triple gorilla trekking experience not found in many East African tour packages.
Some highlights of this trip include a Kigali city tour, gorilla trekking in Virunga, Volcanoes, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks, plus golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga National Park and community walks.
7-Day Combined Gorilla Tour Highlights
- Day 1: Arrival in Kigali, City Tour, and Transfer to Gisenyi
- Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Virunga
- Day 3: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
- Day 4: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
- Day 5: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Day 6: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
- Day 7: Transfer to Kigali & Departure
Detailed 7-Day Combined Gorilla Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali, City Tour, and Transfer to Gisenyi
On arrival at Kigali International Airport for your 7-Day Congo, Rwanda, Uganda Gorilla Tour, meet and greet with our company representative, and later have a private transfer to your hotel in Gisenyi.
Depending on the arrival time of your international flight, you will have the opportunity to tour Kigali’s phenomenal attractions, including the Gisozi Genocide Memorial Center, Kigali Craft Market, Hotel Rwanda, or the Kandt Museum. Overnight stay in Gisenyi.
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Virunga
After breakfast at your lodge on this second day of your 7-Day Congo, Rwanda, Uganda Gorilla Tour, head to either Mikeno or Bukima ranger posts in Virunga for a pre-trek briefing.
You will then head for mountain gorilla trekking in Parc National Des Virunga with the rest of the guests.
A gorilla trek may take some hours in this jungle, between 1 – 8 hours, depending on the previous movements of these primates.
Once you find them, you’re only allowed to view them for 1 hour in a group of only 8 persons.
Take a picnic lunch and your snacks. Soon return to the lodge for relaxation and dinner.
Day 3: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast at your lodge in Virunga National Park, begin a transfer out of D.R. Congo via the Goma border.
The drive proceeds along a well-maintained road towards the Volcanoes National Park in the north-western province of Rwanda. Here is where you get an idea of where the name “Land of the Thousand Hills” was derived from.
You will drive past small-sized villages, bustling trading centers, coffee and tea plantations. You can enjoy the lush vegetation and sweeping landscapes.
In the afternoon, you arrive at your lodge in Musanze (Ruhengeri) at the foothills of the Virunga Mountains.
Day 4: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Begin the long-awaited gorilla trek early in the morning and set off into the tangled and mist-shrouded forests with guides and trackers.
These guides are very experienced and have a great deal of knowledge regarding the location of respective gorilla families by tracing their droppings and locating the nests used the previous night.
Sighting mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is an experience that will last a lifetime.
The experienced ranger guides will willingly share a great deal of information regarding the history, behaviors, and lifestyle of the mighty mountain gorillas.
Day 5: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After an early morning breakfast, you will check out and transfer immediately to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda.
Bwindi is apparently the best place to trek mountain gorillas and accounts for the highest number of gorillas among all three gorilla trekking destinations.
Day 6: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
Today is the big day as you prepare yourself for an encounter with one of Uganda’s gentle giants: the rare mountain gorilla.
For most travelers, this is an absolute highlight of their tour in Africa.
Your trekking tour will be an exciting expedition along forested slopes, intertwined vines, bushes, and lush bamboo before you eventually sight the allocated gorilla family.
Coming face-to-face with a mountain gorilla is a truly humbling and sensational encounter.
This is a fantastic and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get up close and personal with man’s closest cousins.
In the evening, opt for a cultural encounter with the indigenous Batwa people.
These are former inhabitants of the forest, also known as hunter-gatherers and fierce warriors who depended on the forest for food, shelter, and medication.
Under the guidance of a local Twa guide, visitors are taken through their day-to-day life. You will later check into the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 7: Transfer to Kigali & Departure
After morning breakfast, you will transfer to the border, cross to Rwanda, and drive to Kigali International Airport to catch your outbound flight.
This marks the end of your 7-Day Congo, Rwanda, Uganda Gorilla Tour.
