7-Day Rwanda Uganda Gorilla Safari
7-Day Rwanda Uganda Gorilla Safari
Route: Kigali → Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda) → Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (Uganda) → Lake Bunyonyi → Queen Elizabeth NP → Kigali/Entebbe
Highlights: Double gorilla trekking (Rwanda + Uganda), golden monkey tracking, Kigali Genocide Memorial, Batwa cultural experience, boat safari on Kazinga Channel, tree-climbing lions, Lake Bunyonyi relaxation
Meal plan: Full Board on all safari days. Breakfast on departure day. Packed lunches on trekking days.
Quick Overview
| Day | Destination | Meals |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival in Kigali – City Tour | Dinner |
| 2 | Kigali → Volcanoes National Park | B, L, D |
| 3 | Gorilla Trekking – Volcanoes NP | B, L, D |
| 4 | Golden Monkey Trekking → Bwindi (Uganda) | B, L, D |
| 5 | Gorilla Trekking – Bwindi | B, L, D |
| 6 | Bwindi → Lake Bunyonyi → Queen Elizabeth NP | B, L, D |
| 7 | Queen Elizabeth NP → Kigali / Entebbe → Departure | B, L |
Key: B = Breakfast · L = Lunch · D = Dinner
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 — Arrival in Kigali & City Tour
Activities:
- Meet and greet at Kigali International Airport
- Guided Kigali city tour: Kigali Genocide Memorial, Kimironko Market, and cultural landmarks
- Evening safari briefing and dinner
Accommodation (Options):
- Budget: Five to Five Hotel
- Mid-range: Hotel des Mille Collines
- Luxury: The Retreat by Heaven or Kigali Serena Hotel
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 — Kigali → Volcanoes National Park
Activities:
- Scenic 2.5–3 hour drive through the “Land of a Thousand Hills” to Musanze
- Afternoon gorilla trekking briefing at the lodge
- Optional: Ibyiwacu Cultural Village visit or coffee plantation tour
Accommodation (Options):
- Budget: Ingagi Park View Lodge
- Mid-range: Classic Resort or Gorilla Guardian Village Hotel
- Luxury: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel or Virunga Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 — Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Activities:
- Early breakfast and transfer to Kinigi Park Headquarters (7:00 AM briefing)
- Mountain gorilla trekking through bamboo forests — trek lasts 2–6 hours depending on gorilla location
- Spend one hour with a habituated gorilla family
- Afternoon at leisure
Accommodation: Same as Day 2
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 — Golden Monkey Trekking → Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (Uganda)
Activities:
- Morning golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park — observe these rare primates with striking orange-gold coats leaping through bamboo
- Cross into Uganda via the Cyanika or Kyanika border (East African Visa required)
- Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to nearly half the world’s remaining mountain gorillas
- Afternoon Batwa Trail — guided walk to learn about the Batwa Pygmy and Bakiga communities
Accommodation (Options):
- Budget: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge or Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge
- Mid-range: Bweza Gorilla Lodge or Gorilla Valley Lodge
- Luxury: Buhoma Lodge, Mahogany Springs, or Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 — Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Activities:
- Early breakfast and briefing at Bwindi park headquarters (8:00 AM)
- Second mountain gorilla trekking experience — trek one of the habituated gorilla families in Bwindi
- Spend one hour observing gorillas in their natural habitat
- Afternoon at leisure or optional community walk
Accommodation: Same as Day 4
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner — packed lunch provided for trekking
Day 6 — Bwindi → Lake Bunyonyi → Queen Elizabeth National Park
Activities:
- Scenic drive to Lake Bunyonyi — one of Africa’s deepest lakes, surrounded by terraced hills and dotted with 29 islands. The waters are free of hippos and crocodiles, making them safe for swimming
- Private boat cruise on Lake Bunyonyi to explore the islands
- Continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park — Uganda’s most popular wildlife destination
Accommodation (Options):
- Budget: Pumba Safari Cottages
- Mid-range: Buffalo Safari Lodge or Twin Lakes Safari Lodge
- Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge or Elephant Plains Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 — Queen Elizabeth NP → Kigali / Entebbe → Departure
Activities:
- Morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park — look for lions, elephants, buffaloes, and the famous tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector
- Boat safari on the Kazinga Channel — home to one of the world’s largest hippo populations, plus crocodiles, elephants, and buffaloes
- Drive back to Kigali or Entebbe for departure (approximately 5–6 hours)
- Transfer to airport for departure flight
Accommodation: None — day room can be arranged at extra cost
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Detailed Inclusions
Permits & Park Fees
- 1 Rwanda gorilla trekking permit (Volcanoes National Park) — $1,500 per person for non-residents
- 1 Uganda gorilla trekking permit (Bwindi Impenetrable Forest) — $800 per person for non-residents
- 1 Golden monkey trekking permit (Volcanoes National Park)
- All national park entrance fees for Volcanoes NP, Bwindi, Queen Elizabeth NP, and Lake Bunyonyi
- Batwa cultural trail fees in Bwindi
Transport & Logistics
- 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof for game viewing — private use throughout the safari
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide — expert in wildlife, culture, and cross-border logistics
- All airport transfers — pick-up from Kigali International Airport and drop-off at Kigali or Entebbe airport
- Cross-border assistance at Cyanika or Kyanika border crossing
- Unlimited bottled drinking water in the safari vehicle
Accommodation & Meals
- 6 nights accommodation in mid-range lodges as listed in the itinerary (upgrade to luxury available at additional cost)
- All meals as per itinerary — Full Board (breakfast, lunch, dinner) on all safari days
- Packed lunches on gorilla trekking and golden monkey trekking days
- Complimentary items: umbrella, sunscreen, and rain gear provided during the safari
Activities
- Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda) — 1 trek
- Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (Uganda) — 1 trek
- Golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park
- Kigali city tour — including Genocide Memorial and Kimironko Market
- Batwa cultural trail in Bwindi
- Boat cruise on Lake Bunyonyi
- Game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Boat safari on the Kazinga Channel
Detailed Exclusions
Flights & Travel Documents
- International airfare to and from Kigali (Rwanda) or Entebbe (Uganda)
- Rwanda visa fees — approximately $50 USD for most nationalities
- Uganda visa fees — approximately $50 USD (or East African Tourist Visa at $100 USD covering Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya)
- Travel insurance and medical coverage — highly recommended
Meals & Beverages
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages not specified in the meal plan (drinks at lodges and restaurants)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary (e.g., lunches or dinners on arrival/departure days where not specified)
Personal Expenses & Optional Activities
- Tips and gratuities for guides, drivers, trackers, porters, and lodge staff — recommended $10–15 per day for guides and $15–20 per porter for gorilla trekking
- Porter fees during gorilla trekking — optional but highly recommended ($15–20)
- Laundry services at lodges
- Souvenirs and personal shopping — including craft markets and curio shops
- Optional activities not listed in the itinerary (e.g., additional gorilla treks, chimpanzee habituation, canopy walk, extra game drives)
- Spa treatments and wellness services at lodges
Other
- Anything not explicitly mentioned in the inclusions section
- Day-use room or extra night in Kigali or Entebbe on the last day (can be arranged at extra cost)
- Domestic flights if required for internal connections
Permits & Practical Information
| Item | Rwanda (Volcanoes NP) | Uganda (Bwindi) |
|---|---|---|
| Gorilla permit cost | $1,500 (non-resident) | $800 (non-resident) |
| Golden monkey permit | $100 | — |
| Trek duration | 2–6 hours | 2–6 hours |
| Time with gorillas | 1 hour | 1 hour |
| Group size | Max 8 per family | Max 8 per family |
| Minimum age | 15 years | 15 years |
| Best time to trek | June–September, Dec–Feb | June–September, Dec–Feb |
Important: Gorilla permits must be booked months in advance, especially for peak season (June–September and December–February). A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for entry into both Rwanda and Uganda. An East African Tourist Visa ($100 USD) allows multiple entries between Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya — ideal for this cross-border itinerary.
What to Pack
- Sturdy hiking boots with good ankle support (essential for gorilla trekking)
- Long-sleeved shirts and long trousers (nettle-proof, neutral colors)
- Rain jacket and poncho (weather can change quickly in the rainforest)
- Gardening gloves (for protection against nettles and thorns during trekking)
- Sun hat, sunscreen, and insect repellent
- Binoculars and camera with zoom lens
- Power adapter — Rwanda and Uganda use Type C and Type J plugs (230V)
- Cash in USD for tips, porter fees, and personal expenses