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

---