About This Journey
Why choose between Uganda and Rwanda when you can trek gorillas in both? This eight-day cross-border journey links the region's two great gorilla destinations — Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park — into one seamless safari, with two separate gorilla families in two very different forests.
Beginning in Uganda, you'll trek Bwindi's gorillas, cruise the wildlife-rich Kazinga Channel, and cross overland into Rwanda through the Virunga foothills. In Rwanda you'll track golden monkeys, meet a second gorilla family beneath the volcanoes, and finish in Kigali with its moving history and easy international connections.
The trip flies in to Entebbe and out of Kigali, so no time is wasted backtracking. Every departure is private and expertly guided on both sides of the border.
Trip Highlights
- Two gorilla treks — one in Uganda's Bwindi and one in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park
- Golden monkey tracking in the bamboo forests of the Virungas
- Boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel past hippos, elephants, and birdlife
- A scenic overland border crossing through the Virunga volcanoes
- Time on the terraced shores of Lake Bunyonyi
- A guided tour of Kigali and its Genocide Memorial
Day by Day
Land at Entebbe International Airport, where your guide meets you and transfers you to a comfortable hotel on the shores of Lake Victoria for a welcome dinner and trip briefing.
- LuxuryProtea Hotel by Marriott Entebbe · Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort · Hotel No.5 Entebbe
- Mid-rangeBest Western Premier Garden Hotel · Boma Hotel Entebbe · 2 Friends Beach Hotel
- BudgetAirport Guest House · ViaVia Entebbe · Elementis Guesthouse
- Meals
- Dinner
Take a scheduled light-aircraft flight from Entebbe to the airstrip near Bwindi, trading a long drive for a spectacular aerial view of Uganda's lakes and hills.
Arrive in time to settle into your forest lodge, with an optional afternoon Batwa community walk to learn about the forest's first people.
- LuxuryBuhoma Lodge · Bwindi Lodge · Mahogany Springs Lodge
- Mid-rangeEngagi Lodge · Buhoma Haven Lodge · Gorilla Forest Camp
- BudgetBuhoma Community Rest Camp · Trekkers Tavern Cottages · Bwindi Backpackers Lodge
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After an early briefing, set off on foot with rangers and trackers into one of Africa's oldest rainforests in search of a habituated gorilla family. The trek can take anywhere from one to several hours over steep, forested terrain.
You have one unforgettable hour with the gorillas at close range before returning to your lodge. Porters are available to carry your pack and assist on the climbs.
- LuxuryBuhoma Lodge · Bwindi Lodge · Mahogany Springs Lodge
- Mid-rangeEngagi Lodge · Buhoma Haven Lodge · Gorilla Forest Camp
- BudgetBuhoma Community Rest Camp · Trekkers Tavern Cottages · Bwindi Backpackers Lodge
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive south with a stop at the beautiful, island-dotted Lake Bunyonyi, then continue to the Cyanika border and cross overland into Rwanda.
Wind up through terraced hills to Musanze, at the foot of the Virunga volcanoes and the gateway to Volcanoes National Park, where you'll spend the next three nights.
- LuxurySabyinyo Silverback Lodge · Bisate Lodge · Virunga Lodge · One&Only Gorilla's Nest
- Mid-rangeFive Volcanoes Boutique Hotel · Mountain Gorilla View Lodge · Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge
- BudgetKinigi Guest House · Hotel Muhabura
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Track the lively golden monkeys found only in these bamboo forests — an easier and highly photogenic trek. In the afternoon, choose an optional hike toward Dian Fossey's Karisoke research site or a cultural visit to a local community.
- LuxurySabyinyo Silverback Lodge · Bisate Lodge · Virunga Lodge · One&Only Gorilla's Nest
- Mid-rangeFive Volcanoes Boutique Hotel · Mountain Gorilla View Lodge · Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge
- BudgetKinigi Guest House · Hotel Muhabura
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Your second gorilla trek, this time on the Rwandan side of the Virungas. After the briefing at Kinigi, head out to meet a different habituated family in a strikingly different landscape of bamboo and open volcanic slopes.
Enjoy another hour in their company before returning to the lodge to celebrate a rare achievement — gorilla trekking in two countries on a single trip.
- LuxurySabyinyo Silverback Lodge · Bisate Lodge · Virunga Lodge · One&Only Gorilla's Nest
- Mid-rangeFive Volcanoes Boutique Hotel · Mountain Gorilla View Lodge · Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge
- BudgetKinigi Guest House · Hotel Muhabura
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive to Kigali for a guided city tour and a visit to the moving Genocide Memorial, with time for a craft cooperative before checking into your hotel.
- LuxuryKigali Serena Hotel · The Retreat by Heaven
- Mid-rangeBest View Hotel · Classic Lodge Rwanda · Faraja Hotel
- BudgetNew Silver Hotel · Eden Condo Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Transfer to Kigali International Airport for your international departure — or continue on to a wider East Africa extension, which we're happy to arrange.
- Meals
- Breakfast
What's Included
Included
- 7 nights' accommodation in hand-picked lodges and hotels
- All meals as indicated in the itinerary (B/L/D)
- Two gorilla trekking permits — one in Uganda and one in Rwanda
- Scheduled light-aircraft flight Entebbe–Bwindi
- Private expert English-speaking guides in Uganda and Rwanda
- All park and conservation fees, and the overland border transfer
- Guided Kigali city tour and Genocide Memorial visit
- Airport transfers and bottled water in the vehicle
Not Included
- International flights (into Entebbe, out of Kigali)
- Visas — the East Africa Tourist Visa is recommended for this route
- Travel and medical insurance
- Golden monkey permit and optional activities
- Porter fees, gratuities, and personal expenses
- Drinks and items of a personal nature
Accommodation
Protea Hotel by Marriott Entebbe
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Buhoma Lodge
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Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
Kigali Serena Hotel
Ready to Plan This Safari?
Every trip we run is private and tailored around you — your dates, your pace, your budget. Tell us what you have in mind and one of our safari planners will craft it into a detailed, costed proposal.
This route includes two gorilla permits (US$800 in Uganda and US$1,500 in Rwanda) — both are strictly limited and sell out early, so book well ahead. The East Africa Tourist Visa covers both countries. Prices are based on two people sharing; contact us for current rates.
