Best 13 Days Uganda-Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tour 2025–2028 | Chimpanzee & Gorilla Safaris
Best Uganda-Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tour (2025–2028)
Imagine standing just a few feet away from a majestic silverback gorilla, his deep brown eyes meeting yours in a moment so profound it feels timeless. In the misty jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, nature reveals one of its rarest wonders, the chance to witness mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Our 13 Days Uganda-Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tour is more than just a safari; it’s an unforgettable expedition across two extraordinary countries, blending wildlife encounters, rich cultural experiences, and scenic landscapes that few travelers ever see in one journey.
Over nearly two weeks, you will trek into lush rainforests to meet habituated gorilla families, track golden monkeys, cruise along the Kazinga Channel, and explore the rolling savannahs of Queen Elizabeth National Park. From the vibrant streets of Kigali to the tranquil shores of Lake Bunyonyi, every day offers a new bucket-list moment.
Gorilla trekking permits are strictly limited and demand for this Uganda–Rwanda safari is at an all-time high. Book early to secure your place on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure and guarantee your permits for the 2025–2028 seasons.
Why Choose This 13 Days Uganda-Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tour?
- Unforgettable gorilla trekking experiences – Track the gentle giants in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, maximizing your chances of incredible sightings and photography.
- Chimpanzee trekking in two prime locations – Enjoy guided chimp encounters in both Nyungwe Forest National Park (Rwanda) and Kibale National Park (Uganda).
- Big Game wildlife safaris – Explore Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Park, home to lions, elephants, leopards, buffalo, hippos, and more.
- Scenic Lake Bunyonyi canoeing & birdwatching – Relax on Africa’s second-deepest lake while spotting rare bird species.
- Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary experience – Track the last remaining wild rhinos in Uganda, the only place to see them in East Africa.
- Private guided safari in a comfortable 4×4 – Travel at your own pace with an expert guide, ensuring a safe, personalized, and enriching safari experience.
Detailed 13 Days Uganda-Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali, Rwanda
Your Uganda-Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tour begins in Kigali, Rwanda’s clean and vibrant capital. Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by a Nextgen Safaris professional safari guide. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a short city tour, visiting highlights like the Kigali Genocide Memorial or craft markets. Overnight stay in Kigali, preparing for the adventure ahead.
Accommodation in Kigali
Budget: Eagles’ View hotel
Midrange: Onomo Hotel Kigali
Luxury: Kigali Serena Hotel
Day 2: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest for Chimpanzee Trekking
After an early breakfast, travel south through Rwanda’s breathtaking hills and tea plantations to Nyungwe Forest National Park — one of Africa’s oldest rainforests. In the afternoon, embark on a thrilling chimpanzee trekking experience, following the calls and movements of these playful primates. Later, enjoy the famous Nyungwe canopy walk for panoramic forest views. Overnight in Nyungwe.
Accommodation near Nyungwe Forest
Budget: Chimpanzee Lodge
Midrange: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
Luxury: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
Day 3: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda
Cross the border into Uganda and journey toward Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to almost half the world’s mountain gorillas. Enjoy scenic views of terraced hills and rural villages along the way. Upon arrival, check into your lodge, enjoy dinner, and rest tomorrow’s gorilla encounter will be unforgettable.
Overnight in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Budget: Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge
Midrange: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
Luxury: Four Gorillas Lodge
Day 4: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Wake up early for a hearty breakfast, then head to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest headquarters for your gorilla trekking briefing. After being assigned to a habituated gorilla family, begin your trek through dense jungle, misty hills, and tangled vines—home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. The trek can take between 2–6 hours depending on gorilla movements, but the reward is unforgettable: spending a full one magical hour observing gorillas in their natural habitat. Watch them feed, play, and interact while your ranger shares fascinating insights into their behavior.
In the afternoon, return to your lodge for relaxation, or take an optional community walk to meet the Batwa people, the forest’s original inhabitants.
Overnight in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Budget: Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge
Midrange: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
Luxury: Four Gorillas Lodge
Day 5: Bwindi – Lake Bunyonyi Canoe Safari & Birdwatching
After breakfast, drive through scenic highlands to Lake Bunyonyi, often called “the Switzerland of Africa” for its rolling hills and sparkling waters. Here, you’ll enjoy a relaxing canoe trip between the lake’s famous islands while spotting colorful bird species and learning the legends behind each island.
This is the perfect recovery day after gorilla trekking, swim in the safe, bilharzia-free waters, take nature walks, or simply enjoy the serenity from your lodge balcony. Sunset over Lake Bunyonyi is a picture-perfect moment you’ll never forget.
Overnight at Lake Bunyonyi
Budget: Lake Bunyonyi Overland Resort
Midrange: Bunyonyi Rock resort
Luxury: Arcadia Cottages
Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Afternoon Game Drive
After a scenic breakfast by the lake, set off for Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s most popular savannah park. Along the way, enjoy breathtaking views of the Rwenzori Mountains, tea plantations, and crater lakes. Upon arrival, check in to your lodge before heading out for your first game drive in the park’s Kasenyi Plains.
Expect to see elephants, buffalos, Uganda kobs, warthogs, and if lucky, lions and leopards. The golden evening light makes this drive perfect for wildlife photography.
Overnight in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Budget: Kazinga Wilderness Safari Camp
Midrange: Enganzi Game Lodge
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge
Day 7: Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Start the day with a sunrise game drive, watching predators like lions and leopards in action. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, where hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of birds gather in large numbers. The channel offers some of the best wildlife photography opportunities in Uganda.
Overnight in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Budget: Kazinga Wilderness Safari Camp
Midrange: Enganzi Game Lodge
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge
Day 8: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
Journey north to Kibale Forest National Park, often called the “Primate Capital of the World.” The road takes you through beautiful crater lakes and lush countryside. Settle into your lodge in preparation for another primate adventure.
Overnight in Just near Kibale Forest
Budget: Kibale forest Lodge
Midrange: Kibale forest camp
Luxury: Mountains of the Moon Hotel
Day 9: Second Chimpanzee Trekking & Bigodi Wetland Walk
This morning, enjoy your second chimpanzee trekking experience in Kibale’s rainforest. Watch these intelligent primates swinging through the trees, grooming each other, and foraging for food. In the afternoon, take a guided walk through the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-run project famous for birdlife and unique flora.
Overnight in Just near Kibale Forest
Budget: Kibale forest Lodge
Midrange: Kibale forest camp
Luxury: Mountains of the Moon Hotel
Day 10: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park & Hike to the Top
After breakfast, drive to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest and most diverse park. Upon arrival, take a short hike to the top of Murchison Falls, where the Nile River bursts through a narrow gorge before plunging into the valley below — an awe-inspiring sight.
Overnight inside Murchison Falls National Park
Budget: Fort Murchison
Midrange: Pakuba Safari Lodge
Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge
Day 11: Game Drive & Boat Cruise to the Bottom of the Falls
Start the day with a classic African safari game drive, spotting giraffes, elephants, lions, and more. In the afternoon, take a boat cruise to the bottom of Murchison Falls, offering dramatic views of the thundering waterfall and incredible wildlife along the Nile’s banks.
Overnight inside Murchison Falls National Park
Budget: Fort Murchison
Midrange: Pakuba Safari Lodge
Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge
Day 12: Game Drive & Transfer to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Enjoy a morning game drive before heading to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary — the only place in East Africa where you can track wild white rhinos on foot. Overnight at Ziwa.
Overnight inside Ziwa Rhino sanctuary
Accommodation: Amuka Safari Lodge
Day 13: Rhino Trekking & Transfer to Entebbe
Begin the day with a guided rhino trekking experience, learning about conservation efforts to protect these endangered giants. Afterward, transfer to Entebbe International Airport for your onward flight, marking the end of your unforgettable Uganda-Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tour.
Best Time for this Uganda-Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tour: Month-by-Month Guide
Planning the best time for gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda depends on rainfall, trail conditions, and your add-on plans (Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Zanzibar). The quick Uganda-Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tour guide below shows when trails are driest, when forests are lush, and when availability for permits is most competitive.
| Month | Season | What to Expect (Gorilla Trekking & Add-ons) |
|---|---|---|
| MonthJanuary | SeasonShoulder | Details Short dry window; trails relatively firm and undergrowth manageable. Great for Uganda–Rwanda gorilla trekking with fewer crowds than peak months. Good time to pair with Ngorongoro/Serengeti calving season (late Jan–Feb). |
| February | Shoulder | Consistently dry with excellent visibility in Bwindi and Volcanoes NP. Popular for photographers. Early booking for gorilla permits recommended. |
| March | Green/Rainy | Rains increase; trails can be muddy but forests are beautifully lush. Fewer travelers; potential lodge value. Pack gaiters and waterproofs. |
| April | Green/Rainy | Heaviest rains. Gorillas are still trek-able with proper gear and fitness. Birding is superb. Consider flexible dates and 4×4 transfers. |
| May | Green/Rainy → Improving | Showers persist but taper toward month-end. Good availability for gorilla permits; lush backdrops for portraits. Watch for occasional slippery sections on steep trails. |
| June | Peak Dry Season | One of the best times for gorilla trekking in Uganda & Rwanda. Drier trails, cooler mornings, prime visibility. High demand—book permits and lodges early. |
| July | Peak Dry Season | Classic peak month: excellent trekking conditions and superb safari add-ons. Combine with Serengeti river-crossing period (varies by year). Advance reservations essential. |
| August | Peak Dry Season | Stable weather; clear forest views for gorilla photography. Very limited last-minute permits—secure dates well ahead. |
| September | Shoulder | Transition month with mostly dry conditions early on. Great balance of availability and trail quality for a Tanzania safari & gorilla trekking combo. |
| October | Shoulder → Short Rains | Short rains begin; showers are typically brief. Cooler temps, fewer crowds; still a strong month for both Bwindi and Volcanoes. |
| November | Green/Short Rains | Lush landscapes return; excellent birding. Trails can be slick—good boots essential. Often better availability on preferred trekking sectors. |
| December | Shoulder (Festive) | Popular festive travel window. Conditions improve; plan ahead for holiday surcharges. Fantastic month to pair gorilla trekking with Zanzibar beach time. |
Quick tip: June–August and January–February offer the most reliable conditions for a Uganda or Rwanda gorilla trekking safari. Green-season months reward flexible travelers with lush forests, fewer crowds, and great birding.
Uganda-Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tour Pricing
Solo traveler (Budget- USD6,850 | Midrange- 8050 | Luxury- 9250)
2 People Sharing (Budget- USD4,270 | Midrange- 4,973 | Luxury- 5,700)
3 People Sharing a Triple room (Budget- USD3,950 | Midrange- 4,350 | Luxury- 4,950)
4 People Sharing a Family cottage (Budget- USD3,525 | Midrange- 4,125 | Luxury- 4,725)
More groups discounts available on request.
What is included in this Uganda-Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tour
- All ground transportation in an Air-conditioned 4×4 safari vehicle with fuel and an English-speaking professional driver-guide
- All accommodation day by day
- Daily meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
- Gorilla Trekking Permit per person (Uganda – currently $800 per person)
- Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale National Park and Nyungwe National Park
- Rhino tracking permit at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
- Park entry fees for all included national parks
- Boat cruises in (Murchison) and Kazinga Channel (Queen Elizabeth NP)
- Game drives in Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Parks
- Visit to the Top of Murchison Falls
- Canoe ride on Lake Bunyonyi
- Services of park rangers and local guides
- Bottled drinking water in the safaris vehicle refrigerator
- Government taxes and VAT
What is Excluded from this Uganda-Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tour
- International Flights from and back home
- Visa Fess
- Tips and gratitudes
