4 Days Uganda Rwanda Gorilla Trek – Best Short Africa Safari
4 days Uganda Rwanda Gorilla Trek is a gorilla trekking safari to 2 most popular gorilla safari countries; Uganda & Rwanda. This gorilla safari takes to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Uganda and Volcanoes National park Rwanda.
Have you ever wondered how gorilla treks in Uganda differ from the ones in Rwanda? Well, you are about to find out through our 4 days Uganda Rwanda Gorilla Trek. This short tailor-made adventure is conducted in two wonderful gorilla Parks-the iconic Bwindi Impenetrable National Park of Uganda as well as the remarkable Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda with highlights being the face-to-face encounters with the Giant Apes, Community/village walks for unforgettable cultural experiences and heart-warming visits to the Genocide sites through the Kigali City excursion.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is found in the extreme south-western corner of Uganda and is a wonderful gorilla trekking destination with over 18 fully habituated gorilla groups trekked by a handful of people (only about 144 persons each day). This Park covers an area of about 331 square kilometers yet offers some of the most priceless wildlife encounters through Gorilla trekking and the Habituation Experience, guided forest walks, bird watching and mountain biking. Tours of this Park also introduce visitors to the nearby Batwa community for extraordinary cultural experiences.
Situated in the north-western part of Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park is another destination to be explored during the 4 days Uganda Rwanda Gorilla Trek. This Park covers an area of 160 square kilometers (twice smaller than Bwindi) but also offers opportunities of trekking the endangered mountain gorillas in addition to chances of learning about Dian Fossey’s conservation history, trekking golden monkeys, watching birds (especially Albertine Rift and Rwenzori Mountains endemics) and many others.
4 days Uganda Rwanda Gorilla Trek Brief Itinerary
- Day 1: Kigali City excursion and road trip to the incredible Volcanoes National Park.
- Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park, north-western Rwanda and drive to Bwindi.
- Day 3: Trekking Bwindi Mountain gorillas and take part in Batwa community visit.
- Day 4: Cross the border back to Kigali, Rwanda.
Detailed Itinerary of the 4 days Uganda Rwanda Gorilla Trek
Day 1: Kigali City excursion and road trip to the incredible Volcanoes National Park
On arriving Rwanda, your 4 days Uganda Rwanda Gorilla Trekking safari immediately starts with tours of Kigali City. This tour makes it possible to explore the Kigali Genocide Memorial Site where many people lost their lives in the infamous 100-day massacre, Art and Craft markets where you will admire and buy souvenir from Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Congo, Burundi and Kenya.
Enjoy lunch from one of the top City eateries and start the journey to Volcanoes National Park in north-western Rwanda. Your booked place of stay will be within the outskirts of this magnificent National Park, and its from here that you will have dinner and later overnight.
Accommodation options in Volcanoes;
- Muhabura Hotel or Kinigi Guesthouse (Budget).
- Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge or Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge (midrange).
- Mount Gorilla View Lodge or Virunga Lodge (luxury).
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner.
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park, north-western Rwanda and drive to Bwindi
Having enjoyed a delicious breakfast, you assemble at Kinigi Park Headquarters by 7:00am for registration and briefing by the Ranger guides, hence make sure that you have carried your passport and gorilla permit alongside the different trekking gear and dressed appropriately.
Embark on the trek by 8:30am after 20-30 minutes’ drive to the Park boundary and walk through slopes of Virunga Volcanoes where numerous animals, birds and plant species will be encountered. Basic to moderate fitness levels are required for these treks as you will be discovering different terrains and once contacts are made with the gorillas, spend one hour in their presence.
Enjoy a picnic lunch or return to the Lodge for a hot meal before packing your bags and crossing over (via Cyanika or Katuna) to Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Accommodation options in Bwindi;
- Bwindi View Bandas or Buhoma Community Rest Camp (budget).
- Lake Kitandara Bwindi Camp or Engagi Lodge (midrange).
- Buhoma Lodge or Mahogany Springs Camp (upmarket).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Trekking Bwindi Mountain gorillas and take part in Batwa community visit
Just like your first gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park, your second gorilla trek also begins with breakfast at the Lodge before being driven to the Park Headquarters for briefing. The actual treks starts by 8:00am and unlike Volcanoes, expect a more challenging trek in Bwindi Forest, given the denser vegetation, rugged terrains marked by deeper valleys and steeper slopes lasting 1-6 hours. One hour is still the time spent in the presence of the Giant Apes.
Read; Best time to visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After enjoying siesta at the Lodge, undertake a guided walk to the nearby Batwa community to interact with the locals, learn their interesting ways of life (such as hunting, using medicinal plants, gathering honey, making fire from rubbing sticks and many others), take part in their traditional dance performances, to mention but a few. Dinner and slumber will be at the same accommodation facility as the previous night.
Accommodation options;
- Bwindi View Bandas or Buhoma Community Rest Camp (budget).
- Lake Kitandara Bwindi Camp or Engagi Lodge (midrange).
- Buhoma Lodge or Mahogany Springs Camp (upmarket).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Cross the border back to Kigali, Rwanda
Have a sumptuous breakfast and leave for Kigali, Rwanda by crossing the same borders of Cyanika or Katuna. Lunch will be enjoyed on arrival at the City, do last minute shopping before being transferred to the Airport or Hotel.
End of the 4 days Uganda Rwanda Gorilla Trek
This 4 days Uganda Rwanda Gorilla Trek package includes;
- Rwanda Gorilla Permit (at $1500 per person).
- Uganda Gorilla Permit ($700 per person).
- Border crossing.
- City excursion.
- 3 nights’ accommodation.
- Relevant Government taxes.
- Bottled water.
- Batwa Community visit.
- Park entrance fees.
- Transport by a 4WD Vehicle.
The 4 days Uganda Rwanda Gorilla Trek package doesn’t include;
- Medical and Travel insurance.
- Passport and Visa fees.
- Cigarettes and beverages.
- Optional activities not included on the itinerary
Packing list for the 4 days Uganda Rwanda Gorilla Trek
- Lightweight and breathtaking clothing (long sleeved shirts and safari pants).
- Lightweight rain jacket.
- Comfortable hiking boots.
- Insect repellant.
- Water bottle.
- Rain jacket.
- First aid kit.
- Toiletries (wet wipes, lotion, deodorant, toothbrush, sunscreen, toothpaste, hair combs and many others).
- Camera (non-flash).
- Sizeable backpack for storing items needed during gorilla trekking adventures.
- Gardening gloves.
- Wide brim hat.
- Warm sweater.