4-Day Double Gorilla Trekking and Culture in Rwanda and Uganda
per person
This 4-Day Double Gorilla Trekking and Culture package offers visitors the chance to trek gorillas in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Park and Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. You can observe two different gorilla families, comparing their behaviors and dynamics, as each group varies in composition. The terrain in Rwanda is mountainous with bamboo forests, while Bwindi features tropical rainforests. Let’s discuss the two national parks in more detail, starting with Bwindi.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to the largest population of mountain gorillas in the world, with over 15 habituated groups and 3 in the habituation process. It also contains chimpanzees that are not habituated. Gorilla tracking can be done in four sectors, each with at least 2 groups. The smaller Volcanoes National Park, known for its link to Dian Fossey’s research in the 1960s, has 10 habituated gorilla groups. Gorilla tracking permits cost $700 in Uganda and $1500 in Rwanda. Besides mountain gorillas, the park features golden monkeys and 5 volcanoes. A 4-Day Double Gorilla Trekking and Culture tour includes differences in terrain and group dynamics of gorilla families, visits to the Batwa Cultural Centre, and Gorilla Guardians Village. For a Rwanda-only experience, a separate 4-day trekking package is available.
Safari Highlights
- Day 1: Pick up from Kigali, city tour, and transfer to Bwindi National Park
- Day 2: Mountain Gorilla trekking in Uganda – Visit the Batwa Pygmies
- Day 3: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda – Visit the Gorilla Guardians Village
- Day 4: Gorilla tracking in the Volcanoes National Park – Departure
Day 1: Pick up from Kigali, city tour, and transfer to Bwindi National Park
Our Guide will pick you up from your hotel or the airport in Kigali for a half-day city tour. You will visit a souvenir shop, the former presidential palace, the genocide memorial Centre, and the main city market. After the tour, you will travel for 4 hours to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, crossing into Uganda. Finally, you will reach your lodge and prepare for gorilla tracking the next day.
Accommodation: Chameleon Hill Lodge (luxury) and Ichumbi Safari Lodge (Mid-range), and Gorilla Havens Budget.
Meal Plan: Lunch and DinnerDay 2: Mountain Gorilla trekking in Uganda – Visit the Batwa Pygmies
Wake up very early for breakfast and go to the park offices for a briefing at 7:00 am, led by the head Guide. The briefing covers how to behave around gorillas and what to bring for tracking. You will be assigned a gorilla group based on your fitness level, as some groups require more trekking. After learning about your group, head into the forest to find the gorillas. Bring a good camera for photos. After spending one hour with the gorillas, return to the starting point to meet the guide who will take you back to the lodge for lunch and rest.
In the late afternoon, you will visit the Batwa pygmy community near the park. The Batwa were the original inhabitants of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, but were moved to support gorilla conservation. While the gorillas and other animals benefited, the Batwa did not. They lived as hunters and gatherers for thousands of years, but now face challenges adapting to nearby tribal groups. The Batwa are marginalized and mostly live in poverty. During your visit, you will learn about their culture and enjoy traditional dance performances.
Accommodation: Chameleon Hill Lodge (luxury), Ichumbi Safari Lodge (Mid-range), and Gorilla Havens (Budget).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 3: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda – Visit the Gorilla Guardians Village
After your first encounter with the primates, wake up at your leisure and have breakfast while waiting for the driver. Check out and begin your journey back to Volcanoes National Park for a 4-day double gorilla tracking experience in Uganda and Rwanda. Lunch will be at the lodge upon arrival. After lunch, you can take a nap until the driver takes you to the Gorilla Guardians Village, formerly known as Iby’iwacu Cultural Village. In the afternoon, enjoy traditional dance performances or dress in traditional robes for photos.
Accommodation: Volcanos Lodge (Luxury), Da Vinci Lodge (Mid-range), and The Garden Place Hotel (Budget)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 4: Gorilla tracking in the Volcanoes National Park – Departure
Wake up very early and go to Volcanoes National Park for a briefing on gorilla tracking at 7:00 am. The briefing talks about mountain gorillas, the park’s history, the gorilla groups, what to pack for double gorilla tracking in Uganda, and what to expect. After that, park Rangers/guides will take you into the forest, where you’ll walk through a bamboo forest and see amazing creatures. You’ll spend an hour observing the gorillas, following your Guide’s instructions. After the hour is up, you’ll return for lunch, and then your driver will take you to your hotel or the airport in Kigali for departure.
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch
4-Day Double Gorilla Trekking and Culture in Rwanda and Uganda
Inclusions:
- All ground transport in a 4X4 safari van
- A private English-speaking driver/guide
- Fuel for 4 days
- 1 Gorilla Trekking Permit for Uganda per person
- 1 gorilla trekking permit for Rwanda per person
- Bottled drinking water throughout the safari
- All activities mentioned in the itinerary
- Accommodation for 3 nights and all en route meals
- Pickup and drop-off within Kigali
- A Visit to the Batwa pygmies and the Gorilla Guardians Village
- A Visit to Kigali City
Exclusions
- Personal insurance
- Travel tickets
- Domestic and international flights
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks such as wine, juice, soda, etc.
- Personal expenses such as tips, gifts, laundry services, souvenirs, etc…