The Plan to do 7 day gorilla trekking safari in Uganda and Rwanda is only confirmed after securing the gorilla permits for both countries on individual dates. Uganda and Rwanda are both located in east Africa and share a border via Cyanika and Gatuna.
To enjoy the best of both Uganda and Rwanda, you may plan to take the long drive from Kampala or Entebbe then exit through Kigali in Rwanda and vice versa.
Tailor an itinerary for the 7 day gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda, in a manner that minimizes backtracking so that you can cover your safari activities without running out of time.
Highlights of 7 day gorilla trekking in Rwanda And Uganda
Day 1 Depart Entebbe or Kampala for Kibale National Park
Day 2 Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale National Park
Day 3 Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 4 Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
Day 5 Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Day 6 Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda
Day7 Departure
Key Details Of Gorilla Trekking In Uganda And Rwanda Safari
- Book Gorilla permits for Rwanda and Uganda
- Acquire visa if necessary
- Pack necessary gorilla trekking safari gear like garden gloves, rain proof gears, warmers and more
- Gorilla trekking is on high altitude area in both Uganda and Rwanda so maintain some level of fitness.
- Attending early morning gorilla trekking briefing is compulsory in Rwanda and Uganda
- Best time for gorilla trekking in both Uganda and Rwanda is the dry season.
- Main means of transport to get to Volcanoes National Park Rwanda or Bwindi National Park in Uganda is by road. Charter Flights can also be arranged for more private travel and time saving during gorilla trekking.
Details Of 7 Day Gorilla trekking in Uganda And Rwanda safari
Day 1 Depart Entebbe or Kampala for Kibale National Park
Get up early, take breakfast and embark on the journey to Kibale National Park. Two routes lead to Kibale National Park that is via the Mubende Fort Portal route and via Mbarara route.
Kibale National Park is the primate haven of Uganda hosting about 13 primate species including more than 1500 chimpanzees. This tropical rain forest is one of the best Uganda birding destinations too as over 325 bird species including Albertine rift endemics are recorded as residents here.
If you pass via the Mbarara route to Kibale forest, an optional detour to Lake Mburo National Park the ungulates’ park in Uganda is exciting option to take advantage of.
Check into your lodge
Accommodation Kibale: Ndali Lodge, Kyaniga Lodge, Chimps Nest, Kibale safari Lodge
Day 2 Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale National Park
Carry your gorilla trekking gears to the ranger station at Kanyanchu as you prepare to do chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park.
Day 3 Transfer To Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast, start your journey from Kibale National Park. The time to take on the journey from Kibale National Park to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is about 5 hours to 6 hours at a distance of approximately 220 kilometers.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park lies in south western Uganda with a dense canopy that appears endless. As one believed to be a survivor of the ice age period, Bwindi is a biosphere reserve hosting more than 200 natural tree species, over 88 months, more than 10 primate species and more.
Arrive the late afternoon and check into your lodge
Accommodation Bwindi: Clouds Lodge, Gorilla Forest Camp, Mahogany Springs, Bwindi View Bandas
Day 4 Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
Get up early morning and report to the ranger station for briefing where detailed about the mountain gorillas is communicated to tourists including the safety measures to adhere too.
After allocating each tourists a gorilla trekking family to trek, the ranger guide leads the way following the trails constructed by regular customers. A long the way, you come across different forest inhabitants like the other primates, different birds, sparkling water falls and more.
As you get closer to the mountain gorillas, you hear them call out to each as other as though alerting them of your presence. Watch the gorilla family take good control of their day’s activities. You do not realize how time runs so fast when around the mountain gorillas so take photos to keep as memories of gorilla trekking.
One hour of gorilla trekking is accepted as these mountain gorillas are habituated to be before humans for just that time because human presence disrupts day life of these primates.
Return to your lodge
Day 5 Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast, transfer to Volcanoes National Park via Gatuna or Cyanika Border into Rwanda. The drive time from Bwindi in Uganda to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is about 5hours to 6 hours.
Although the roads are winding, they are scenic too giving tourists a glimpse into the possible look of the alps of Switzerland.
Volcanoes National park is amazing with dense forest canopy and includes bamboo especially on the high altitude spots of the park. Bamboo is a delicacy for the mountain gorillas. Other than the mountain gorillas, Volcanoes National Park is home to golden monkeys, black and white colobus, vervet monkeys and more.
Check in to your lodge:
Accommodation Volcanoes National Park: Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Kinigi Guest House
Day 6 Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda
Carry your gorilla trekking gears to the ranger station as you gather for briefing. Details about the guidelines to follow during gorilla trekking are provided and every tourist is expected to remember each.
Finally, when you get to the mountain gorillas, watch each interact with one another, enjoy the juveniles rumble through the vines, infants enjoy their mother’s company and much more.
One hour with the gorilla trekking family is allowed so that they can be left alone to manage their day’s routine.
Get back to your lodge.
Note that gorilla trekking in Rwanda is quite steep because of the influence of the five of the six famous Virunga Volcanoes.
Return to the lodge
Day7 Departure
After experiencing gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda, transfer to Kigali airport.