The Ultimate Uganda & Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Itinerary

Rare, magical, inspirational, and moving–these are all words I’d use to describe all of my past experiences gorilla trekking, as well as those of our clients. But unfortunately, I don’t think even those words do the experience justice. It’s one of those once in a lifetime opportunities that remains with you for the rest of your life. And if you have the ability to witness the magnificent mountain gorillas in the forests of Uganda and Rwanda, the experience shouldn’t be missed!

We recently planned a customized Uganda and Rwanda gorilla trekking itinerary for one of our clients and would love to share it with you (note that this is customized for our client’s particular needs and preferences; all of our itineraries are customized).

See below for the ultimate gorilla trekking itinerary:

Day 1: Upon arrival in Entebbe, Uganda you will be greeted by a Hills of Africa Travel representative and transferred to The Boma Entebbe hotel in Kampala.

Day 2: Today you will be escorted by your private guide to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kyambura Gorge Lodge. Kyambura Gorge is a boutique lodge, comprised of four beautifully appointed bandas that are each unique from the next. During your road transfer you will be able to visit the royal drum makers and even straddle the equator!  As you arrive at Kyambura Gorge Lodge you’ll be greeted with pre-dinner drinks before sitting down to a delectable meal on your private veranda. During your entire stay, you will have access to your own private safari guide and vehicle.

Day 3: As you awake in the morning and step outside onto your private veranda, you’ll be welcomed with sweeping views of Queen Elizabeth National Park, savannah plains, and the stunning Rwenzori Mountains.

You will begin your day with a chimp trekking safari through the Queen Elizabeth National Park, in search of families of chimpanzee. A truly inspirational experience that is unmatched to anything else in the world.

In the afternoon you will enjoy a leisurely game drive through the park where you will spot lions, elephants, antelope, and buffalo, as well as have the opportunity to observe over 600 species of bird!

Day 4: You’ll begin this morning with a hearty breakfast before heading out for another chimp trekking safari—most likely at a different location in the park as chimps are always on the move.

In the afternoon, enjoy a relaxing sunset cruise through the Kazinga Channel to witness hippo, elephant, and buffalo, as well as a variety of water birds, such as the elusive African fish eagle.

Day 5: Today’s journey begins with a road transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest where you’ll stay at the lavish Bwindi Lodge that overlooks the wildlife-bustling forest.

Upon arrival to the lodge, you’ll be escorted to your spacious banda where you can relax and enjoy some down time before sundowners and dinner.

Day 6: An exciting day awaits you as you are escorted through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in search of gorillas on a full day gorilla trekking safari! Currently, there are six gorilla families that inhabit the forest. During your journey through the forest, not only will you witness gorillas performing their regular, day-to-day activities (such as foraging and playing), but you’ll also see a wide range of butterfly, reptile, mammal, bird, and primate species. Some of the primate species you might see in the forest include chimps, L’Hoest monkeys, black and white colobus monkey, baboons, and, of course, mountain gorillas.

If you wanted to stay at Bwindi Lodge for an extra day you could take part in a variety of excursions and activities, including guided rainforest walks, visits to local villages, and cultural tours with the Batwa Pygmies (the native tribal inhabitants of the forest).

Day 7: After breakfast, you’ll embark on a leisurely road trip through dramatic landscape, filled with bamboo forests, and volcano backdrops. You’ll also pass through the frontier town of Kisoro.

Upon arrival to the Mount Gahinga Safari Lodge, you’ll have time to relax and enjoy some pre-dinner drinks on the terrace.

The lodge is located at the base of the Virguna volcanoes, bordering Uganda and Rwanda.

Day 8: Another spectacular day of gorilla trekking is ahead of you, but this time in the region of Nkuringo.

The afternoon is spent on a Batwa Trail Walk with the Batwa Elders—a culturally enriching and rare experience. During this fascinating walk through the Batwa Trail, elders from the Batwa tribe will introduce you to their cultural heritage, as well as demonstrate some of their traditional hunting and survival methods.

Day 9: After another spectacular night at Mount Gahinga Safari Lodge, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the region even further during the morning before heading to Rwanda. During the morning you have the opportunity to hike the Gahinga Volcanoes, take a guided nature walk through the park to track the golden monkeys, or simply relax on the lodge’s terrace.

After your road transfer to Virunga Lodge in Rwanda, you can relax for pre-dinner drinks on the terrace at the lodge before watching an exciting dance performance from the Intore Dance Troupe.

Virunga Lodge is perched at the top of a hill that overlooks the stunning Virunga volcanoes and Ruhondo and Bulera Lakes.

Day 10: Today you’ll travel into one of the world’s most densely populated gorilla areas, Parc National des Volcans in Rwanda. Here, there are eight gorilla families that can be seen moving about within the park.

Upon arrival to the park at 7:30 am, park staff will brief you and provide you with a gorilla family to track along the slopes of the Virunga Volcanoes.

Throughout the morning, you’ll journey from the cultivated land at the base of the Volcanoes, up through dense, misty forests as you search for your assigned gorilla family. Once you’ve spotted the family, you have one hour of observation. Then, it’s back down the volcano-side for a late lunch at the base (note: because these gorillas are very mobile, it can take a full day to find their location).

Day 11: Another exciting day of gorilla trekking is ahead of you today!

After your second morning on a gorilla trekking safari in the Parc National des Volcans, you’ll have the opportunity to explore more of Rwanda in the afternoon. Some of the activities you can take part in include bird watching, visiting the Genocide Museum, exploring community projects, partaking in a guided walk around the lodge grounds, and visiting basket and pottery makers and / or the local markets.

Day 12: Today you’ll spend your last morning in Africa relaxing and preparing for your flight back home (and most likely already planning your next trip to Africa!).

Know of someone who would love to go on a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda or Rwanda? Share this post with them on Twitter and / or Facebook!

For more information about gorilla trekking, contact the Hills of Africa Travel team at hoainfo@hillsofafrica.com or call us at 800.940.9344.