This 5 Days Rwanda-Uganda gorilla safari is a primate oriented tour focusing on gorillas and chimpanzees. This tour involves trekking the endangered mountain gorillas in Volcanoes national park in Rwanda and tracking chimpanzees and more primates in Uganda’s Kibale national park.
Safari Highlights
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale national park
Nature walk in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
Visiting crater lakes
Kigali City tour
Detailed itinerary – 5 Days Rwanda-Uganda gorilla safari
Day 1: Arrival and transfer to the Volcanoes national park
Arrive at Kigali International Airport and meet your driver guide. If time permits, visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial to pay tribute to the victims of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi and learn more about Rwanda’s history and resilience. In the afternoon, embark on a scenic drive (2–3 hours) through the terraced “land of a thousand hills” to Musanze, near Volcanoes national park and check into your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes national park
Transfer to the Kinigi park headquarters for a briefing on gorilla trekking. You will be assigned to a gorilla family based on your fitness level. Trekking can take anywhere from 1 to 6 hours depending on the location and movement of gorillas. Spend one life-changing hour with the mountain gorillas before returning to your lodge for relaxation.
In the late afternoon, you can go for an optional visit to the Gorilla Guardians Village (formerly Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village) to experience traditional Rwandan dance, archery, and local medicine.
Day 3: Cross the Border to Uganda
Take early breakfast and head to the border to cross into Uganda. The transition from the volcanic peaks of Rwanda to the lush tropical greenery of Uganda is visually striking. Proceed with this scenic drive (5–6 hours) toward Kibale Forest National Park, the “Primate Capital of the World.” Check into your lodge near the park for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Chimpanzee Tracking & Bigodi Wetlands
After your early breakfast, head to Kanyanchu Visitors Center for a chimpanzee trekking briefing. Kibale has the highest density of primates in Africa (over 13 species). You’ll spend an hour watching chimps feed, play, and groom in the canopy in a breathtaking encounter. In the afternoon, go for a guided nature walk in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. This is a birdwatcher’s paradise with unique species like the Great Blue Turaco and home to eight other primate species, including Red Colobus and L’Hoest’s monkeys.
Day 5: Crater Lakes & Return to Kigali
On this final day of your safari, enjoy a “Top of the World” hike or a drive through the Kasenda Crater Lakes—a cluster of deep, emerald-green lakes formed by ancient volcanic activity. Later, begin the journey back across the border to Kigali (5-6 hours). Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
Permits and logistics for this 5 Days Rwanda-Uganda gorilla safari
It is highly recommended to apply for the East Africa Tourist Visa ($100) when preparing for this kind of tour. This single visa covers Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya, allowing for multiple entries and seamless border crossings.
Gorilla and chimpanzee permits are in high demand especially for the peak season of June-September and December-February. It is recommended to book these at least 4–6 months in advance.
Parking list especially for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking encounters include sturdy hiking boots, long-sleeved shirts and trousers (to protect you against nettles and insects), a waterproof rain jacket, gardening gloves for gripping vines during treks as well as a good camera with extra batteries.
The best time for this tour is the dry seasons (June–September and December–February) which offers the easiest trekking conditions, though both Rwanda and Uganda can be visited year-round.