This 7 Days double gorilla trekking safari focuses on offering visitors a comprehensive primate experience in Rwanda and Uganda. It involves trekking gorillas twice, first in Rwanda’s Volcanoes national park and lastly in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable national park. More primate encounters in this tour include chimpanzee tracking in Uganda and golden monkey trekking in Rwanda. A game drive in Queen Elizabeth national park will spice up up your safari with a refreshing savanna wildlife experience.
Safari Highlights
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park (Rwanda)
Golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes national park
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable national park (Uganda)
Game drive in Queen Elizabeth national park
Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambula Gorge
Nature walk in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
Detailed itinerary – 7 Days Double gorilla trekking safari
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali & Transfer to Musanze
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, take a brief city tour including the Kigali Genocide Memorial and Kimironko crafts market. Afterward, drive North (2-3 hours) to Musanze, the gateway to Volcanoes National Park.
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda)
Start with an early briefing at the Kinigi park headquarters before heading into the jungle to meet a habituated gorilla family. The trek in Rwanda is known for its dramatic volcanic scenery and bamboo forests. Spend one hour with the gorillas before returning for a relaxed evening. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Day 3: Golden Monkey Trekking & Cross to Uganda
In the morning, track the playful, endangered Golden Monkeys in the lower bamboo forests of the park. After lunch, head north and cross the border into Uganda. The drive offers stunning views of the Virunga Massif as you enter the southern sector of Bwindi.
Day 4: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (Uganda)
Embark on your second gorilla encounter. Bwindi’s terrain is more strenuous and dense than Rwanda’s, offering a different atmospheric and hiking experience. The trek can range from 2 to 7 hours depending on the gorillas’ movement.
Day 5: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Tree-Climbing Lions
Drive North to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park for a chance to see its unique tree-climbing lions as well as other wildlife species. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel which connects Lake George and Lake Edward. The channel has one of the highest concentrations of hippos and Nile crocodiles in Africa.
Day 6: Chimpanzee Tracking & Bigodi Wetland
After early breakfast, head to the Kyambura Gorge or nearby Kibale Forest for a chimpanzee tracking experience. Watch how these intelligent primates play and swing through the canopy. After lunch, head to the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a guided nature walk to spot rare birds and primates like the Red Colobus and L’Hoest monkey.
Day 7: Departure via Entebbe
On this last day of your safari, you can opt to enjoy a final morning game drive to see predators like lions, leopards and hyenas or a visit to a local community project. Afterward, begin the drive back to Kampala/Entebbe (6–7 hours) with a stopover at the Equator for photos and souvenirs before your evening flight or overnight in Entebbe.
Key logistics and permits for the 7 Days double gorilla trekking safari
This double gorilla trekking safari requires you to secure separate gorilla permits for both Rwanda and Uganda. As of 2026, Rwanda’s gorilla permit is sold at $1,500 per person while Uganda’s gorilla permit is sold at $800 per person. Gorillas and chimpanzee permits must be booked at least 6 months in advance especially if you are looking at visiting in the peak dry season (June to September and December to February).
When visiting both Uganda and Rwanda, we highly recommend applying for the East African Tourist Visa ($100) which allows multiple entries in the 2 countries. This is far better and cheaper than applying for 2 separate national visas.
The best time to visit for this safari is in the dry seasons (June to September and December to February) which offer easier trekking conditions for both gorillas and chimps and better wildlife viewing opportunities.
Key items for your packing list include sturdy hiking boots, long-sleeved shirts, gardening gloves (to grab branches), a waterproof jacket, insect repellent and a good camera with extra batteries.