4 Days Double Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda
This 4 Days Double Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda is tailored for visitors interested in experiencing gorilla trekking in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the largest population of mountain gorillas in the world with over 19 habituated gorilla families. Gorillas in Bwindi can be tracked in four different sectors and each of the sectors has at least 4 habituated gorilla families open for gorilla trekking.
Compared to Bwindi, Volcanoes National Park is relatively smaller and it was cut of the greater Virunga National Park in Congo, the park became famous when Dian Fossey – an American Primatologist established a research Center there in the 1960’s. There are 12 habituated gorilla groups in Volcanoes National Park open for gorilla trekking.
On this 14 Days Double Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda, expect to notice a difference in the terrain, vegetation and group dynamics of the two gorillas families you will be tracking.
Highlights of 4 Days Double Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda
- Day 1: Arrival, Kigali City Tour and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest – Visit the Batwa Pygmies
- Day 3: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park – Visit the Gorilla Guardians Village
- Day 4: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park- Departure.
Detailed itinerary of 4 Days Double Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda
Day 1: Arrival, Kigali City Tour and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport you will be welcomed by treks and safaris representative and take a half-day tour of the Kigali City, on this tour you will visit the main city market and the genocide memorial Center.
After the city tour, you will start a 4 hours journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with border crossing at Cyanika Border and drive through the amazing Rwanda’s countryside dominated by green rolling hills and plantations.
After clearing with the immigrations at the border, you will then cross over to Uganda and finally to your lodge in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Check and spend the rest of the evening, have dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation: Chameleon Hill Lodge (Luxury) and Rushaga Camp (Midrange and Budget)
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest – Visit the Batwa Pygmies
Wake up early for breakfast and head to the park headquarters for briefing, the briefing is conducted by the head Guide at 7:00 am and covers how to conduct yourself while with the gorillas or what to bring along during gorilla tracking experience. You will be assigned a gorilla group and have an opportunity to hire porters to help you during the trek, the allocation of gorilla groups is based on your general fitness.
Some gorilla groups is based on your general fitness, then enter into the forests of Bwindi looking for the gorillas. The trek takes approximately 2 to 6 hours or more depending the movement of the gorillas and where they spent their previous night.
When you locate the gorillas, you are allowed to spend one hour in the presence of the gorillas watching them rest, groom each other, pick fruits and take amazing pictures of them. Note that flash light is not allowed.
After the magical hour, you will head back to the starting point where you will meet our guide and take you back to the lodge for lunch and rest. Later in the afternoon, you will head to the Batwa Pygmy community for a cultural visit. The Batwa were the original inhabitants of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest but where relocated outside the park so as to create roam for gorilla conservation activities.
You will be entertained by local dances and drama, visit a local medicine man and many others activities which will enrich you about the culture and traditions of the Batwa. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park – Visit the Gorilla Guardians Village
Wake up at your own leisure, have breakfast as you wait for your driver. Check out of the lodge and embark on the journey to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, lunch will be taken once you reach the lodge.
Have a short rest and later, head to the Gorilla Guardians Village formerly known as the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, the center started as a place where former poachers would sell souvenir to tourists. The government revamped the site and turned it into one of the best cultural centers in East Africa, you will spend the afternoon watching traditional dance performances or dress up in the traditional robes for photos and take part in crowning of the Kigali. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: The 5 Volcanos Lodge (Luxury), Da Vinci Lodge (Mid-range) and The Garden Place Hotel (Budget).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park- Departure.
Wake up early, have breakfast and then head for Volcanoes National Park for briefing on gorilla trekking at 7:00 am. Just like in Bwindi, the briefing covers topics about mountain gorillas, the history of the park, the gorilla groups, what to pack and what to expect. Then you will be led into the forest by the Park Rangers/Guide, expect to pass through the thick bamboo forest with amazing creatures.
The gorilla trek in Rwanda takes approximately 2 to 6 hours depending on the movement of the gorillas and where they spent their previous night. Upon locating them, you are allowed to spend one hour in their presence, take pictures and watch them go on with their daily life in forest.
You will then head back to the starting point for lunch, the driver will drop you off at your hotel or airport in Kigali for departure.
End of 4 Days Double Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda
