Price:$2,720
5 Days Uganda and Gorilla Trekking from Rwanda
Code: NSA5UGRW25
Description
This 5-day cross-border safari from Rwanda into Uganda offers a perfect blend of primates, wildlife, and scenic landscapes, ideal for travelers seeking a short but impactful adventure. The journey begins with a scenic drive from Kigali to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to nearly half of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas.
After a magical hour spent face-to-face with gorillas, the adventure continues into Queen Elizabeth National Park, where visitors enjoy classic game drives and a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, rich in hippos and birdlife. The itinerary is expertly designed for efficient travel, cultural insight, and maximum wildlife encounters, before returning to Rwanda for departure.
Safari Highlights
- Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
- Golden Monkey Tracking
- Tree-Climbing Lions at Ishasha Sector, Uganda
- Optional Helicopter Scenic Flight Over the Virunga Volcanoes
- Dian Fossey Tomb Hike
| DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION | Kigali International Airport | ||||||||||||||
| DEPARTURE TIME | Please arrive at least 2 hours before the flight. | ||||||||||||||
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This package offers a blend of wildlife viewing and scenic drives. Nela Safaris can customize it to fit your preferences.
Itinerary
1
Day 1: Meet and greet in Kigali – Drive to Bwindi
Impenetrable National Park
Upon arrival or after breakfast in Kigali, you will be warmly welcomed by a professional safari guide. After a short briefing, depart for Uganda via the Cyanika or Gatuna border, driving through Rwanda’s terraced hills and into Uganda’s lush highlands. The scenic journey continues into Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, known for its ancient biodiversity and gorilla habitat. Along the way, enjoy glimpses of village life and mountain views.
Arrive at your lodge by late afternoon for check-in. Dinner and overnight in the Bwindi area.
Accommodation Options
Midrange: Four Gorillas Lodge
Budget: Rushaga Gorilla Camp
Meals: Dinner
2
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi and Batwa Cultural Experience
After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing on gorilla trekking etiquette and safety. You will then begin your trek through thick forest terrain, guided by experienced rangers, in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family.
Once found, spend a powerful hour in their presence—an intimate, unforgettable wildlife encounter. After returning to the lodge for lunch and rest, visit the nearby Batwa community to learn about their forest traditions, music, and way of life. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Accommodation Options
Midrange: Four Gorillas Lodge
Budget: Rushaga Gorilla Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
3
Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Following breakfast, depart Bwindi for Queen Elizabeth National Park, passing through the scenic Ishasha Sector, famed for its rare tree-climbing lions. Keep an eye out for elephants, antelope species, and buffalo along the way. Enjoy packed lunch or stop for a meal en route, depending on timing. Arrive in the park’s northern sector by late afternoon and check in to your lodge. Enjoy the evening at leisure with views over the park or nearby crater lakes. Dinner and overnight in Queen Elizabeth.
Accommodation Options
Midrange: Enganzi Game Lodgeodge
Budget: Tembo Safari Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
4
Day 4: Morning Game Drive – Afternoon Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel
Start your day with an early morning game drive in the Kasenyi Plains, a region rich in wildlife activity. Expect to see elephants, lions, buffaloes, warthogs, and several antelope species, along with incredible birdlife. After breakfast at the lodge, relax until the afternoon, when you’ll head for a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway connecting Lakes Edward and George. This cruise offers close-up sightings of hippos, crocodiles, and water birds. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation Options
Midrange: Enganzi Game Lodgeodge
Budget: Tembo Safari Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
5
Day 5: Drive Back to Kigali – Departure
After a relaxed breakfast, check out and begin the return journey to Kigali, Rwanda. The drive is scenic and includes optional stops for photography or local craft shopping. Depending on your flight schedule, you may visit key attractions in Kigali such as the Kigali Genocide Memorial or local markets before your airport transfer. Your guide will drop you off at Kigali International Airport, marking the end of your memorable 5-day Uganda and Rwanda safari experience.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch