4 days epic Uganda gorilla safari adventure from Rwanda
4Days / 3 Nights Days
Kigali, Rwanda → Kigali, Rwanda
Adventure Tour
From
USD 2,356 $
per person
Why Choose This Safari?
This is a cross-border trip, not just a Rwanda one—you fly into Kigali but do your trekking in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to roughly half the world's remaining mountain gorillas. The Batwa village walk after your trek adds a cultural layer most Bwindi itineraries skip, and bookending the trip with Kigali's Genocide Memorial on the way out gives the whole four days a sense of place beyond the forest. It's a tight itinerary, so it suits travelers comfortable with a full day of driving on Day 2 and Day 4 in exchange for direct access to Bwindi's gorilla groups.
Destinations to Travel
Kigali City · Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda (cross-border) · Batwa Cultural Village · Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre
Itinerary
Day 1 — Arrival in Kigali
You're welcomed at Kigali International Airport, briefed on the days ahead, and introduced to your guides before being transferred to your hotel for the night. It's a short first day, mostly for settling in before the longer drive to Uganda tomorrow.
Day 2 — Kigali to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda
After breakfast, your guide picks you up for the drive across the border into southwestern Uganda, with terraced farmland and hillside scenery along the way. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, your destination, is home to roughly half of the world's remaining mountain gorillas. You'll have the afternoon free to settle in and relax before the trek, with dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Day 3 — Gorilla Trekking and Batwa Cultural Village
After an early coffee, you're briefed by Uganda Wildlife Authority officials before heading into the forest to track mountain gorillas. Trekking time depends entirely on where the gorillas have moved and can run from half a day to a full day, but once you find them, you get a full hour watching them in their natural habitat — it's physically demanding, so a reasonable level of fitness helps. In the afternoon, a village walk with the Batwa community offers a look at their indigenous way of life before you return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 4 — Bwindi to Kigali for Departure
After an early breakfast and a short bit of sightseeing—good light for photography if you're bringing a camera—you set off on the roughly five-hour drive back to Kigali. You'll have lunch in the city before a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre, a sobering and important stop before your transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
What's Included
Rate Includes
Transportation in a 4x4 safari vehicle
Accommodation and meals as per itinerary
Gorilla permits: 800 $ one per person
Visit to Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre
Community walk safari
Services of English speaking driver/guide
Enough mineral water during safari
Rate Excludes
International flight
- Items of a personal nature i.e., telephone/internet usage, laundry, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, et
Pricing
From USD 2,356 $ per person
| 1 Pax | 2 Pax | 3 Pax | 4 Pax | 5 Pax | 6 Pax+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,822 $ | 2,528$ | 2,356 $ |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa for both Rwanda and Uganda on this trip?
Yes — since this itinerary crosses from Rwanda into Uganda and back, you'll typically need entry requirements for both countries (Rwanda's visa-on-arrival or East Africa Tourist Visa, plus a Uganda visa); check current requirements for your nationality bef
How long is the drive between Kigali and Bwindi?
The return drive on Day 4 is roughly five hours; the outbound drive on Day 2 is similar, with stops along the way for the scenery.
How long does the actual gorilla trek take?
It varies by the gorillas' movements on the day and can run from half a day to a full day of hiking, though you're guaranteed a full hour with the gorillas once your group finds them.
What fitness level do I need for gorilla trekking?
A reasonable level of fitness is recommended — the terrain in Bwindi is steep and can be muddy, and treks can last several hours depending on where the gorillas are.
Is the Batwa village visit included?
Yes, it's built into Day 3's itinerary as an afternoon activity following the gorilla trek.
Why does the trip end with the Kigali Genocide Memorial instead of starting with it?
This itinerary is structured so the trekking happens first, in Uganda, with the Memorial visit on the final day in Kigali right before departure — giving the trip a reflective close rather than opening with it.