4 Days Double Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda

Major Activities:

1. Touring Kigali city and visiting Genocide memorial site
2. Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Uganda
3. Gorilla trekking in the Volcanoes National Park – Rwanda
4. Visiting the Batwa Pygmy community
5. Visit the Gorilla Guardians Village

Day 1: Pick up from Kigali, city tour  and transfer to Bwindi National park

Our Guide will pick you up from your hotel or airport in Kigali and take you for a half-day tour of the city of Kigali. While on the tour, you will visit a souvenir shop, the former presidential palace, the genocide memorial Centre and the main city market. After the city tour, you will start the 4 hour journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park through Rwanda’s amazing countryside (green rolling hills and plantations). After clearing with immigration, you will then cross over to Uganda and finally to your lodge in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park. Rest and prepare for gorilla tracking the following day.

Overnight and Dinner at Chameleon Hill Lodge (luxury) and Rushaga Camp (Mid-range and Budget).

Day 2: Mountain Gorilla trekking in Uganda – Visit the Batwa Pygmies

Wake up very early to take breakfast and head for briefing at the park offices.  The briefing is conducted by the head Guide at 7:00am and is basically about how to conduct yourself while with the gorillas or what to bring along during gorilla tracking. You will be assigned a gorilla group and given an opportunity to hire porters. The allocation of gorilla groups is based on your general fitness. Some gorilla groups move deep into the forest and require more trekking hours hence more challenges.  After knowing your gorilla group, you should now head to the forest to look for the primates. Go with a good camera to take photos of yourself with the group. After the one hour with the mountain gorillas, you should head back to the starting point where you will meet our guide to take you back to the lodge for lunch and rest.

In the late afternoon, you will be taken to visit the Batwa pygmy community living near the park. The Batwa were the original inhabitants of the Bwindi impenetrable forest but were relocated outside the park to create room for gorilla conservation activities. Although gorillas and other park animals benefited from the government action, the Batwa didn’t. For thousands of years, the Batwa lived as hunters and gatherers while keeping a distance from tribal groups outside the forests. Now they have to deal with them and learn their ways. The Batwa have been marginalized and most live in poverty because they cannot compete with the more aggressive tribes. While with the Batwa, you will get to learn a lot about their culture while also being entertained by traditional dance groups.

Overnight and Dinner at Chameleon Hill Lodge (luxury), and Rushaga Camp (Mid-range and Budget).

Day 3: Transfer to Volcanoes national park in Rwanda – Visit the Gorilla Guardians Village

After yesterday’s first encounter with the primates, you should wake up at your own time and take breakfast as you wait for our driver. Checkout and embark on the journey back to the Volcanoes national park in Rwanda. Lunch will be taken once you reach the lodge. After lunch, you can have a nap at the lodge as you wait for the driver to take you to the Gorilla Guardians Village. Formerly known as the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village, the Centre 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.

Overnight and Dinner at The 5 Volcanos Lodge (Luxury), Da Vinci Lodge (Mid-range) and The Garden Place Hotel (Budget).

Day 4: Gorilla tracking in the Volcanoes National Park – Departure

Wake up very early and head for the Volcanoes National park for the briefing on gorilla tracking at 7:00am. 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. After the briefing, you will be led into the forest by the Park Rangers/Guide. Expect to pass through thick bamboo forest with amazing creatures. After walking for some time, you will be rewarded with one hour of watching the gorillas. Follow instructions from your Guide and remain calm even when one of the gorillas tries to get close to you. After the one hour of observing the primates is over, you will 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 Tour

The cost of this 4 days Uganda and Rwanda gorilla trekking tour will include: –

1. A 4X4 safari vehicle with an English speaking Driver/Guide
2. It will also include fuel for the whole journey
3. Gorilla Permits for Uganda and Rwanda
4. Drinking water and lunch throughout the safari
5. Accommodation for 3 nights
6. Pickup and drop-off within Kigali
7. Visiting the Batwa pygmies and the Gorilla Guardians Village
8. Tour of Kigali city

The tour cost will exclude visas, personal costs, insurance, international and local flights.

Gorilla trekking is more comfortable if you have suitable hiking boots, cotton gloves, a raincoat, light snack, drinking water and porters to help with heavy equipment/luggage. You also need to be in good shape if you are planning to track one of the more difficult gorilla groups. You can also tip the Guides, Park Rangers and hotel staff whenever they do a good job. Some are paid poorly even though they do their best to make tourists very happy.

You must be fifteen years and above to track mountain gorillas. Remember, the overall cost of the tour will not include accommodation on the night before arrival and after the trip. International travelers need to have a yellow fever vaccination card when entering Uganda and Rwanda. Uganda is particularly strict about yellow fever. Both the Uganda and Rwanda Visa can be acquired online but you can also get them on arrival at the airport or at the border crossings. The East African tourist Visa is more ideal compared to the individual country Visas because it allows you to travel in all countries of East Africa at a cost of $100.

Chameleon Hill Lodge: This luxury lodge sits on a forested hill facing the beautiful Lake Mutanda. Chameleon Hill Lodge sits in the lush hills surrounding Lake Mutanda in Uganda. It is located between Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park hence offering majestic views of the Virunga volcanoes. The colorful lodge comprises of 10 chalets facing the lake. Each room is furnished with African decorations, a unique color scheme and queen/twin beds. The Common areas have a library, a bar, restaurant, wooden deck and a lounge with a fireplace. Food is delicious and prepared using locally produced spices.

Rushaga Gorilla Camp: This Lodge offers budget and mid-range facilities on the southern side of the park. It is very close to the park offices and offers beautiful views of the national park. The rooms are in form of safari tents (Mid-range) or cabins (Budget). All rooms are self-contained with free Wi-Fi, a sink, flush toilets, private bathrooms, cold and hot water.  The main building houses a bar, restaurant, small terrace and a fireplace. Every evening, hotel staff set up a campfire in front of the central building where all guests come to relax and be entertained.

The Garden Palace: This a budget lodge found close to the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Though budget in name, all rooms are self-contained and of good quality. There is free Wi-Fi in each room, a television screen, seating area, free toiletries, a private bathroom, slippers and a large bed. Other amenities include an on-site bar, 2 swimming pools, a children’s playground, a tennis court, an outdoor fireplace, BBQ facilities, a large garden for relaxation, private parking space and beautiful views of the Virunga volcanoes. You can also get shoeshine services, dry cleaning services, laundry services and a safety deposit box.