7 Day Uganda Gorilla Trek & Wildlife Safari from Kigali
7 Day Uganda Gorilla Trek & Wildlife Safari from Kigali
Tour Overview
This private 7 Day Uganda Gorilla Trek & Wildlife Safari from Kigali brings together Uganda’s most iconic wildlife experiences into one truly unforgettable journey. You begin with pick-up from Kigali and travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for an exciting gorilla trekking adventure. You trek through the forest to meet mountain gorillas and spend one full hour observing them closely in their natural habitat.
After this deeply life-changing experience, you drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park for a full day of safari activities, including a morning game drive across the Kasenyi Plains and a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, where hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and waterbirds are often seen extremely close to the boat.
On day four, you visit the Kikorongo Equator Monument before heading to Kibale Forest National Park, which is famous for its rich and diverse primate population. Here, you trek to find chimpanzees and explore the scenic Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. The final day includes a scenic drive to Entebbe International Airport for departure, ending the trip with lasting memories of Uganda’s wildlife and landscapes.
Your Itinerary In Brief
- Day 1: Pick up from Kigali and Transfer to Lake Mutanda near Bwindi
- Day 2: Gorilla Trekking & Relaxation
- Day 3: On to the savannahs of Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Day 4: Morning game drive in Kasenyi Plains, afternoon boat cruise on Kazinga Channel, and evening game drive along the channel.
- Day 5: Game drive, visit Kikorongo Equator Monument & Transfer to Kibale National Park
- Day 6: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale Forest and Bigodi Walk
- Day 7: Transfer to Entebbe International Airport for Your Departure
Your Itinerary In Details
Day 1: Pick up from Kigali and Transfer to Lake Mutanda
Today you drive to East Africa’s most beautiful lake, Lake Mutanda. After pick-up from Kigali, your journey takes you through rolling hills, green countryside, and small rural villages. The drive takes about 4 to 5 hours, including the border crossing into Uganda. If you arrive in Kigali early, your driver-guide will take you straight toward Lake Mutanda so you can reach the lodge before sunset. You do not need to spend a night in Kigali. However, if you would like to explore Kigali’s cultural scene, an overnight stay can be arranged. Upon arrival at Lake Mutanda, you spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing and enjoying the peaceful surroundings. You can admire the views of the Virunga Volcanoes or take a canoe ride on the calm lake. The canoe is a traditional hollowed-out tree trunk and offers a quiet and authentic way to explore the water. The setting is calm, scenic, and perfect for unwinding after your journey.
Lake Mutanda
Lake Mutanda is located in the far southwest of Uganda, at the base of the Virunga Volcanoes. This dramatic volcanic chain stretches across Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Several rainforests surround the lake, and these forests are home to the endangered mountain gorillas. Because of its location, Lake Mutanda is an ideal base for gorilla trekking. Mountain gorillas can be found in nearby Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
*The luxury version of this trip includes a stay in a luxury cottage at the beautifully located Mutanda Lake Resort. The cottage is spacious and well furnished. While the resort is not a high-end luxury lodge, it is chosen for its stunning location, excellent service, and very good food. If you prefer a higher level of luxury, this can be arranged on request*.
Accommodation Options:
Budget: Mutanda Lake Resort – Standard Cottage (Non-Volcano View)
Midrange: Mutanda Lake Resort – Standard Cottage (Volcano View)
Semi-Luxury: Mutanda Lake Resort – Luxury Cottage
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking & Relaxation
In the morning, you travel to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park for perhaps the highlight of your trip: gorilla trekking. This unforgettable adventure brings you deep into the lush rainforest, where you search for endangered mountain gorillas. Guided by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) rangers with years of experience, you follow signs of a gorilla family—nests, dung, gnawed bamboo stems, and broken branches. When you finally come face to face with a silverback protecting his family, observing you calmly, the experience becomes truly life-changing. You spend a full hour with the gorillas, watching them interact, play, and feed—a moment that stays with you forever.
Even if you choose not to trek, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the day. Lake Mutanda is perfect for swimming among otters, or you can try stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, sailing, or a motorboat ride. Hiking enthusiasts can explore nearby trails, including a more challenging climb over the volcanoes of Mgahinga National Park. Another option is a Golden Monkey trek to spot these rare and playful primates in their natural habitat. For those combining gorilla trekking with relaxation, an extra night at Lake Mutanda is highly recommended to fully enjoy the serene surroundings.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Bwindi, along with the Virunga Mountains in Rwanda, is the most important area for gorilla trekking in the world. This relatively small rainforest is home to almost half of all mountain gorillas living in the wild. Beyond gorillas, the park hosts over 120 mammal species and more than 350 bird species, making it a paradise for wildlife lovers and birdwatchers.
Optional Activities
Gorilla Habituation Day:
Greenway Nature Tours offers a unique gorilla habituation experience. Instead of a standard trek, you join researchers to observe how a gorilla family is gradually accustomed to human presence. Participants spend up to four hours with the gorillas, in a small group of just four people. This provides a rare and intimate glimpse into gorilla behavior.
Watersports at Lake Mutanda:
From the lodge, enjoy a variety of water activities. Swim in the bilharzia-free lake, sunbathe on the jetties, or try stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, or sailing. Canoeing in a traditional dugout canoe offers a local, immersive experience. A motorboat ride is perfect for birdwatching or enjoying the scenery with a glass of wine. Every activity allows you to appreciate the calm beauty of Lake Mutanda.
Lake Mulehe Canoe Trip and Hike:
Located next to Lake Mutanda, Lake Mulehe is ideal for exploring by boat and on foot. Begin with a canoe or boat trip across the lake, then enjoy a scenic walk along its shores. Along the way, you’ll meet friendly locals, fishermen, and a traditional medicine man. The tour includes a local lunch and lasts around six hours. It combines light activity, stunning scenery, and cultural encounters. This excursion can be booked directly at Mutanda Lake Resort.
Accommodation Options:
Budget: Mutanda Lake Resort – Standard Cottage (Non-Volcano View)
Midrange: Mutanda Lake Resort – Standard Cottage (Volcano View)
Semi-Luxury: Mutanda Lake Resort – Luxury Cottage
Day 3: On to the savannahs of Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, you travel today toward the iconic Queen Elizabeth National Park. The journey takes you along unpaved roads through rural villages and rolling countryside, offering a glimpse into everyday Ugandan life. Along the way, you may see bustling local markets and sparkling crater lakes, adding charm to the scenic drive.
Queen Elizabeth National Park covers nearly 2,000 km² in the heart of the Rift Valley. To the north, it is bordered by the majestic Rwenzori Mountains, and to the west by Lake Edward. At the center of the park lies the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway connecting Lakes Edward and George, famous for its excellent boat safaris. West of the channel, the landscape is dotted with stunning volcanic craters, creating a unique mix of savannah and forest. The Kyambura Gap, a vast rainforest-filled chasm, is home to chimpanzees and other wildlife.
The park hosts a remarkable diversity of animals. Elephants, buffalo, topi, tree-climbing lions, ground-dwelling lions, leopards, hippos, crocodiles, and countless smaller mammals can be spotted during your drives. Birdlife is equally spectacular, with more than 600 species recorded, making it a paradise for birdwatchers and nature lovers alike.
Accommodation Options:
Budget: Bush Lodge – Safari Tents
Mid-range: The Bush Lodge – Banda
Luxury: Elephant Plains Lodge
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner
Day 4: Morning game drive & afternoon boat cruise on Kazinga Channel
Start your day with an early breakfast at the lodge, then set off for another exciting adventure in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Your morning game drive takes you across the golden Kasenyi Plains, one of the park’s most scenic areas. Here, you have the chance to spot Africa’s iconic big game species, including African Elephant, African Buffalo, Kob, Bushbuck, Hippopotamus, Giant Forest Hog, Common Warthog, Nile Crocodile, Spotted Hyena, Leopard, and many smaller animals. The morning light casts a beautiful golden glow over the plains, creating perfect conditions for photography and wildlife observation.
Birdwatchers will also be in for a treat. Look out for rare and striking species such as the Shoebill, African Hobby, Rüppell’s Vulture, Bateleur, Brown Snake Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Grey Kestrel, African Skimmer, Black Bee-eater, Great Blue Turaco, Great White Pelican, Grey-winged Robin-chat, Palm-nut Vulture, Papyrus Gonolek, Pel’s Fishing Owl, Red-chested Sunbird, Rufous-bellied Heron, Western Banded Snake Eagle, White-backed Night Heron, and Yellow-throated Cuckoo. After the game drive, return to your lodge for relaxation and lunch.
In the afternoon, gather at Mweya Jetty for a spectacular boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, starting at 2 pm. This cruise is one of the highlights of the park. You glide close to hundreds of hippos and African Buffalo while elephants graze along the shore. Keep your camera ready for Nile Crocodiles and a wide variety of waterbirds, including African Skimmer, Pink-backed and Great White Pelican, White-breasted Cormorant, African Openbill, Saddle-billed Stork, Glossy Ibis, African Wattled Lapwing, Water Thick-knee, Grey-hooded Gull, and White-winged and Gull-billed Tern. The cruise allows you to experience these amazing animals at very close range, all while surrounded by the stunning scenery of the park. After the boat cruise, enjoy a short game drive along the channel track on your way back to the lodge. Relax, have dinner, and rest well after a full day of unforgettable wildlife encounters.
Accommodation Options:
Budget: Bush Lodge – Safari Tents
Mid-range: The Bush Lodge – Banda
Luxury: Elephant Plains Lodge
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner
Day 5: Game drive, visit Kikorongo Equator Monument & Transfer to Kibale National Park
After breakfast, embark on a morning game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park. Keep your eyes open—you might spot lions lounging in the grass, elephants roaming the plains, or leopards stealthily moving through the trees. The drive offers one last chance to enjoy the park’s stunning wildlife before heading north.
After the safari, begin your journey toward Kibale Forest National Park. Along the way, stop at the Kikorongo Equator Monument. Here, you can stand on the Equator line and learn about the fascinating science and geography of this unique location. It is also a perfect spot for memorable photos and a quick stretch before continuing your journey.
Continue through scenic countryside until you reach Kibale Forest. Upon arrival at your lodge, you enter a completely different world—a true monkey paradise! Kibale Forest is one of Africa’s most primate-rich rainforests, home to 13 species of primates, including red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, red colobus monkeys, diademed monkeys, mantled mangabeys, and bush babies. The protected forest sits at an average elevation of 1,300 meters, surrounded by tea plantations to the north and papyrus swamps to the south. In addition to its primates, the Bigodi Forest and nearby wetlands are home to a remarkable variety of unique bird species, making Kibale a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and birdwatchers alike.
Accommodation Options:
Budget: Kibale Forest Camp
Midrange: Turaco Treetops – Standard Cottage
Luxury: Primate Lodge Kibale
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner
Day 6: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale Forest & Bigodi Walk
After breakfast, gather at the Kanyanchu Tourism Centre for your chimpanzee trekking adventure, which begins promptly at 8 am. The day starts with a briefing from the expert park rangers who will guide you through the forest. Once prepared, you enter the lush rainforest in search of man’s closest relatives, the chimpanzees. The trek lasts about 3 to 5 hours and has a 95% success rate of spotting these remarkable creatures among the 1,500 individuals living in Kibale. The chimps are fully habituated, giving you the rare chance to get close, observe, and take as many photos as you like. Watching them munch fruit, swing through the trees, play, patrol, and communicate with their hoots is an unforgettable experience that will stay with you forever. You have a full hour to enjoy these amazing animals in their natural habitat.
Kibale Forest is also home to many other mammals, though they are more elusive. With luck, you might see Bushbuck, Blue Duiker, Common Warthog, Sitatunga, Forest Hog, or Bushpig. If you are very fortunate, sightings of African Buffalo, Leopard, forest-adapted African Elephants, various mongooses, two species of otters, and even Lions are possible. Sharp observers may also spot a variety of amphibians, reptiles, and vibrant butterflies.
Bird enthusiasts will be delighted with over 325 species recorded in Kibale, including six endemic to the Albertine Rift Valley: Dusky Crimsonwing, Black-capped and Black-collared Apalis, Blue-headed and Purple-breasted Sunbird, and Red-faced Woodland Warbler. Other notable species include Green-breasted and African Pitta, Afep Pigeon, Black Bee-eater, Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo, Crowned Eagle, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Western Nicator, Abyssinian Thrush, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Brown-chested Alethe, Grey Parrot, Brown Illadopsis, and many more.
After your thrilling chimpanzee trek, return to the starting point for a packed picnic lunch and a well-earned rest.
In the afternoon, continue your adventure with a visit to the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. This successful community tourism project offers a peaceful walk through swampy habitats, known as a “bird paradise.” Expect to see a range of special species, including Great Blue Turaco, Papyrus Gonolek, Yellow-billed, Hairy-breasted and Yellow-spotted Barbet, White-tailed Ant Thrush, Honeyguide, Joyful Greenbul, Shining-blue Kingfisher, Dusky-blue Flycatcher, Red-headed Bluebill, Grey-winged and Snowy-crowned Robin-chat, Superb Sunbird, Black-crowned Waxbill, and Bocage’s Bushshrike.
After an exciting day of wildlife encounters, return to your lodge to freshen up. Conclude the day with a delicious farewell dinner, celebrating the incredible journey through the forests and savannahs of Uganda and Rwanda.
Accommodation Options:
Budget: Kibale Forest Camp
Midrange: Turaco Treetops – Standard Cottage
Luxury: Primate Lodge Kibale
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner
Day 7: Transfer to Entebbe International Airport for Your Departure
Enjoy your final moments in the enchanting Kibale Forest before bidding farewell to this primate paradise. After a leisurely breakfast, begin a scenic drive back to Entebbe, the gateway to Uganda. The journey spans approximately 350 kilometers (217 miles) and takes around 5–6 hours, winding through Uganda’s diverse landscapes. As you leave the lush rainforest behind, enjoy the ever-changing scenery of rolling hills, vibrant towns, and picturesque countryside. Take in the last glimpses of the country’s natural beauty and reflect on the unforgettable wildlife encounters you experienced during your safari. Upon arrival in Entebbe, your driver-guide will assist with your check-in for your outbound flight, bringing your incredible East African primate adventure to a close. You depart with memories of close encounters with gorillas and chimpanzees, stunning landscapes, and the rich wildlife of Uganda.
Accommodation: None – but can be arranged on request
Meal Plan: Breakfast
7 Day UGANDA Safari Price
Budget Package
- 1 Pax: USD 4575
- 2 Pax: USD 3065 per person
- 3 Pax: USD 2,680 per person
- 4 Pax: USD 2399 per person
- 5 Pax: USD 2301 per person
- 6 Pax: USD 2177 per person
Midrange Package
- 1 Pax: USD 4957
- 2 Pax: USD 3339 per person
- 3 Pax: USD 2960 per person
- 4 Pax: USD 2646 per person
- 5 Pax: USD 2461 per person
- 6 Pax: USD 2318 per person
Luxury Package
- 1 Pax: USD 7688
- 2 Pax: USD 4985 per person
- 3 Pax: USD 4825 per person
- 4 Pax: USD 4595 per person
- 5 Pax: USD 4256 per person
- 6 Pax: USD 3924 per person
Inclusions
- Pick-up and drop-off in Kigali, Rwanda, and transfer to all parks and lodges in Uganda.
- 6 nights’ accommodation as per selected lodge options (Budget, Midrange, Luxury).
- All meals as specified (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).
- Gorilla trekking permit and guided experience in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
- Chimpanzee trekking permit and guided experience in Kibale Forest.
- Morning and afternoon game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
- Boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
- Visit to the Kikorongo Equator Monument.
- Visit and guided walk at Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.
- Professional English-speaking driver/guide throughout the safari.
- All park entrance fees and government taxes.
- Bottled water during safari drives.
- Scenic drives through Uganda’s countryside, including lakes, crater lakes, and rolling hills.
exclusions
- International flights to and from Kigali
- Rwanda and Uganda visa fees
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Optional activities not listed as included
- Alcoholic drinks and soft drinks
- Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls, and souvenirs
- Tips and gratuities for driver-guides, lodge staff, and park rangers
- Extra accommodation before or after the safari
Any services not mentioned under safari inclusions
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