5-Day Uganda Double Gorilla Trekking & Wildlife Safari from Kigali
5-Day Uganda Double Gorilla Trekking & Wildlife Safari from Kigali
Tour Overview
This 5-day Uganda Double Gorilla Trekking & Wildlife Safari from Kigali is a once-in-a-lifetime journey. It combines rare wildlife encounters, beautiful landscapes, and rich culture. The tour is private and flexible. It is perfect for travelers who want adventure, comfort, and unforgettable memories in a short time. The safari starts and ends in Kigali, Rwanda. From here, you travel into Uganda. You will explore misty rainforests, peaceful lakes, wide savannas, and famous national parks. The highlight of the trip is meeting endangered mountain gorillas twice. You will trek in both Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. This gives you two very different gorilla experiences.
You will also visit Queen Elizabeth National Park. This is one of Uganda’s best wildlife parks. Here you enjoy classic game drives and a relaxing boat safari on the Kazinga Channel. Along the way, you see elephants, hippos, buffalo, birds, and maybe even leopards or tree-climbing lions. This tour is designed for nature lovers. It is also ideal for photographers and first-time safari travelers. Every day offers something new and exciting. The pace is well balanced. There is time for adventure and time to relax.
Your Itinerary In Brief
- Two gorilla trekking experiences in two different parks
- Starts and ends in Kigali for easy access
- Visits three Uganda’s top wildlife destination
- Mix of forest, lake, and savanna landscapes
- Private safari with experienced guides
- Carefully selected lodges in beautiful locations
Your Itinerary In Brief
- Day 1: Pick Up from Kigali and Transfer to Lake Mutanda near Bwindi
- Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park & Relaxation
- Day 3: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi & Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Day 4: Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel
- Day 5: Visit the Kikorongo Equator Monument and Return to Kigali
Your Itinerary In Details
Day 1: Pick Up from Kigali and Transfer to Lake Mutanda near Bwindi
Your journey begins in Kigali. Your professional driver-guide picks you up from your hotel or the airport. After a short briefing, you start the drive toward Uganda. The road passes through rolling hills and green countryside. Rwanda is often called the “Land of a Thousand Hills,” and you will see why. After crossing the border into Uganda, the scenery changes again. You pass small villages, farms, and forests. The drive takes about 4 to 5 hours, including the border crossing. It is scenic and enjoyable.
By afternoon, you arrive at Lake Mutanda. This is possibly the most beautiful lake in East Africa. The lake sits at the base of the Virunga Volcanoes about 1 hour drive from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and 1.5 drive from Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The views are stunning. Calm water reflects the mountains and sky. You spend the rest of the day relaxing. You can enjoy the fresh air and peaceful setting. If time allows, you may take a canoe ride. The canoe is made from a hollowed tree trunk. You glide quietly across the water. You may see birds, fishermen, and small islands. If you arrive early, you reach the lodge before sunset. The evening light over the lake is magical. Dinner is served at the lodge. You fall asleep to the sounds of nature.
Please Note: The luxury version of this trip also includes a stay in a luxury cottage at the stunningly situated Mutanda Lake Resort. The room is spacious and luxuriously furnished, but this is not a luxury lodge. We chose it for its beautiful location, excellent service, and delicious food. If you prefer more luxury, we can always accommodate you.
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 in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park & Relaxation
Today is your first gorilla trekking day. After an early breakfast, you drive about one and a half hours to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Your lodge provides a packed lunch. At the park headquarters, you meet Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers. They give a briefing about gorilla trekking rules. You then enter the forest with your guide. The trek takes you through bamboo forest and open woodland. Mgahinga is special. It has only one habituated gorilla family. This group has three large silverbacks. The terrain here is more open than in Bwindi. This often makes the experience very enjoyable. When you find the gorillas, you spend one full hour with them. You watch them eat, rest, and interact. Seeing them up close is emotional and powerful. This moment stays with you forever. After the trek, you return to Lake Mutanda. The afternoon is free. You can relax at the lodge or choose an optional activity.
Optional Activities at Lake Mutanda:
In the afternoon, you’ll take a boat trip as the sun sets. In an oasis of tranquility and picturesque scenery, you’ll sail past numerous islands and even take a dip in the lake. Along the way, you’ll encounter local fishermen and schoolchildren sailing across the lake in hollowed-out logs. You can also enjoy fantastic water sports. Enjoy swimming in this bilharzia-free lake or sunbathe from one of the three jetties. For a more active experience, you can use the stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, or laser sailboat. For a more local experience, go canoeing in one of the dugout canoes.
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: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi & Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Today is your second gorilla trekking day. After breakfast, you drive about one hour to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Again, you carry a packed lunch. Bwindi is one of Africa’s most important rainforests. It is home to almost half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. The forest is thick and ancient. At the park headquarters, you receive another briefing. You then enter the forest with experienced rangers. The trek can be challenging. You walk through dense vegetation. You may crouch or climb slopes. Your guide looks for signs of gorillas. These include nests, dung, and broken branches. When you finally meet the gorillas, the feeling is incredible. A silverback may watch you calmly. Mothers care for their young. You spend one hour with them. This second trek feels very different from the first. The forest is thicker. The mood is deeper and wilder.
Optional Activity. Today, you can opt for the Gorilla Habituation Experience. This is a special full-day activity. You join researchers as they habituate a gorilla family. You can spend up to four hours with the gorillas. Only four people join each group.
After the trek, you begin the drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The journey takes 6 hours, depending. Along the way, you may spot animals. In the Ishasha area, you may see tree-climbing lions resting in fig trees. You arrive at lodge in late afternoon or evening. You enjoy a game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park as you continue to your lodge. The park is large and diverse. You see savanna, wetlands, and crater lakes. Wildlife is abundant.
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 and Afternoon Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel
You wake up early for a morning game drive. After breakfast, you enter the park as the sun rises. This is the best time to see wildlife. You explore the Kasenyi Plains. This area is known for large animals. You will search for lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos, Uganda kobs, bushbucks, warthogs, hyenas, giant forest hogs, and more. Birdlife is rich. Over 600 bird species have been recorded in Queen. You may see raptors, vultures, and colorful forest birds. The morning light makes the landscape glow. After the drive, you return to the lodge for lunch and rest.
In the afternoon, you head to the Mweya jetty for a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. The cruise starts around 2:00 pm. This channel connects Lake George and Lake Edward. The boat moves slowly along the water. You pass large groups of hippos and buffalo. Elephants drink at the shore. Nile crocodiles rest on the banks. Many waterbirds fly and feed nearby. The cruise offers close views and great photo chances. It is relaxing and exciting at the same time. After the cruise, you enjoy a short game drive back to the lodge. Dinner is served in the evening.
Accommodation Options:
Budget: Bush Lodge – Safari Tents
Mid-range: The Bush Lodge – Banda
Luxury: Elephant Plains Lodge
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner
Day 5: Visit the Kikorongo Equator Monument and Return to Kigali
After breakfast, you will visit the Kikorongo Equator Monument. Here you stand on the Equator line. You learn about geography and take photos. After the Equator, you begin the long drive back to Kigali. The journey takes about 6 to 7 hours. You pass through beautiful countryside. There is a border crossing between Uganda and Rwanda. You arrive in Kigali in time for your departure flight or hotel drop-off. Your safari ends with unforgettable memories.
5 Day UGANDA Safari Price
Budget Package
- 1 Pax: USD 4229
- 2 Pax: USD 3188 per person
- 3 Pax: USD 2,917 per person
- 4 Pax: USD 2724 per person
- 5 Pax: USD 2654 per person
- 6 Pax: USD 2578 per person
Midrange Package
- 1 Pax: USD 4347
- 2 Pax: USD 3274 per person
- 3 Pax: USD 3010 per person
- 4 Pax: USD 2808 per person
- 5 Pax: USD 2743 per person
- 6 Pax: USD 2652 per person
Luxury Package
- 1 Pax: USD 6066
- 2 Pax: USD 4354 per person
- 3 Pax: USD 4187 per person
- 4 Pax: USD 3801 per person
- 5 Pax: USD 3756 per person
- 6 Pax: USD 3616 per person
Inclusions
- Pick-up and drop-off in Kigali (hotel or airport)
- All ground transportation in a comfortable 4×4 safari vehicle
- Services of a professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Fuel for the entire safari
- All park entrance fees for mentioned national parks
- One gorilla trekking permit in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
- One gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
- All scheduled game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel
- Visit to the Kikorongo Equator Monument
- All accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary
- All meals as specified (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
- Bottled drinking water while on safari
- Government taxes and levies
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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