Ultimate Gorilla Safaris centres on tracking critically endangered mountain gorillas through dense rainforest, mainly in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, and occasionally Congo’s Virunga region. Visitors sit near habituated gorilla families, observe imposing silverbacks up close, watch them feed, and see youngsters play in the trees. What sets the “ultimate” versions apart stacking of multiple trekking experiences including habituation ~ both gorillas and chhimpanzees. One package offers four expeditions, two days each in Uganda and Rwanda. Another spans Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda with six treks across mountain and western lowland gorillas, plus a possible seventh. These itineraries target serious primate enthusiasts and photographers.
Our safaris feature gorilla trekking across Rwanda and Uganda, gorilla habituation in Bwindi and double gorilla trek combining Volcanoes National Park with Bwindi in Uganda. Others include chimp tracking and habituation experiences, wildlife game drives in some of the region’s most spectacular locations, and adventure hiking in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
This is an ambitious itinerary Combining two national gorilla treks in two countries in just four days means long travel days and only one overnight in each park area, plus a border crossing at Cyanika. It’s doable and it leaves little slack for delays, weather, or a long trek — if you can stretch to 5 days, day 4 below becomes much more relaxed.
This 7-day Uganda safari starts and ends in Entebbe, combining Kibale chimpanzee tracking (with an optional habituation add-on) and Bwindi mountain gorilla trekking plus a habituation experience in Rushaga. It also includes a game drive and Kazinga Channel boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park, with upper-midrange lodges throughout.
This Safari package outlines a fast-paced 2-day gorilla trekking itinerary from Kigali to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda. It covers the border crossing route, drive times, an overnight lodge stay, and the trekking day itself with rangers. It also lists mid-range lodge options by sector, plus required permits, gear, and fitness/health rules for trekkers.
This 3-day itinerary starts in Kigali, crossing into Uganda via Cyanika/Katuna to reach Bwindi’s Rushaga sector. Day 1 covers the drive and lodge check-in; Day 2 is the highlight—a gorilla habituation trek with up to four hours observing a semi-habituated family (vs. one hour on standard treks); Day 3 returns to Kigali. Permits cost $1,500/person, capped at four visitors per family.
This two-week adventure combines the very best primate and wildlife experiences. Trek mountain gorillas twice — once in Volcanoes National Park and once in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest — spend a full morning immersed in a rare Gorilla Habituation Experience, track wild chimpanzees in Kibale Forest, and enjoy game drives across the Kazinga Channel and savannahs of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
This 12-day loop runs Kigali → Nyungwe → Volcanoes National Park → Bwindi → Queen Elizabeth → Lake Mburo → Entebbe. Highlights include chimpanzee trekking and a canopy walk in Nyungwe, gorilla treks in both Rwanda and Uganda, Kazinga Channel boat cruises, Ishasha’s tree-climbing lions, and Lake Mburo game drives, ending with departure via Entebbe.
This 8-day Rwanda safari covers the country’s three flagship parks: Akagera for Big Five game drives and boat safaris, Nyungwe for chimpanzee trekking and the canopy walkway, and Volcanoes National Park for the highlight—mountain gorilla trekking. With cultural stops and scenic drives through Rwanda’s “thousand hills” connecting each region, staying at upper-midrange lodges.
This Safari package combines Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park (gorilla trekking), a scenic crossing into southwestern Uganda for relaxation at Lake Bunyonyi, and wildlife viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park, before looping back to Kigali. It’s a popular combination because the three destinations sit within a few hours’ drive of each other along the Rwanda–Uganda border corridor.
Double Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Rwanda and Uganda a great highlight.
Custom midrange Safari
Gorilla Habituation experience in Bwindi National Park - Rushaga.
Basic Safari package
Bwindi Gorilla habituation and Volcanoes Gorilla trekking Safari.
Uganda basic safari package
Gorilla trekking Safaris
Our approach blends strategic planning with genuine understanding of your adventure dreams—whether encountering mountain gorillas in Volcanoes and Bwindi, tracking chimpanzees, or witnessing the Big Five on the savannah. We craft compelling packages capturing the magic of Rwanda and Uganda’s landscapes and wildlife, optimizing every touchpoint of your journey from first inquiry to final booking.
“We address the most common questions about your upcoming safari holiday in Rwanda or Uganda. A selection is answered below; for a personalised response, please feel free to contact our team directly. Drawing on our extensive experience with African wildlife holidays, we have compiled answers to the questions you’re most likely to have.”
Rwanda charges US$1,500 per international visitor, while Uganda's permit price depends on the current tariff and visitor category. Uganda's newer published tariff shows a US$700 foreign non-resident gorilla permit, though its older 2024–2026 tariff listed US$800 — so confirm the rate for your actual trekking date rather than trusting older guides. Rwanda also runs a promotional discount through 2026: the Rwanda Development Board announced promotional rates effective until 31 December 2026, though the discount doesn't apply between June and October, the peak season. Under this deal, Rwandans and East African citizens pay $200, while other African visitors and residents pay $500 — international tourists still pay the standard $1,500.
Permits are limited and date-specific, so it's wise to lock one in before booking flights or lodging. To secure a 2026 Rwanda permit, you should book 3 to 6 months in advance through a licensed tour operator or the Rwanda Development Board's Irembo platform. Demand is high on both sides of the border, so earlier is generally safer, especially for peak dry-season dates.
Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park issues 112 permits daily — 14 habituated gorilla families, each visited by a maximum of 8 people. This keeps groups small and limits stress on the gorillas, and it's part of why permits sell out during busy months.
The minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15 years old. There's no strict fitness test, but treks can range from a short walk to several hours over steep, muddy volcanic terrain, so reasonable physical fitness helps. Porters are available to carry bags and assist on tougher climbs.
Once you find the gorilla family, the gorilla viewing period is limited to one hour. Getting to that point can take anywhere from a couple of hours to most of a day — treks typically last 2 to 7 hours depending on where the gorilla family has moved that day.
The best times are June–September (long dry season) and December–February (short dry season), when trails are less muddy and gorillas are easier to track. As for which country: Rwanda tends to suit travelers who want an easy, short trip since Volcanoes National Park is close to Kigali, while Uganda often appeals to those wanting a lower permit cost and a longer safari combined with chimpanzee trekking or savanna wildlife.
Rwanda and Uganda offer gorilla trekking year-round, but the dry seasons—June to September and December to February—are ideal. Trails are less muddy, hiking is easier, and wildlife viewing across savannas improves as animals gather near water sources. The June–September window also aligns with excellent chimpanzee tracking and wildlife viewing nearby. Wetter months (March–May, October–November) offer lush scenery, fewer tourists, and lower prices, but trekking is more physically demanding.
The Lodges
Safari Lodges
Stay
Safari Lodges – Rwanda and Uganda
There are several safari lodges available at each destination you plan to visit. We have highlighted a curated selection from the many options available — properties known for their prime locations, whether nestled on the edges of the national parks or situated within them, and their commitment to eco-friendly practices. Please note that your final quotation will largely depend on which lodges you choose for your stay throughout the trip.
Our Safari 4x4 Land Cruisers
Travel in comfort and style aboard our customised 4×4 Land Cruiser, purpose-built for private gorilla trekking and wildlife safaris across Rwanda and Uganda. It comfortably seats families of up to seven.
Features:
- Built-in 40-litre electric fridge for cool refreshments
- Adjustable seats, all with safety belts
- Air conditioning for any weather
- Generous legroom for journeys over five hours
Prefer less time on the road? We can arrange domestic flights between destinations, cutting long drives and leaving more time to enjoy your safari.