Tour Overview
This 3 Days Rwanda-Uganda gorilla tour offers a gorilla trekking experience in Uganda’s Bwindi impenetrable national park from Kigali in Rwanda. A guided gorilla trekking tour offers a rare opportunity for you to penetrate deep into the jungle to explore more about mountain gorillas and their behaviours. During a gorilla trek, your focus will be on visiting an already habituated group of mountain gorillas for a close interaction in their natural surroundings.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park currently prides itself on 24 habituated families of gorillas, which are available for you to explore from any of the 4 sectors/trailheads. The four main sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park include Ruhija, Nkuringo, Rushaga, and Buhoma. As a National Park, Bwindi was officially gazetted in 1991 and presently, it is set on an area of 331 sq. km.
The unique part of the 3 Days Rwanda-Uganda tour is that you will cross from Rwanda to Uganda via the active border crossings, Katuna/Chanika. This will be a perfect alternative to cut on the hours that you could have taken if you departed from Entebbe or Kampala to visit Bwindi. With this option, you will be spending a total of about 4-5 hours. Besides gorilla treks, expect to also explore Kigali city and visit the Batwa community.
Key Highlights of the 3 Rwanda-Uganda Tour
- Gorilla trekking adventure with an expert.
- Taking pictures with mountain gorillas in the forest.
- Border crossing to explore gorillas in Uganda.
- Transportation using a safe 4×4 safari car.
The Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Pick up & go for Kigali city tour, drive to Bwindi.
Day 2: Engage in the active trek with Bwindi gorillas & tour the Batwa community
Day 3: Departure from Uganda via Katuna/Chanika border to Kigali
Detailed Itinerary – 3 Days Rwanda-Uganda gorilla tour
Day 1: Pick up & go for Kigali city tour, drive to Bwindi.
Get a warm welcome from Rivo Safaris Ltd expert, and after, expect to get a short insight into what is ahead of you as per your 3 Days Rwanda-Uganda tour. Leave your boutique hotel in Kigali to embark on the guided city tour excursion, which involves exploring several sites like the Kigali genocide memorial. Other sites that you may have a chance to visit include craft markets, Kimironko market, & more.
After the inspirational city tour, you will have a break to let you enjoy lunch and also relax your mind a bit. From Kigali, you will be expected to set off for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park early in the afternoon. Enjoy the scenic drive in the stunning countryside and later, cross the Katuna or Chanika border for you to check into your respective accommodation options in/near the sector you plan to be involved in the trek with gorillas the following day.
Accommodation Options
- Budget/Basic: Bakiga Lodge or Ride 4 a Woman Camp
- Midrange: Silverback Gorilla Lodge, Mahogany Springs/Engagi Lodge
- Luxury/Platinum: Bwindi Lodge, Buhoma Lodge/Mahogany Springs Lodge
Meal plan: Half-board (includes Lunch & Dinner)
Day 2: Engage in the active trek with Bwindi gorillas & tour the Batwa community
After you have enjoyed a delicious breakfast, expect to join the officials in the Ruhija or Buhoma sector for you to get highlights on the rules and regulations to be observed while on a journey to interact with gorillas. Before leaving for the actual trek with gorillas, a ranger guide and gorilla group are assigned to guests during the briefing session. This is why all guests are always encouraged to be present at the reception/briefing site.
At around 8:00 am, you should be ready for the actual search for the family of gorillas with a ranger guide present to lead you. The entire gorilla trekking session is unpredictable but often extends from 2-6 hours, which also covers 1 hour for watching gorillas at a distance.
You will be free to return to the reception after taking photos and watching gorillas. A gorilla trekking certificate will then be given to all guests after their successful trek. From the reception, the driver guide from Rivo Safaris can take you up to your lodge for relaxation.
The thrilling Batwa cultural tour will mark the end of today’s excursion in Bwindi National Park. Visit and explore the ancient ways of the Batwa pygmies, these are a few indigenous tribal groups that is still exist in Uganda. They stayed in the Bwindi Forest as hunters and gatherers. After the cultural visit, have some leisure time at the lodge near the park.
Accommodation Options
- Budget/Basic: Bakiga Lodge or Ride 4 a Woman Camp
- Midrange: Silverback Gorilla Lodge, Mahogany Springs/Engagi Lodge
- Luxury/Platinum: Bwindi Lodge, Buhoma Lodge/Mahogany Springs Lodge
Meal plan: Full-board (includes Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 3: Departure from Uganda via Katuna/Chanika border to Kigali
At leisure, you will enjoy a hefty breakfast and afterwards, check out of the lodges. Early in the morning, meet the driver guide to pick you up, and you will be transferred back to Kigali.
End of the 3 Days Rwanda-Uganda Tour
Tour Inclusions
- Gorilla permits –Uganda
- Airport transfers
- Transportation on the 3 Rwanda-Uganda tour
- Accommodation facilities for 2 nights.
- Meals as stated in the itinerary of Rwanda-Uganda
Safari Exclusions
- Tips
- Alcoholic drinks
- Laundry services requested by you
- Telephone bills
- Airfares (domestic & international)
- Extra activities
- Cost on obtaining visas, passports
- Travel Insurance cost
- Shopping inclusive of souvenir expenses