1 Week Primates Journey In Uganda & Rwanda: A Double Gorilla Trekking Tour By Engabi Tours and Travel
This 7 Days Double Gorilla Trekking Tour is designed for travelers interested in watching mountain gorillas twice in both Uganda and Rwanda in one single trip. The expertly crafted 7 day Uganda Rwanda Itinerary offers a unique Uganda Rwanda double gorilla trekking experience taking you from the mist-shrouded Volcanoes National Park to the ancient deep jungles of Bwindi Forest National Park to walk with the some of the last remaining Mountain gorillas in the World in their natural habitats.
While on this affordable mid-luxury Double Gorilla Trekking tour in Uganda and Rwanda, you will enjoy two gorilla trekking excursions plus an opportunity to watch golden monkeys, do a Kigali City tour and have a cultural experience at the Iby”wachu cultural village in Kinigi. This 7 Days mid-luxury Double Gorilla trekking package to Uganda and Rwanda makes a perfect Africa vacation for couples, Honeymooners, families and Friends
The price quoted for this one Week tour in Uganda and Rwanda will include all logistical requirements including transfers, accommodation, Gorilla permits/activities and all border crossing requirements. The tour will be starting and ending in Kigali-Rwanda though you may decide to start and end in Entebbe by including small aircraft flights due to the long driving journey from Entebbe to Bwindi estimated at 9-10Hrs.
Please Note that Instead of having a day of rest on day 6, you may choose to do a gorilla habituation experience if you are staying in the exact lodges we have proposed in Bwindi or if the alternative lodge you chose to stay is also located in Rushaga sector of Bwindi or you may just do another normal gorilla trek even if your preferred lodge is located in any other sectors of Bwindi apart from Rushaga.
Detailed Itinerary for 7 Days Double Gorilla Trekking Tour in Both Uganda and Rwanda:
Day 1: Arrival at Kigali International Airport and Transfer to your Hotel in Kigali
On arrival at Kigali airport in Kanombe, you will be picked by your driver to begin your trip. He will transfer you to your hotel for overnight. He or she will brief you about your upcoming activities.
Accommodation at: Hotel Des Mille Collines
Meal plan: Bed and Breakfast
Travel Time: Approximately 20 Minutes
Day 2: Kigali City tour and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast, you will begin your city tour starting with a visit to Gisozi genocide memorial center. Here you will witness the graveyards of the genocide victims laid to rest. You will watch touching videos and pictures and listen to stories that narrate the horrifying genocide. Later you will visit the Caplaki crafts market to buy souvenirs and other local cultural items and from here you will have your lunch and then transfer to Volcanoes National Park arriving in time for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation at: Ingagi Park View Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Travel Time: Approximately 3 Hours
Day 3: Gorilla Trekking and Iby’wachu Cultural Experience
Today after breakfast you will be transferred to the Park headquarters for briefing about the gorilla trekking rules. You will then enter the jungle to start the search for the Mountain Gorillas and on finding them you will Spend1 hour with them which will be a great experience for everyone. In the afternoon you will stay by the lodge relaxing or visit the Iby’wachu village for a cultural experience.
Accommodation at: Ingagi Park View Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Golden Monkey Tracking and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After a very early breakfast, you will head to the park headquarters again for your golden monkey tracking. These are endangered type of monkey which is only found in this mountain range at high elevation within the Albertine rift region. They can easily be seen in large troop but on close view because of being habituated to human presence. The trekking takes 3 to 4 hours in total. when you return, you will have you lunch at your lodge and thereafter you will be transferred to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the Rushaga Sector arriving in time for check-in and later dinner and overnight.
Accommodation at: Four Gorillas Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Travel Time: Approximately 3 Hours
Day 5: Gorilla Trekking Experience
Today you will get up so early in the morning for breakfast and thereafter your tour guide/driver will drive you to the Park head offices with your packed lunch. On reaching there by 7:30am you will be briefed about what to do and not to do while trekking after which you will be led by the ranger guides through the mist jungle. Trekking usually takes between to 8 hours or even a full day due to the location of gorillas. When you see them, it will be a great and fun time as you watch them and only 1 hour is permitted to watch them. Also ensure you carry enough water with you, hats, sun glasses, rain coats, and non-flash cameras.
Accommodation at: Four Gorillas Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Another Stay In Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Today, you can choose from a variety of optional experiences including Gorilla trekking if you Opt for a second gorilla trekking experience this time visiting a different gorilla family for a new perspective on their fascinating behavior, guided forest walks, community walk or just choose to have a day of leisure relaxing and enjoying the serene surroundings of the lodge.
Accommodation at: Four Gorillas Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Transfer to Kigali International Airport
Today you will wake up at leisure and relax at the lodge until when it’s check-out time. You will slowly transfer to Kigali City arriving in time for lunch and later transfer to the Airport arriving in time for check in for your flight marking the end of the trip. You may choose to pass by the lake bunyonyi for lunch, relaxation and photography since you have so much time at hand before your flight time.
Accommodation at: N/A
Meal plan: Breakfast and Lunch
Travel Time: Approximately 4 Hours
End of the 7 Days Gorilla Trekking Tour in Uganda and Rwanda.
Contact us for Information or a Quotation
Who is this tour suitable for?
The tour is created for travellers who are interested in a meaningful and immersive primate experience with the comfort of expert planning. The tour is ideal for solo travellers, couples, families, honeymooners and friends.
Is gorilla trekking better in Uganda or Rwanda?
It’s a matter of intent. Rwanda offers an easier trek at high permit fixed cost of 1500$ Per gorilla permit per person valid for one session while Uganda offers a wilder and more physically immersive adventure at a lower permit fixed cost of 800$ Per per person valid for one session of gorilla trek.
What should I pack for this Gorilla trekking Tour?
You should endeavor to park sturdy hiking boots, long trousers, gardening gloves for gripping vines, and a waterproof jacket. These are very essential for the rainforest.
What is The Best time to Do This Gorilla Trekking Tour In both Uganda and Rwanda
Tailored Gorilla Trekking tours in both Uganda and Rwanda are organized throughout the year as all the two countries enjoy a pleasant climate with average temperatures of 25°C and cool nights most of the times. The rainiest Months in Uganda and Rwanda are March, April and May with shorter rains in October and November. Therefore, choosing the best time to do a double Gorilla Trekking to in Uganda and Rwanda depends entirely on you and the time you have available to travel.
What Else Can You Add on Your Gorilla Trekking Tour In Both Uganda and Rwanda?
Before or After your Gorilla Trekking experiences in both Uganda and Rwanda, you can add chimpanzee trekking in Uganda/Rwanda or visit the savannah parks of Queen Elizabeth national park, Murchison Falls National Park, Akagera national Park-Rwanda or Lake Mburo National Park in Uganda. You may even add white water rafting in Jinja, boat excursions on Lake Bunyonyi and Golden Monkey tracking. You may also decide to add great migration migration safari in Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater or decide to stay by the beaches of Zanzibar, Lake Kivu or Lake Victoria.
Do I need vaccinations and malaria medication for this gorilla trekking Tour?
Yes, you will need to both vaccinations and malaria medication because mountain gorillas share about 98% of our DNA and are therefore incredibly susceptible to human illnesses.
A yellow fever vaccine and a yellow card are will be required for this trip since you are crossing borders between Uganda and Rwanda. A yellow card is mandatory for all international travellers arriving at Entebbe International Airport and all Uganda border crossings though not technically required at Kigali International Airport hence we highly recommended that you carry it to avoid being denied entry at one point.
Additionally, most of the locations you are visiting are high-risk malaria zones though the high altitude of the gorilla parks (especially in Rwanda) means there are fewer mosquitoes than in the lowlands hence a reduced risk. So be sure to pack mosquito repellent!
Why book your Gorilla Trekking and Safari Tour with Engabi Tours and Travel?
Engabi Tours and Travel is an experienced local East African Tour Operator with intimate local knowledge about Gorilla trekking and game park safaris in Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania and Kenya. We are also highly rated and recommended on TripAdvisor.