Planning Double Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda
Double Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda is a great adventure for those who want to see gorillas twice. This trip includes trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. By visiting two different gorilla families, you can observe and compare their behaviors and dynamics.
No two gorilla groups are the same. Some have more silverbacks or females than others, and you might find a mother with twins in one group and just young juveniles in another. The environment is also different. In Rwanda, the gorillas live in hilly areas and often eat bamboo. In contrast, Uganda’s Bwindi National Park is mostly tropical rainforest. Let’s explore both parks in more detail, starting with Bwindi.
Highlights: Gorilla Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda
- Day 1: Departure from Kigali, travel to Bwindi National Park
- Day 2: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi, Uganda, and a cultural tour to visit the Batwa Pygmies
- Day 3: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, and visit the Gorilla Guardians Village
- Day 4: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, and Departure
Day 1: Departure from Kigali to Bwindi National Park
Your adventure begins with a pick-up from your hotel or Kigali airport. Your guide will take you on a half-day tour of the city. This tour includes stops at a souvenir shop, the old presidential palace, the genocide memorial center, and the major city market. After the city tour, you will travel through Rwanda’s beautiful countryside to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The journey takes about four hours, showcasing green rolling hills and plantations.
Once you reach the park, you will pass through immigration into Uganda and then head to your lodge in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. This is your time to relax and prepare for the next day’s gorilla trekking.
Overnight at your preferred accommodation.
Day 2: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi and Cultural Tour
Get up early, have breakfast, and then head to the park headquarters for a briefing. At 7:00 a.m., your head guide will explain how to behave around the gorillas and what to bring on your trek. You will be assigned to a gorilla group based on your fitness level. Some gorilla families may be deeper in the jungle, requiring more strenuous hiking.
Once you know your gorilla group, it’s time to enter the jungle and search for the gorillas. Don’t forget to bring a good camera to capture this unforgettable experience! You will spend one hour observing the mountain gorillas, after which you will return to the starting point to meet your guide, who will take you back to the lodge for lunch and rest.
In the afternoon, you will visit the nearby Batwa pygmy village. The Batwa were the original inhabitants of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. However, they were moved outside the park for gorilla conservation efforts. While these efforts helped the gorillas, they also affected the Batwa negatively. Traditionally, they lived as hunters and gatherers, but now they must adapt to living among other tribes.
During your visit, you will learn about their culture and enjoy traditional dance performances. This experience provides insight into their unique way of life and the challenges they face.
Dinner at your accommodation.
Overnight at your preferred accommodation.
Day 3: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park and Visit the Gorilla Guardians Village
After your first gorilla encounter, you can wake up at your leisure, have breakfast, and prepare for the journey to Volcanoes National Park. Once you arrive at your lodge, enjoy lunch and take some time to relax.
In the afternoon, your guide will take you to the Gorilla Guardians Village (formerly known as the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village). This cultural center was established to help former poachers earn a living by selling souvenirs to tourists. The government has turned it into one of the top cultural attractions in East Africa.
You will spend your time at the village watching traditional dance performances and even have the chance to dress in traditional robes for photos.
Dinner at your accommodation.
Overnight at your preferred accommodation.
Day 4: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park and Departure
Your final day begins early, around 7:00 a.m., as you head to Volcanoes National Park for another thrilling gorilla trek. Just like in Bwindi, there will be a briefing about what to expect, the history of the park, and how to behave around the gorillas. After the briefing, the park rangers and guides will lead you into the forest.
Prepare for an exciting trek through the dense bamboo jungle filled with diverse wildlife. Once you find the gorillas, you will have one hour to observe them in their natural habitat. Remember to stay calm, especially if a gorilla approaches you.
After this amazing hour, you will return to the starting point for lunch. Following lunch, your guide will take you back to your hotel or drop you off at Kigali International Airport for your departure.
