Uganda & Rwanda

21. compass, camping, hiking

Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Uganda, Rwanda & DRC

These three countries allow you to experience one of Africa’s most profound wildlife excursions, gorilla trekking. Our trekking tours lead you deep into the forest of Bwindi in Uganda, the Virunga wilderness in the DRC and the Volcanoes in Rwanda, enabling you to trek endangered mountain gorillas, chimpanzees and other primates.

Uganda, Rwanda and the DRC offer a spectacular trip to wildlife lovers and adventurers. Hike mountains and volcanoes that tower over the landscape, expect to come across a remarkable variety of birds, visit some of Africa's best wildlife viewing areas, indulge in breathtaking views and experience vibrant cultures.
 
Our eXplore Plus Travel team is very knowledgeable about these countries and has enough first hand experience to offer the best possible safari to our clients. 

Join one of our group safaris or use our itineraries as a baseline to create your customised ultimate adventure. Our team is always available to answer your questions and assist you with ideas.

Gorilla trekking safari ideas

 

  • Group safaris in Uganda – An outstanding opportunity to experience the best of Uganda. It includes trekking chimpanzees in the Kibale Forest, visiting the Queen Elizabeth National Park for game viewing and trekking gorillas in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
  • Group safaris to Uganda, starting from Kigali – We fly to Rwanda and drive over the border to Uganda to trek the gorillas in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
  • Private safaris – Every safari is uniquely designed to suit your interests, preferred standard of accommodation and most suitable travelling dates.
  • Combination tours – Extend your safari adventure with a trip to Kenya or swap the jungle for some relaxation on the beaches of Zanzibar!

 


Experience the parks of Uganda, Rwanda and the DRC

Gorilla and chimp trekking in Uganda, Rwanda and the DRC is the ultimate African adventure. A recent census released in December 2019 showed that the numbers have increased and scientists believe there are now at least 1063 mountain gorillas living in the jungles of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).


UGANDA PARKS AND RESERVES:

 

  • Explore the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest , home of the mountain gorillas of Uganda. Out of all the Uganda adventure safaris, this tropical rainforest tour is regarded as one of the most biologically diverse parks in Africa.
  • Trek chimpanzees in their natural habitat in the Kibale National Park and spot 12 different species of primates, including the red colobus and the L'Hoest's monkey.
  • Safari in the untamed wilderness at Murchison Falls and take a boat ride to the Falls where the Nile forces its way through a 7-metre gap and tumbles 40m.
  • Queen Elizabeth National Park offers up to 95 different mammal species which include tree-climbing lions. There is over 600 bird species.
  • Mabamba swamp near Entebbe, a bird-lovers dream destination with 260 bird species, including the Shoebill, Uganda's most sought-after bird.
  • Semliki National Park is a true wilderness with birding being one of the biggest attractions. The somewhat 400 bird species found here include the Abyssinian ground hornbill, Marsh Tchagra, African crake and Shoebill storks.
  • Rwenzori Mountains National Park has the tallest mountain range in Africa with several peaks permanently covered in ice. The park is a hiking mecca and home to exceptionally rare plants and animals.

 

RWANDA PARKS:

 

  • Volcanoes National Park offers the exceptional opportunity to trek mountain gorillas and golden monkeys in Rwanda. Don’t miss out on guided nature walks and challenging hikes through the incredibly biodiverse areas of this park.
  • The only wildlife-viewing park in Rwanda, Akagera National Park , offers excellent Big Five game viewing. Boat trips on Lake Ihema is a great way to enjoy the abundance of water birds found in the park.
  • Nyungwe Forest National Park protects East Africa’s largest montane rainforest. This biodiversity park has more than 1050 plant species, 85 mammal species, 310 bird species, 32 amphibian species and 38 reptile species. 

 


DRC PARKS:

 

  • Kahuzi-Biega National Park in the eastern DRC consists of two extinct volcanoes, Kahuzi (2790m) and Biega (330m), created as a national park to preserve the habitat of the Eastern Lowland gorilla .
  • Africa's oldest national park, Virunga , is home to approximately one-quarter of the world’s mountain gorillas . Apart from gorilla trekking, visitors can also have a chimpanzee trekking experience or explore Mount Nyiragongo , the largest active volcano in the world.

 


Travel Highlights

UGANDA: 

 

  • Murchison Falls where the Nile forces its way through a 7-metre gap and tumbles 40m.
  • Mabamba Swamp , a bird-lovers dream destination with 260 bird species, including the shoebill - Uganda's most sought-after bird.
  • Kibale Forest , one of the most beautiful parks in Uganda, dotted with beautiful crater lakes and the best location for some thrilling chimpanzee trekking.
  • Explore Semliki with its shoebills, wild scenery and dramatic horizons.
  • Take a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth NP for birding, hippos and great photos!
  • Come face to face with Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
  • Going on one of the Uganda safaris and tours, you'll have the opportunity to visit Lake Victoria, which is Africa’s largest lake.

 


RWANDA:

 

  • Scenic drives through Rwanda, known as the Land of a Thousand Hills , with its beautiful rolling landscapes dotted with tea plantations, rugged mountains, towering volcanoes and the shimmering Lake Kivu.
  • A nature lover's paradise and home to the world's largest population of mountain gorillas within the Volcanoes National Park .
  • Our wildlife tours in Rwanda allows you to enjoy a bird hike in Nyungwe Forest with over 670 species recorded.
  • Kigali, one of Africa’s cleanest and most interesting capitals.
  • Chimpanzee trekking in the Nyungwe forest
  • Visit the graveyard where Diane Fossey is buried . Her tomb is next to her favourite gorilla, Didget and 20 others.
  • Unwind on the sandy shores of Lake Kivu , one of the Great Lakes in the Albertine Rift Valley and explore the charming markets.
  • Visit the genocide museum , where 259 000 victims have been buried.
  • Spot the Big 5 in Akagera National Park .

 


DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO:

 

  • Trek the Eastern Lowland Gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega National Park . They are the largest of the four gorilla subspecies with an adult male average height of 1.69m and weight of 163kg. 
  • Mount Nyiragongo is a spectacular stratovolcano that features one of the world’s largest and rarest lava lakes , making it one of Africa’s most exciting and rewarding hiking experiences.
  • Experience close encounters with mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park.
  • Trek chimpanzees in Virunga National Park , one of the world’s most biodiverse areas.

 

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