Rwanda & Uganda Gorilla Trekking

Gorilla trekking is one of the most thrilling, lifetime adventure you should include on your bucket list. No one can fully describe the joy and beautiful moment as you come face-to-face with a silverback gorilla. If you don't have much time or your focus is only to see the mountain gorillas, then join us on the 4-day safari.

Our group safaris offer the opportunity to explore Uganda while enjoying the company of an intimate group of like-minded safari enthusiasts, on a set itinerary.

Itinerary

  • Day 1: Johannesburg / Kigali Airport / Kigali

    The package includes return economy airfare with RwandAir from Johannesburg to Kigali Airport (departing at 03h10, and arriving at 06h20). Transfer to Park Inn by Radisson Blue to enjoy breakfast (for your account), drop your bags, and refresh. We visit the Genocide Memorial Centre, regarded as one of the best museums in Africa! Learn about Rwanda’s history from the pre-colonial era to the 1994 genocide war that shocked the world. 

    After visiting the museum, we will stop at the Kimironko Market. Here you will find handicrafts and souvenirs, colorful baskets, vibrant kitenge fabrics, and seamstresses ready to make you a dress, fresh vegetables and fruits, household goods, and a meat and fish market.

    Lunch will be at Repub Lounge (included) where you can taste some of Rwanda’s local food and enjoy stunning views of the city.

    Check-in at the hotel in the afternoon at leisure, or arrange with your guide to explore more of Kigali City!

    Stay: The Park Inn by Radisson Blue (Standard room)

    Meals: Dinner & breakfast

  • Day 2: Kigali / Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Uganda)

    Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before check-out to visit the Question Coffee Café where we will taste some of Africa’s Best coffees. 

    After our visit, we will travel toward the Uganda border where we will stop for lunch.

    Don't let the length of the drive put you off: this is one of the most spectacular drives you'll ever undertake (driving from Entebbe to Bwindi will easily take between 8 to 9 hours). Crossing the border into Uganda at the Cyanika board posts from where you will drive through the town of Kisoro to the lodge near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, with great views of the volcanoes and Lake Mutanda. 

    Lunch at the Migano Café in Musanze – near the border (included).

    Stay: Chameleon Hill Lodge (Lake View Chalet)

    Meals: Dinner & breakfast

  • Day 3: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park - GORILLA TREKKING

    Early morning departure from the Lodge to the trailhead at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for your MOUNTAIN GORILLA TRACKING experience.  Tracking can take from 30 minutes to three-quarters of the day, so one needs to prepare for both. Coming face-to-face with a mountain gorilla is one of the most memorable wildlife encounters in Africa, if not the world. Mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) are a critically endangered species. Gorilla tracking is for sure a life-changing and once-in-a-lifetime experience.  Afterward, return to the base where your driver will be waiting to transfer you to the lodge.

    Stay: Chameleon Hill Lodge (Lake View Chalet)

    Meals: Lunch, dinner & breakfast

  • Day 4: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park / Kigali (Rwanda) / Johannesburg

    Enjoy a morning at leisure with lunch at the lodge (included) or enjoy the opportunity to engage in another activity in the Bwindi area (for your account). Afternoon drive back to Kigali where we'll stop for a farewell dinner (included) before your transfer to the airport for your flight home, departing at 23h30 (Rwanda time), arriving 03h20 (South African time).

    End of service

  • Return economy airfares with RwandAir from Johannesburg to Kigali Airport
  • Including airport taxes 
  • Airport transfers from Kigali Airport to the hotel
  • 1-night - Park Inn by Radisson Blue
  • Standard room 
  • Dinner & Breakfast.  
  • Kigali activities included:
  • Genocide museum visit 
  • Coffee tour at Question Coffee
  • Kimironko Market 
  • Lunch at the Repub Lounge
  • Lunch at the Mignano Café in Musanze (en route to Uganda)
  • 2-nights - Chameleon Hill Forest Lodge 
  • Lake View Chalets
  • Lunch, dinner & breakfast
  • Bwindi activities included:
  • X1 Gorilla trekking permit per person in the Bwindi National Park 
  • 4x4 Safari vehicle
  • Bottled water in vehicle
  • Services of your professional and knowledgeable English-speaking driver guide. 
  • Comprehensive support from our operational office in Rwanda for the duration of the safari 
  • Travel information pack.

  • Entry visa to Rwanda (SA passport requires a visa for Rwanda – FREE of Charge)
  • Entry visa to Uganda (SA passport requires a visa for Uganda – cost is US$50 – must obtain online before you travel)
  • Yellow Fever inoculation certificate or an exemption letter from your doctor – COMPULSORY!
  • Travel Insurance (Highly recommended)
  • Meals and drinks not specified  
  • Activities not specified
  • Laundry services
  • Gratuities to the driver/guide, trackers, hotel staff & porters – our recommendations:
  • All expenses of a personal nature

Dates & Prices

Dates:

SMALL GROUP DEPARTURE DATES:

This 04-Day Gorilla Trekking Group Safaris depart on the following set departure dates. 

21 - 24 June 2025

13 - 16 September 2025

Rates:

RAND Rate (SA residents ONLY) USD Rate
On Request On Request

 

  • Please request a quote from our Safari Specialists for the most current rates and availability on our group departures.
  • All rates are subject to increases beyond our control, including fuel price, government taxes and exchange rate fluctuations.
  • Flight prices: Prices quoted are based on a special contract rate to eXplore Plus, if these seats are not available the airfare will increase to a higher fare level.
  • Flight and airport taxes quoted are current and subject to change until we issue the tickets.
  • Children trekking restrictions: Gorilla trekking – No children younger than 15 years.
  • Wearing a mask while gorilla trekking is mandatory.
  • Maximum 10 clients per safari , with a maximum of 6 clients per vehicle .

 


National Parks

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

The Virunga mountain range dominates the National Park, and the landscape is dotted with waterfalls and lakes. With high annual rainfall, the rainforest is deserving of its name – impenetrable. Bwindi Forest is most famous for being the home to half of the world’s population of endangered Mountain Gorillas. The experience of encountering such animals is said to be one of the most emotional wildlife adventures you will ever have. The biodiversity in the forest is impeccable as it provides a home for over 310 species of butterfly, 200 trees, 88 months, 120 species of mammals including 10 species of primates and 51 reptiles. The various primates that can be found in the forest in addition to the mountain gorillas include the red-tailed and blue monkey, L’Hoest’s, chimpanzee, black and white colobus, and baboons. The Bwindi Forest also has over 350 species of birds. The area is also home to the Batwa Pygmies, who are the oldest inhabitants of the Great Lakes region of Central Africa. These hunter-gatherers have a rich, broad culture and history that they are happy to share.