5 Days Bwindi and Volcanoes Gorilla Trek

Overview

The 5 Days Bwindi and Volcanoes Gorilla Trek offers a double gorilla trekking adventure in Uganda’s Bwindi Forest National Park and Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. Immerse yourself in the thrilling search for endangered gentle giants.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Kigali City Tour and Transfer to Ruhengeri – Volcanoes National Park.

Upon arrival, you will be greeted by a company representative and transferred to Kigali, where you will eat breakfast before embarking on a city tour that includes visits to Kimironko market and the genocide memorial site.

Have lunch at the historic Hôtel des Mille Collines, which was featured in the film “Hotel Rwanda,” and then transfer to Ruhengeri, the closest town to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda’s northern province, where you will arrive in the evening. Dinner and stay at Hotel Muhabura or Gorilla View Lodge.

Day 2: Gorilla Trekking at Volcanoes National Park.

You will have an early breakfast and then transfer to the park headquarters with your packed lunch and bottled water for a 7:00 a.m. briefing by the park ranger guides. Following the briefing, you will begin your gorilla trekking expedition, accompanied by ranger guides, in search of mountain gorillas, which will take 2 to 8 hours depending on the gorillas’ movements. However, the guides will attempt to locate them based on where they were last seen the day before! You will spend an hour with these gentle giants before returning to your lodge to recharge and rest. In the evening, you can participate in an optional community tour of Ruhengeri to learn about Rwandan culture. Dinner and overnight  at the lodge of your choice

Day 3: Transfer to Kisoro or Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

After breakfast, go to Kisoro town, the base for gorilla trekking in southern Bwindi. You will have lunch en way before entering Uganda through the Cyanika border, arriving in Kisoro in the afternoon, and continuing to Bwindi. Dinner and overnight stay at Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge or Bwindi Jungle Lodge.

Day 4: Mountain Gorilla Trekking

Have an early breakfast and then head to the park office headquarters with a packed lunch for a crucial briefing before trekking the gorillas through the dense, impenetrable forest. You get to spend an hour with the gorillas after trekking for 2-8 hours. If you still feel strong, go for a short nature stroll to the local Batwa community. Check out the curio shops and the children’s school, among other things. If you are a nature enthusiast, another choice is the Munyanja River Trail, where you may see a variety of birds and butterflies. Return for dinner and overnight, as described above.

Day 5: Visit Bunyonyi and transfer to Kigali.

You will enjoy an early breakfast and then drive to Lake Bunyonyi in Kabale for a brief motorized canoe cruise to admire the lake’s splendor. Have lunch at Birdnest immediately beside the lake and travel to Kigali city arriving late afternoon, then proceed to the airport for your onward trip.