17 Oct 2026
Twin share
£4,990pp
Single from £5,765
Escorted tour
Uganda & Rwanda Gorilla Safari: Bwindi & Volcanoes NP – 10 Days
Mountain gorillas in Bwindi, golden monkeys in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park and a walking safari at Lake Mburo, in a small group of up to 12.
10 days
From £4,990
Tour overview
This 10-day small-group trip crosses from Uganda into Rwanda in search of two of Africa's rarest primates: the mountain gorilla and the golden monkey. Groups have no more than 12 travellers aged 16 and over, with a tour leader throughout and specialist ranger guides for every walk and trek. You travel overland by minibus and stay in comfortable lodges, finishing with a night in a premium hotel in Kigali. The gorilla permit and golden monkey permit are both included, and so are 9 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 7 dinners. The trip is land-only, starting in Kampala and ending in Kigali.
From Kampala, on the shores of Lake Victoria, the route heads west to Lake Mburo, Uganda's smallest savannah park and one of the few places in the country with zebra. With no lions or elephants, it is also one of the only parks in Uganda where you can walk among the wildlife. You spend two nights here, with a guided walking safari across the plains, an afternoon boat trip among hippos, crocodiles and water birds, and a night drive in search of leopard.
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The landscape turns green and steep on the drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, through villages, coffee farms and banana plantations. Bwindi protects around half of the world's mountain gorillas, and you have three nights at its edge. The trek itself can take anything from two to eight hours through steep, muddy forest, and the reward is an hour with a habituated gorilla family. Visitor numbers at each family are strictly limited, so the group may trek on different days, with village and forest walks on the other day.
Crossing the Cyanika border brings you into Rwanda and Volcanoes National Park, set beneath the Virunga volcanoes. Here you walk into the bamboo forest to find a troop of golden monkeys, lively, colourful and endangered. There is also a visit to the Ellen DeGeneres Campus, which continues the conservation work begun by Dian Fossey. The trip ends in Kigali with a city tour that includes the views from Mount Kigali and the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a moving introduction to Rwanda's recent history.
The physical rating is high because of the gorilla trek, which needs good fitness and sturdy boots. Porters can be hired locally and are recommended. Gorilla permits are a significant part of the price, and a share of permit revenue supports the protection of the forest and the communities around it. This trip suits travellers who want a focused, well-paced primate safari with time in both countries.
Trip highlights
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A walking safari, boat trip and night drive at Lake Mburo (Days 2–3)
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A mountain gorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, permit included (Days 5–6)
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Village and forest walks around Bwindi (Day 6)
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A golden monkey trek in Volcanoes National Park, permit included (Day 8)
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The Ellen DeGeneres Campus, continuing Dian Fossey's work (Day 8)
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Kigali, Mount Kigali and the Genocide Memorial (Day 9)
Your route
5 stops from Kampala to Kigali
- Kampala Day 1
- Lake Mburo National Park Days 2–3
- Bwindi Days 4–6
- Kinigi (Volcanoes NP) Days 7–8
- Kigali Day 9
Why choose this tour
Both primate permits are included, so the price covers the two treks that matter most. Three nights at Bwindi leave time for the trek, a rest day and forest walks without rushing.
Best suited to
- Wildlife lovers with a dream of seeing mountain gorillas
- Active travellers comfortable with a long, steep forest trek
- Travellers who want to see both Uganda and Rwanda in one trip
- Anyone who prefers lodges to camping on safari
Day-by-day itinerary
10 days from Kampala, Uganda to Kigali, Rwanda
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Day 1 · Kampala, Lake Victoria Arrive in Kampala
Arrive in Kampala, Uganda's capital on the shores of Lake Victoria. There is a welcome meeting with your tour leader at 5pm, followed by the chance to have dinner at the lodge overlooking the lake. The nearest airport is Entebbe, about 45 minutes away.
- Hotel
- Cassia Lodge or similar
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Day 2 · Lake Mburo National Park Drive to Lake Mburo National Park
Drive west for around six hours to Lake Mburo, Uganda's smallest savannah park and home to 68 species of mammal, including leopard, hyena, buffalo and zebra. On arrival, head out on an afternoon game drive.
- Hotel
- Hyena Hill Lodge or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 3 · Lake Mburo National Park Walking safari, boat trip and night drive
With no lions or elephants, Lake Mburo is one of the only parks in Uganda where you can walk among the wildlife. Spend about two hours on foot with a ranger, looking for giraffe, zebra and impala. In the afternoon take a boat trip among hippos and crocodiles, then set out on a night drive in search of leopard.
- Hotel
- Hyena Hill Lodge or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 4 · Bwindi To Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
A scenic drive of around six hours through villages, coffee farms, banana plantations and rolling hills brings you to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest by mid-afternoon. This ancient rainforest is home to around half of the world's remaining mountain gorillas.
- Hotel
- Haven Lodge and Rest Camp or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 5 · Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Gorilla trek in Bwindi
Set out with ranger guides to find a habituated gorilla family. The walk is often steep and muddy, sometimes in rain, and usually takes two to four hours, though it can take up to eight. Once the family is found, you spend an hour watching the gorillas. The group may be split across Days 5 and 6 depending on permits.
- Hotel
- Haven Lodge and Rest Camp or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 6 · Bwindi Bwindi forest and villages
Travellers who did not trek yesterday go to see the gorillas today. The others can join an optional guided walk through the nearby villages or along forest trails. Bwindi is home to over 120 species of mammal and around 360 species of bird, many found nowhere else.
- Hotel
- Haven Lodge and Rest Camp or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 7 · Cyanika border, Volcanoes National Park Into Rwanda and Volcanoes National Park
Cross from Uganda into Rwanda at Cyanika, which usually takes around an hour, and continue to Volcanoes National Park in the Virunga Mountains. Settle into the lodge, where the cottage rooms have their own fireplaces.
- Hotel
- Ingagi Lodge or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 8 · Volcanoes National Park, Ellen DeGeneres Campus Golden monkey trek
Meet your ranger guide at park headquarters and walk into the bamboo forest at the foot of the volcanoes to find a troop of endangered golden monkeys, usually about an hour's walk away. Spend an hour with them. Later visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus, which continues the gorilla conservation work begun by Dian Fossey.
- Hotel
- Ingagi Lodge or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 9 · Kigali, Mount Kigali, Kigali Genocide Memorial Kigali city tour
Drive south to Rwanda's capital, Kigali. After lunch, tour the city, with views from Mount Kigali and a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, which tells the story of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi and Rwanda's recovery since.
- Hotel
- Hotel Des Mille Collines or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 10 · Kigali Trip ends in Kigali
The trip ends after breakfast, and you are free to leave at any time. Luggage can be stored at the hotel, and Kigali International Airport is about 30 minutes away.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Kampala (1 night) Cassia Lodge or similar
- Lake Mburo National Park (2 nights) Hyena Hill Lodge or similar
- Bwindi (3 nights) Haven Lodge and Rest Camp or similar
- Volcanoes National Park (2 nights) Ingagi Lodge or similar
- Kigali (1 night) Hotel Des Mille Collines or similar
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 9 nights in lodges and a city hotel
- Meals 9 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 7 dinners
- Permits one mountain gorilla trek in Bwindi and one golden monkey trek in Volcanoes National Park
- Wildlife activities Lake Mburo game drives including a night drive, a guided walking safari and a boat safari
- Transport overland by minibus, including the Uganda–Rwanda border crossing at Cyanika
- Guided visits the Ellen DeGeneres Campus, and a Kigali city tour with Mount Kigali and the Kigali Genocide Memorial
- Tour leader throughout, with local ranger guides for walks and treks
Not included
- International flights to Uganda and from Rwanda
- Airport transfers, available on request
- Visas for Uganda and Rwanda
- Meals not listed, drinks and optional activities such as the Bwindi village walk
- Porters on the gorilla trek, tips, travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want flights included — they are not
- You have limited mobility — the gorilla trek can last up to eight hours on steep, muddy ground
- You want the classic big five — Lake Mburo has no lions or elephants
- You dislike long road days — two drives take around six hours
Good to know
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £4,990 per person, twin share, tour only. 9 upcoming departures.
21 Nov 2026
Twin share
£5,120pp
Single from £5,895
16 Jan 2027
Twin share
£5,195pp
Single from £6,060
13 Feb 2027
Twin share
£5,195pp
Single from £6,060
24 Jul 2027
Twin share
£5,195pp
Single from £6,060
14 Aug 2027
Twin share
£5,195pp
Single from £6,060
18 Sep 2027
Twin share
£5,195pp
Single from £6,060
16 Oct 2027
Twin share
£5,195pp
Single from £6,060
20 Nov 2027
Twin share
£5,195pp
Single from £6,060
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this tour?
Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.
What financial protection do I get?
Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.
Is the gorilla permit included?
Yes. One mountain gorilla trek in Bwindi and one golden monkey trek in Volcanoes National Park are included in the price, with ranger guides.
How hard is the gorilla trek?
It can be demanding. Expect steep, muddy forest paths and possibly rain. Most treks take two to four hours to reach the gorillas, but some take up to eight. Porters can be hired locally for around USD 20 and are recommended.
How close do you get to the gorillas?
Each habituated family can be visited by up to eight people a day, and you spend one hour with them once they are found. Rangers set the distance, and the gorillas are generally calm.
Will the whole group trek on the same day?
Not always. Because permits for each family are limited, the group may be split across Days 5 and 6, with forest and village walks on the other day.
Are flights included?
No. You fly into Entebbe for Kampala and out of Kigali. Airport transfers can be arranged on request.
What should I pack?
Waterproof walking boots with ankle support, long trousers and long sleeves, gardening-style gloves for gripping vegetation, rain gear, warm layers for cool evenings at altitude, insect repellent and a head torch.
Can you tailor the trip?
Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.
What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.
ATOL protected
100% financially protected in a Trust bank account
PTS 6035
4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option
Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.
If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.
Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary