A Rwanda and Uganda gorilla safari lets you trek twice and compare the two experiences. You meet gorillas in the volcanoes of Rwanda, cross the border at Cyanika and trek again in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda.
- FromUSD 3,590per person sharing, 6 people, budget lodges, both permits included
- Duration7 days, 6 nights
- StartsKigali (Nairobi flights daily)
- Best forGorilla lovers who want two treks in two countries
- StylePrivate van with a driver guide
Rated 5.0 on Google from 46 reviews. Price confirmed in writing before you pay.
The two parks are close and the border crossing is simple with our help. You also get a rest day at Lake Bunyonyi, one of the most beautiful lakes in East Africa. A private van and driver guide stay with you throughout.
Below you will find the plan, the cost, both permit prices and the best months. Message us on WhatsApp for a written quote.
Highlights
- Two gorilla treks: Volcanoes in Rwanda and Bwindi in Uganda
- Both permits booked for you and shown as separate lines
- A rest day at Lake Bunyonyi, with canoe rides and birds
- Easy border crossing at Cyanika with our help
- Start and end in Kigali, with short drives each day
- Private van and driver guide with a pop up roof
Day by day plan
- Day 1
Kigali to Musanze
A driver meets you at Kigali airport. You visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial for about 2 hours, then drive 2.5 hours north to Musanze. You check in to your lodge near the park. The evening is quiet, with views of the volcanoes if the sky is clear.
- Day 2
Gorilla trek in Rwanda
You meet your ranger at Kinigi at 7 am for a briefing. A group of eight visitors is assigned to each gorilla family. The trek takes 1 to 5 hours. You spend one hour with the family. You return to the lodge for lunch and rest.
- Day 3
Musanze to Lake Bunyonyi
You drive about 3 hours to the Cyanika border. We help with immigration on both sides. The road passes tea hills and small villages. You reach Lake Bunyonyi in the afternoon and take a canoe ride on the water. The lake has 29 islands and no hippos or crocodiles.
- Day 4
Lake Bunyonyi to Rushaga
You enjoy a slow morning and a short walk around the lake. Then you drive about 2.5 hours to Rushaga in southern Bwindi. You check in to your lodge and rest. The forest is close and the air is cool and damp.
- Day 5
Gorilla trek in Uganda
You meet your ranger at 7.30 am for a briefing. Treks in Bwindi can last 1 to 6 hours over steep ground. You spend one hour with a family. Porters help and the forest feels very different from the volcanoes. You return for lunch and a long rest.
- Day 6
Rushaga to Kigali
You drive back to Rwanda, about 5 hours, crossing Cyanika again. We help with the border. You reach Kigali in the late afternoon and check in to a hotel. The evening is free for dinner in the city.
- Day 7
Kigali and departure
You have a free morning for a craft market, a coffee tour or a short city drive. A driver takes you to the airport for your flight. Flights to Nairobi take about 1 hour 30 minutes.
Rwanda and Uganda gorilla safari, guide price per person sharing, USD
| Tier | 2 people | 4 people | 6 people |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget lodges | USD 3,990 | USD 3,720 | USD 3,590 |
| Mid range lodges | USD 4,790 | USD 4,490 | USD 4,340 |
| Luxury lodges | USD 6,590 | USD 6,190 | USD 5,990 |
- Guide price per person sharing, confirmed in writing on WhatsApp before any payment
- Includes the Rwanda permit of USD 1,500 and the Uganda permit of USD 800
- Uganda permits drop to about USD 600 in Apr, May and Nov and we pass the saving on
- Flights to Kigali are not included
- Peak months are Jun to Sep and Dec to Jan, so book both permits early
Get my exact price on WhatsApp
Reserve this trip
Pick your dates and group. See the total. Hold it with a deposit.
Pay by Mpesa, bank transfer or card once we confirm in writing. Free changes until you confirm.
Included
- Rwanda gorilla permit worth USD 1,500
- Uganda gorilla permit worth USD 800
- Private van with a pop up roof and a driver guide
- 6 nights accommodation on full board in your chosen tier
- Border assistance at Cyanika and a Kigali city tour
- Airport pickup and drop off in Kigali
Not included
- International and regional flights
- Visas, which we help you arrange
- Porters at about USD 20 each trek, which we can book
- Tips for your driver guide, rangers and trackers
- Travel insurance
- Alcohol and drinks outside meals
Why Do a Rwanda and Uganda Gorilla Safari?
A Rwanda and Uganda gorilla safari gives you a real comparison. In Rwanda the gorillas live in bamboo and open volcano slopes. In Uganda they live in thick, ancient rainforest. The terrain, the air and the light are very different.
It also uses the geography well. The two parks are less than half a day apart. Most travellers pick one country, but this combo is easy and costs less than two separate trips.
For a single country trip, see our 3 day Rwanda gorilla trekking page or the Uganda gorilla trek 4 days.
How Much Is a Rwanda and Uganda Gorilla Safari?
For a Rwanda and Uganda gorilla safari, our budget price starts at USD 3,590 per person for six people sharing. Four people pay about USD 3,720 each and two pay about USD 3,990 each. Mid range starts near USD 4,790 for two and luxury near USD 6,590 for two.
The two permits cost USD 2,300 together. That is about two thirds of the budget price. Competitors list 8 day trips from USD 7,500. See our Rwanda gorilla permit cost and Uganda gorilla trekking cost pages for details.
Is It Worth Trekking in Both Countries?
Yes, if you love gorillas and have the budget. The second trek is different from the first. You see different families and different behaviour. Photos and memories grow richer.
If you can only do one, Uganda is cheaper and Rwanda is more convenient. Our Uganda vs Rwanda gorilla trekking guide helps you decide. A Rwanda and Uganda gorilla safari is the right choice if you do not want to choose.
The Border Crossing at Cyanika
Every Rwanda and Uganda gorilla safari we run uses Cyanika, a quiet border post between Rwanda and Uganda. We arrange the paperwork and a driver on each side. The crossing takes 30 to 60 minutes.
Kenyan passport holders can usually cross without a visa. Other travellers can use the East Africa Tourist Visa of about USD 100, which covers Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya. We confirm the current rules at booking. Carry your passport and yellow fever certificate.
Lake Bunyonyi: A Rest Day Between Treks
Lake Bunyonyi sits at about 1,950 metres. Its name means place of little birds. The lake has 29 islands, terraced hills and calm water with no hippos or crocodiles.
You can canoe, swim, birdwatch or just sit on a deck. After a hard trek, the rest day helps your legs. It is also a very scenic stop. A Rwanda and Uganda gorilla safari without it would feel rushed.
Fitness and Trekking Tips
On a Rwanda and Uganda gorilla safari, Rwanda treks are often shorter but steep. Uganda treks can be longer and muddier. Both need good boots, patience and average fitness. Porters cost about USD 20 and help with bags and balance.
The minimum age is 15. Anyone with a cold or flu will be refused. See our gorilla trekking from Nairobi page for advice on training and gear.
Best Time for a Rwanda and Uganda Gorilla Safari
For a Rwanda and Uganda gorilla safari, Jun to Sep and Dec to Feb are the driest months. Trails are easier and views clearer. Mar to May and Oct to Nov are rainy, with mud on the slopes.
The wet months can have cheaper Uganda permits. Pack a rain jacket and waterproof boots in any month. Read our best time to visit Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda page.
Rwanda Trek Versus Uganda Trek
The treks feel different. In Rwanda you start in farmland and climb through bamboo to open slopes. Groups are tightly managed and the park is well run. In Uganda you walk in thick, tangled forest with a lot of mud and steep climbs.
Gorillas in both countries are the same species. Rwanda groups have eight visitors each and so do Uganda groups. Both give one hour. A Rwanda and Uganda gorilla safari lets you judge which you prefer.
- Rwanda: volcano slopes, bamboo, shorter walks, higher permit
- Uganda: ancient rainforest, longer walks, lower permit
- Both: eight visitors, one hour and a briefing from rangers
Lodges by Tier
In Musanze, Bunyonyi, Rushaga and Kigali we pick lodges close to the activity. Budget lodges have private rooms and hot water. Mid range lodges have large rooms and good views. Luxury lodges have suites, spas and fine dining.
Meals are on full board in the parks. In Kigali you get bed and breakfast.
What to Pack
Pack for rain, mud and cold mornings. Waterproof boots, long trousers, a rain jacket, gardening gloves and a warm fleece are essential. Bring a dry bag for your camera and a small daypack.
Our safari packing checklist covers the basics. Keep your heavy bag in the van and take only what you need on each trek. A Rwanda and Uganda gorilla safari means two border crossings, so carry your passport at all times.
A Sample Budget for a Couple
A couple in the mid range tier pays about USD 9,580 for the whole trip. Add USD 160 for two sets of porters, USD 200 for tips and USD 250 for drinks and souvenirs.
Your flights to Kigali come on top. We show each permit as its own line. That makes it easy to see where the money goes in a Rwanda and Uganda gorilla safari.
Photography and Gorilla Etiquette
Gorillas live in dim forest, so use a fast lens and high ISO. Flash is banned. Keep a distance of 7 metres and keep your voice low. If a gorilla approaches, stay calm and follow the ranger.
Bring spare batteries and cards. A rain cover protects your gear. Respect for the animals is part of the experience.
Getting to Kigali from Nairobi
Flights from Nairobi to Kigali take about 1 hour 30 minutes, with several flights each day. We meet you at the airport. This Rwanda and Uganda gorilla safari starts and ends in Kigali, so your flights are simple.
If you want a Kenya safari first, see our 12 day Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda safari or the 7 day Kenya safari and Rwanda gorillas.
Health, Insurance and Booking
Take malaria tablets and carry a yellow fever certificate. Our vaccinations and malaria guide has the basics. Insurance with medical evacuation is wise. See our travel insurance guide.
Permits for a Rwanda and Uganda gorilla safari sell out, so book three to six months ahead for Jun to Sep. Use the book and pay page or message us on WhatsApp at +254 720 731957.
How to book your Rwanda and Uganda gorilla safari
Booking your Rwanda and Uganda gorilla safari with us takes about five minutes of your time. The rest is our job. Here is exactly what happens, step by step, so there are no surprises along the way.
- Send your dates. Message us on WhatsApp with your travel dates, how many people are coming and the ages of any children. Tell us if you have a budget in mind. We plan with it, not around it.
- Get a written quote. We reply with a clear price per person, what it includes and what it does not. No hidden park fees and no vague extras. If a cheaper camp or a shorter route makes more sense, we say so.
- Tweak it until it fits. Change a camp, add a night or swap a park. Ask as many questions as you like. Changes cost nothing until you confirm.
- Confirm with a deposit. A deposit holds your vehicle, guide and rooms. You get a written confirmation with every detail and the date the balance is due.
- Travel day. Your driver guide meets you at your hotel or the airport with a name board. You have their number and ours for the whole trip.
What every trip with us includes
Every Rwanda and Uganda gorilla safari plan we put together comes with the basics done properly. You ride in a safari vehicle with a pop up roof, with a professional driver guide who knows the parks. Water is in the cooler box and park fees are sorted in advance so you do not stand in a queue at the gate.
We also stay reachable. If something changes on the road, a flat tyre, a closed route or a sudden storm, we sort it and keep you posted on WhatsApp.
Paying safely
We share payment details in writing only and every payment gets a receipt. The payment options and the balance date sit on your written quote, so nothing is left to memory or a phone call.
Why book with a Nairobi team
We live here. We drive these roads all year, we know which camps are honest about their photos and we know when a park is too busy to enjoy. That local knowledge is what turns a good Rwanda and Uganda gorilla safari into a great one. Our Google rating sits at 5.0 from 46 reviews and we plan to keep it that way.
Ready when you are. Send us a message and we will put a plan together for you shortly.
Questions people ask
Is it worth trekking gorillas in both Rwanda and Uganda?
Yes, if you love gorillas and have the budget. A Rwanda and Uganda gorilla safari gives you two different forests, two families and two sets of photos. The second trek feels fresh. If you can only do one, Uganda is cheaper and Rwanda is easier.
How much is a gorilla permit in Rwanda?
A Rwanda gorilla permit costs USD 1,500 per person. East African citizens pay a lower rate. We book the permit when you pay the deposit and show it as its own line in your quote.
Can I do Rwanda gorillas from Nairobi?
Yes. Fly from Nairobi to Kigali in about 1 hour 30 minutes. We meet you at the airport and start the trip. After Day 7 you fly back to Nairobi, which is also about 1 hour 30 minutes.
What does a Rwanda safari package include?
Our package includes both gorilla permits, lodges on full board, a private vehicle with a driver guide, a Kigali city tour, border assistance and airport transfers. Flights, visas, tips and porters are not included.
Do Kenyans need a visa for Rwanda?
Kenyan passport holders can usually enter Rwanda and Uganda without a visa under East African rules. We confirm the current rule when you book. Other travellers can use the East Africa Tourist Visa of about USD 100.
How much is the Uganda permit in this combo?
The Uganda permit is USD 800 for most of the year. It drops to about USD 600 in Apr, May and Nov and we pass on the saving. The Rwanda permit stays at USD 1,500.
Can I add a safari in Kenya before the gorillas?
Yes. Many guests add three to five days in the Maasai Mara or Amboseli first. See our Kenya safari packages and prices page. We price a combined Kenya and gorilla trip in one written quote.
Official information: Rwanda Development Board.
Ready when you are. Send your dates and group size. We reply with a clear price and a plan you can change.
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