9-DAY UGANDA-RWANDA GORILLA TOURS
From US$9,250 – $15,580 Per Person
SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS:
Rwanda Gorilla Trekking | Nyungwe Chimpanzee Tracking | Volcanoes National Parks | Visit Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village | Uganda Gorilla Trekking | Queen Elizabeth National Park
Overview: 9-Day Uganda-Rwanda Gorilla Tours
9-Day Uganda-Rwanda Gorilla Tours
Experience the ultimate adventure holiday with our 9-Day Uganda-Rwanda Gorilla Tours, a journey through the breathtaking landscapes and rich cultures of Rwanda and Uganda. This meticulously designed tour features a private 4×4 vehicle and a dedicated expert guide, ensuring a personalized and unforgettable experience. Accommodation ranges from luxurious Tier 1 to comfortable Tier 3 lodges, perfectly located to offer both proximity to key attractions and top-notch amenities.
Your 9 Days Uganda-Rwanda Gorilla Tours starts in Kigali, Rwanda’s vibrant capital, where you’ll explore Genocide memorials, and National Parks. You’ll then venture into Nyungwe Forest National Park, one of the best places to visit for chimpanzee and golden monkey treks, canopy walks, and bird watching. Next, head to Volcanoes National Park for an awe-inspiring gorilla trekking experience, cultural immersions, and optional hikes.
The journey continues in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda, renowned for its remarkable mountain gorilla encounters. The final days of your 9-Day Uganda-Rwanda Gorilla Tours will be spent in Queen Elizabeth National Park, where diverse wildlife and stunning landscapes await.
Customize your Rwanda Gorilla Tours with additional destinations, extra nights, or bespoke activities. Opt to conclude the tour in Kigali for a culturally rich finale, offering a unique twist to your adventure.
Package Inclusions
The 9-Day Uganda-Rwanda Gorilla Tours offers a luxurious all-inclusive experience with private 4×4 safari transportation, top-tier lodge accommodations, and all meals provided. The package includes essential permits for gorilla and chimpanzee trekking, with Rwanda Gorilla permits at $1500, Uganda Gorilla permits at $800, the Uganda Chimpanzee permit at $250, and the Nyungwe Chimpanzee permit at $90, all payable in advance.
Additionally, the tour features a Kigali city tour, daily mineral water, an English-speaking driver/guide, and a travelogue fromNjagi Creative Print, ensuring a seamless and unforgettable journey through the natural and cultural wonders of both Rwanda and Uganda.
Package Exclusions
The 9-Day Uganda-Rwanda Gorilla Tours package does not cover personal expenses such as airfare, visa fees, beverages, laundry services, tips for local guides, telephone charges, porter fees during trekking, personal insurance, and shopping costs. Travelers are advised to budget separately for these additional expenses.
9-DAY UGANDA-RWANDA GORILLA TOURS
Day-To-Day Program
Day 1: Arrival Transfer From Kigali International Airport (KGL)
- Accommodation: Serena Hotel (Luxury), Park Inn By Radisson Kigali (Upmarket) Chez Lando Hotel (Midrange)
- Optional Tour Activities: Kigali Genocide Memorial, Kandt House, The Dancing Pots, Caplaki Handicrafts Cooperative, Art Galleries – Inema, Ivuka & Niyo
- Meal Plan: Dinner
On Day 1 of your 9-Day Uganda-Rwanda Gorilla Tours, you will arrive at Kigali International Airport (KGL) and be transferred to your chosen accommodation: the elegant Serena Hotel, the upscale Park Inn by Radisson Kigali, or the cozy Chez Lando Hostel. Your 9-Day Uganda-Rwanda Gorilla Tours kicks off in Kigali, Rwanda’s vibrant capital, where you can explore cultural landmarks, delve into the city’s rich history, and soak up its lively atmosphere.
Day 2: Drive To Nyungwe National Park From Kigali
- Optional Activities: Swamp and waterfall hikes, bird and canopy walks
- Accommodation: One&Only Nyungwe House (Luxury), Nyungwe Top View Hotel (Midrange), Gisakura Guest House (Budget)
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
A Featured Accommodation| Nyungwe Top View Hotel
On Day 2 of your 9-Day Uganda-Rwanda Gorilla Tours, you’ll stay at the luxurious Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel, perched on a hill in Nyungwe Forest, One of East Africa’s largest forest block.
This elegant retreat features 12 self-contained rooms, including 4 twin and 8 queen-sized apartments, each equipped with a cozy sitting area, fireplace, and a balcony offering stunning views of Nyungwe National Park, Kahuzi Biega National Park, tea plantations, Lake Kivu, and the surrounding volcanoes and Idjwi Island.
Enjoy breathtaking vistas from the verandah and savor wholesome meals either in the dining area or al fresco on the deck. The hotel’s prime location provides easy access to Nyungwe Park’s diverse trails, perfect for chimpanzee spotting, birdwatching, and exploring waterfalls.
Discover the forest’s rich flora and fauna, including over 310 bird species and 140 types of orchids, enhancing your 9-Day Uganda-Rwanda Gorilla Tours experience. This immersive setting is an integral part of your Uganda-Rwanda Gorilla Tours journey.
Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking or Canopy Walk
- Included Activities: Chimpanzee tracking at 07:30 hours
Optional Activities: Swamp and waterfall hikes, bird and canopy walks - Accommodation: Nyungwe Forest Lodge (Luxury), Nyungwe Top View Hotel (Midrange), Gisakura Guest House (Budget)
- Meal Plan: Dinner
Nyungwe National Park
Nyungwe National Park, situated in southwestern Rwanda within the Albertine Rift eco-region, is a key highlight of the 9-Day Uganda-Rwanda Gorilla Tours.
Spanning 970 square kilometers, this mid-elevation rainforest is one of Africa’s last great rainforests and a crucial conservation area. It boasts an impressive diversity of flora and fauna, including 310 bird species.
Birdwatchers will be particularly excited by the chance to see rare species such as white-headed wood hoopoes, paradise flycatchers, Ruwenzori turacos, and red-collared mountain babblers. The park’s lush woodlands and vibrant ecosystem provide a stunning backdrop for exploration, making Nyungwe National Park an essential part of your 9-Day Uganda-Rwanda Gorilla Tours and a highlight of your luxury safari experience.
Day 4: Transfer From Nyungwe National Park to Volcanoes National Park
- Optional Activities: Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village Tour & Dian Fossey Grave Shrine Tour, Mount Karisimbi or Bisoke Hike, Musanze Caves & Buhanga Forest Tour
- Accommodation: Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge (Luxury), Virunga Lodge (Upmarket) Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge (Midrange), Garden Place Hotel (Standard), Muhabura Hotel (Budget)
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Featured Accommodations: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodges
During your 9-Day Uganda-Rwanda Gorilla Tours, you’ll stay at Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge,, ideally located just 2.5 hours from Kigali International Airport and 10 minutes from Volcanoes National Park headquarters.
This eco-friendly lodge features 23 self-contained cottages, each with a cozy fireplace and constructed from sustainable bamboo, offering breathtaking views of Mount Sabyinyo and the Virunga mountains. Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge is dedicated to sustainability and supports the local community, enhancing your 9-Day Uganda-Rwanda Gorilla Tours with cultural performances by a local dancing troupe and an authentic Rwandan ambiance.
Day 5: Volcanoes National Park
- Included Activities: One gorilla trek
- Optional Activities: Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village Tour & Dian Fossey Grave Shrine Tour, Mount Karisimbi or Bisoke Hike, Musanze Caves & Buhanga Forest Tour
- Accommodation: Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge (Luxury), Virunga Lodge (Upmarket) Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge (Midrange), Garden Place Hotel (Standard), Muhabura Hotel (Budget)
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park, spanning Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Uganda, is renowned for its spectacular wildlife and diverse landscapes. In Rwanda, this 160-square-kilometer reserve, also known as Parc National des Volcans, offers a range of habitats from evergreen and bamboo forests to tropical rainforests, grasslands, serene lakes, and rugged volcanoes.
The park is famed for its population of endangered mountain gorillas, which visitors can observe up close during guided treks on your 9-Day Uganda-Rwanda Gorilla Tours. This immersive experience allows you to witness these majestic primates in their natural environment as they forage for bamboo shoots, wild celery, nettles, and fruit.
Beyond gorilla trekking, your 9-Day Uganda-Rwanda Gorilla Tours in Volcanoes National Park offers a variety of enriching activities. You can explore the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village to gain insight into local traditions and community life, or visit the Dian Fossey Grave Shrine to learn about the pioneering conservationist’s work with gorillas.
Day 6: Transfer from Volcanoes National Park to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Optional Activities: Community Tour
- Accommodation: Bwindi Lodge (Luxury), Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp (Upmarket) Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge (Midrange), Chameleon Hill (Standard), Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge (Budget)
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Featured Accommodation: Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge
During your 9-Day Uganda-Rwanda Gorilla Tours, consider staying at Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge, a comfortable mid-range accommodation located near the Rushaga gorilla trailhead in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Situated 6 kilometers west of Nyanamo Trading Centre in Kisoro District, the lodge is easily accessible from Entebbe or Kampala via a scenic flight to Kisoro. From this prime location, guests enjoy stunning views of the Virunga Volcanoes, Lake Bunyonyi, and Lake Mutanda.
The Rushaga sector, known for its numerous gorilla families and proximity to the Nkuringo area, offers exceptional tracking opportunities on your 9-Day Uganda-Rwanda Gorilla Tours. The lodge provides breathtaking vistas of the Kigezi hills, Virunga volcanoes, and the lush Bwindi forest canopy.
Featuring well-maintained, comfortable accommodations along with a bar and restaurant serving both local and international cuisine, Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge enhances your safari experience with both relaxation and scenic beauty.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, located in southwestern Uganda on the edge of the Rift Valley, is renowned for its mist-covered hills and ancient rainforest, which has existed for over 25,000 years.
This biologically rich forest is home to approximately 459 mountain gorillas, about half of the world’s population, and nearly 400 plant species.
On your 9-Day Uganda-Rwanda Gorilla Tours, visitors can track several habituated gorilla groups, starting with the Mubare group from April 1993. The park’s rugged terrain also supports 120 mammal species, including baboons, chimpanzees, elephants, and antelopes, and 350 bird species, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics. Bwindi is a sanctuary for around 200 butterfly species and numerous reptiles.
Nearby towns like Buhoma and Nkuringo offer various accommodations, dining, and craft shopping options, while cultural experiences with the Bakiga and Batwa Pygmy communities enrich your Uganda-Rwanda Gorilla Tours adventure.
Day 7: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Inclusive Activities: Gorilla Trekking Permit per Person
- Optional Activities: Birding, Nature Walks and Community walks
- Accommodation: Bwindi Lodge (Luxury), Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp (Upmarket) Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge (Midrange), Chameleon Hill (Standard), Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge (Budget)
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Transfer from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Optional Activities: Lion-viewing, Scenic Views, Boat Cruising, Chimpanzee Trekking, The Shoebill Swamp, Volcanic Explosion Craters Around Queen Elizabeth Park, Primates & Bird Watching In Maramagambo Forest
- Accommodation: Kyambura Gorge Lodge (Luxury), Katara Lodge (Midrange), Elephant Hab Lodge (Standard),Enganzi Lodge (Budget)
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Featured Accommodation: Elephant Hab Lodge
On your 9-Day Uganda-Rwanda Gorilla Tours, experience luxury at Elephant Hab Lodge, a stunning retreat situated on the edge of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Located in the picturesque Kyambura Gorge, the lodge is just a 10-minute drive from the chimpanzee tracking point and set in an area frequently visited by grazing elephants. Guests can enjoy views of these majestic animals from the infinity pool or their private cottage balconies.
The lodge’s design, featuring wood, canvas, and grass-thatched roofs, seamlessly blends with the natural environment. Offering accommodations ranging from single to family-sized cottages, Elephant Hab Lodge provides some of the finest lodging options near the park. While dining, you might spot velvet monkeys in the vicinity, but please remember not to feed them during your 9-Day Uganda-Rwanda Gorilla Tours.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park, located in western Uganda between Lakes Albert and George and intersected by the Kazinga Channel, is a premier destination for any Rwanda-Uganda Safari.
Spanning 700 square miles, the park is renowned for its exceptional biodiversity, featuring 618 bird species—one of the highest diversities in the world—and 10 primate species, including chimpanzees. It is also home to 95 mammal species, including big game and the unique tree-climbing lions found in the Ishasha sector.
The park, named in honor of the Queen of England following her 1954 visit, offers a variety of attractions such as the Kazinga Channel, famous for its hippos and Nile crocodiles, the expansive Kasenyi Plains, and the lush Kyambura Gorge, known for rewarding chimpanzee tracking.
Visitors on Uganda African Safaris can enjoy excellent game viewing on the Mweya Peninsula, explore the Lake Katwe Salt Works, and take in the breathtaking views from the Katwe Explosion Crater Lakes.
The park is accessible by a 6.5-hour drive from Kampala or by charter flight and offers a range of accommodations from luxury lodges to budget campsites. For the best experience, plan your safari during the dry seasons from January to February or June to September, with peak safari time between June and September.
Day 9: Queen Elizabeth National Park and Departure
- Included Activities: Game Drives
- Optional Activities: Lion-viewing, Scenic Views, Boat Cruising, Chimpanzee Trekking, The Shoebill Swamp, Volcanic Explosion Craters Around Queen Elizabeth Park, Primates & Bird Watching In Maramagambo Forest
INQUIRE OR REQUEST FOR A SAFARI QUOTE
SAFARI TOUR EXTENSIONS
Check out Our Safari Tour Extensions: Enhance your holiday in Africa by exploring our Uganda & Rwanda Safari Add-Ons. Safaris you might be interested in.
