Kigali: 4-Day Gorilla, Wildlife, and Chimpanzee Trekking｜Rwanda

Day 1: Transfer from Kigali, Rwanda to Bwindi National Park in Uganda

Get picked up at Kigali Airport or downtown Kigali and drive to Bwindi National Park. The scenic 4-5-hour drive to Uganda will take you through Rwanda’s northern town of Ruhengeri and then cross over into Uganda via the Cyanika or Katuna border post. The trip continues through the nearby Kisoro or Kabale town and finally into Bwindi National Park. Arrive at Bwindi National Park in the early afternoon and enjoy optional activities such as canoeing or visiting the local community.

Day 2: Gorilla Trekking Bwindi National Park

Head to Bwindi National Park/Mgahinga Gorilla National Park immediately after breakfast to get a briefing about the gorilla trek. The presentation will cover the basics of what to expect during the trek, how to approach the animals for both your and their safety. The national park guide will assign all visitors a gorilla family to track and after that, your adventure begins. Depending on how far the gorillas are inside the forest, the trek can last from 3 to 8 hours, the average time being between 3 and 5. Venture into the vegetation until you come across these incredible creatures, it is a truly unique experience. After the trek, return to the lodge to relax, eat dinner, and enjoy a good night’s sleep.

Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Start the journey in the morning from Kisoro/Bwindi area and drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive will take you through the stunning landscapes of southwestern Uganda.

Arrive in time to join a boat safari on the Kazinga Channel to enjoy possible sightings of hippos and elephants.

Day 4: Chimpanzee Trekking at Kalinzu Forest Reserve and Transfer to Kigali

After breakfast, drive to Kalinzu Forest to experience tracking the chimpanzees in their forest home. Kalinzu Forest is a haven for chimp trekking in Uganda and visitors have more than a 50% chance of encountering the animals. If you are lucky, on the Kalinzu trek, you might encounter one of the 6 different species of primates that call the area home. These include the colobus monkey, the olive baboon, and the red-tailed monkey. After an exhilarating morning of wildlife sightings, it’s time to end the trip, and you will be taken to Kigali