7 Days Uganda Rwanda Double Gorilla Trekking Safari
7 day Rwanda Uganda Double Gorilla trekking is a highly organized primate adventure, involving treks in both Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (or two distinct sectors of Bwindi) within a week. This 7 Days Rwanda Uganda Double gorilla Safari itinerary provides two different opportunities to observe mountain gorillas, alongside additional activities such as chimpanzee tracking, canopy walks, cultural excursions, and game drives, highlighting diverse park ecosystems and gorilla groups. The 7 Day Rwanda Double Gorilla Trekking package necessitates early reservation of permits and entails cross-border travel, typically commencing in Kigali, Rwanda, and concluding in Entebbe, Uganda, or vice versa.
Book the 7 days Rwanda Uganda safari to Kibale forest National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park & Volcanoes National Park.
Highlights of the 7-Day Double Gorilla Trek Safari in Uganda and Rwanda
Day 1: Transfer from Kigali to Kibale National Park
Day 2: Tracking chimpanzees in Kibale Forest – Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 3: Game drive – Boat cruise at the Kazinga Channel
Day 4: Game drive in the Ishasa sector – Transfer to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda
Day 5:Tracking mountain gorillas in Rwanda – Visiting the Iby’iwacu traditional community
Day 6: Golden Monkey Tracking – Explore the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo
Day 7: Return to Kigali – Kigali City Tour – Departure
A Detailed 7 Days Uganda Rwanda Double Gorilla Trekking Safari
Day #1: Transfer from Kigali to Kibale National Park
Rise early and have breakfast while awaiting your transfer from the hotel. If you are traveling by plane, our company guide will be awaiting your arrival to commence the journey to Kibale National Park for the 7-day safari in Rwanda and Uganda. The travel will need 5 to 6 hours, necessitating an early departure. Appreciate the picturesque landscapes of Rwanda and Uganda on your journey. Ensure that all your documents are prepared, since they will be required at the Uganda-Rwanda border crossing. A yellow fever vaccination card is of significant importance. Lunch will be consumed at an appropriate location en route. The driver will guarantee your timely arrival, allowing for enough relaxation in preparation for the following day’s chimpanzee tracking.
Evening meal and overnight accommodation at Kyaninga Lodge (luxury), Primates Lodge (midrange), and Chimpanzee Guest House (cheap).
Day 2: Tracking chimpanzees in Kibale Forest – Queen Elizabeth National Park
Rise early following yesterday’s prolonged repose and partake in your meal. The business Guide will transport you to the park offices for a briefing. The briefing, conducted by a park guide, including the forest, anticipated experiences, the chimpanzee populations within the park, and appropriate conduct around them. Chimpanzee hiking typically lasts between 3 to 5 hours. The experience differs from gorilla trekking due to the greater mobility of the chimpanzees.
This suggests that you may need to continue pursuing them at a rapid pace even after locating them. A chimpanzee troop exhibits heightened drama, with fights among members being a persistent phenomenon. Gorilla groups exhibit a high degree of organization, with the silverback gorilla possessing ultimate authority, often without the necessity of visible indications of dominance. The advantage of chimpanzees is that locating them is facilitated by their vocalizations. Their sounds can be perceived from considerable distances before to visual confirmation. As I mentioned, chimpanzee groups exhibit more dramatic behavior, which can be more exhilarating than encounters with gorillas.
Following one hour of observation of the group, you will return to your lodge for lunch and repose. In the afternoon, our guide will begin the two-hour drive from Kibale National Park to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Upon check-in, you may stroll around your resort prior to retiring for the night at your earliest convenience.
Dinner and overnight accommodations will be provided at Mweya Safari Lodge (luxury), Park View Lodge (mid-range), and Simba Safari Camp (cheap).
Day 3: Game drive – Boat cruise at the Kazinga Channel
You will awaken early and be transported to the Kasenyi plains or Mweya area with your packed breakfast for the morning game drive. This morning wildlife drive is intended to enable you to observe the nocturnal creatures returning to their dens after nighttime hunting. Anticipate observing leopards, hippos, hartebeests, lions, tiny primates, birds, and other early risers in the morning. Upon concluding the wildlife drive, you will return to the lodge for an early lunch before resting in anticipation of the subsequent activity in Queen Elizabeth National Park. At 2:00 PM, the company representative will escort you to the Kazinga Channel for a boat tour. The Kazinga Channel divides Lake Edward from Lake George. It serves as a central hub for the majority of animals in Queen Elizabeth. It is among the premier locations for avian observation in Africa. During the boat tour, you will be greatly amazed by the offerings of the channel.
Dinner and overnight accommodations will be at Mweya Safari Lodge (luxury), Park View Lodge (mid-range), and Simba Safari Camp (cheap).
Day 4: Game drive in the Ishasa sector – Transfer to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda
Awaken to a fresh day, consume your breakfast, and prepare for departure while awaiting the driver. The guide will collect you for an additional game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park en route to Rwanda. The primary objective of this wildlife drive is to observe the renowned tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha region of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Lions can be observed resting atop fig and acacia trees following nocturnal hunts.
The lions climb the trees to avoid insect bites on the ground, while affording them excellent vantage points for seeing potential prey. Anticipate observing elephants, buffaloes, and the Uganda Kob, among other wildlife, in the Ishasha area. Having concluded the game drive in Ishasha, it is now time to commence the trek back to Rwanda and the Volcanoes National Park. We anticipate that you will appreciate the exquisite landscapes and rural vistas throughout your return travel to Rwanda. We will eat lunch on the way back to Rwanda.
Evening meal and accommodation at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (luxury), Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge (mid-range), and Kinigi Guest House (cheap).
Day 5:Tracking mountain gorillas in Rwanda – Visiting the Iby’iwacu traditional community
Rise early to have breakfast, then await the driver who will transport you to the park office for a briefing. The briefing is scheduled for 7:00 AM and will be conducted by the Park Rangers and Guides. Following the briefing, you will be given a gorilla family for the 7-day Rwanda-Uganda Double gorilla safari, determined by your fitness level and age. Utilize the briefing period to engage a porter if you possess substantial bags. Gorilla tracking may present difficulties based on the family’s location; yet, the endeavor is ultimately rewarding. Encountering mountain gorillas in their natural habitat represents the pinnacle of animal experiences. Adhere to directives from the park guides and wardens, particularly while encountering the primates. You will spend one hour with the gorilla family. Allocate time to observe them and get photographs or videos. The driver will await your arrival at the designated location for the journey back to the lodge for lunch and relaxation.
Following a period of repose in your accommodation, the driver will collect you for an excursion to the Gorilla Guardians Village in Musanze. Previously referred to as the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village, the Centre unites the various tribes of Rwanda to exhibit their cultural history. Anticipate musical presentations, dance, and theatrical performances. You will also have the opportunity to purchase souvenirs if desired. The Iby’iwacu Cultural Village is constructed to exceptional standards, allowing guests to engage actively rather than merely observe. You can put on traditional attire and participate with the performers.
Evening meal and overnight accommodation at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (luxury), Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge (mid-range), and Kinigi Guest House (cheap).
Day 6: Golden Monkey Tracking – Explore the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo
Rise early once more, have breakfast, and await the driver to transport you to the park offices for the briefing on golden monkey tracking. You will be assigned a guide and armed rangers to accompany you on a seven-day wildlife excursion in Uganda and Rwanda to seek for the delightful monkeys. Golden monkeys are endangered primates exclusively located in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. They subsist on bamboo shoots and various plant matter.
Their most significant threat originates from humans, while eagles serve as their natural adversaries. Golden monkeys exhibit fun behavior and like being photographed with flash, in contrast to gorillas. Following a period of hiking in the forest, you will observe the golden monkeys either perched in the trees or foraging on the ground. Upon completion, return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation. In the afternoon, the driver will escort you to the picturesque twin lakes of Ruhondo and Burera.
Evening meal and overnight accommodation at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (luxury), Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge (mid-range), and Kinigi Guest House (cheap).
Day 7: Return to Kigali – Kigali City Tour – Departure
You will rise early, have breakfast, then depart for Kigali. The ride lasts three hours, during which you will once more experience the picturesque rolling hills of Rwanda’s countryside and the expansive tea plantations. Lunch will be served in Kigali, followed by a city tour. The tour includes visits to the Gisozi Genocide Memorial, the Presidential Palace Museum, city markets, and gift shops offering local crafts and artwork. The Kigali city tour lasts from one to two hours. Upon completion of this final tour of Rwanda, you will be escorted to your hotel or transported to the airport.