Rwanda, Uganda • Wildlife
Rwanda & Uganda
This eight-day wildlife experience combines two countries where you can come face to face with endangered mountain gorillas in the wild.
Explore Queen Elizabeth National Park with its tree-climbing lions and trek gorillas in both the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda and Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park with experienced guides/rangers.
From NZ$17,505 per person, twin share
8 Days / 7 Nights • Daily, year-round • Rwanda, Uganda
Price quoted is a lead-in rate. As pricing may vary seasonally and according to standard/category selected, please contact us for a quote on your specific requirements.
Wildlife journey. This itinerary can be tailor-made, with the number of days, places visited, and activities varied to suit you.
About
About this journey
The Bwindi National Park, located in southwestern Uganda on the edge of the Great Rift Valley, is considered the most diverse forest in Uganda. The park contains almost one half of the world’s population of the endangered Mountain Gorilla, making it an extremely valuable conservation site. Coming face to face with mountain gorillas is a rare experience! The opportunity to come within meters of these magnificent apes, sharing in their daily lives and experiencing their day-to-day activities, is an experience you won’t soon forget! Mountain gorillas are extremely rare with only an estimated 880 remaining in the wild.
The Volcanoes National Park is home to the Rwandan section of the Virungas. Comprising five volcanoes, the Virungas are breathtaking and home not just to mountain gorillas but rare golden monkeys, a troop of which have been habituated to human contact, can also be visited.
Who this suits
Travellers who want to trek gorillas in both countries — a flight to Kihihi and two nights at Ishasha for the tree-climbing lions, two at Buhoma Lodge in Bwindi, then by road across the border at Kisoro for two nights in Volcanoes National Park — with a driver-guide and private game drives, in at Entebbe and out of Kigali.
Good to know
Both gorilla permits are included, with most meals and selected alcoholic drinks at Buhoma and Ishasha; gratuities and optional activities are extra. Trekking is shared and strenuous, from under an hour to eight at altitude; permits can't be changed or refunded once bought. Day 6 is about seven to eight hours' drive including the border. Day 7 is the Volcanoes trek; the optional alternatives — Dian Fossey's grave or a golden monkey walk — need pre-booking. Ask us about singles.
The journey
Day by day
Day 1 — Entebbe
On arrival at Entebbe, Uganda, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at your leisure.
Day 2 — Entebbe › Kihihi › Queen Elizabeth National Park
Transfer to the airport for your short flight to Kihihi, where your adventure in Queen Elizabeth National Park begins. Nestled in the Great Rift Valley, this park boasts a rich diversity of wildlife, including elephants, lions, hippos, buffalo, Uganda kob, baboons, and numerous bird species. With its unique combination of riverine and savannah habitats, the park also includes the southern Ishasha area, renowned for its tree-climbing lions, and Maramagambo, one of Uganda’s largest remaining natural forests. Enjoy a two-night stay at Ishasha Wilderness Camp.
Day 3 — Queen Elizabeth National Park
Enjoy a leisurely day exploring the wonders of Queen Elizabeth National Park, where you will have the chance to witness the park’s incredible wildlife. Keep an eye out for large herds of buffalo and elephants as they traverse the savannah, and don’t miss the opportunity to spot the park’s famous tree-climbing lions, a rare and captivating sight.
Day 4 — Queen Elizabeth National Park › Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
A scenic 2 to 3 hour drive through the picturesque countryside brings you to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. En route, time permitting, visit a Community Project and immerse yourself in Agartha’s ‘Taste of Uganda’ tour, a delightful, educational experience showcasing rural Ugandan life. Learn how local crops are transformed into staples like millet porridge and kalo bread. Continue to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of East Africa’s richest ecosystems. Home to over 120 mammals, 345 bird species, 200 butterflies, and 160 tree species, Bwindi houses nearly half of the world’s endangered Mountain Gorillas. Enjoy a two-night stay at Buhoma Lodge.
Day 5 — Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – Gorilla Trekking
One of the most humbling and enthralling wildlife experiences imaginable awaits your discovery. Coming face to face with an endangered mountain gorilla is something words cannot aptly describe. The thrill of the hour you spend quietly observing these gentle giants once you find them is worth the hike to get there. Afterwards, you will return to the lodge for a complimentary massage, or you can explore the surrounding Bwindi community.
Optional activities that may be enjoyed in and around the park include forest walks, visits to a local school or orphanage, or a Batwa pygmy village.
NB: Please note that gorilla trekking is strenuous with treks ranging from 45 mins up to eight hours, at high altitudes in hot African conditions. Although mountain gorillas are wild animals and it should be noted that sightings cannot be guaranteed, viewing success rates are well over 95%.
Day 6 — Bwindi › Kisoro › Volcanoes National Park
From Bwindi, journey through the scenic “Little Switzerland of Africa,” navigating winding mountain roads and passing through quaint rural villages to reach the border of Rwanda at Kisoro. On a clear day, you will see the majestic Virungas, a row of dormant volcanoes standing guard along the border. The drive is approximately 7-8 hours, including a one-hour border crossing. Once in Rwanda, you will proceed to your base for gorilla trekking. Enjoy a two-night stay at Tiloreza Volcanoes Ecolodge.
Day 7 — Volcanoes National Park – Gorilla Trekking
Trekking gorillas in Volcanoes National Park offers an experience just as challenging and memorable as in Bwindi. If you choose not to trek today, you can opt for an optional hike to Dian Fossey’s grave or enjoy a forest walk with the Golden Monkeys. Please note that only one of these activities can be enjoyed as they all take place in the morning, and pre-booking is essential.
Day 8 — Volcanoes National Park › Kigali
After lunch, embark on a scenic drive to Kigali, the vibrant capital of Rwanda. Known for its cleanliness, safety, and welcoming atmosphere, Kigali is a bustling city rich in culture and history. Upon arrival in Kigali, you have the option to visit the hauntingly powerful Genocide Museum, a poignant memorial that offers a deep and moving insight into the country’s past, paying tribute to the resilience and spirit of its people. Your journey through Uganda and Rwanda concludes.
Pricing • New Zealand dollars, per person
By season and category
Price quoted is a lead-in rate. As pricing may vary seasonally and according to standard/category selected, please contact us for a quote on your specific requirements.
What’s included
- 7 nights’ accommodation
- 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, and 6 dinners
- Select alcoholic beverages at Buhoma and Ishasha
- Meet & Greet at Entebbe International Airport
- Private arrival and departure transfers
- Scheduled flight from Entebbe › Kihihi
- English-speaking driver/guide
- Private transportation by safari vehicle
- Private game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- One gorilla tracking permit in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
- One gorilla tracking permit in Volcanoes National Park
- Future Generations Trust contribution
- All national park fees
- Liability insurance cover
Not included
- Activities listed as optional in the itinerary
- Beverages not listed as included
- Gratuities
Booking conditions
Booking conditions as supplied by World Journeys.
- Pricing varies due to fluctuations in exchange rates; please contact us for current pricing or other changes
- Pricing is based on a minimum of 2 travellers
- The single price is based on travelling with others in your party
- Please enquire about pricing for a single travelling alone or cross-season
- Gorilla tracking is a shared activity
- Permits are subject to availability and current pricing at time of booking
- Once purchased permits are non-changeable and non-refundable
- The price of the included flight is subject to change
- A luggage restriction of 15-kg total of soft-sided luggage applies
Journey operated by World Journeys and booked through Fine Travel.
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