6-Day Rwanda Uganda Gorilla Safari

Arrival in Kigali and Visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your Terenga Safaris guide who will accompany you to your accommodation in Kigali’s city center. The first day of your safari is dedicated to understanding Rwanda’s profound recent history through a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre located in Gisozi.

This memorial is a solemn and deeply moving site, honoring the victims of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. The museum offers a comprehensive and sensitive exhibit that chronicles the tragic events, providing context and education on one of the darkest chapters in Rwanda’s history. Through photographs, survivor testimonies, personal artifacts, and multimedia presentations, visitors gain insight into the consequences of hatred and the resilience of the Rwandan people.

Visiting the memorial not only pays respect but also offers a foundation for appreciating the nation’s journey towards healing and reconciliation. It’s a humbling yet inspiring experience that deepens your understanding of Rwanda beyond its natural beauty.

After the memorial visit, you will return to your hotel for dinner and a restful night, preparing for the exciting adventures that lie ahead. Kigali, a vibrant and clean city nestled among rolling hills, offers modern comforts and a welcoming atmosphere for your first night.

Main Destination: Kigali Genocide Memorial, Kigali, Rwanda

Accommodation: Kigali Serena Hotel or similar

Meals & Drinks: Meals at own expense; drinking water provided (other drinks excluded)

Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park and Afternoon Canopy Walk

Start your day early with a delicious breakfast before setting off on a scenic drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park, located in southwestern Rwanda. En route, you will stop at Nyanza, the historic royal palace of the former Rwandan kings, to explore Rwanda’s rich cultural heritage.

Nyungwe Forest is one of Africa’s oldest and largest remaining montane rainforests, spanning over 1,000 square kilometers. It is a biodiversity hotspot renowned for its population of chimpanzees, numerous primate species, and an array of birdlife.

Upon arrival, after settling into your lodge, you will embark on an exhilarating canopy walk in the afternoon. This 90-meter-long suspension bridge, suspended about 50 meters above the forest floor, winds through a steep valley and offers spectacular panoramic views of the forest canopy. As the longest canopy walkway in East Africa, it provides a thrilling perspective of the rainforest ecosystem.

The canopy walk immerses you in the lush greenery and diverse wildlife, including colorful birds and possibly glimpses of monkeys or colobus monkeys. The experience highlights the incredible biodiversity of Nyungwe and the importance of forest conservation.

Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight. The peaceful surroundings and sounds of the forest create an unforgettable atmosphere for rest.

Main Destination: Nyungwe Forest National Park

Accommodation: Nyungwe Top View Lodge or similar

Meals & Drinks: Dinner included; breakfast and lunch excluded; drinking water provided (other drinks excluded)

Chimpanzee Tracking and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

Prepare for an early breakfast before heading out on a chimpanzee tracking expedition in Nyungwe Forest. Chimpanzee tracking starts early to maximize the chance of sightings and follows the forest trails with experienced guides who know the primates’ habits.

Chimpanzees, our closest living relatives, offer fascinating insights into primate behavior, social dynamics, and communication. Observing their playful antics, grooming rituals, and foraging activities in the wild is an unforgettable experience. Alongside chimps, you may also spot other primates such as the black and white colobus monkeys, birds, reptiles, and a variety of butterflies, highlighting the forest’s incredible biodiversity.

After your trek, you will depart Nyungwe Forest and transfer to Volcanoes National Park, located near the town of Musanze. This park is home to the critically endangered mountain gorillas and several extinct and dormant volcanoes, including the impressive Mount Bisoke.

Volcanoes National Park offers dramatic volcanic landscapes, bamboo forests, and an opportunity to explore Rwanda’s unique natural heritage. After check-in, enjoy dinner and overnight rest, preparing for the next day’s volcano hike.

Main Destinations: Nyungwe Forest (Chimpanzee Tracking), Volcanoes National Park

Accommodation: Virunga Lodge or similar

Meals & Drinks: All meals included; drinking water provided (other drinks excluded)

Mount Bisoke Hike and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda

After breakfast, you will gather for a briefing at Kinigi headquarters before setting off to hike Mount Bisoke—a dormant volcano standing 3,700 meters tall with a stunning crater lake at its summit.

The hike, which typically lasts about 5 hours (round-trip), takes you through various vegetation zones, from bamboo forests to afro-montane flora like Hagenia and Lobelia. Though considered moderate in difficulty, the altitude demands a steady pace and frequent rests, rewarding climbers with breathtaking views and a unique ecosystem.

Reaching the crater lake, you can enjoy the serene atmosphere and capture memorable photographs before descending back to base. Following the hike, you will cross into Uganda and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, one of Africa’s most important conservation areas and home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas.

Bwindi’s dense rainforest is a magical place filled with towering trees, mossy undergrowth, and the haunting calls of forest birds. After check-in at your lodge, enjoy dinner and rest, preparing for your gorilla tracking adventure the following day.

Main Destinations: Mount Bisoke, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Accommodation: Buhoma Lodge or similar

Meals & Drinks: All meals included; drinking water provided (other drinks excluded)

Mountain Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi and Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park

Today is the highlight of your safari—mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. After a briefing from park rangers and guides, you will embark on a trek that can last from two to six hours depending on the gorillas’ location.

The hike involves navigating steep slopes and dense vegetation, so physical fitness and appropriate gear are essential. The experience of encountering a family of gorillas in their natural environment is deeply moving and humbling. Spending an hour observing these gentle giants offers insights into their behavior, social bonds, and conservation challenges.

After your encounter, you will trek back to the park headquarters and commence your road transfer to Lake Mburo National Park in southwestern Uganda. This park, known for its open savannah and acacia woodlands, is home to diverse wildlife such as zebras, impalas, giraffes, elands, and various bird species.

Upon arrival, check into your lodge for dinner and overnight, enjoying the tranquil African night sounds.

Main Destinations: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Lake Mburo National Park

Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock Lodge or similar

Meals & Drinks: All meals included; drinking water provided (other drinks excluded)

Morning Game Drive in Lake Mburo and Transfer to Kigali International Airport

Begin your final day with an early breakfast before heading out on a morning game drive in Lake Mburo National Park. This park offers excellent opportunities to spot zebras—the park is famous for its zebra population—as well as impalas, bushbucks, elands, and Cape buffaloes. Bird enthusiasts will enjoy spotting species such as the African fish eagle and various hornbills.

The game drive takes you through scenic landscapes of open plains, wetlands, and woodland, providing fantastic photo opportunities and a peaceful connection with nature.

After the game drive, you will check out and transfer to Kigali International Airport for your departure. The journey takes approximately 3 to 4 hours, crossing the beautiful Rwandan countryside once more.

We recommend booking an evening flight to allow for a relaxed transfer and potential stops along the way. As your safari concludes, you carry with you vivid memories of close primate encounters, lush landscapes, and the remarkable spirit of Rwanda and Uganda.

Main Destination: Lake Mburo National Park, Kigali International Airport

Accommodation: None (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks: Breakfast and lunch included; dinner excluded; drinking water provided (other drinks excluded)