15 Day Gorilla Trekking and African Wildlife Safari

Arrive at Kigali International Airport, where you will be warmly welcomed by your private safari representative and transferred to your hotel in a comfortable private vehicle.

As you make your way into Kigali, enjoy your first impressions of Rwanda’s clean, green and beautifully organized capital. Depending on your arrival time, you may have the opportunity to see parts of the city before settling into your accommodation.

The remainder of the day is intentionally unhurried. Relax at your hotel, enjoy the facilities, or simply recover from your international journey ahead of the exciting experiences to come.

Your safari officially begins with a relaxed evening in Kigali.

Accommodation: Kigali
Meal Plan: Dinner

After breakfast, begin your exploration of Kigali with a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial. This important memorial provides a deeper understanding of Rwanda’s history and the remarkable journey of reconciliation and rebuilding that has shaped the country.

From Kigali, continue north toward Rwanda’s spectacular Volcanoes region.

The drive is an experience in itself, taking you through the country’s famous rolling green hills, terraced farmland and rural communities. As you approach the Virunga mountains, the scenery becomes increasingly dramatic, with volcanic peaks rising above the surrounding countryside.

Arrive at your accommodation in the Volcanoes region and settle into the peaceful mountain environment.

Enjoy a relaxed evening and prepare for tomorrow’s extraordinary encounter with Rwanda’s mountain gorillas.

Accommodation: Volcanoes region
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today is one of the defining moments of your African adventure: your first mountain gorilla trekking experience.

After breakfast, travel to the gorilla trekking headquarters for a briefing before entering the forest with your professional trekking team.

The trek takes you into the lush landscapes of the Volcanoes region in search of one of Rwanda’s habituated gorilla families. The duration and terrain can vary depending on the location of the gorillas on the day, making every trek a genuine wilderness experience.

Once the gorillas are located, enjoy your unforgettable encounter as they go about their daily lives. Watch their interactions, feeding, grooming and playful behavior while your guide provides fascinating insights into their family structure and conservation.

Your gorilla permit is included, together with professional porter support to assist with your belongings and provide additional assistance on the trail.

After the trek, return to your accommodation for lunch and a well-deserved afternoon of relaxation.

Enjoy the remainder of the day at your own pace, perhaps taking in the mountain views, enjoying a quiet drink or simply resting after your trek.

Accommodation: Volcanoes region
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After the excitement of your first gorilla trek, today is deliberately designed as a slower day.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and take time to appreciate the peaceful surroundings of the Volcanoes region.

You may spend the day relaxing at your accommodation, enjoying the Virunga scenery or participating in gentle bird watching with your guide.

The surrounding highland environment provides excellent opportunities to appreciate Rwanda’s natural beauty without the physical demands of another major activity.

For photography enthusiasts, this is also a wonderful opportunity to capture the volcanic landscapes, local scenery and birdlife at a relaxed pace.

Enjoy another peaceful evening surrounded by the dramatic Virunga mountains.

Accommodation: Volcanoes region
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast, begin your private journey from Rwanda into Uganda.

Travel through the scenic southwestern highlands, crossing the international border and continuing toward Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

The landscape gradually changes as you enter Uganda, with lush hills, farms, villages and forested valleys creating a fascinating transition between the two countries.

Continue toward the legendary Bwindi region, home to one of the world’s most important populations of mountain gorillas.

Arrive at Silverback Lodge, settle into your accommodation and enjoy the tranquil forest surroundings.

The remainder of the afternoon is free for relaxation. Take in the forest atmosphere, enjoy the lodge and prepare for tomorrow’s second gorilla trekking experience.

Accommodation: Silverback Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today offers another extraordinary opportunity to encounter mountain gorillas, this time in Uganda’s ancient Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

After breakfast, proceed to the trekking briefing point before entering the dense rainforest with your professional guide and trekking team.

Bwindi provides a completely different trekking environment from Rwanda’s Volcanoes region. The forest is ancient, lush and exceptionally biodiverse, with steep terrain and dense vegetation adding to the sense of adventure.

Your second gorilla permit is included, giving you another opportunity to observe these remarkable primates in their natural habitat.

Professional porter services are also included, while additional mobility support can be arranged where required to make your experience as comfortable as possible.

Once you locate the gorilla family, spend your allocated viewing time quietly observing their natural behavior. Every encounter is different, and the experience can be deeply personal and memorable.

After returning from the forest, enjoy a well-earned meal and a relaxed afternoon at Silverback Lodge.

Accommodation: Silverback Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Following your second gorilla trekking experience, today is intentionally kept free from long drives and demanding activities.

Enjoy a slow morning at Silverback Lodge before spending time appreciating the incredible environment surrounding Bwindi.

For those interested in birdlife, enjoy a gentle bird-watching experience with your guide and provided binoculars. Bwindi is renowned for its exceptional biodiversity, making the forest surroundings particularly rewarding for bird enthusiasts.

Alternatively, simply relax at the lodge, enjoy the peaceful forest atmosphere and reflect on your two unforgettable gorilla encounters.

This slower day gives you time to recharge before continuing the safari into Uganda’s wildlife-rich savanna landscapes.

Accommodation: Silverback Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast, leave the forested mountains of Bwindi behind and begin your private journey toward Queen Elizabeth National Park.

As you travel through western Uganda, the landscape gradually transforms from dense rainforest and steep highlands to open countryside and savanna.

Continue toward the beautiful Mweya region, one of the most scenic areas of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Along the way, enjoy views of local communities, cultivated hills and the changing landscapes of southwestern Uganda.

Arrive at your accommodation in the Mweya area and settle in.

The remainder of the day is relaxed, giving you time to enjoy your surroundings before tomorrow’s wildlife activities.

Accommodation: Mweya area
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today brings your first full day of classic Ugandan savanna wildlife.

Set out on a private game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park in search of elephants, buffaloes, lions, antelope and other wildlife.

With your experienced guide, explore different habitats while keeping an eye out for wildlife movement. The private vehicle allows the experience to remain flexible, giving you time to stop for photography and spend longer with interesting sightings.

After your game drive, return for lunch and some time to relax.

Later, embark on a boat cruise along the famous Kazinga Channel.

This natural waterway connects Lake Edward and Lake George and is renowned for its extraordinary concentration of wildlife. Hippos gather along the water’s edge while elephants, buffaloes, crocodiles and numerous bird species can often be seen from the boat.

The cruise offers a wonderful contrast to the morning game drive and excellent photographic opportunities.

Return to your accommodation for a relaxed evening.

Accommodation: Mweya area
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today you venture into the quieter Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Known for its broad savanna landscapes and spectacular wilderness, Ishasha offers a more remote safari atmosphere.

Enjoy an unhurried private game drive through the sector, searching for elephants, buffaloes, antelope and predators.

One of Ishasha’s most famous attractions is its tree-climbing lions. Your guide will explore the area’s fig trees and other favored resting places in search of these iconic cats.

The day is intentionally flexible, allowing you to spend quality time at wildlife sightings rather than rushing from one location to another.

Enjoy the changing landscapes and peaceful wilderness before returning to your accommodation.

Accommodation: Queen Elizabeth National Park region
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today offers a different perspective of western Uganda, combining gentle wildlife experiences, bird watching and spectacular landscapes.

Begin with relaxed bird watching accompanied by your guide. With your binoculars, explore the surrounding habitats while looking for some of the region’s diverse bird species.

Continue toward the beautiful Bunyaruguru crater lake region.

Scattered across the landscape, these volcanic crater lakes create a dramatic mosaic of blue water, green vegetation, cultivated hills and rural communities.

Enjoy an experiential safari activity during the day, with the experience tailored around your interests and preferred pace.

There is time to pause for photography, appreciate the scenery and enjoy the quieter side of Uganda before returning to your accommodation.

Accommodation: Queen Elizabeth National Park region
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast, depart Queen Elizabeth National Park and continue south toward Lake Mburo National Park.

Your private journey takes you through western Uganda’s scenic countryside, passing local communities, farmland and changing landscapes.

Travel via the Kitagata area before continuing toward Lake Mburo.

As you approach the national park, the landscape becomes increasingly open, with rolling hills, grasslands and woodland creating the distinctive character of the region.

Arrive at your luxury accommodation and settle in.

The remainder of the day is reserved for relaxation, allowing you to enjoy your surroundings after the journey.

Accommodation: Lake Mburo
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Enjoy a relaxed day exploring Lake Mburo National Park.

The park is known for its open savanna and woodland landscapes and is home to wildlife including zebras, giraffes, impalas, elands and buffaloes.

Set out on a private wildlife experience with your guide, taking time to appreciate the animals and landscapes at your preferred pace.

Lake Mburo is also a rewarding destination for bird lovers, with diverse habitats supporting a wide range of bird species.

Your day can be tailored around wildlife viewing, photography and birding, with opportunities to stop whenever something catches your attention.

Return to your accommodation and enjoy a peaceful final evening surrounded by the Ugandan wilderness.

Accommodation: Lake Mburo
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast, begin your private journey back toward Rwanda.

Travel through southwestern Uganda toward the Mirama Hills border crossing before continuing into Rwanda.

The journey provides one final opportunity to appreciate the countryside, local communities and landscapes of the region.

Continue to Kigali and arrive at your hotel for your final night in Rwanda.

The remainder of the day is free for relaxation. Depending on your schedule, you may enjoy a final dinner, take a leisurely walk or simply relax at your hotel after your extensive journey through Rwanda and Uganda.

Tonight provides a final opportunity to reflect on the experiences of the past two weeks, from two extraordinary gorilla encounters to Uganda’s diverse wildlife and landscapes.

Accommodation: Kigali
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Dinner

Enjoy a relaxed final morning in Kigali.

Take breakfast at your hotel and enjoy some quiet time before your departure. Depending on your flight schedule, there may be an opportunity for some final shopping or a short exploration of Kigali.

At the appropriate time, your private driver will collect you and provide a comfortable transfer to Kigali International Airport.

As you depart Rwanda, take with you unforgettable memories of two mountain gorilla encounters, the ancient forests of Bwindi, the volcanic landscapes of Rwanda, Uganda’s savannas, the Kazinga Channel, Ishasha’s wilderness and the tranquil landscapes of Lake Mburo.

Meal Plan: Breakfast