10 Day Uganda Gorillas and Mt.Bisoke Hike

Pickup : Entebbe Airport
Drop-off : Kigali Airport

Tour Overview

This 10-day Uganda Gorillas and Mt.Bisoke Hike takes you deep into East Africa’s wild heart. You begin in Uganda, exploring Lake Mburo National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park. From there you enter the legendary Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for mountain gorilla trekking. Crossing into Rwanda, you encounter golden monkeys and visit the famous Karisoke Research Center, founded by Dian Fossey in 1967. Mt. Bisoke volcano then offers a dramatic hike to its breathtaking crater lake at 3,711 meters. Along the way, cultural village experiences add real depth to every adventure. Wildlife sightings, vast landscapes, and friendly communities greet you at every stop, and both budget conscious and luxury travelers find excellent accommodation options throughout this trip.

Cost Includes

Transportation (Car, Fuel, Driver Guide)
Meals & Accommodation as mentioned
Gorilla Trekking Permit
Park Entarnce Fees
Mt.Bisoke Hiking Fee
Golden Monkey Trekking Permit
Boat Cruises
Bottled Drinking Water
Government Taxes

Cost Excludes

International Flights
Accommodation Before and After your Trip
Optional Batwa Cultural Experience
Sourvenirs
Tips & Porter Hiring

Travel Plan

Day 1: Pickup From Entebbe, Drive to Lake Mburo National Park

Your Uganda Gorillas and Mt.Bisoke Hike opens with a warm pickup from Entebbe International Airport or your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala by your Iconic Africa Safaris guide. From Entebbe, the scenic drive of about 4 to 5 hours (roughly 225 kilometers) will take you straight to Lake Mburo National Park. Along the way you pass rolling hills, small villages, and lush green countryside, and a brief stop at the equator line makes for a fun photo opportunity. Upon arrival, you check into your lodge and freshen up before the evening activity, then head out for a guided evening nature walk inside the park. During this walk you spot zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, topis, elands, impalas, warthogs, and many colorful birds. Lake Mburo sets a perfect tone for the exciting adventure ahead.

Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock (Budget) | Eagle’s Nest Lodge (Mid Range) | Mihingo Safari Lodge (Luxury)
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner

Day 2: Morning Game Drive & Afternoon Boat Cruise, Murchison Falls

Early in the morning your guide takes you on an exciting game drive through the park. Zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, topis, elands, impalas, and warthogs roam freely across the open grasslands, and the park holds over 350 bird species, making it a true birdwatcher’s paradise. After the drive you return to your lodge for a relaxing midday break. In the afternoon you board a boat for a peaceful cruise on Lake Mburo, spotting hippos, crocodiles, and water birds up close as you glide past beautiful papyrus swamps and green shoreline vegetation. This combination of land and water activities makes day 2 of your Uganda Gorillas and Mt.Bisoke Hike truly rewarding.

Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock (Budget) | Eagle’s Nest Lodge (Mid Range) | Mihingo Safari Lodge (Luxury)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Following breakfast, you will depart Lake Mburo and head to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive of about 4 to 5 hours offers rewarding views and occasional roadside wildlife encounters, with scenic tea plantations and the Rift Valley escarpment lining much of the route. Arriving at the park’s Kasenyi Plains sector, you have lunch and a short rest before joining an exciting evening game drive. This area hosts lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, topis, warthogs, impalas, waterbucks, and Uganda kobs in large numbers, and your guide spots wildlife against the dramatic backdrop of the Rwenzori Mountains. You end the day with dinner and a comfortable stay at your lodge.

Accommodation: Kazinga Wilderness Camp (Budget) | Buffalo Safari Lodge (Mid Range)| Kyambura Gorge Lodge (Luxury)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4: Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Rising early, you set out for another thrilling morning game drive through the park. Elephants, buffaloes, lions, and leopards often appear along the tracks in the early hours. After the drive you return to your lodge for lunch and a short rest, then board a boat in the afternoon for a cruise along the Kazinga Channel. This famous waterway connects Lake Edward and Lake George over roughly 40 kilometers. Hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and buffaloes gather along the channel banks in remarkable numbers, and over 600 bird species inhabit the wider park, delighting every birdwatcher on board. You return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and a well earned rest.

Accommodation: Pumba Safari Lodge (Budget) | Buffalo Safari Lodge (Mid Range) | Kyambura Gorge Lodge (Luxury)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5: Morning Game Drive in Ishasha, Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Waking up early, you drive to the remote Ishasha sector in the park’s southern part, home to a famous population of tree climbing lions unique to this region. With luck, your guide spots these lions resting high up in large fig trees. After enjoying these rare sightings, you will depart for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. The drive takes you through charming villages and stunning highland tea estates. Upon reaching Bwindi, you check in and prepare for the highlight of the trip, since the following day brings the most anticipated experience of your Uganda Gorillas and Mt.Bisoke Hike: gorilla trekking in an ancient forest.

Accommodation: Gorilla Valley Lodge (Budget) | Gorilla Leisure Lodge (Mid Range) | Gorilla Safari Lodge (Luxury)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 6: Gorilla Trekking - Highlight of the Safari

An early breakfast fuels you before your gorilla trekking briefing with the rangers begins at 7:30am at the park headquarters. After the briefing, at around 8:00am, skilled guides lead you deep into Bwindi’s dense, misty forest. Trekking through the undergrowth, you search for one of the habituated gorilla families for anywhere from 1 to 6 hours, depending on the group’s movements that day. Finding the gorillas fills every trekker with pure awe, and you spend 1 precious hour observing these gentle giants in their natural rainforest habitat. The silverback’s presence and the playfulness of the young gorillas create unforgettable memories, and it is little wonder that this day, the true heart of the Uganda Gorillas and Mt.Bisoke Hike, ranks among Africa’s most extraordinary wildlife experiences. After the trek you return to your lodge to celebrate this rare moment. In the evening you can opt for a Batwa cultural experience with stories and dance, or take a walk through the neighborhood to purchase handmade crafts to take home.

Accommodation: Gorilla Valley Lodge (Budget) | Gorilla Leisure Lodge (Mid Range) | Gorilla Safari Lodge (Luxury)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7: Drive to Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

After a hearty breakfast, you begin the exciting drive to Rwanda. Your route follows the scenic Katuna road and crosses the border between Uganda and Rwanda. Border formalities run smoothly, and your guide will assist you throughout the process. Entering Rwanda, you immediately notice the clean and beautifully organized landscape around you. The drive to Kinigi, the gateway to Volcanoes National Park, takes a few hours, and along the way you spot dramatic volcanic peaks rising above the misty horizon. Upon arrival you check into your lodge and rest after the journey. Rwanda’s warmth and beauty make a strong first impression on every visitor.

Accommodation: Kinigi Guest House (Budget) | Ingagi Lodge (Mid Range) | Amakoro Songa Lodge (Luxury)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 8: Golden Monkey Trekking, Karisoke Visit, and Iby'Iwacu Cultural Village

Rising early, you set off for golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park. These rare, playful primates move swiftly through the bamboo forest with remarkable energy, and your guide tracks them skillfully to bring you within close, exciting viewing distance. After the trekking experience you visit the famous Karisoke Research Center, established by Dian Fossey in 1967 and still central to gorilla conservation today. Next, you head to the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village for a rich local experience. Community members welcome you with traditional dances, drumming, and storytelling performances, and the village tour includes demonstrations of traditional crafts and local cuisine. You leave with a deeper appreciation for Rwanda’s vibrant and welcoming culture.

Accommodation: Kinigi Guest House (Budget) | Ingagi Lodge (Mid Range) | Amakoro Songa Lodge (Luxury)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 9: Hike Mt. Bisoke

Breakfast energizes you before you embark on the spectacular Mt. Bisoke hike, the volcano climb that gives this Uganda Gorillas and Mt.Bisoke Hike its name. Standing at 3,711 meters, Mt. Bisoke challenges and rewards every hiker in equal measure. Your guide leads you upward through bamboo zones, heather moorland, and alpine vegetation, and with each step the surrounding scenery grows more dramatic. After about 4 to 6 hours of steady climbing, you reach the stunning crater lake at the summit, roughly 400 meters across. The view from the top stretches across the Virunga volcanoes into Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Taking photos at this remarkable altitude feels deeply rewarding, and you descend carefully, covering a round trip of about 12 to 15 kilometers in total, before returning to your lodge for a well earned dinner.

Accommodation: Kinigi Guest House (Budget) | Ingagi Lodge (Mid Range) | Amakoro Songa Lodge (Luxury)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 10: Drive to Kigali, City Tour, and Airport Drop Off

Following breakfast, you check out of your lodge and begin the pleasant 2 to 3 hour drive to Kigali. The Rwandan capital impresses every visitor with its cleanliness, order, and modern development. Your driver and guide take you on an engaging city tour covering Kigali’s key highlights, including a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, which offers a deeply moving historical experience. Afterward you explore local markets, craft shops, and the vibrant city center, and Kigali also boasts excellent restaurants where you can enjoy a final farewell lunch. In the late afternoon, your guide will drive you to Kigali International Airport, where you depart with full hearts and cherished memories of this remarkable Uganda Gorillas and Mt.Bisoke Hike.

Accommodation: None unless requested
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch

Answered FAQs

How much does this safari cost, and can it be customized?

The total cost depends on your group size, the season you travel in, and your chosen level of accommodation. Mandatory permit and entry fees, set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), are included in your total trip cost. These currently include a Uganda gorilla trekking permit at 800 USD per person, a Rwanda golden monkey trekking permit at 100 USD per person, a Mt. Bisoke hiking permit at 75 USD per person, and Uganda national park entry fees of 40 USD per person per day at Lake Mburo and Queen Elizabeth National Parks. Let us know your group size and whether you would like to upgrade to any of the accommodation levels mentioned in the itinerary, and we will send you the exact total cost per person.

How physically demanding is the trekking on this itinerary?

This trip suits travelers with a reasonable level of fitness. The game drives and boat cruises in Lake Mburo and Queen Elizabeth are easy and require no special exertion. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi is moderate to strenuous, involving 1 to 6 hours of walking on steep, sometimes muddy forest trails at altitude. The Mt. Bisoke hike is the most demanding day, climbing to 3,711 meters over 4 to 6 hours. A walking stick is provided free of charge, and porters can be hired at each site to carry your daypack and assist on the trail.

What is the best time of year to go on this trip?

The two dry seasons, from December to February and from June to September, offer the best trekking conditions, with drier trails and easier hiking on Mt. Bisoke. Gorilla and golden monkey trekking are possible year round, and the wetter months of March to May and October to November bring lush scenery and fewer crowds, though trails are muddier and rain gear becomes essential.

What should I pack for this safari?

Pack sturdy waterproof hiking boots, a rain jacket, long sleeved shirts and trousers in neutral colors, gardening style gloves for gripping vegetation, insect repellent, sunscreen, a wide brimmed hat, and warm layers for the cold summit of Mt. Bisoke. Bring a face mask, since rangers require one during gorilla and golden monkey encounters to protect these primates from human respiratory illnesses. Also carry a small daypack, a reusable water bottle, binoculars, a camera with spare batteries, personal medication, and cash in small denominations for tips.

Can this itinerary be customized?

Yes. We can shorten or extend the trip, add chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest, include extra days in Rwanda or at Lake Kivu, or adjust the pace and accommodation level to match your budget and interests.

Are the gorilla and golden monkey permits guaranteed?

You travel in a customized 4×4 safari Land Cruiser equipped with a pop up roof for wildlife viewing and photography. The vehicle features four wheel drive to handle rough park tracks and dirt roads in rural areas, and comes stocked with bottled drinking water and an extended chassis so every passenger gets a window seat.

What type of vehicle is used for transportation?

Permits are issued in limited numbers by the Uganda Wildlife Authority in Uganda and the Rwanda Development Board in Rwanda to protect primate populations. Before your booking is confirmed, we first check permit availability, and once permits are purchased on your behalf, your trekking spot is guaranteed. Because demand is high during peak months, we recommend booking this itinerary at least 4 to 6 months in advance, and up to 10 months ahead if you are traveling during the busy December to February or June to September periods.