Safari overview
Track mountain gorillas in Uganda, meet golden monkeys in Rwanda and climb Mount Bisoke on one cross-border ten-day adventure.
This private ten-day safari begins at Entebbe Airport and heads west to Lake Mburo National Park for a nature walk, game drive and boat cruise. You then continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park for savannah game drives, a Kazinga Channel cruise and a search for the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha.
The highlight is mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where you spend an hour with a habituated gorilla family. From there, you cross into Rwanda to Volcanoes National Park for golden monkey trekking, a visit to Dian Fossey’s Karisoke Research Center and a cultural village experience.
The adventure peaks with the hike up Mount Bisoke to its 3,711-metre crater lake, before a city tour of Kigali and your airport drop-off. Choose budget, mid-range or luxury accommodation to suit your style.
Tour highlights
Experience Uganda’s savannah and gorilla forests, then Rwanda’s volcanoes, on one private ten-day safari.
- Mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
- Mount Bisoke hike to the 3,711-metre summit and crater lake
- Game drives and a boat cruise on Lake Mburo
- Kasenyi Plains game drive and Kazinga Channel boat cruise
- Tree-climbing lions search in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth
- Visit to the Karisoke Research Center and Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village
- Kigali city tour, with budget, mid-range or luxury lodges throughout
Detailed itinerary
Day 1
Pickup from Entebbe and Drive to Lake Mburo National Park
Your driver-guide meets you at Entebbe Airport or your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala. After a short briefing, set off west through rolling hills, small villages and green countryside, with a brief stop at the equator line for photographs.
On arrival at Lake Mburo National Park, check in at your lodge and freshen up. In the evening, join a guided nature walk in the park, where you may see zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, topis, elands, impalas, warthogs and many colourful birds. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay.
- Approximately 4 to 5 hours’ drive (about 225 km), plus an evening nature walk
- Budget: Rwakobo Rock | Mid-Range: Eagle’s Nest Lodge | Luxury: Mihingo Safari Lodge
- Lunch and dinner
Day 2
Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Cruise at Lake Mburo
Rise early for a game drive across the open grasslands, where zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, topis, elands, impalas and warthogs roam freely. The park is home to more than 350 bird species, which makes it a rewarding stop for birdwatchers. Return to the lodge for breakfast and a relaxed midday break.
In the afternoon, board a boat on Lake Mburo and glide past papyrus swamps and green shoreline vegetation, spotting hippos, crocodiles and water birds up close. Return to your lodge for dinner and a second night in the park.
- Morning game drive; afternoon boat cruise
- Budget: Rwakobo Rock | Mid-Range: Eagle’s Nest Lodge | Luxury: Mihingo Safari Lodge
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 3
Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, leave Lake Mburo and head to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The route offers scenic views of tea plantations and the Rift Valley escarpment, with occasional roadside wildlife along the way.
Arrive in the Kasenyi Plains area for lunch and a short rest, then set out on an evening game drive. The plains are known for lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, topis, warthogs, impalas, waterbucks and Uganda kobs, often set against the backdrop of the Rwenzori Mountains. Return to your lodge for dinner.
- Approximately 4 to 5 hours’ drive, plus an evening game drive
- Budget: Kazinga Wilderness Camp | Mid-Range: Buffalo Safari Lodge | Luxury: Kyambura Gorge Lodge
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4
Morning Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Set out early for another game drive through the park, when elephants, buffaloes, lions and leopards are often seen along the tracks. Return to the lodge for lunch and a short rest.
In the afternoon, take a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, which links Lake Edward and Lake George over roughly 40 kilometres. Hippos, crocodiles, elephants and buffaloes gather along the banks in large numbers, and the wider park is home to more than 600 bird species. Return to your lodge for dinner and a second night in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
- Morning game drive; afternoon boat cruise
- Budget: Pumba Safari Lodge | Mid-Range: Buffalo Safari Lodge | Luxury: Kyambura Gorge Lodge
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 5
Ishasha Game Drive and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
After breakfast, drive south to the remote Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, famous for its tree-climbing lions. With luck, your guide will find them resting in the branches of large fig trees. Sightings are not guaranteed.
Continue through charming villages and highland tea estates to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Check in at your lodge, have dinner and prepare for the next day’s gorilla trek. Learn more through these facts about Bwindi National Park.
- Morning game drive; then a scenic drive to Bwindi
- Budget: Gorilla Valley Lodge | Mid-Range: Gorilla Leisure Lodge | Luxury: Gorilla Safari Lodge
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 6
Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
Enjoy an early breakfast before the ranger briefing at the park headquarters, which begins at about 7:30am. Afterwards, at around 8:00am, experienced guides and trackers lead you into Bwindi’s dense, misty forest in search of a habituated gorilla family. The search can take anywhere from 1 to 6 hours, depending on where the gorillas moved that day.
Once the gorillas are found, you spend one hour in their company, watching the silverback, mothers and playful youngsters feed, groom and rest. The terrain is steep, muddy and uneven, so sturdy hiking boots and a reasonable level of fitness are important.
After the trek, return to the lodge to rest. In the evening, you may join an optional Batwa cultural experience with stories and dance, or take a walk through the neighbourhood to buy handmade crafts.
- Allow most of the day for trekking; walking time varies
- Budget: Gorilla Valley Lodge | Mid-Range: Gorilla Leisure Lodge | Luxury: Gorilla Safari Lodge
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 7
Drive to Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
After a hearty breakfast, drive towards the Katuna border and cross from Uganda into Rwanda. Your driver-guide assists with border formalities throughout the process.
Continue to Kinigi, the gateway to Volcanoes National Park, with views of volcanic peaks rising above the misty horizon. Check in at your lodge, rest after the journey and enjoy dinner.
- Several hours’ drive, depending on border formalities and traffic
- Budget: Kinigi Guest House | Mid-Range: Ingagi Lodge | Luxury: Amakoro Songa Lodge
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 8
Golden Monkey Trekking, Karisoke Visit and Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village
Rise early for golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park. These rare and playful primates move quickly through the bamboo forest, and your guide helps you get close enough for good viewing and photographs.
Afterwards, visit the Karisoke Research Center, established by Dian Fossey in 1967 and still central to gorilla conservation. Then head to the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, where community members welcome you with traditional dances, drumming and storytelling, along with demonstrations of local crafts and cuisine. Return to your lodge for dinner.
- Morning golden monkey trek; afternoon cultural visits
- Budget: Kinigi Guest House | Mid-Range: Ingagi Lodge | Luxury: Amakoro Songa Lodge
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 9
Hike Mount Bisoke
After breakfast, set out on the Mount Bisoke hike, the volcano climb that gives this safari its name. Your guide leads you through bamboo forest, heather moorland and alpine vegetation, with the scenery becoming more dramatic with every step.
After about 4 to 6 hours of steady climbing, you reach the summit at 3,711 metres and its crater lake, roughly 400 metres across. The views stretch over the Virunga volcanoes into Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The round trip covers about 12 to 15 kilometres, so descend carefully and return to your lodge for a well-earned dinner.
- About 4 to 6 hours’ climb; round trip of 12 to 15 km
- Budget: Kinigi Guest House | Mid-Range: Ingagi Lodge | Luxury: Amakoro Songa Lodge
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 10
Drive to Kigali, City Tour and Departure
After breakfast, check out of your lodge and drive to Kigali. On arrival, enjoy a city tour covering the capital’s main highlights, including the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a deeply moving historical experience. You can also visit local markets, craft shops and the city centre, and enjoy a farewell lunch at one of Kigali’s restaurants.
In the late afternoon, your driver-guide transfers you to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight. Please arrange your flight for the evening or later to allow time for the tour and transfer.
- Approximately 2 to 3 hours’ drive to Kigali, plus city tour
- No accommodation unless an extra night is requested
- Breakfast and lunch
Request a quote
Tell us your preferred travel dates, number of travellers and accommodation choice. A safari specialist will prepare a tailored quotation for your gorilla trekking and Mount Bisoke hiking adventure.
- Free, no-obligation quote
- Gorilla, golden monkey and Mt. Bisoke permit arrangements
- Budget, mid-range or luxury lodge selection
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FAQs for 10-Day Uganda Gorillas and Mt.Bisoke Hike
Planning to combine Uganda’s savannah parks and Bwindi gorillas with golden monkeys and a volcano hike in Rwanda? These are the questions travellers ask most often, answered honestly so you can plan your trip and book with confidence.
What is the price of this safari and what does it cover?
The 10-Day Uganda Gorillas and Mt.Bisoke Hike starts from $3,980 per person sharing, but the net cost depends on your group size, the season you travel in, and your chosen level of accommodation. That price covers your Bwindi gorilla trekking permit, Rwanda golden monkey trekking permit, Mt.Bisoke hiking fee, park entrance fees, boat cruises, private 4×4 transport with an experienced driver-guide, fuel, meals and accommodation as listed in the itinerary, bottled drinking water, and government taxes. International flights, extra nights before or after the trip, the optional Batwa cultural experience, souvenirs, tips, and porter hire are not included. Your final quotation confirms exactly what applies to your chosen accommodation level.
How does the 10-day Uganda gorilla and Mt.Bisoke itinerary work?
Day one begins at Entebbe with the drive to Lake Mburo National Park, where you enjoy an evening nature walk. Day two brings a game drive and a boat cruise before you move on to Queen Elizabeth National Park on day three. Day four combines a morning game drive with a Kazinga Channel boat cruise, and day five takes you through Ishasha to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Day six is for gorilla trekking, day seven is the border crossing and drive to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and day eight offers golden monkey trekking, the Karisoke Research Center, and the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village. Day nine is the Mt.Bisoke hike, and day ten is a drive to Kigali for a city tour and your airport drop-off.
How long are the drives on this safari?
Several days involve a good amount of road time, but the routes are scenic and your driver-guide builds in comfort stops. Entebbe to Lake Mburo takes about four to five hours, and Lake Mburo to Queen Elizabeth National Park takes a similar time. The transfer from Ishasha to Bwindi is shorter, the drive from Bwindi to Kinigi in Rwanda takes a few hours including the border, and Kinigi to Kigali takes roughly two to three hours. Travel times vary with traffic, road works, and border queues, so your guide plans each day around the activities and your flight schedule.
How does the border crossing from Uganda into Rwanda work?
On day seven you travel from Bwindi to Rwanda along the Katuna route, and your guide assists you throughout the border formalities. Keep your passport, visa, and any required health documents in your hand luggage, and expect some waiting time at both the Ugandan and Rwandan sides. Border procedures can change, so we confirm the latest requirements with you before you travel. Pack light and keep your valuables with you, because the crossing involves a short walk between the two border posts.
What wildlife can I expect at Lake Mburo and Queen Elizabeth National Park?
Lake Mburo is known for zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, topis, elands, impalas, warthogs, hippos, crocodiles, and over 350 bird species. Queen Elizabeth National Park offers lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, Uganda kobs, and large numbers of hippos along the Kazinga Channel, with more than 600 bird species in the wider park. In the Ishasha sector you may also see the famous tree-climbing lions resting in fig trees. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but early morning and evening game drives give you the best chances.
How long will I spend with the mountain gorillas in Bwindi?
Your gorilla trekking briefing starts at 7:30am at the park headquarters, and the trek begins around 8:00am. Once the trackers locate your gorilla family, you are allowed one hour with them. Visitors are usually grouped in small numbers, with a maximum of eight people per gorilla family each day, which keeps the encounter calm and protects the animals. The time spent finding the family can range from one to six hours depending on where the gorillas moved overnight, so the overall trek can be shorter or longer than you expect.
Can I choose which gorilla family I trek?
Gorilla families are assigned by park rangers at the morning briefing rather than chosen in advance. Rangers consider the fitness levels and preferences of the group, so travellers who prefer a gentler hike can request an easier family and those who want a longer trek can ask for a more distant one. Assignments depend on the day and on where each family is located. Mention any mobility or fitness concerns to your driver-guide early so they can raise them with the rangers.
Is there a minimum age for gorilla trekking and the Mt.Bisoke hike?
Yes. Visitors must be at least 15 years old to track mountain gorillas in Uganda, and this rule is strictly enforced by park authorities. Younger children cannot join the trek, even with a parent. Rwanda also applies age limits to its primate treks and volcano hikes, so confirm the details for golden monkey trekking and Mt.Bisoke with us before booking. If you are travelling as a family, tell us the ages of everyone in your group so we can discuss alternative activities for younger members.
What rules should I follow near the gorillas and golden monkeys?
Follow your ranger’s instructions at all times. Keep the distance the rangers specify, speak quietly, and avoid sudden movements. Do not use flash photography, and never touch or feed the animals. Do not eat, drink, or smoke near them. If a gorilla comes close, stay calm and let it pass. Primates are vulnerable to human illnesses, so rangers require visitors to wear a face mask during gorilla and golden monkey encounters and to follow the hygiene guidance given at the briefing.
What happens if I feel sick before a trek or the hike?
Tell your driver-guide and park staff straight away if you have a cold, flu symptoms, diarrhoea, or any other contagious illness. Mountain gorillas and golden monkeys can catch human diseases, so rangers may stop visitors who are unwell from trekking. Whether you can reschedule or receive a refund depends on the permit conditions set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and the Rwanda Development Board. We recommend travel insurance that covers medical issues and trip interruption, and we encourage you to rest and stay hydrated before each activity.
Am I guaranteed to see the gorillas and golden monkeys?
Sightings of habituated gorilla families and golden monkey groups are highly likely because trackers follow the animals daily and guide you to them. However, these are wild animals, so no operator can offer an absolute guarantee. The length and difficulty of each trek depend on where the animals have moved overnight. Our team secures your permits in advance and plans the itinerary to give you the best practical chance of a successful and comfortable encounter.
How hard is the Mt.Bisoke hike and what will I see?
Mt.Bisoke is the most demanding day of the trip. You climb to 3,711 metres through bamboo forest, heather moorland, and alpine vegetation, and the round trip covers roughly 12 to 15 kilometres over about four to six hours of steady walking. At the top you reach a crater lake about 400 metres across, with views of the Virunga volcanoes toward Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The trail can be muddy and cold at altitude, so wear sturdy boots and warm layers. Your gorilla trek and golden monkey day come earlier in the itinerary, which helps you warm up for the climb.
What happens on the golden monkey trek and Karisoke visit?
On day eight you track golden monkeys in the bamboo forest of Volcanoes National Park. These rare and playful primates move quickly, so the experience is energetic and great for photography. Afterwards you visit the Karisoke Research Center, which Dian Fossey established in 1967 and which remains central to gorilla conservation. The day finishes with a cultural visit to Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, where community members share traditional dance, drumming, storytelling, crafts, and local food.
Do I need visas to travel to Uganda and Rwanda?
Entry requirements depend on your nationality, so check the current rules before you travel. Because this trip visits two countries, you need to be able to enter both Uganda and Rwanda, and some travellers qualify for the East Africa Tourist Visa, which covers more than one country. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months and has enough blank pages for entry stamps. Ask your doctor about recommended vaccinations and any yellow fever certificate requirements for your route. We can guide you through the process.
Is the Batwa cultural experience worth adding?
It is optional, and it is a good choice if you want to balance wildlife with culture. On the evening after your gorilla trek, the Batwa community shares stories, songs, and dance and explains their former life in the forest. It fits into the evening after your trek, so you do not need extra days. The activity is not included in the starting price, so let us know if you want it added and we will include it in your quotation. Alternatively, you can spend the evening walking around the neighbourhood and buying handmade crafts.
What accommodation is used on this safari?
You choose from budget, mid-range, and luxury lodges at each stop. At Lake Mburo the options are Rwakobo Rock, Eagle’s Nest Lodge, and Mihingo Safari Lodge. At Queen Elizabeth National Park they include Kazinga Wilderness Camp or Pumba Safari Lodge, Buffalo Safari Lodge, and Kyambura Gorge Lodge. In Bwindi you can stay at Gorilla Valley Lodge, Gorilla Leisure Lodge, or Gorilla Safari Lodge, and near Volcanoes National Park the options are Kinigi Guest House, Ingagi Lodge, and Amakoro Songa Lodge. Lodges are subject to availability at the time of booking, and your final quotation lists the confirmed lodges before you pay.
Should I tip my driver-guide, rangers, and porters?
Tips are not included in the safari price, but they are a customary way to thank the people who look after you. Many travellers tip their driver-guide at the end of the trip and give separate tips to rangers, trackers, and porters after the gorilla trek, golden monkey trek, and Mt.Bisoke hike. Porter hire is optional and carries its own fee, and it also supports families living around the parks. There is no fixed amount, so tip according to the service you receive and what feels comfortable.
What should I do about travel insurance and money?
We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical care, emergency evacuation, trip cancellation, and interruption. Carry some US dollars in recent, undamaged notes, and bring a card for lodge extras where accepted. Local currency in both Uganda and Rwanda is useful for small purchases such as souvenirs and tips, and small denominations make tipping easier. Uganda and Rwanda both restrict single-use plastic bags, so do not pack them in your luggage, as officials may confiscate them at the airport.
How do I book this safari and what happens next?
Send us your preferred travel dates, number of travellers, and accommodation level. We first check gorilla permit, golden monkey permit, and Mt.Bisoke hiking availability, then prepare a detailed quotation with your lodges, inclusions, and total cost. Once you approve the itinerary and agree the payment terms, we purchase your permits and confirm the lodge and transport reservations. Because permits are limited, we recommend booking at least four to six months ahead, and up to ten months ahead for the busy December to February and June to September periods.