5-Day Akagera Game and Bwindi Gorillas Safari

The 5-Day Akagera Game and Bwindi Gorillas safari starts from $2,100 per person sharing, but the net cost depends on your group size, the travel season, and the accommodation level you choose (mid-range or luxury). Single travellers should expect a single supplement. The price covers your Uganda gorilla trekking permit, Akagera National Park entrance, 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, accommodation 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 group.

Day one starts at Kigali airport or your Kigali hotel, followed by the drive to Akagera National Park and an evening game drive. Day two includes an early morning game drive and an afternoon boat cruise on Lake Ihema. On day three, you cross the border into Uganda and drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Day four is for gorilla trekking, with an optional evening Batwa cultural experience or a visit to local artisans. On day five, you drive back to Kigali, with a possible stop at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, before your flight home.

The drive from Kigali to Akagera National Park covers roughly 110 km and takes about two to three hours. The longest legs are the transfer from Akagera to Bwindi on day three and the return to Kigali on day five, which each take around eight to ten hours including the border crossing and a lunch stop. These are full travel days, so we recommend arriving rested and planning your flight home with enough margin. Your driver-guide paces each leg with comfort stops and scenic breaks.

Akagera is the only park in Rwanda where you can look for the Big Five: elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, and both black and white rhinos. You may also see giraffes, zebras, topis, waterbucks, impalas, and kobs, along with a rich variety of birdlife. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but game drives at dawn and dusk give you the best chances. Your driver-guide knows where animals tend to gather and will adjust the route to match what you most want to see.

The boat cruise on Lake Ihema lasts about one to two hours and takes place on the afternoon of day two. It is a relaxed, easy activity suitable for all fitness levels. From the water, you can watch hippos, crocodiles resting on the banks, and colourful water birds at close range. The cruise is a pleasant contrast to the early morning game drive and gives you a different view of the park’s wildlife.

Once the trackers locate your gorilla family, you are allowed one hour with them. Visitors are grouped in small numbers, with a maximum of eight people per gorilla family each day, which keeps the encounter calm and protects the animals. You can watch the silverback, mothers, and playful juveniles while taking photographs without flash. The trek itself can last anywhere from one to six hours depending on where the family moved overnight, and each trekker receives a gorilla trekking certificate afterwards.

Gorilla families are assigned by Uganda Wildlife Authority 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.

The game drives and boat cruise are relaxed, but the gorilla trek is the demanding part of the trip. Trails can be steep, muddy, and forested at altitudes between 1,160 and 2,607 metres, and the hike may last one to six hours. A moderate level of fitness is recommended. Waterproof hiking boots, long sleeves, and gardening-style gloves make the trek more comfortable. Porters are available to hire and can carry your bag and give you a helping hand on steep sections.

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. If you are travelling as a family, tell us the ages of everyone in your group before booking so we can discuss alternative activities for younger members, such as time at the lodge or a visit to local artisans while the rest of the group trekks.

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 gorillas. Do not eat, drink, or smoke near them. If a gorilla comes close, stay calm and let it pass. Gorillas are vulnerable to human illnesses, so visitors also follow hygiene and health guidance given during the briefing, including wearing a face mask when instructed.

Tell your driver-guide and park staff straight away if you have a cold, flu symptoms, diarrhoea, or any other contagious illness. Mountain gorillas 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. We recommend travel insurance that covers medical issues and trip interruption, and we encourage you to rest and stay hydrated before your trek day.

Permits are issued in limited numbers by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. We first check availability, and once we purchase your permit, your trekking spot is secured. Sightings of habituated gorilla families are highly likely because trackers follow the animals daily and guide you to them, but these are wild animals, so no operator can offer an absolute guarantee. Because demand is high in peak months, booking four to six months ahead is wise.

Entry requirements depend on your nationality, so check the current rules before you travel. Because this trip starts in Rwanda and ends in Uganda, you will need valid entry permission for both countries. Many travellers qualify for the East Africa Tourist Visa, which covers Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya, so ask us about it when you book. The crossing is at Kagitumba or Gatuna, and your driver-guide handles the vehicle paperwork while you complete immigration. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months, and ask your doctor about recommended vaccinations and any yellow fever certificate requirements.

It is optional, and it is a good choice if you want to balance wildlife with culture. The Batwa are the traditional forest people of the Bwindi area, and the visit shares their forest heritage and way of life. It usually fits into the evening after your gorilla 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. If you prefer something lighter, you can instead visit nearby local artisans and buy handmade crafts.

In Akagera, mid-range guests stay at Akagera Game Lodge, while luxury guests stay at Ruzizi Tented Lodge. In Bwindi, mid-range guests stay at Gorilla Leisure Lodge and luxury guests stay at Gorilla Safari Lodge. Lodges are subject to availability at the time of booking, and we may suggest comparable alternatives if your first choice is full. There is no accommodation on the final night because you travel back to Kigali for your flight, though an extra night in Kigali can be arranged for an additional fee. Your final quotation lists the confirmed lodges before you pay.

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 park rangers, trackers, and porters after the gorilla trek. Porter hire is optional, costs around $20, and supports families living around the park. There is no fixed amount for tips, so give according to the service you receive and what feels comfortable.

We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical care, emergency evacuation, trip cancellation, and interruption. Carry some US dollars in recent, undamaged notes for tips, souvenirs, and porter fees, and bring a card for lodge extras where accepted. Local currency is useful for small purchases. Rwanda has banned single-use plastic bags and Uganda restricts them, so avoid packing them in your luggage, as officials may confiscate them at the border or airport.

Yes. We can adjust this safari to fit your schedule and interests. Popular additions include extra days for chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest, a boat cruise on Lake Kivu, or additional nights in Kigali. Accommodation can also be upgraded or adjusted at any point in the trip. Tell us what you would like to add, and we will update your quotation accordingly.

Send us your preferred travel dates, number of travellers, and accommodation level. We first check gorilla permit 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 permit and confirm the lodge and transport reservations. Because permits are limited, booking four to six months ahead is wise, especially for the dry seasons from June to September and December to February.