5 Days Gorilla Trek in Rwanda & Uganda Big Five Safari









- Overview
- Itinerary
- Inclusions
Overview of 5 Days Gorilla Trek in Rwanda & Uganda Big Five Safari
This 5 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trek & Uganda Big Five Safari combines mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park with a Big Five wildlife adventure in Uganda. The journey begins in Kigali and takes you through Rwanda’s green highlands for a close encounter with mountain gorillas. Afterwards, you will continue to Uganda to track southern white rhinos at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and enjoy game viewing in Murchison Falls National Park. Here, you can search for lions, leopards, elephants and buffaloes while exploring the savannah by private 4×4 vehicle. A Nile boat safari adds opportunities to observe hippos, crocodiles, elephants and waterbirds. Because the itinerary covers two countries within five days, domestic flights are recommended to reduce long road transfers. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but this carefully planned safari offers opportunities to search for all five members of the African Big Five.
Safari Highlights
- Mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
- Scenic private transfer from Kigali to Musanze
- Rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
- Game drive in Murchison Falls National Park
- Search for lions, leopards, elephants and buffaloes
- Boat safari along the River Nile
- Visit to the Murchison Falls viewpoint
- Private professional driver-guides
- Four nights’ accommodation
- Travel through Rwanda and Uganda
5 Days Gorilla Trek in Rwanda & Uganda Big Five Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Kigali to Volcanoes National Park
Your Rwanda Gorilla Tours driver-guide will collect you from Kigali International Airport or your hotel in Kigali. Depending on your arrival time, you may visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial before travelling north towards Volcanoes National Park.
The scenic drive passes through Rwanda’s rolling hills, rural communities and cultivated highlands. Upon arrival in Musanze, you will check in at your lodge and enjoy the surrounding views of the Virunga volcanoes.
Later, your guide will explain the following morning’s gorilla trekking arrangements. You will then have time to prepare your equipment and relax before dinner.
Accommodation: Budget, midrange or luxury lodge near Volcanoes National Park
Meal plan: Lunch and dinner
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking and Transfer Back to Kigali
After an early breakfast, your driver-guide will take you to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters in Kinigi. You will register and attend a briefing about trekking procedures, safety and responsible gorilla viewing.
You will then continue to the assigned trailhead and enter the forest with experienced park rangers. The trek may pass through farmland, bamboo forest and thick mountain vegetation. Its length depends on the gorillas’ location, movements, weather and trail conditions.
Once you find the mountain gorillas, you will spend the authorised viewing period observing them in their natural habitat. You may see them feeding, resting, playing and moving through the forest. Throughout the encounter, you must follow the instructions provided by the park rangers.
After the trek, you will meet your guide and return to the lodge for lunch. Later, you will travel back to Kigali for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Budget, midrange or luxury hotel in Kigali
Meal plan: Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner
Day 3: Kigali to Uganda, Ziwa Rhino Tracking and Murchison Falls
After breakfast, you will transfer to Kigali International Airport for a scheduled or charter flight to Entebbe. Upon arrival, your Uganda-based driver-guide will welcome you and begin the journey towards Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
At Ziwa, you will join trained guides for a walking rhino-tracking experience. The sanctuary provides an opportunity to observe southern white rhinos while learning about Uganda’s rhino conservation programme. You should follow the guide’s safety instructions and maintain the required viewing distance.
After the activity and lunch, you will continue to Murchison Falls National Park. Depending on the arrival time and route, you may visit the top of Murchison Falls, where the River Nile passes through a narrow rocky gorge before dropping powerfully below.
You will then proceed to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Budget, midrange or luxury lodge in Murchison Falls
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4: Murchison Falls Game Drive and Nile Boat Safari
You will begin the day with an early breakfast followed by a private game drive across the savannah plains of Murchison Falls National Park. Your guide will search for lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, Rothschild’s giraffes, Uganda kobs, hartebeests, oribis, warthogs and other animals.
Predators can be difficult to locate, so your guide will study tracks, animal behaviour and information from other professional guides. Although sightings cannot be guaranteed, early morning provides favourable conditions for observing wildlife before the day becomes hot.
After lunch, you will take a boat safari along the River Nile. The cruise provides opportunities to see hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes and many waterbirds along the riverbanks. You will also enjoy distant or close-range views of the dramatic landscape surrounding Murchison Falls, depending on the boat route.
After the boat safari, your driver-guide will take you back to the lodge for dinner and relaxation.
Accommodation: Same lodge in Murchison Falls
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 5: Murchison Falls to Entebbe and Departure
After breakfast, you will check out and transfer to the nearest operating airstrip for a scheduled or charter flight to Entebbe. Alternatively, a road transfer can be arranged, although this requires a much longer travel day.
Upon arrival in Entebbe, a representative will transfer you to Entebbe International Airport or your selected hotel. This marks the end of your 5 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trek & Uganda Big Five Safari.
If your international flight departs from Kigali, Rwanda Gorilla Tours can arrange a separate connecting flight and airport assistance.
Meal plan: Breakfast and lunch
5 Days Gorilla Trek in Rwanda & Uganda Big Five Safari
Inclusions
- Rwanda gorilla trekking permit
- Rhino-tracking activity at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
- Murchison Falls National Park entrance fees
- Morning game drive
- River Nile boat safari
- Private 4×4 safari vehicles
- Professional English-speaking driver-guides
- Four nights’ accommodation
- Meals indicated in the itinerary
- Bottled drinking water during transfers
- Airport and hotel transfers
- Ranger and tracking-guide services
- Visit to the Murchison Falls viewpoint
- Domestic or regional flights when included in the confirmed quotation
5 Days Gorilla Trek in Rwanda & Uganda Big Five Safari Exclusions
- International flights
- Rwanda and Uganda visa fees
- Domestic or regional flights unless listed in the quotation
- Travel and medical insurance
- Optional activities
- Porter services
- Personal expenses
- Laundry services
- Tips and gratuities
- Alcoholic and additional soft drinks
- Services not listed under the inclusions
Important Safari Information
This is a fast-paced itinerary covering two countries and distant national parks. Domestic or regional flights help reduce driving time and make the five-day route more comfortable. Flight schedules, gorilla permits, accommodation and park activities remain subject to availability.
Travellers must carry a valid passport and meet the current entry requirements for Rwanda and Uganda. Suitable travel insurance is strongly recommended. Since all animals live freely in their natural habitats, Rwanda Gorilla Tours cannot guarantee sightings of every Big Five species.
Book with Rwanda Gorilla Tours
Rwanda Gorilla Tours can customise this itinerary with budget, midrange, luxury or super-luxury accommodation. Extra days can also be added for golden monkey trekking, chimpanzee tracking, cultural experiences or additional game drives.
End of 5 Days Rwanda Gorilla Trek & Uganda Big Five Safari
Call or WhatsApp: +250 781 441 853
Email: info@rwandagorillatours.rw
What Our Clients Say
Verified
Aucun regret Nous avons passé une journée incroyable avec Félix, pick-up très tôt pour arriver a l'heure du lever du soleil a Akagera. Et franchement l'excursion a duré bien plus longtemps que ce que j'imaginais par rapport au prix. Je recommande a 200% !Posted on Tripadvisor![]()
Virginie DVerified
Experience of a lifetime with fantastic operator The day began at 4:30 AM when Dodos picked us up from our hotel in Kegali, we arrived at the briefing at about 7 AM where we had a nice cup of tea and were assigned our guide and group of 8 people for the day. The hike itself was more strenuous than I expected, and unfortunately, my daughter was sick so they ended up asking the local village to provide a stretcher to carry her with a rotating group of about 9 guys. It was an extra $200 but well worth it given how challenging it was to navigate the trails. A couple of guys lead with machetes, making space for us to travel about 3 miles uphill. Seeing the gorilla was incredible, it was beyond words to experience them in their natural setting for an hour. I know there are several different operators who organize these tours but I would highly recommend Universal Ventures due to their personal attention and going above and beyond when my daughter was sick. We ended up getting back to the hotel at about 8 PM, so a very long day, but one that we will never forget.Posted on Tripadvisor![]()
erg2222Verified
Perfect Rwanda tour that worked around our flight issues We had a fantastic experience in Rwanda with Dodos our guide and Emmanuel from the office! We had to deal with 2 cancelled flights and delayed baggage, and Emmanuel helped us reconfigure our itinerary so that we were still able to see the Genocide Memorial and go gorilla trekking. Dodos patiently waited for us at the airport even until 3am and helped us shop for clothes due to our baggage delay. He saved us quite a bit of money by bargaining with the locals. The arranged accommodations were very nice. Gorilla trekking is a lengthy hike but gratifying with the hour we had to hang out beside the family. Overall, Dodos and Emmanuel made Rwanda one of our most favorite countries we visited, even though our 5-day tour became 3 days. We highly recommend doing a tour with Universal Ventures Rwanda.Posted on Tripadvisor![]()
DK Travels the WorldVerified
Magical experience and lovely tour operator I would definitely recommend this experience in general and this operator specifically. They contacted me quickly to discuss arranging for the permit to see the gorillas (and extra fee paid directly to the Rwandan authorities). They also advised on how to prepare and answered my questions. On the day of, a really lovely driver picked me up from my hotel in Kigali on time in a luxurious jeep. He was friendly and encouraging as I was a bit anxious about the hiking which can be intense but my one wasn't that strenuous. It depends what the gorillas are up to and the park guides try to sort people loosely on fitness levels, I think. I hired a porter to carry my bag, and they also helped with uneven ground, which was not needed in this case but could have been very very essential if we had to walk through a steeper part of the park. The park staff then led my small group of tourists to see the gorillas, which was one of the most magical things I have experienced! The family of gorillas were very tolerant of us and we spent the full hour allotted with them (longer can stress them). After the walk back, Dodos, my driver, greeted me with a fancy drink and flip flops so I could get out of my hiking boots. We then had lunch at a restaurant o. The way back to Kigali. Overall, I felt very safe as a single female traveller and there were no unexpected costs.Posted on Tripadvisor![]()
Rosie HVerified
An Amazing Holidays in Rwanda and Uganda We took a wonderful 19-day trip through Rwanda and Uganda with the travel agency Universal Ventures—a trip tailored specifically to our family. We started planning the entire trip about three months in advance, and communication with the agency was excellent from the very beginning. It was a trip full of powerful experiences, beautiful nature, encounters with local people, and moments we’ll remember for a long time. The agency’s owner, Emmanuel, was very helpful, communicative, and patient from the very beginning, and he always helped us choose the best options for activities and accommodations based on what was most suitable for our family. The agency arranged a car with a driver and guide for us, as well as some of the activity bookings during the trip. We visited Akagera, Volcanoes, Bwindi, Queen Elizabeth, and Nyungwe National Parks, as well as Lake Kivu. Our driver (guide) was John Bosco, whom we can highly recommend. He was not only a great driver but also an excellent guide, thanks to whom we experienced the trip much more intensely. He has a vast knowledge of the local flora and fauna, and his knowledge of local birds was truly impressive. We were equally fascinated by his excellent knowledge of the local area—he was able to drive to any location or hotel without using a map or a GPS on his phone. We also greatly appreciated his punctuality: the car was always ready even before the agreed-upon time. The car remained tidy and clean throughout the entire trip, even after driving on dusty roads. John also provided us with valuable information about the duration of each leg of the journey, helped us plan our itinerary better, and thanks to him, we felt safe and well taken care of the entire time. The agreement with the agency was clear and easy to understand. We had the option to choose from several pricing options, and the one we selected was the final price—we weren’t charged any additional fees. The deposit we paid to Universal Ventures in advance was properly accounted for. Any minor issues that arose during our long trip were quickly resolved. We definitely recommend booking a car with a driver for a vacation in Rwanda and Uganda: finding your way around isn’t always easy, the quality of the roads is often very poor—especially in Uganda—and it’s also better to cross the Rwanda/Uganda land border with someone who knows the local conditions. In addition, the driver can help you organize visits to local cultural centers, which will allow you to get to know the country much better. This vacation was unforgettable for us, and we feel that it was thanks to Emmanuel, John Bosco, and the entire Universal Ventures agency that we were able to experience Rwanda and Uganda in such a beautiful, safe, and in-depth way. Thank you so much for the excellent organization, care, and all the experiences that will stay with us for a long time to come. We can wholeheartedly and with great pleasure recommend this agency for a trip through Rwanda and Uganda.Posted on Tripadvisor![]()
Lenka NVerified
Amazing time seeing Gorillas We had the best time with Mupenzi and Dodos! They made the whole trip unforgettable! There is nothing like seeing Gorillas up close in the wild!Posted on Tripadvisor![]()
Joel SVerified
Majestic Experience Today was such an amazing day of adventure! Volcanoes National Park is an amazing and ethical way to see these beautiful creatures. Our trekking guide Mupenzi was so kind, fun, and knowledgeable. And our driver, Dodos was phenomenal. He is such a lovely person and incredibly knowledgeable. Highly recommended!Posted on Tripadvisor![]()
Sami MVerified
Absolutely breathtaking experience! My experience was seamless from the coordination of my pick up and drop off, to the actual excursion! Hands down one of the best experiences of my life! Christian was extremely helpful and welcoming throughout our entire trip, it would not have been the same without him. Seeing the gorillas after the trekking through the thick brush, was absolutely breathtaking! I will definitely be recommending this trip to all my friends and family!Posted on Tripadvisor![]()
Greg VVerified
100% recommended I was originally in Tanzania for a safari but decided to add the gorilla trek at the end of my trip because the flight was too long to fly to Africa from California again at my age. I booked through Viator. From the beginning, communication with Universal Adventures was positive. They were prompt to answer any questions. And a few days before the excursion, they sent me my driver's name and WhatsApp number. His name is Christian.We communicated through WhatsApp, and he was very prompt to reply back. He was early to pick me up at 4:30am. I had another person in the car. The car was clean. Its a long drive to the meeting place. We stopped for breakfast pastries at a local shop( they take credit cards and had a clean breakfast. We then drove to the meeting place where we met up with our group. There they had hot drinks like coffees, lattes, teas, etc. We then had to drive to the beginning of the mountain. It was a long drive as the roads are not paved. My group was assigned the Isimbi gorilla family and our guide was Jolie. My porter was Adolf. I was the least active one in the group but the crew never made me feel bad. After what I thought was a 4 hr hike (it was really 1 hr and 26 minutes) we found our gorilla family. We had plenty of time to take pictures with them. After we were done, Christian took us to a rooftop restaurant. The food was delicious! I recommend this excursion 100%. The company is awesome and very professional.Posted on Tripadvisor![]()
patty eVerified
Gorilla Experience in Rwanda! Easy ride, the trip was one in a life time experience. The driver (Christian) was very nice and kind and made the trip smooth! Everything was great.Posted on Tripadvisor![]()
Juliet K
