Uganda and Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari Expedition 11 Days

Uganda and Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari Expedition 11 Days offers an immersive journey through East Africa’s premier wildlife destinations, featuring the unique opportunity to trek mountain gorillas in two different countries. Most itineraries begin in Uganda at Entebbe International Airport and conclude in Rwanda at Kigali International Airport, or vice versa, covering primate tracking, savanna game drives, and cultural encounters.

Typical 11-Day Safari Itinerary

It is a classic, high-impact “East African Highlights” itinerary. It smartly hits the “Big Three” of the region: Murchison’s powerful water, Kibale’s primates, and the dual-country gorilla experience.

Here are a few pro-tips to keep in mind for this specific route:

The Gorilla Contrast: Doing Bwindi (Uganda) and Volcanoes (Rwanda) back-to-back is fascinating. Bwindi is a thick, tangled jungle hike, while Volcanoes offers more open bamboo forests and dramatic volcanic backdrops.
The Border Crossing: Since you’re crossing from Uganda to Rwanda, make sure you have the East African Tourist Visa. It costs $100 and covers both countries (plus Kenya) on one permit, which is much cheaper and easier than buying separate visas.
The Ishasha Factor: Finding the tree-climbing lions on Day 7 can be hit-or-miss depending on the heat. Ask your driver to check the big fig trees along the road to Bwindi—they usually head up there to escape the ground-level insects.
The Logistics: Day 9 is a long drive day with the border crossing. Pack some local snacks (like a Rolex or dried fruit) to keep your energy up during the transit.

Are you planning to book this through a tour operator, or are you looking for Lodge recommendations for specific stops?

Standard itineraries often follow a route that maximises wildlife viewing across multiple national parks:

Day 1: Arrival:

Pick-up at Entebbe International Airport; transfer to a Hotel in Entebbe or Kampala.

Day 2-3: Murchison Falls National Park:

Rhino tracking at Ziwa Sanctuary, morning game drives, and a boat cruise to the bottom of the falls.

Day 4: Kibale National Park:

Transfer to the primate capital; afternoon guided nature walk in Bigodi Wetland.

Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking:

morning trek in Kibale Forest; afternoon transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Day 6: Queen Elizabeth National Park:

Morning game drive (look for lions and leopards) and afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel.

Day 7: Ishasha Sector:

Search for tree-climbing lions; transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Day 8 Gorilla Trekking (Uganda):

First gorilla encounter in Bwindi; optional Batwa community visit.

Day 9 Transfer to Rwanda:

Cross the border at Cyanika or Katuna; drive to Volcanoes National Park.

Day 10 Gorilla Trekking (Rwanda):

Second gorilla encounter in Volcanoes NP or optional Golden Monkey tracking.

Day 11 Kigali City Tour & Departure:

Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, then transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Key Logistics and Costs (2026)

The most significant cost factor for this expedition is the gorilla permit, which varies significantly between the two countries:

Uganda Gorilla Permit: $800 per person for foreign non-residents (increased from $700 as of July 2024).
Rwanda Gorilla Permit: $1,500 per person for foreign non-residents.
Chimpanzee Tracking (Uganda): $250 per person.
Safari Package Price: Mid-range 11-day private tours typically range from $3,800 to $5,600 per person, depending on group size and Accommodation levels.

Planning Tips

Best Time to Visit: The dry seasons—June to September and December to February—offer the best trekking conditions, with less muddy trail conditions.
Booking Permits: To secure your spot for a gorilla trek in Uganda or Rwanda, you should book your permits 6 to 12 months in advance, especially if you plan to travel during the peak dry seasons of June–September and December–February.
Visa Requirements: Travellers often utilise the East African Tourist Visa ($100), which allows multiple entries between Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya.
Recommended Operators: Top-rated local operators include Wild Travel Safaris (best overall for combined safaris), Uganda Travel Safaris, and Gorilla Safari Bookings.