6 Days Rwanda Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari – Overview

The 6 Days Rwanda Uganda Gorilla Tracking Safari takes you through Rwanda’s mountain gorillas thriving in the Volcanoes National Park part of the Virunga Massif and the Uganda’s enormous wildlife in the savannah rolling plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

The tour is a fascinating one with exposure to the magical sights of the land of a thousand hills, the ancient Musaze caves, the mountain gorilla trekking in volcanoes, the game viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park and the recreational boat cruise along the 45km long Kazinga Channel

6 Days Rwanda Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari – Highlights

• Day 1: Tour the Kigali City. Visit the Gisozi genocide memorial, Presidential Palace Museum, Kigali Markets and Natural Histoy Museum
• Day 2: Transfer to the gorilla haven of Volcanoes Natioanl Park & visit the Musaze caves in the afternoon
• Day 3: Do gorilla trekking & visit the iby’wachu cultural village in the afternoon
• Day 4: Cross to Uganda & transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Day 5: Do morning game drive & an afternoon launch cruise along the 45km Kazinga Channel dubbed the Hippos Paradise
• Day 6: Transfer back to Kigali Rwanda

6 Days Rwanda Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari – Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Tour the Kigali City. Visit The Gisozi Genocide Memorial, Presidential Palace Museum, Kigali Markets and Natural History Museum

You will be picked at your place of stay after breakfast, to embark in the tour of Kigali city.

The Rwanda’s city of Kigali is very calm, noise free and less congested city setting the trend different from the most of the African cities.

You take a tour to the Gisozi genocide Memorial to encounters that remains of the Rwandese especially the Tustsi and the moderate Hutu who lost their lives in the bloody genocide that befell the country in 1994.

The city tour will also take you to the Presidential Palace Museum which was the home of Juvenal Habyarimana who was the Rwandan president at the time of genocide.

The remains of FALCON 50 Presidential in which he lost his life after its clash can also be viewed at the palace.

Continue to visit the markets of Kigali, the Natural History Museum also known as the Kandt house to encounter a range of collections featuring the natural environment of Rwanda. After this encounter retire for relaxation, diner and overnight.

Accommodation: Hotel Des Milles Collines (Upmarket/Luxury), Hotel Chez Lando (Mid-range/Standard) or Discover Rwanda Youth Hostel (Budget/Basic).

Day 2: Transfer to The Gorilla Haven of Volcanoes National Park & Visit The Musaze Caves in The Afternoon

Embark on the transfer to the north west of Rwanda to the famous Volcanoes National Park which is 116km about 3 hours’ drive from Kigali city.

The en route impressive sights of the rolling hills of Rwanda that have earned her a dub as the land of a thousand hills will accompany you up the park.

The rural landscapes that are farmed and dotted with lush green features makes the journey reading, You will arrive at the lodge in time for lunch and short relaxation after which you will embark on the tour to the Musaze Caves.

The Musaze Caves are located close to Musaze town and have got an ancient background as they were used as hiding place for the Royals in times of trouble and the store for the supplies.

The walk in the caves is very rewarding and a terrifying one. The cathedral like natural feature is impressing to encounter while on Rwanda safari. Retire from the activity and connect to lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Mount Gorilla View Lodge (Upmarket/ luxury), La Palme Hotel (Midrange/standard) or Muhabura Hotel (Budget/Basic).

Day 3: Do Gorilla Trekking & Visit The iby’wachu Cultural Village

Wake up in the morning for a cup of coffee at your place of stay after which you transfer to Kinigi Park Headquarters in Volcanoes National Park for the gorilla trekking encounter.

At 8am, you catch up with the briefing exercise by the park rangers about the gorilla trekking conduct.

In this session, you will be allocated a specific gorilla family that you are going to track and in case of special concern such as mobility issues, you can notify the responsible personnel to allocate you a suitable family.

For the sake of the adventurous ones, you can also notify the responsible personnel to allocate you a more strenuous and challenging gorilla family to track.

After this encounter you head to the slopes of the Virunga Volcanoes where the Park is located in search of the critically endangered mountain gorillas which only thrive in the Virunga Massif and the famous Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the neighboring Uganda.

The activity which may last between 2 – 8 hours depending on the gorilla movements will involve a 1 hour of direct encounter with gorillas coupled with unlimited opportunity to take as many photos as you wish after which you will descend back to the gorilla trekking point.

The gorilla trekking in Rwanda is most times brief as the gorilla families tend to be closer to the starting point.

After returning, transfer back to lodge for short relaxation after which you visit the iby’wachu cultural village to gain an insight of the Kinyarwanda traditions including Music dance and drama, art and crat, architecture, ancient stories and the Royal practices among others. Retire in the evening for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury) / Hotel La Palme (Midrange/Standard) or Muhabura Hotel (Budget/Basic).

Day 4: Cross to Uganda & Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After a thrilling breakfast, cross to Uganda and embark on the transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park famously known for its status a world biosphere reserve.

The travel distance is 411km about 7 hours’ drive passing through the magical views of the Virunga ranges; the impressive scenery of the Kigezi Highlands dubbed the Switzerland of Africa and the impenetrable forest of Bwindi.

Arrive in Queen Elizabeth National Park in the evening and check in at the lodge for relaxation dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge (Upmarket/luxury), Enganzi lodge (Midrange/standard) or Pumba Safari Cottages (Budget/Basic).

Day 5: Do Morning Game Drive & an Afternoon Launch Cruise Along The 45km Kazinga Channel Dubbed The Hippos Paradise

Take an early morning cup of coffee before embarking on the wild game viewing in the rolling Savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park. the drive will take you through Kasenyi which is a dwelling place for a range of game including the elephants, lions, buffaloes, Antelopes among others.

The racks are well designed to increase you possibilities of encountering wild game.

The sights of an elusive leopard, defassa waterbuck, Uganda kob, Side stripped Jackal; Oribis among others might be encountered.

Return to the lodge after this 3 -4 hour game drive for refreshment and relaxation until the time for lunch.

After having a thrilling lunch, embark on the rewarding boat cruise on the 45km long Kazinga Channel that connects Lakes Edward and George.

The 2 hour boat cruise opens your possibilities of enjoying the calm channel waters filled with counts of Hippos no wonder the channel is called the Paradise of Hippos.

The other sights of water birds and the Nile crocodiles may not be missed. Retire in the evening at 5pm to connect to the lodge for overnight.

You have a mini game drive along the channel track to encounter the wild game enjoying themselves in their natural habitats.

Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Enganzi Lodge (Midrange/Standard) or Pumba Safari Cottages (Budget/Basic).

Day 6: Transfer Back to Kigali

After your thrilling breakfast, embark on the drive to Kigali city 399km about 8 hours’ drive from Mweya. The drive will take you through Ishasha sector in search of tree climbing lions that tend to lie on the fig tree branches during day time. Continue to cross to Kigali Rwanda to mark the end of the safari.

End of The 6 Days Rwanda Uganda Gorilla Tracking Safari.