5-Day Kigali-Bwindi Gorilla Safari, A Uganda Rwanda Adventure

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Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure with the Kigali-Bwindi Gorilla Safari, a brief excursion through Uganda and Rwanda.

5 DAYS
USD $2429 pp
Type
Personalized
Activity
Physical

Overview

Dive into the vibrancy of Kigali City's cultural scene while also paying a visit to the Genocide Memorial Centre to gain insights into the country's poignant history.
Indulge in a picturesque drive that meanders through Rwanda's enchanting landscapes, leading you across the border into the captivating realm of Uganda.
Trek through the enigmatic Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and share moments with the endangered mountain gorillas—an experience that etches itself into your memory forever.
Participate in a guided cultural trail alongside the Batwa Pygmies, the indigenous forest dwellers of Uganda, and unravel the intricacies of their traditional lifestyle.
Spend nights in a tranquil forest cottage, where serene surroundings and breathtaking views seamlessly envelop you, inviting a deep connection with the essence of nature.

Price includes/excludes

Local English-speaking guides/driver
Tourist Visa (apply online at visas.immigration.go.ug)
Accommodation & Meals as indicated in itinerary
Trekking permit & park fees (worth USD 730 pp)
Land transfers in 4x4 safari truck
Service tips
Activities & excursions as shown in itinerary
Extra meals, snacks, gratuities, souvenirs
AMREF evacuation cover, and government taxes
Travel insurance

Detailed Itinerary

The Kigali-Bwindi Gorilla Safari creates a seamless connection between these two captivating countries, allowing you to bask in uninterrupted moments with a family of habituated mountain gorillas. This unique route directly takes you from Rwanda's vibrant capital, Kigali, to the heart of Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This journey offers an attractive alternative for those seeking to sidestep the lengthy 10-hour drive between Entebbe International Airport and Bwindi's lush forest. Moreover, it grants access to more affordable gorilla treks compared to the pricier options in Volcanoes National Park.

The shorter Kigali-Bwindi route provides an exclusive opportunity to explore the bountiful landscapes and cultural tapestries of both Uganda and Rwanda, all while preserving the depth of the experience you seek.

Begin your adventure with a day in Kigali, where you'll immerse yourself in the city's celebrated cultural scene. From there, venture into the heart of the impenetrable woods, where three unforgettable nights in a forest cottage await. One entire day is dedicated to the pinnacle of your journey: the gorilla trekking experience. You'll forge a connection with these magnificent creatures, gaining insight into their lives in the wild. Another day is reserved for an enriching interaction with native communities, offering a glimpse into their unique cultures and way of life.

Our dedicated safari specialists are ready to tailor this itinerary to your preferences, adjusting lodges, dates, and budget considerations. This journey is crafted for you, with your desires at its core. Don't hesitate to request a personalized quote today. Your unforgettable Kigali-Bwindi Gorilla Safari awaits, promising a fusion of natural wonders and cultural discoveries that will resonate long after your return.

Day 1: Arrive in Kigali - Immerse in the Cultural Scene

Day 2: Drive Kigali to Bwindi via Kyanika Border

Day 3: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Day 4: Guided Cultural Trail With Batwa Pygmies

Day 5: Drive Bwindi to Kigali - End of Trip

Diana

Moreen

Local specialists

Our Uganda safari specialists work closely with customers to design a personalized journey that provides an exceptional experience. We understand that traveling to unfamiliar places and dealing with complex logistics can be overwhelming, so we offer guidance from local experts to help you plan your safari trip according to your preferences and needs.

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What our last guests said.

    EXCELLENT  
  255 reviews
 
 
        Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Gabriel B 
 
 
 
 Verified  3 unforgettable Weeks in Uganda We spent three weeks travelling around Uganda. It was a wonderful trip with so many incredible moments. A big shout-out to our fantastic driver and guide, Emanuell. We laughed, discussed, learned and enjoyed ourselves so much. Thank you so much, Emanuell, it was a real pleasure. We highly recommend Nkuringo. The people there take great care of their guests. We felt we were in the best of hands at all times and can highly recommend the company.
  
 
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Mary Carol W 
 
 
 
 Verified  Exceeded our expectations! We just returned from a customized fly-in safari and primate-trekking trip with Nkuringo Safaris. This trip was an A++ experience!! Our travel manager, Catherine, did a fantastic job of planning every detail. Our guide, Patrick Yiga, was superb. His knowledge, driving abilities (not easy roads!), and communication skills were all excellent. He paid attention to every detail. We already miss him a lot! Our experiences, accommodations, and food were all exceptional. Nkuringo Safaris showed us why Uganda is truly the Pearl of Africa.
  
 
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   lisvelasco2001 
 
 
 
 Verified  Amazing Custom Ugandan Trip How do I rate our 12 day trip through Uganda? AMAZING. My travel consultant who I use to put together our Africa trips worked in conjunction with Nkuringo to put together an amazing trip for us. There were 8 of us - my husband (active 72 year old) and I (62 years old), 4 travel friends (56-72) and our 2 nephews (30 years old). It was an active adventure with a primate focus. We took two internal flights to minimize our time on the bumpy roads. In putting the trip together, I had the opportunity to review all the accommodations and suggested activities. We did two hikes, two mountain bike rides, Chimp/Gorilla/Golden Monkey Tracking and some boating.It’s hard to say what the best/favorite thing was. Each was special in it’s own way. The unexpected PRIVATE boat ride on the Kazinga Channel was amazing in itself? Having a great guide for the Chimp tracking? Hike through the Bwindi Forest on the Ivy Trail?Accommodations were incredible - all staffed by very special people. None of us will ever forget Innocent (our butler) at the Primate Lodge. I will never forget Issac’s (Nkuringo Lodge) attention to our nephews who wanted to visit a local bar - who willingly took them and then hike to the Top of the World with them. It was really nice to have our laundry done and boots cleaned at some of the lodges.But the best part of the entire trip (besides traveling with friends and family) was our guides: Jack and Oscar. The two of them worked hand in hand for a seamless trip seeing to our every want and teaching us all about the country. My husband and I travel extensively and these two men rank up there as two of the best guides ever. I will never forget Oscar mountain biking with me as I slowly went downhill, gripping the brakes while my husband and nephews ripped ahead with the bike guide. For that I will be forever grateful. Or the day that the nephews wanted to go into town/Kisoro and see a bar and walk around. Jack and Oscar took them while Jack walked around with them. My husband and I never had to worry about their safety.The Land Cruisers were in top notch condition and spotless at the beginning of the trip. They were cleaned again when Jack and Oscar had a break from us. When available they even provided WIFI in the vehicles as well as water.Kudos to Lydia, the owner of the company, for running a top notch organization.
  
 
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Simone C 
 
 
 
 Verified  Great Uganda experience with a perfect guide! We had an amazing vacation full of everything you can dream about: Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Leopard, Rhinos,…and some hiking. We had the best guide you can have, driving perfectly through every terrain, always flexible, perfectly organised and always a smile on his face: Bob Magezi! We felt safe and in great hands all the time! Uganda is a very diversified country that exceeded our expectations, with awesome people, green nature and lots of animals.
  
 
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   ML 
 
 
 
 Verified  An unforgettable Uganda Experience with Bob and Nkuringo Two weeks of an amazing Uganda experience are behind us. From Entebbe over Ziwa Rhino to Murchison Falls, Kibale (Chimps), Ruwenzori, QE National Park, Bwindi and Lake Mutanda.The trip was extremely well organized and full of great experiences.We thank our great Guide Bob for a tremendous job and guidance through beautiful Uganda.Thank you Bob and Nkuringo, Iris&Marvin
  
 
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Laura P 
 
 
 
 Verified  Amazing tour Everything about this 5 day experience was top notch. Remmy was an incredible guide - great energy, good vibes, helpful, knowledgeable, & always kept us feeling safe. Lodges were beautiful with great service & of course the animals/wild life did not disappoint. Added some optional hikes/walks to keep us active. Incredible trip - definitely recommend Remmy & Nkuringo!!
  
 
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Devon G 
 
 
 
 Verified  Incredible trip to Uganda The trip was unbelievable. The itinerary was thoughtfully packed with amazing activities and beautiful scenic drives that made travel time enjoyable. The gorilla and chimpanzee trekking experiences were truly once-in-a-lifetime moments that we will never forget. Our guide Remmy was the best tour guide we could have asked for during our trip to Uganda. He was always prompt, incredibly knowledgeable, and genuinely kind. He truly made the entire experience special. We felt comfortable with him right away, and by the end of the trip, it honestly felt like we were traveling with family. We can’t recommend Remmy highly enough!
  
 
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Joanna W 
 
 
 
 Verified  A Memorable Safari Marked by Care, Presence, and Expertise This was an exceptional safari experience from start to finish, beautifully designed and flawlessly delivered. As a solo traveler, I felt supported, well looked after, and genuinely welcomed throughout the entire journey.Diana was a joy to work with from the very beginning. She was warm, friendly, and highly responsive, while at the same time extremely attentive to my individual needs. Her advice on the different elements of the safari was thoughtful and well-balanced, helping shape an itinerary that felt both exciting and perfectly suited to me. I truly appreciated her guidance, flexibility, and care at every stage of the planning process.Patrick is an outstanding guide and professional. His competence, calm presence, and deep knowledge made the journey feel effortless and safe at all times. He has a rare ability to read situations and respond intuitively, creating a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere while remaining discreet and respectful. His attentiveness, sense of humor, and genuine care made long days on the road and in the parks deeply enjoyable and memorable, adding a very special quality to this trip.I was fortunate to do my gorilla trek on my birthday, which made this already extraordinary experience even more meaningful. I was lucky to trek solo and spend precious time with a gorilla family — an unforgettable and deeply moving encounter. The guide Emos, together with the rangers and trackers, were kind, supportive, and incredibly professional, and most importantly made me feel safe and comfortable throughout the entire half-day experience.The game drives and the Kazinga Channel boat safari were exceptional. I was lucky to see the Big Four, with unforgettable sightings of elephants, lions, and a leopard I had especially hoped to observe. I was deeply impressed by Patrick’s knowledge of wildlife, nature, and local culture, and by his thoughtful responses to all my questions, which enriched every experience.At one point I felt uncomfortable with the initially booked boat experience, and both Patrick and Diana addressed this immediately by moving me to a larger, more comfortable boat. I truly appreciated this level of flexibility, responsiveness, and seamless logistics management.The chimpanzee trek in Kibale and the local community activities were equally rewarding. I was guided by Leo, whose warmth, hospitality, and excellent knowledge of local nature and culture helped me connect more deeply with the environment and the people, adding meaningful depth to the journey.The accommodations were impeccable. Nkuringo, Elephant Plains, and Turaco Treetops lodges were all very different in style, yet equally excellent in design, hospitality, quality of service, and delicious food. I was especially touched when Nkuringo Lodge organized a small birthday celebration with a cake — a thoughtful gesture that made me feel truly welcome.Overall, this safari exceeded my expectations in every way. My sincere thanks to Diana, Patrick, and the entire team for creating such a beautifully curated, professional, and memorable experience. I would wholeheartedly recommend this journey to anyone seeking something truly special.
  
 
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Clare N 
 
 
 
 Verified  Dream trip to Uganda! I cannot recommend Nkuringo Safari’s highly enough. From start to finish, my trip to Uganda exceeded every expectation - especially as I was a solo woman travelling on my first safari. Massively made by Moreen, who organised everything, and Remmy, my guide! From the beginning, Moreen was my first point of contact, and she was so great. Started with an enquiry about the 12 day safari & she helped turn it into an 18 day dream trip! She handled endless emails, questions, and changes — from where I wanted to stay, to adding extra nights and fine-tuning every detail. She made everything so easy & gave me complete confidence from the start and made the planning process stress-free. Each destination and lodge were so special. The settings were stunning, the accommodation perfect, and the hospitality at each place was so welcoming. Falling asleep to the sounds of nature, a lot of the time grumbling hippos and waking up to stunning sunrises & beautiful scenery doesn’t get old.Remmy - my guide, what a guy! Not just an outstanding safari guide — he is someone truly special. He has such a vast knowledge of wildlife, the land, and the Ugandan culture, I learnt so much from him. He knew spots where we could get great sightings of wildlife. He really looked after me, he was kind, caring and attentive. He made me feel completely safe & comfortable. By the end of the trip, Remmy felt more like a friend than a guide. And always making sure I had a cold beer in my hand after an activity. An absolute LEGEND!If you’re considering a safari in Uganda Nkuringo are the company to book with — and if you’re lucky enough to have Remmy as your guide, you’re in for a treat!Thank you Remmy, and thank you Moreen and Nkuringo Safaris for an unforgettable trip of a lifetime! Already thinking about my next adventure to Uganda.
  
 
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Alexandra G 
 
 
 
 Verified  Mountaingorillas and luxury It was a wonderful and amazing experience to see the mountaingorillas and everything went well, especially because my guide Remmy gave me good advices and answered to all my questions. I would highly recommend his guidance.Apart from that the stay in the Lodge near the Nationalpark was very luxurious.
  
 
 
  
 
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