5-Day Bwindi Gorilla Trekking & Mgahinga Golden Monkey Safari.
5-day route — Kampala → Bwindi (two gorilla treks) → Mgahinga (golden monkeys) → Kigali, crossing at the Cyanika border post.
Day 1 — Kampala to Bwindi: Early departure (7–8 AM), long scenic drive (~8–9 hrs) west via Mbarara, with an optional stop at the Equator in Kayabwe. Arrive at Bwindi by late afternoon and check into your lodge.
Day 2 — First Gorilla Trek: 7:30 AM briefing at park HQ, then trek (anywhere from 1–6+ hours depending on the family’s location) and a full hour observing the gorillas up close. The rest of the day free.
Day 3 — Second Gorilla Trek: Same format, typically a different sector or gorilla family for a fresh encounter — this is the “double” trek for a stronger overall chance of great sightings. Afternoon free, or add an optional Batwa cultural walk.
Day 4 — Transfer to Mgahinga & Golden Monkey Trek ~2–3 hr drive south to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in the Virunga volcanoes. Golden monkey trekking is shorter and easier than gorilla trekking (1.5–2 hrs each way through bamboo forest).
Day 5 — Maghinga to Kigali. Cross into Rwanda at the Cyanika border post (have passport, visa/East Africa Tourist Visa, and yellow fever certificate ready), then drive on (~2–3 hrs) to Kigali, arriving early-mid afternoon. Safari ends here.
A few practical notes:
- Permits: Bwindi gorilla permits are $800/person (Uganda Wildlife Authority), and you’ll need two since this is a double trek. Golden monkey permits in Mgahinga are around $100. Book these well ahead — Bwindi permits, especially, sell out months in advance.
- Fitness: gorilla trekking can be steep and muddy; porters are available to hire locally and are well worth it.
- Documents: bring your passport, visa (or East Africa Tourist Visa if covering Uganda/Rwanda/Kenya), and yellow fever vaccination certificate for the border crossing.
Want me to flesh this into a full day-by-day document with lodge suggestions and a budget estimate?
