Safaris in Rwanda & Uganda: Gorillas and Wildlife Adventures
Watching a silverback shift among the foliage while youngsters wrestle nearby is one of the wild’s most thrilling encounters. This single permitted hour in Rwanda or Uganda sits at the heart of what’s loosely called “gorilla adventure safaris” across East Africa. Yet the experience rarely stands alone. We pair gorilla trekking with golden monkey tracking, savannah game drives, and hikes through the Virunga Mountains, crafting multi-day itineraries that showcase the remarkable diversity packed into this small stretch of the continent. Choose from our drafted safari packages, or let us customise a trip built entirely around your preferences.
A short Rwanda Gorilla trekking experience packed into 1 day is one of the most rewarding ways to encounter mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. This Gorilla adventure itinerary is designed for travellers with limited time but a big appetite for adventure in Volcanoes National Park.
From $1850
When you book with Adventure Gorilla Safaris, you’re working directly with passionate local experts who know the destination inside and out. The same person who plans your itinerary is the one messaging you on WhatsApp and personally coordinating every part of your trip. Every guide on your safari is hand-selected by our seasoned team. As a locally owned and operated company, we’re proud to offer travel experiences that are authentic, personalized, and professionally run. We don’t subcontract any part of our operations. Airport pickups, permits, activities, transfers, lodge choices, guide assignments — every piece of your journey is managed in-house by our own local team, people who actually live and work in the places you’ll be visiting.
A short Rwanda Gorilla trekking experience packed into 1 day is one of the most rewarding ways to encounter mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. This Gorilla adventure itinerary is designed for travellers with limited time but a big appetite for adventure in Volcanoes National Park.
From $1850
Rwanda-Uganda Gorilla & Wildlife Safari Overview
Gorilla Trekking Uganda (Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga National Parks) is the budget option, with permits flat-rated at $800 year-round since mid-2025 (seasonal discounts discontinued). This is roughly half Rwanda’s price, which operators say has shifted tourist traffic toward Uganda. DRC’s Virunga National Park once offered ~$400 permits but is largely inaccessible due to instability; Kahuzi-Biega offers eastern lowland gorilla trekking for risk-tolerant travelers. Both Uganda and Rwanda require trekkers to be 15+, reasonably fit, and limit daily visitors per gorilla family. Porters are recommended for both practical and community-income reasons.
Golden Monkeys Found in the same bamboo forests as gorillas, in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Uganda’s Mgahinga. Easier, more affordable (~$100 in Rwanda), and less rationed than gorilla permits, often booked as a half-day add-on. Book ahead during peak seasons (June–September, December–February).
Savanna Safaris
- Rwanda: Akagera National Park has restored “Big Five” status through reintroduced lions and rhinos, offering savanna, woodland, and lake habitats (Lake Ihema boat safaris). Pairs naturally with Volcanoes National Park for a 1–2 week trip.
- Uganda: Larger circuit including Queen Elizabeth NP (tree-climbing lions, hippos/elephants, chimp tracking in Kyambura Gorge), Murchison Falls NP (game drives plus Nile boat cruise), and Kibale Forest NP, East Africa’s top chimp-tracking destination with a full-day habituation option.
Hiking & Volcano Climbing
- Rwanda: Mount Bisoke (crater lake, day hike), Mount Karisimbi (overnight climb), Mount Muhabura — all bookable separately from gorilla permits. Nyungwe NP adds rainforest trails, a canopy walkway, chimp tracking, and birdwatching.
- Uganda: Rwenzori Mountains (“Mountains of the Moon”) offer multi-day trekking to Margherita Peak, Africa’s third-highest summit. Bwindi/Mgahinga areas include community walks, waterfalls, and shared volcano climbs (Gahinga, Sabinyo).
Planning Notes A typical itinerary combines gorilla trekking, golden monkeys, and a volcano hike in Rwanda, then continues to Uganda’s savanna parks and a second gorilla trek, closing with chimp tracking. Given limited permits (non-refundable, date-specific) and long road transfers, most travelers use specialist operators. Confirm current prices/rules with the Rwanda Development Board or Uganda Wildlife Authority before booking.
