5 Day Kigali to Bwindi: Gorillas, Golden Monkeys and Batwa
Fly into Kigali, drive to Bwindi for a gorilla trek, a golden monkey trek and a Batwa trail.
Go beyond the expected.
A short primate trip that starts and ends in Kigali. Trek to gorillas in Bwindi, track golden monkeys in Mgahinga and spend a day on the Batwa trail.
- Gorilla trek in Bwindi
- Golden monkey trek in Mgahinga
- Batwa trail
- Local markets
What's included
Included
- Airport transfers
- Pop-up roof 4x4 vehicle with driver-guide
- Accommodation and meals as specified
- Park and reserve entrance fees for the activities listed
- Mountain gorilla permit
- Golden monkey permit
- Batwa trail
Not included
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal expenses
- Alcoholic beverages
Confirm current park fees, permit availability, accommodation and pricing before booking, since these can change with season and demand. Access to remote areas should be confirmed before travel.
Day by day
Day 1 Kigali to Bwindi
Kigali and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Meet your guide at Kigali airport, with an optional city tour, then drive through the terraced Kigezi Highlands to Bwindi, arriving for lunch and a nature trail if time allows.
Day 2 Gorilla trekking
Bwindi
Trek to a gorilla family and spend an hour with them.
Day 3 Golden monkeys
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Transfer to Mgahinga to trek golden monkeys in the bamboo forest, then return to the lodge.
Day 4 Batwa trail
Bwindi
Spend the day on the Batwa trail with lunch, and stop at local markets on the way back.
Day 5 Return to Kigali and departure
Kigali
Drive back to Kigali for your flight, with an optional city tour.
On this safari
Places you will visit
Travel Guide
Knowledge connected to this page
Read planning and destination stories connected to this Offmap entity.
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Batwa Cultural Experience in Uganda: What It Is and How to Choose
A forest walk with Batwa hosts, and how to do it respectfully.
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Luxury Gorilla Safari: Lodges, Flights and Private Guiding
Where the best lodges are, how flights save days and how to spend longer with the gorillas.
East Africa Gorilla Trekking Honeymoon & Couples
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Trek to the gorillas, then rest by the Indian Ocean.
Uganda Chimpanzees Communities
Cultural Safari Uganda: Batwa, Buganda and Karamoja
Forest people, kingdoms, markets and cattle herders, linked to the parks.
Uganda Gorilla Trekking Planning a Safari
The Complete Guide to Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Where to trek, when to go, how permits work and what the hour with the gorillas is really like.
Ready to plan this Safari?
Start with the places and experiences that matter to you. We will shape the Safari around them.
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Questions about 5 Day Kigali to Bwindi: Gorillas, Golden Monkeys and Batwa
Can I combine Rwanda and Uganda in one safari?
Yes, this is a popular combination. Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda sits close to Uganda’s southwest, so gorilla trekking in one country and chimpanzee tracking or savannah game drives in the other can be combined without excessive travel time.
Can I combine Rwanda and Uganda in one trip?
Yes, this is a popular combination. Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda sits close to Uganda’s southwest, so gorilla trekking in one country and chimpanzee tracking or savannah game drives in the other can be combined without excessive travel time.
Do I need a visa to visit Uganda?
Most nationalities need a visa for Uganda, commonly available as an e-visa applied for online before travel. Requirements vary by nationality, so check the current official guidance for your passport well ahead of your safari.
How many days do I need in Uganda?
A focused gorilla trekking safari can work in as few as 4–5 days, but 8–12 days lets you combine gorilla trekking with chimpanzee tracking, a savannah park such as Queen Elizabeth or Murchison Falls, and some rest time. We shape the exact length around what you want to include.
How many national parks does Rwanda have?
Rwanda protects its landscapes across four national parks: Volcanoes National Park (mountain gorillas and golden monkeys), Nyungwe (one of Africa’s oldest rainforests, chimpanzees and a canopy walkway), Akagera (Rwanda’s savanna park, restored to hold the full Big Five) and the smaller Gishwati-Mukura.
How many national parks does Uganda have?
Uganda protects its landscapes and wildlife across ten national parks, ranging from the rainforest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (home to mountain gorillas) to the savanna of Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls, Uganda’s largest park.
How much does a gorilla trekking permit cost in Rwanda?
Rwanda gorilla trekking permits, issued by the Rwanda Development Board, are priced separately from Uganda’s and are generally higher. We confirm the current official rate when planning your safari and can advise on combining Rwanda with Uganda if you want to compare or reduce overall permit costs.
How much does a gorilla trekking permit cost in Uganda?
Uganda gorilla trekking permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and priced separately from your safari cost. Permit prices and availability change periodically, so we confirm the current official rate and secure your permit as part of planning your safari: book several months ahead where possible, since permits for popular dates sell out.