Uganda & Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safaris & Tours

Where to See Mountain Gorillas in Uganda

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is Uganda’s leading destination for mountain gorilla trekking, renowned for its ancient rainforest, mist-covered hills and remarkable biodiversity. Its dense vegetation and rugged terrain provide a natural habitat for endangered mountain gorillas, offering visitors the opportunity to observe habituated gorilla families in the wild.

Bwindi protects a substantial share of the world’s mountain gorilla population and is also home to more than 350 bird species and around 120 mammal species. Beyond gorilla trekking, visitors can enjoy guided forest hikes, nature walks and birdwatching while exploring one of Africa’s most biodiverse rainforests.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is another outstanding destination for Uganda gorilla trekking, set among the spectacular Virunga volcanic mountains in southwestern Uganda. Its bamboo forests, montane vegetation and dramatic volcanic backdrop create a distinctive setting for encounters with mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.

The park protects the Nyakagezi gorilla family and offers a quieter alternative to Bwindi, with opportunities to combine gorilla trekking with golden monkey tracking, volcano hiking and guided nature walks. Its striking scenery and rich biodiversity make Mgahinga an excellent choice for travellers seeking a memorable mountain gorilla experience in Uganda.

Where to See Gorillas in Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park

With the presence of mountain gorillas that may be viewed during a day’s trek on the base of Virunga mountains in north-western Rwanda, this park is a top Rwanda destination for gorilla trekking tours. The five Virunga mountains - Mount. Sabyinyo, Mt. Muhabura, Mt. Gahinga, Mt. Karisimbi and Mt. Bisoke are all found in this region and are home to several gorilla families.

Some of the gorilla families found in Volcanoes National Park include Amahoro gorilla family, Karisimbi gorilla family, Susa gorilla families, Musilikare, Titus gorilla group and others. Visiting each of these gorilla families may be a wonderful experience for travelers since they can learn about different ways these primate species behave.

Visitors also have an opportunity to visit the grave of popular American primatologist Dian Fossey, whose efforts to habituate gorillas and stop their extinction contributed to the gorillas' popularity in Rwanda and entire Virunga conservation area.

Combining Rwanda Gorilla Trekking & Wildlife Safari

Akagera National Park

Combining mountain gorilla trekking with a wildlife safari in Akagera National Park adds a classic African savannah experience to your Rwanda gorilla safari. Located in eastern Rwanda along the Tanzanian border, Akagera features open grasslands, rolling hills, woodland and a network of lakes, offering a striking contrast to the misty mountain forests of Volcanoes National Park, where visitors trek to see endangered mountain gorillas.

Akagera is Rwanda’s Big Five safari destination, home to African elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes and black rhinos. Other wildlife includes Masai giraffes, zebras, hippos, crocodiles and several antelope species. Game drives offer opportunities to observe these animals in their natural habitat, while a boat safari on Lake Ihema provides a different perspective on the park’s wildlife, including hippos, crocodiles and waterbirds. With hundreds of recorded bird species, Akagera is also rewarding for birdwatchers.

For travellers planning a Rwanda gorilla trekking and wildlife safari combination, Akagera offers a valuable extension beyond the mountain gorillas. You can begin with game drives and a boat cruise in Akagera before travelling to Volcanoes National Park for a guided gorilla trek, or reverse the itinerary depending on your arrival arrangements and travel plans. Combining these destinations brings together two distinct sides of Rwanda: its savannah wildlife and its remarkable mountain gorillas.

Combining Uganda and Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safaris

Combining Uganda and Rwanda gorilla trekking safaris allows you to visit two mountain gorilla habitats during the same East African holiday. Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda means visiting different gorilla families in distinct forest environments. Bwindi is known for its dense rainforest and steep, undulating terrain, while Volcanoes National Park lies among the Virunga volcanoes, where bamboo vegetation and montane forest form part of the gorillas’ habitat. The difficulty of either trek depends on the location of the gorilla family and the day's conditions.

How to Combine Gorilla Trekking in Both Countries

One practical option is to arrive in Kigali, travel across the border into southwestern Uganda for gorilla trekking in Bwindi, and then return to Rwanda for a second trek in Volcanoes National Park. Travellers have also used the reverse approach, starting in Rwanda before continuing into Uganda. The route can be arranged around your international flights, permit availability and preferred trekking locations.

The crossing between Rwanda and Uganda makes this combination possible without domestic flights between the two destinations. However, driving times depend on the border post, road conditions and the location of your lodge. Bwindi has four main trekking sectors — Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo — so your permit sector must be considered when planning transfers and accommodation. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is another option in Uganda, sharing the wider Virunga mountain ecosystem with Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park.

Why Trek Gorillas in Both Countries?

Travellers who have completed both treks report that the experience can be worthwhile, particularly for wildlife enthusiasts who want to observe different gorilla families and compare the forest environments. Others feel that one trek is sufficient and prefer to spend their additional time tracking chimpanzees, seeing golden monkeys or exploring other national parks. The decision therefore depends on how much time you have, your interest in primates and your budget.

Each standard gorilla trekking permit allows one hour with a habituated gorilla family after the group is located. Visiting both countries gives you two separate trekking experiences, each with its own family, forest setting and wildlife encounters. Uganda may also appeal to travellers looking to combine gorillas with chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest or savannah wildlife safaris, while Rwanda offers opportunities to explore Volcanoes National Park and continue to Akagera National Park or Kigali.

Plan Your Uganda and Rwanda Gorilla Safari

Our private Uganda and Rwanda gorilla trekking tours are tailored around your travel dates, available permits, accommodation preferences and budget. We coordinate the cross-border journey, park transfers and overnight stays so that you can experience both destinations without unnecessary backtracking. Since trekking permits are limited and the two countries have separate booking systems, securing permits for both parks should be a priority before finalising the itinerary.

Whether you choose a short cross-border adventure or a longer wildlife holiday, we can combine gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda with chimpanzee tracking, golden monkey trekking, scenic Lake Bunyonyi and other East African safari experiences.