Duration
6-Day
Accra, Botswana
6-Day Hiking Tour Rwanda &Uganda - Gorilla Trekking
Overview
Discover the highlights of Rwanda & Uganda with scenic hikes along Lake Kivu and Lake Mutanda, volcano trekking, gorilla tracking, breathtaking panoramas, and authentic lodges - perfect for active nature lovers and adventurers. This journey combines physical activity with deep immersion in the region's diverse landscapes and cultures. Walk through tea plantations, bamboo forests, and traditional villages, and enjoy close encounters with wildlife, including golden monkeys and mountain gorillas.
Plan snapshot
Quick Facts
Route
Kigali to Kigali (Kigali)
Via Lake Kivu, Ruhengeri (City), Kisoro (Town)
Country & park
Botswana
Style
Mid-range safari
Group size
1-12 travelers
Starts
Any day if available
Minimum age
18 years
Activities
gorilla trekking
Accommodation
Rushel Kivu Resort - Budget resort at Lake Kivu (Rwanda) – All Meals Included
Meals
All Meals Included; Breakfast Included
Pickup
Airport transfer included
Booking
Request quote
Currency
USD
Rates
Rates Per Person
USD
Start datesSingle2+ people
Jan 1, 2026 - Dec 31, 2026
n/a* USD
$4,358 USD
Jan 1, 2027 - Dec 31, 2027
n/a* USD
$4,675 USD
Jan 1, 2028 - Dec 31, 2028
n/a* USD
$4,675 USD
Before booking
Important To Know
This tour is not available to solo travelers or groups larger than 6 people.
Rates are per person and exclude the international flight from/to your home country.
This tour is offered in US dollars (USD).
This tour is unavailable for children.
Quote flow
Request Guidance
We advise requesting quotes from 3 operators ()
Requests are sent directly to the tour operator
If preferred, you can contact the tour operator directly
Route
country
Rwanda
Start
Kigali (Day 1)
Day 1
Lake Kivu
Day 2
Ruhengeri (City)
country
Uganda
Day 3
Kisoro (Town)
Day 4-5
Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas)
country
Rwanda
End
Kigali (Kigali) (Day 6)
Tour Features
Mid-range tour
This mid-range tour uses lodges and resorts.
Private tour
This tour will be organized exclusively for you and won't be shared with others.
Can start any day
If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
Can be customized
You can request minor changes to the accommodations and destinations of this tour.
Not for solo travelers
Solo travelers cannot book this private tour.
18
Minimum age of 18 years
The minimum age for this tour is 18 years.
Activities & Transportation
Activities: gorilla trekking
Getting around: boat, normal 4x4 vehicle & hiking/walking
This operator can select your international flights, but you'll have to book them yourself
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Accommodation & Meals
Day 1
Rushel Kivu Resort
Budget resort at Lake Kivu (Rwanda) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 2
La Locanda Hotel
Mid-range guest house in Ruhengeri (City, Rwanda) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 3
Travellers Rest Hotel
Mid-range hotel in Kisoro (Town, Uganda) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 4-5
Rushaga Gorilla Lodge
Mid-range lodge just outside Rushaga (Bwindi Impenetrable NP, Uganda) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 6
End of tour
(No accommodation)
Breakfast Included
Day By Day
Tour step
Arrival
You'll be collected from the airport. Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.
Day 1
Transfer Kigali – Kibuye & Boat Tour on Lake Kivu
After breakfast, you drive west through Rwanda’s scenic highlands to Kibuye on the shores of Lake Kivu. The lake is an important economic lifeline for the region: fishing—especially of the small sardine-like Isambaza—supports many local communities. Another key resource is the methane gas trapped in the lake’s deep waters. Since 2015, Rwanda has been extracting this gas to generate electricity, which now plays a vital role in the country’s energy supply. Lake Kivu is also remarkably safe for swimming. Unlike many other regional lakes, it is free of bilharzia parasites and has no crocodiles or hippos. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat tour on Lake Kivu, including a short hike along the peaceful lakeshore and a visit to a nearby coffee plantation. Distance: approx. 140 km Driving time: approx. 3.5 hours Overnight: Rushel Lodge, Lake Kivu. Budget resort located at Lake Kivu (Rwanda) All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Destination: Lake Kivu (Rwanda) Stay: Rushel Kivu Resort Budget resort located at Lake Kivu (Rwanda) Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 2
Lakeside Hike & Drive to Musanze
Hike along narrow lakeside trails with sweeping views over Lake Kivu (2–3 hours), and—weather permitting—of the dramatic, active Nyiragongo Volcano in the distance. Afterward, continue your journey north along the breathtaking Virunga Volcano chain toward Musanze. This is more than just a road—it’s a quiet spectacle where sky meets earth, and fire meets life. The scenery leaves a lasting impression. Especially captivating are the volcanic peaks of Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, and Sabyinyo—some dormant, others still active. On clear days, these giants reveal their full splendor, often crowned with clouds or veiled in soft mountain mist. Look closely and you may spot signs of past lava flows or the dark silhouettes of bamboo forests—the natural habitat of the endangered mountain gorillas. Distance: approx. 110 km Driving time: approx. 3 hours Overnight: La Locanda, Musanze. Mid-range guest house in Ruhengeri (City, Rwanda) All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Destination: Ruhengeri (City, Rwanda) Stay: La Locanda Hotel Mid-range guest house in Ruhengeri (City, Rwanda) Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 3
Optional Tours & Transfer to Kisoro (Uganda)
Today, you can choose from four activities in Volcanoes National Park: Dian Fossey Tomb Hike (3–4 hrs, moderate): A scenic forest hike to the former research station and grave of the legendary primatologist—insightful and moving. Golden Monkey Trekking (2–3 hrs, easy): Watch playful golden monkeys in the bamboo forest—an entertaining and accessible wildlife experience for all ages. Bisoke Volcano Climb (6–7 hrs, challenging): For active travelers: a demanding ascent of the 3,711-meter volcano, rewarded with panoramic views and a crater lake at the summit. Gorilla Trekking (2–6 hrs, depending on location): The emotional highlight: an unforgettable hour spent with a gorilla family in the wild rainforest (Optional Permit: $1,500 p.p.). Distance: approx. 60 km Driving time: approx. 2 hours incl. border crossing Overnight: Traveller’s Rest, Kisoro. Mid-range hotel in Kisoro (Town, Uganda) All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Destination: Kisoro (Town, Uganda) Stay: Travellers Rest Hotel Mid-range hotel in Kisoro (Town, Uganda) Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 4
Trek to Rushaga or Drive
Depending on your preference, you can either enjoy a scenic trek from Kisoro to Rushaga (5–6 hours, approx. 15 km) or travel comfortably by vehicle along winding dirt roads. The trek is a true highlight for active travelers and offers a rich blend of landscape, culture, and local life. The trail leads through small villages, farmland, and gently rolling hills with panoramic views of Lake Mutanda and the towering peaks of the Virunga Volcanoes in the distance—an unforgettable natural backdrop. Along the way, you’ll gain insights into everyday rural life. Farmers tend to their fields of bananas, beans, sweet potatoes, and coffee. Children wave cheerfully from the path, and you may even stop to taste some fresh seasonal produce. For those who prefer not to walk, the road transfer offers beautiful views as well and takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. Distance: approx. 35 km Driving time: approx. 1.5–2 hours Overnight: Rushaga Gorilla Camp. Mid-range lodge just outside Rushaga (Bwindi Impenetrable NP, Uganda) All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas) Stay: Rushaga Gorilla Lodge Mid-range lodge just outside Rushaga (Bwindi Impenetrable NP, Uganda) Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 5
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi National Park
Your gorilla tracking experience begins early in the morning with a detailed briefing at the Rushaga visitor center. Here, you’ll learn about the rules of gorilla trekking, the history of the park, and receive your group assignment. Rushaga is home to several habituated gorilla families, including Bweza, Nshongi, Mishaya, Busingye, and Kahungye. Accompanied by experienced rangers, you’ll set off on foot through the dense, misty forests of Bwindi. The trek can take anywhere from 1.5 to 4 hours depending on the location and movement of the gorilla group, crossing steep slopes, tangled vegetation, and muddy paths. Once the trackers locate your assigned family, you’ll spend a magical, unforgettable hour observing the gorillas up close—watching the silverback, playful juveniles, and nurturing mothers in their natural habitat. It’s a deeply moving experience. After your time with the gorillas, hike back to the starting point and return to the lodge to rest and reflect. Mid-range lodge just outside Rushaga (Bwindi Impenetrable NP, Uganda) All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas) Stay: Rushaga Gorilla Lodge Mid-range lodge just outside Rushaga (Bwindi Impenetrable NP, Uganda) Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 6
Return to Kigali & Departure
The return journey leads you through the scenic highlands of southwestern Uganda and northern Rwanda—a landscape of rolling hills, terraced farmland, and traditional villages. As you leave the Bwindi region, you’ll ascend through lush valleys and winding roads with panoramic views of the Virunga Volcanoes fading into the distance. The route takes you toward the Katuna border crossing, a busy but efficient point of entry between Uganda and Rwanda. After clearing immigration, the journey continues south through Rwanda’s “Land of a Thousand Hills,” with green tea plantations, banana groves, and eucalyptus forests lining the way. Depending on your international departure time, there is the option to stop at the Kigali Genocide Memorial—a sobering yet important site that commemorates the victims of the 1994 genocide. Arrival at Kigali is scheduled for your evening departure flight. Distance: approx. 180 km Driving time: approx. 5–6 hours incl. border & breaks. Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinks not included
Destination: Kigali International Airport (Kigali, Rwanda) Stay: No accommodation (End of tour) Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinks not included
Tour step
End of tour
Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost. You'll be dropped off at the airport.
Included
Park fees (For non-residents)
Gorilla permits(One per person, non-resident)
All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
A professional driver/guide
All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
All Taxes/VAT
Roundtrip airport transfer
Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Drinks (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Excluded
International flights (From/to home)
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Getting There
This tour starts and ends in Kigali
This operator can select your international flights, but you'll have to book them yourself
Fly to/from Kigali Airport (KGL - Check price)
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost
Offered by
Uganda Trails
4.8 operator rating
Uganda Trails, based in Entebbe, offers active and sustainable journeys in Uganda & Rwanda. Pioneers of Slow Travel and Mobile Glamping, we focus on more time in wildlife hotspots like Ishasha – less driving, more immersion. Our tours include Gorilla trekking, Fly-in safaris, E-Bike & MTB adventures with modern bikes and expert guides. Small groups (max 6) or tailor-made trips. As Travelife partner, we stand for sustainability, safety & authentic experiences.
Office In
Uganda
Size
5-10 employees (Founded in 2013)
Member Of
APTA, AUTO, UTB & Travelife
Tour Types
Customizable private tours and fixed group tours
Destinations
Rwanda, Uganda
Practical answers
Tour FAQs
Are rates charged per person?
Rates are per person and exclude the international flight from/to your home country.
Which currency is this tour priced in?
This tour is offered in US dollars (USD).
Can children join this tour?
This tour is unavailable for children.
Can this tour start on my preferred date?
If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
Can the itinerary be customized?
You can request minor changes to the accommodations and destinations of this tour.
Where do travelers stay during this tour?
Rushel Kivu Resort - Budget resort at Lake Kivu (Rwanda) – All Meals Included. Meals: All Meals Included
Where does this tour start and end?
This tour starts and ends in Kigali
Are airport transfers included?
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Operator policy
Terms and Conditions
Disclaimer
This tour is offered by Uganda Trails, not SafariBookings.
This operator reserves the right to change rates advertised on SafariBookings.
If you request changes to this tour, the advertised rates will likely change.
The exact order, contents and rates of this tour are subject to availability.
If an accommodation is fully booked, the operator will suggest a comparable alternative.
Gorilla tracking permits are subject to availability.
This tour is subject to the terms & conditions of Uganda Trails.
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