See mountain gorillas on both sides of the Virunga border: up to four hours with a habituation family in Uganda’s Rushaga, then a gorilla trek in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.
In short: Two gorilla encounters in two countries: the Gorilla Habituation Experience in Rushaga, Uganda, and a standard gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, plus golden monkeys and Lake Mutanda.
Uganda and Rwanda share the mountain gorilla population of the Virunga and Bwindi region, and the border between them is only a short drive from both gorilla areas. This itinerary uses that geography to give you two very different gorilla experiences on one trip.
In Uganda you do the Gorilla Habituation Experience in Rushaga, with up to four hours alongside a family still being habituated. In Rwanda you trek in Volcanoes National Park, where the forest is more open on the volcano slopes and families are fully habituated. Golden monkeys in the bamboo and a night on Lake Mutanda complete the route.
Rwanda’s gorilla permits cost considerably more than Uganda’s, so this is a premium trip. If budget matters more than visiting both countries, our Double Family Experience gives you two gorilla families in Uganda alone.
Your guide meets you at Kigali International Airport. Depending on your arrival time, visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, which explains the history that shaped modern Rwanda, before dinner.
Overnight: Hotel in Kigali · Meals: Dinner
Drive north to Musanze and cross into Uganda at Cyanika. Continue to Lake Mutanda below the Virunga volcanoes for a relaxed afternoon.
Overnight: Chameleon Hill Lodge, Lake Mutanda · Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
A short transfer to Rushaga, with an afternoon community walk or rest before your habituation day.
Overnight: Four Gorillas Lodge, Rushaga · Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Registration and briefing at the Rushaga park office, then up to four hours with a gorilla family still being habituated, alongside the trackers and researchers.
Overnight: Four Gorillas Lodge, Rushaga · Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
A slow morning, then the drive back across the border to Musanze at the foot of Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.
Overnight: Lodge near Volcanoes National Park · Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Briefing at Kinigi park headquarters, then a trek up the volcano slopes to a fully habituated gorilla family for one hour. The afternoon is free to rest or visit a local community project.
Overnight: Lodge near Volcanoes National Park · Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
A morning golden monkey trek in the bamboo zone, then the afternoon free. Golden monkeys are easier to reach than gorillas and lively to watch.
Overnight: Lodge near Volcanoes National Park · Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Drive back to Kigali, about 2 to 2.5 hours, for your onward flight.
Meals: Breakfast
Colourful chalets above Lake Mutanda with views of the Virunga volcanoes, an easy base for both Mgahinga and Rushaga.
Forest-edge cottages 6 km, about 10 minutes, from the Rushaga briefing point. En-suite rooms, full-board meals and packed lunches on trek days. Read our guide.
Lodges are chosen for location first. We can swap any of them for a different style or budget.
Priced per person and quoted for your dates, group size and lodge choice, always including the US$1,500 habituation permit. Groups of four are the most cost-effective, because four people fill a whole habituation group.
See our gorilla trip cost guide for typical flight, visa, insurance and tipping costs.
Yes. Rushaga in Uganda and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda are a few hours apart via the Cyanika border, so one week covers both comfortably.
They are different rather than better. Uganda offers habituation and lower trekking permit prices. Rwanda is closer to its main airport and its treks are often shorter. Read our Uganda vs. Rwanda vs. Congo guide.
The East Africa Tourist Visa covers Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya with multiple entries, which is usually the simplest option for this trip.
The standard rate for international visitors is US$1,500, with occasional promotional rates outside peak season. We confirm the current price when booking.
No. Gorilla permits in both countries are non-refundable once issued.
Only eight habituation places open each day in Uganda. Send your dates and we will confirm availability and a price, usually within one working day.
+256 716 068 279Check Availability