Mountain gorillas live in only three countries on earth, and this is the only itinerary on our list that visits all of them: Uganda’s Bwindi, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, and the Mikeno sector of DR Congo’s Virunga National Park, Africa’s oldest national park and the site where mountain gorillas were first studied.
A note on the DR Congo leg: Virunga National Park sits in a region where security conditions can change, and the park itself periodically suspends gorilla trekking for safety reasons. We check official advisories and park status before confirming this leg, and can substitute a second Rwanda or Uganda trek if conditions don’t allow safe access at the time of your trip.
Detailed Itinerary
DAY 1
Your driver-guide meets you at Entebbe International Airport for the drive south-west to Bwindi, roughly 8–9 hours via Kampala’s Northern Bypass, the Equator crossing at Kayabwe and lunch at Igongo Cultural Centre near Mbarara. Evening trekking briefing on arrival.
Arrive Entebbe, Transfer to Bwindi
Accommodation Options
BudgetBuhoma Community Camp
Mid-rangeEngagi Lodge
LuxuryBuhoma Lodge
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
DAY 2
7:30am briefing at park headquarters, rangers assigning trekking groups based on fitness and tracker reports, then the trek itself through dense rainforest — thirty minutes to six hours — followed by a strict hour with your gorilla family.
Gorilla Trekking, Bwindi
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3
The drive to the Cyanika border post, a standard land-border process generally under an hour, before a Rwanda-based driver-guide continues you on to Kinigi at the base of the Virunga volcanoes.
Cross Border to Kinigi, Rwanda
Accommodation Options
BudgetKinigi Guest House
Mid-rangeMountain Gorilla View Lodge
LuxuryVirunga Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4
A 6am wake-up for the 7am briefing opening with a performance by the Kinigi intore dancers, then the trek through increasingly misty forest on the volcanic slopes and a strict hour with your second gorilla family.
Gorilla Trekking, Volcanoes National Park
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5
The drive to the Grande Barriere border post at Goma takes under an hour from Kinigi. The crossing involves more thorough document checks than the Uganda-Rwanda border, including advance visa arrangements confirmed before your trip — your driver-guide handles logistics on the Rwanda side, with a Virunga National Park-authorised guide taking over once you’re through into DRC, subject to current park and border status.
Cross Border to Goma, DR Congo
Accommodation Options
Mid-rangeMikeno Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6
A third gorilla trek, this time in the Mikeno sector of Virunga National Park, Africa’s oldest protected area, gazetted in 1925, and the original site of Dian Fossey’s gorilla research before she relocated her base to Karisoke on the Rwandan side. Briefing, family assignment and the trek itself follow broadly the same format as Uganda and Rwanda, with an armed park ranger escort throughout.
Gorilla Trekking, Virunga National Park
Accommodation
As above
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7
A return crossing at Grande Barriere back into Rwanda, with the afternoon free to relax at Kinigi after three consecutive trekking days.
Cross Back to Kinigi, Rwanda
Accommodation
As Day 3
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8
The drive to Kigali, with time for an optional city tour — the Kigali Genocide Memorial in particular, widely regarded as essential context for understanding modern Rwanda.
Transfer to Kigali
Accommodation Options
Mid-rangeUbumwe Grande Hotel
LuxuryKigali Serena Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 9
Transfer to Kigali International Airport for your onward international flight.
Departure from Kigali
Meals: Breakfast
Permits & Costs
| Uganda gorilla permit | $800 per person |
| Rwanda gorilla permit | $1,500 per person |
| DR Congo gorilla permit (Virunga NP) | $400 per person, seasonal rates available |
| Border transfers & visas | Arranged in advance; DRC visa required separately |
Who This Itinerary Suits
Committed gorilla enthusiasts and completionists who want the full picture across all three range countries, and who are comfortable with an itinerary that has a contingency built in.Tour Includes
- Travel in a 4×4 safari vehicle
- Both cross-border transfers with paperwork handled
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- All accommodation per itinerary
- Meals as specified
- All three gorilla permits
Tour Excludes
- International flights
- DRC visa fee
- Visas (Uganda/Rwanda)
- Tips & gratuities
- Travel insurance (a policy covering DRC is required)