Gorilla Trek from Kigali | Bwindi, Mgahinga, (2025) Uganda Safaris

Can I book a Uganda Gorilla Trek from Kigali? Discover Bwindi or Mgahinga gorilla trek guide, cross-border gorilla tours & top Uganda safaris.

A Uganda Gorilla Trek from Kigali is 100% possible, especially for visitors with limited time or tight schedule. A gorilla trek from Kigali offers a typical cross-border gorilla safari experience like no other.

A gorilla and Batwa cultural experience safari can be successfully organized for tourists wishing to start their journey to Bwindi or Mgahinga National Park in Uganda from Kigali capital city of Rwanda.

What is essential and required of you is to secure a gorilla permit is it is a key tool for you to engage in a guided gorilla trekking adventure.

Both gorilla and Batwa cultural experiences can be enjoyed on gorilla tours in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Gorilla safaris in Uganda come in 2 forms –gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experience.

The 2 adventures can be enjoyed in one destination –Bwindi National Park. The Batwa were once the occupants of the rainforest of Bwindi and Mgahinga till 1991 when they were displaced to allow the protected areas to be gazetted.

During their stay, they depended on the forest for everything and harmoniously lived with gorillas. Visiting the Batwa community is beyond exploring and experiencing their unique traditions, cultures, norms, enjoying the cultural dances and music performance. Your visit means a lot to the lives of the Batwa pygmies –the original forest dwellers.

What are the available options for Gorilla Trek from Kigali? Top 2025 Uganda safaris 

Tourists interested in a Uganda gorilla trek from Kigali have multiple options to book. This is whether you desire to Bwindi gorilla safari or Mgahinga gorilla tour from Kigali. Starting your gorilla trekking in Uganda from Kigali is amazing and here are the top itineraries to book.

• 1-Day Bwindi Gorilla Safari from Kigali: This alternative itinerary is perfect for tourists with limited time yet want to visit gorillas in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. It means, you can be picked up from Kigali very early in the morning about 3-4 am then drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via Katuna/Chanika. You engage in the gorilla trek in any of the 4 regions in Bwindi –Ruhija, Buhoma, Rushaga, and Nkuringo. After the Bwindi gorilla trek, you can return to Kigali by evening.
• 1-Day Mgahinga Gorilla Trek option: It includes tracking mountain gorillas in the compact Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Kisoro district, southwestern Uganda. You set off from Kigali early in the morning and cross the border to Mgahinga.
• 2-Day Bwindi Gorilla trek –Uganda from Kigali. This is also a cross-border gorilla safari tour worth booking for you to be part of the captivating encounters with mountain gorillas.
• 3-Day Bwindi/Mgahinga Gorilla Trek from Kigali. A cross-border gorilla trekking expedition involving tracking gorillas in Uganda starting from Kigali city.
• 4-Day Uganda Gorilla Safari from Kigali.
• 5-Day Uganda Gorillas & Game Safaris from Kigali- This cross-border primate safari and wildlife tour involves exploring Bwindi and Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Getting from Kigali to Uganda

To have your gorilla and Batwa experience safari successfully done, you can connect from Kigali Rwanda via the Katuna/Gatuna border to Kabale-Bwindi or Chanika border to Kisoro then connect easily to Mgahinga National Park.

This is ideal for guests who secure the East African visa that allows visitors to cross and visit at least 2 East Africa Community member states without re-applying for another visa.

Visitor connection to Uganda is possible by road and what is interesting; we have our own fleet of rental cars to make your movement easier.

Where to go for a Uganda Gorilla Trek from Kigali

Choosing your favorite destination is essential if you plan to see gorillas and also experience the Batwa pygmies’ unique cultures and traditions. All the 2 Uganda gorilla parks are lying in the far Southwestern side of the country.

Bwindi expands up to 331sq.km and consists of 4 gorilla sectors –Ruhija, Buhoma, Rushaga and Nkuringo –these are regions where 24 habituated gorilla families can be trekked.

In Mgahinga Kisoro, also regarded as the smallest park in Uganda has only Nyakagezi gorilla family to be tracked.

Note, a maximum of 8 visitors can track one habituated gorilla family group regardless of the destination.

Why Uganda Gorilla Trek from Kigali

Affordable gorilla permit

Starting your gorilla trek safari in Uganda from Kigali means you stand a chance to obtain a valid gorilla permit at an affordable rate. Gorilla permits in Uganda are obtainable according to visitor category; the foreign nonresidents at USD 800, the foreign residents USD 700 and all East African residents including Ugandans pay shs 300,000 per person.

If you are considering gorilla habituation experience, foreign non-residents pay USD 1500, USD1000 for all foreign residents and shs.750,000 in case you fall under category of East African citizens.

Once you have decided on the destination, next should be securing the gorilla permit and in Uganda, the cost is the same whether you intend to visit Bwindi or Mgahinga to interact with mountain gorillas. Contact Maranatha Tours and Travel to assist you with the entire process of booking your permit and also have everything put together to make your gorilla tour 100% successful.

Drive distance

Connecting Kigali to Bwindi or Mgahinga is more convenient than setting off from Kampala or Entebbe. From Kigali, you can spend not more than 4 to 5 hours to get to any of Uganda gorilla trekking parks.

Multiple options

Unlike Rwanda, crossing Uganda presents you multiple options to be part of the gorilla trekking adventure. Two parks –Bwindi and Mgahinga not only present variety of sectors for you start your trek but also feature the highest habituated gorilla groups.

Where to stay

It is a must to book a place for your overnight stay in Bwindi or Mgahinga National Park. All classes of visitors are catered for by availability of budget, midrange and luxury accommodation options.

The popular lodging options for tourists on Uganda safaris in Mgahinga National Park: Mutanda Lake Resort, Volcanoes Gahinga Lodge, Mount Gahinga Lodge and Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp.

Bwindi accommodation –Silverback Lodge, Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge, Clouds Lodge, Bwindi View Bandas, Gorilla Resort, Engagi Lodge, Bwindi Backpacker’s Camp and more.

What else awaits you on Uganda Gorilla Trek from Kigali

Batwa experience

The Batwa cultural experience can be done after the gorilla trek and involves visiting the Batwa pygmies’ community. At Mgahinga, you can embark on the Batwa trail experience with the lead of an experienced local guide.

You may also visit the Garama cave on the northern side of Mgahinga, about 3 km from Ntebeko. The cave was council chamber for the Batwa.

Visit Queen Elizabeth National Park to see the tree-climbing lions and more!

Aside from gorilla and Batwa experiences, it is also possible to engage in birding expeditions, visit the Bakiga community, biking, forest walks, visit Lake Mutanda and Bunyonyi, wildlife safaris in the nearby Queen Elizabeth National Park, golden monkey tracking, volcano hiking in Mgahinga National Park, and others.

What to carry for a gorilla trek from Kigali safari

Packing list for your gorilla trek safari; waterproof hiking boots, safari clothes with neutral colors of environment, a sweater, first aid kit, daypack, insect repellent, gardening gloves, a camera with extra batteries, visas, bottled water, snacks, valid passports and others.

In summary, organizing a gorilla trek from Kigali isn’t only possible starting from Kampala or Entebbe in Uganda but also while you are in Kigali city.