Gorilla Trekking Safari Combined with Wildlife Safaris

Uganda and Rwanda are among the few places in the world where travelers can experience the extraordinary adventure of gorilla trekking, a once-in-a-lifetime journey into misty forests to meet endangered mountain gorillas. Yet what makes the region even more remarkable is the ability to combine gorilla trekking with classic wildlife safaris on the savannah. This combination creates a balanced adventure that offers the best of East Africa—close encounters with primates in lush rainforests and thrilling game drives across wide, open plains filled with elephants, lions, and more.

Why Combine Gorilla Trekking with Wildlife Safaris?

Gorilla trekking is often considered the pinnacle of African wildlife encounters. Spending an hour with a gorilla family in their natural habitat is an emotional, intimate, and unforgettable experience. However, a full safari journey also includes the drama of open savannahs, big game, and spectacular birdlife. By combining the two, travelers experience the full spectrum of East Africa’s biodiversity—from the dense rainforests of Bwindi and Volcanoes National Park to the iconic savannah landscapes of Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls, or the Serengeti.

The Gorilla Trekking Experience

In Uganda, gorilla trekking takes place in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, both located in the southwestern region. Treks last anywhere from 2 to 6 hours, depending on where the gorilla families are found. Once located, trekkers spend a magical hour observing these gentle giants—watching infants play, mothers nurture, and silverbacks keep order within the group. In Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park offers a similarly rewarding trek across volcanic slopes and bamboo forests.

Wildlife Safari Experiences to Combine With

After gorilla trekking, travelers can extend their safari to include Uganda’s or Rwanda’s other incredible parks:

• Queen Elizabeth National Park (Uganda): Known for tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector, boat safaris on the Kazinga Channel, and large herds of elephants, buffalo, and antelopes.

• Murchison Falls National Park (Uganda): Famous for the Nile squeezing through a narrow gorge before plunging dramatically, plus game drives featuring giraffes, hippos, and lions.

• Lake Mburo National Park (Uganda): A smaller, scenic park with zebras, eland, and impala—perfect for walking safaris and a relaxed pace.

• Akagera National Park (Rwanda): Rwanda’s only savannah park, home to the Big Five, scenic lakes, and open plains. It pairs beautifully with gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.

The Perfect Itinerary Balance

A typical combined safari lasts between 7 to 12 days, offering enough time to trek gorillas and enjoy at least two major savannah parks. For example, travelers can start in Kampala or Kigali, head to Bwindi or Volcanoes for gorilla trekking, and then continue to Queen Elizabeth or Akagera for classic game drives. This balance ensures you experience both the quiet intimacy of the forest and the grandeur of the savannah.

Practical Considerations

• Permits: Gorilla trekking permits are limited and must be booked months in advance. Uganda permits cost less than Rwanda’s, making Uganda more budget-friendly.

• Fitness: Gorilla trekking requires moderate fitness as hikes involve steep, uneven terrain.

• Best Time to Travel: The dry seasons (December–February and June–September) offer the best trekking and game viewing conditions.

• Guides: Both gorilla treks and wildlife safaris are led by professional guides who enrich the experience with local knowledge and tracking expertise.

Combining a gorilla trekking safari with wildlife safaris offers the ultimate African adventure—one that showcases both the continent’s gentle giants of the forest and its dramatic predators and grazers of the plains. For travelers seeking variety, balance, and unforgettable memories, this combination ensures a safari unlike any other in the world.