5 Days Rwanda & Uganda Gorilla Trek & Bisoke Hike
This 5 Days Rwanda & Uganda Gorilla Trek & Bisoke Hike adds a genuine hiking element to the classic Rwanda-Uganda primate circuit: a summit hike up Mount Bisoke, one of the Virunga range’s volcanoes, on day two, followed by golden monkey tracking, a border crossing into Uganda for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and a canoe ride on Lake Bunyonyi to close out the trip.
The Bisoke hike takes two to three hours to the summit, rewarding you with views over the world’s largest caldera lake and the surrounding Virunga volcanoes, including Karisimbi, Nyiragongo, and Muhabura. From there, the trip follows the familiar rhythm of golden monkey tracking, a Bwindi gorilla trek, and time on Lake Bunyonyi, often called the Switzerland of Africa for its cool, temperate climate despite sitting near the equator.
This itinerary suits travelers who want more physical activity built into their primate safari — a proper summit hike alongside the two headline treks — and who have five days to spend moving between Rwanda and Uganda.
Quick Facts
| Duration | 5 Days / 4 Nights |
| Start / End | Kigali |
| Countries | Rwanda and Uganda |
| Destinations | Volcanoes National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Lake Bunyonyi |
| Best For | Travelers wanting a volcano summit hike alongside gorilla and golden monkey trekking |
| Permit Required | Gorilla permit (Uganda) |
Highlights
- Day 1: Kigali city tour and transfer to Volcanoes National Park
- Day 2: Bisoke hike and Iby’iwacu village tour
- Day 3: Golden monkey tracking and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Day 4: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
- Day 5: Morning boat cruise and transfer to Kigali
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Kigali City Tour and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Your driving guide will welcome you at Kigali Airport for a guided tour of the city’s rapidly expanding suburbs. There is an option to visit the Presidential Museum, home to two of Rwanda’s former presidents, for a closer look at the country’s political history, along with a stop at the Kigali Genocide Memorial Site to learn about the 1994 genocide.
After lunch, continue to Musanze. If time allows, visit the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo, their deep blue water framed by steep slopes and waterfalls, with the Virunga Volcanoes rising in the background. Dinner and an overnight stay follow at your lodge.
Day 2: Bisoke Hike and
Wake early for breakfast before driving to the park’s briefing point, where you will join a group of other hikers. The hike to the summit of Mount Bisoke takes roughly two to three hours depending on your pace, rewarding you with striking views of the park and the world’s largest caldera lake, along with sightings of other volcanoes in the Virunga Massif, including Mount Karisimbi, Mount Nyiragongo, and Mount Muhabura.
Enjoy your packed lunch before descending the mountain and returning to your lodge to relax. In the evening, visit the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village for a cultural tour, including a visit to the former king’s palace, the chance to dress in traditional Rwandan attire, and interaction with local community members. Dinner and an overnight stay follow at your lodge.
Day 3: Golden Monkey Tracking and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Wake early for breakfast before transferring to the park headquarters in Kinigi by 7:00 a.m. for your morning briefing. After a short discussion with your ranger guide, transfer to the trailhead just outside the park by 8:00 a.m.
Golden monkeys live along the park’s boundary in bamboo forest, where the terrain is generally level and easy to navigate. Once you find them, watch as they carefully select young bamboo leaves from the treetops — and, on occasion, wander toward nearby potato fields, which they’re similarly fond of.
After an hour with the golden monkeys, return to the trailhead and transfer back to the lodge for lunch. From there, continue to the border for clearance before proceeding to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Day 4: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest and Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
Following an early breakfast, proceed to the park headquarters for a safety briefing before setting off on the gorilla trek. This typically takes between two and eight hours, occasionally longer, to locate the gorillas, though you will be permitted to remain in their presence for at least an hour. It’s recommended you bring a packed lunch, since timing is difficult to predict.
Afterward, head to Lake Bunyonyi, passing through a scenic stretch of the country known as the Switzerland of Africa for its unusually mild climate despite its proximity to the equator. This lake is considered one of the most beautiful sites in western Uganda — Africa’s second-deepest lake at roughly 900 meters, and one of the few spots in the country where swimming is considered safe, since it is free of bilharzia. Dinner and an overnight stay follow at your lodge.
Day 5: Morning Boat Cruise and Transfer to Kigali
After breakfast at your lodge, take a boat excursion on the lake to visit several of its islands. From there, continue to the Katuna border to cross back into Rwanda. On arrival in Kigali, take a city tour before your driver-guide drops you at a hotel of your choice or Kigali International Airport.