3-day Gorilla Trekking Tour: Mgahinga & Queen Elizabeth

Trek gorillas in Mgahinga, then track chimpanzees across two national parks

A 3-day private tour from Kigali that combines gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park with a game drive and chimpanzee tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kalinzu Forest Reserve. After arriving in Kisoro, you trek mountain gorillas for up to an hour in their natural habitat, then transfer to Queen Elizabeth for an evening game drive. On the final day, a morning game drive precedes chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu Forest Reserve, where over 300 chimpanzees live alongside other primates.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and preparation in Kisoro

• Arrive in Kisoro
• Prepare for Gorilla Trekking Safari
• Overnight at Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge

Day 2: Gorilla trekking and transfer

• Early breakfast
• Gorilla trekking briefing
• Trek gorillas in Mgahinga Forest
• Observe gorillas for one hour
• Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Overnight at Aardvark Safari Lodge

Day 3: Game drive and chimpanzee trekking

• Breakfast at lodge
• Travel to Kalinzu Forest Reserve
• Chimpanzee trekking with guide
• Observe chimpanzees for one hour

The experience

Kisoro, a southwestern Ugandan town nestled near the Virunga Mountains, is your base for the first leg. You arrive and prepare for an early-morning trek into Mgahinga Gorilla National Park's dense forests. A guide briefs you on safety and gorilla protocols before the trek begins. Depending on which gorilla family you're assigned, the hike can take anywhere from one hour to several hours. Once you locate the gorillas, you spend one hour watching them in their natural habitat: a moment most travelers describe as the core of the trip.

After gorilla trekking, you're transferred to Queen Elizabeth National Park for the night. The next morning brings a game drive through the park before you head to Kalinzu Forest Reserve in the afternoon. There, your guide leads you through the forest searching for chimpanzees. The reserve holds over 300 of them along with blue monkeys and red-tailed monkeys. When you find them, you observe their social behavior and interactions for an hour, contributing to conservation efforts for these endangered species.

The tour includes all national park and chimpanzee permits, private jeep transport throughout, and accommodation at Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge and Aardvark Safari Lodge. An English-speaking guide accompanies you the entire 3 days, and hotel pickup from Kigali is arranged. You'll need a moderate level of fitness for the forest trekking, and the minimum age is 15.

What’s included

• National park fees and gorilla permits are covered.
• chimpanzee permits and private jeep transport throughout the 3 days are included.
• accommodation at Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge and Aardvark Safari Lodge is provided.
• an English-speaking guide accompanies you the entire journey.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (15 to 80 years) · Under 15: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Gorilla Explorers

Is this one for you?This is a private tour with a dedicated guide and jeep for your group, so the pace and stops are yours to shape within the itinerary. Choose it if you want gorilla trekking as the centerpiece and are prepared for forest hiking that can run several hours depending on where the animals are that day. The tour pairs that with easier game driving and chimpanzee observation, so you experience multiple wildlife encounters without repeating the same activity.

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Top questions

How long does the gorilla trek actually take once we start hiking?

The trek duration varies depending on where the gorilla family is located on any given day. It can range from one hour to several hours. Your guide will brief you on what to expect before you enter the forest.

Is the chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu Forest Reserve as physically demanding as gorilla trekking?

Kalinzu Forest Reserve chimpanzee trekking involves walking through forest to locate and observe the animals, similar in nature to gorilla trekking. Both require moderate fitness. Your guide will lead you at a pace suited to the terrain and group.

What's included in the accommodation at these lodges?

The tour includes overnight stays at Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge after day one and Aardvark Safari Lodge after day two. Specific amenities at each lodge are not detailed in the tour information. Contact the operator for details on what each stay provides.

Do we need visas to visit Uganda and Rwanda?

Visas are not included in this tour. You will need to arrange your own visa requirements for Uganda and Rwanda before departure. Check with the respective embassies for your nationality.