Combine Gorilla Trekking with a Big Five Safari

Combine Gorilla Trekking with a Big Five Safari: Experience the ultimate African safari by combining gorilla trekking with a Big Five safari. Discover mountain gorillas, lions, elephants, and more in one trip.

How to combine gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda with a Big Five safari in Queen Elizabeth or Murchison Falls National Park — costs, top lodges, sample itinerary, and preparation tips.

For wildlife enthusiasts, combining gorilla trekking with a Big Five safari is the ultimate African adventure — a chance to spend an hour with endangered mountain gorillas and, in the same trip, watch lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhinoceros in open savanna.

Trek Rwanda Gorillas, operated by Maranatha Tours & Travel, specialises in crafting exactly this kind of seamless itinerary across Uganda, Rwanda, and the wider East African region.

Why Combine Gorilla Trekking with a Big Five Safari?

Gorilla trekking and a Big Five safari offer genuinely contrasting yet complementary wildlife experiences. Gorilla trekking means hiking through dense rainforest — Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda or Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda — to spend an hour with mountain gorillas, animals sharing roughly 98% of human DNA, in one of the most emotionally powerful wildlife encounters on the planet.

A Big Five safari, by contrast, takes you across open savanna to observe the raw power of Africa’s most iconic large mammals in their natural habitat.

Combining both means experiencing genuinely different ecosystems — lush montane forest and vast open plains — in a single trip, while your permit fees and tourism spending directly fund both gorilla and broader wildlife conservation.

Uganda in particular is the ideal base for this combination, offering gorilla trekking and Big Five safari within a remarkably compact region, and it’s exactly the kind of itinerary we build routinely for budget, mid-range, and luxury travellers alike.

Gorilla Trekking: Where and How

Gorilla trekking is available in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, with Uganda and Rwanda the most accessible thanks to stable, well-developed tourism infrastructure.

We focus primarily on Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, alongside Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda is home to nearly half of the world’s approximately 1,063 mountain gorillas, with trekking across four sectors — Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo.

Permits currently run around $800 USD, meaningfully less than Rwanda’s $1,500, making Bwindi the more budget-friendly gorilla trekking destination. Treks vary from 1–6 hours depending on where the gorilla family has ranged, over genuinely steep, sometimes muddy trails.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda, in the Virunga Mountains, offers a quieter, less crowded trekking experience with a single habituated gorilla family — a good option for travellers who want the classic gorilla encounter with fewer other visitors around.

Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda offers less dense terrain and a shorter drive — around 3 hours from Kigali — making it the more accessible option for time-constrained travellers, at a higher permit cost.

Gorilla permits are limited and often sell out 6–12 months ahead, particularly during peak season (June–September, December–February), so early booking genuinely matters. Every trek follows strict conservation regulations — maintaining roughly 7 metres from the gorillas and avoiding direct eye contact — protecting both the animals and visitors alike.

Big Five Safari: Top Destinations

The Big Five — lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhinoceros — are best observed across Uganda’s savanna parks or, for a multi-country itinerary, Tanzania’s renowned reserves.

Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda, a short distance from Bwindi, is the natural pairing for a combined gorilla and Big Five itinerary. It hosts four of the Big Five and is famous for the tree-climbing lions of the Ishasha sector and boat safaris on the Kazinga Channel, where elephants and buffalo gather in large numbers.

Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda, the country’s largest park, offers game drives for lion, leopard, elephant, and buffalo, plus boat cruises to the dramatic Murchison Falls itself. Rhino tracking is available nearby at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, completing the Big Five checklist for Uganda-only itineraries.

Akagera National Park, Rwanda, gives travellers trekking in Rwanda a genuine Big Five option in scenic savanna, with both day and night game drives and boating safaris available.

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, famous for the Great Migration and dense Big Five populations, can be added to a multi-country itinerary for travellers wanting to extend beyond our core Rwanda-Uganda-Congo route — let us know if this interests you and we’ll help coordinate the extension.

Our 4WD safari vehicles are equipped for comfort on long game drives, guided by experienced drivers with genuine wildlife knowledge — not just route familiarity.

Sample 7-Day Itinerary: Gorillas and Big Five

We build custom itineraries typically spanning 6–10 days to combine gorilla trekking and Big Five safari. Here’s a representative 7-day route starting in Uganda:

Day 1 — Arrival in Entebbe. Arrive at Entebbe International Airport, transfer to your lodge, and receive a full briefing on the days ahead.

Day 2 — Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and Murchison Falls. Drive to Murchison Falls National Park (5–6 hours), stopping at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to track rhinos on foot — completing your Big Five checklist early. An evening game drive follows in Murchison Falls itself.

Day 3 — Murchison Falls Game Drive and Boat Safari. A morning game drive in search of leopard and other wildlife, followed by a boat cruise to the falls, with hippos, crocodiles, and elephants abundant along the Nile.

Day 4 — Transfer to Kibale Forest. Travel to Kibale Forest National Park (6–7 hours), Uganda’s chimpanzee trekking hub, with an optional Bigodi Swamp walk for birding and primate sightings.

Day 5 — Chimpanzee Trekking and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth. Trek chimpanzees in Kibale, then drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park (2–3 hours), with an evening game drive in Ishasha for a chance at the tree-climbing lions.

Day 6 — Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi. Transfer to Bwindi (5–6 hours). After a morning briefing, trek to a habituated gorilla family for an unforgettable hour in their presence.

Day 7 — Return to Entebbe or Kigali. Drive to Entebbe or fly out via Kigali for a shorter departure option, concluding the journey.

This route can be adjusted to include Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park or a Tanzania extension depending on your time and budget — see our 12-day Rwanda and Uganda safari or 14-day Uganda wildlife safari for longer combined options, or our 4-day Bwindi gorillas and Kibale chimpanzees package for a shorter primates-focused trip.

Where to Stay

Near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge anchors the luxury tier, with upscale cottages and forest views; mid-range options like Gorilla Valley Lodge offer comfortable private cottages, while community-run budget lodges support local conservation directly.

Near Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda: Bisate Lodge offers striking villas with Virunga volcano views and guided cultural walks, with mid-range boutique hotels in Musanze and simpler budget options near the park entrance rounding out the choices — our Rwanda luxury lodges guide covers the full range.

Near Queen Elizabeth National Park: Mweya Safari Lodge overlooks the Kazinga Channel at the luxury tier, with Ishasha Wilderness Camp a strong mid-range choice for travellers focused on the tree-climbing lion sector specifically.

Near Murchison Falls National Park: Paraa Safari Lodge offers riverfront luxury, with tented mid-range camps and budget rest camps available closer to the park gate.

Rates vary by season and room category, so treat any specific figure as a starting point — we’ll confirm current rates for your exact dates when you request a quote.

Preparing for the Trip

Physical fitness: gorilla trekking involves 1–6 hours of hiking through steep, sometimes muddy forest terrain. Moderate fitness is generally sufficient; less fit travellers can request an easier gorilla family assignment or hire a porter (around $20/day) for gear and mobility assistance. Game drives are far less physically demanding but do involve long hours seated.

Packing essentials: waterproof hiking boots, long trousers and sleeves, a rain jacket, and sun protection for layered weather; a daypack, insect repellent, reusable water bottle, and a camera with reasonable zoom (55–210mm is a good range) for wildlife photography. Gaiters and gardening gloves help with muddy trails and thorny vegetation.

Health requirements: a yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory for entry into both Uganda and Rwanda. Malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended for both regions, and masks are required during gorilla trekking specifically, to protect the gorillas from human disease transmission — see our full rules and guidelines for gorilla trekking for the complete list.

Permits and visas: gorilla permits should be booked 6–12 months ahead given the strict daily limit of eight visitors per gorilla family. The East Africa Tourist Visa (around $100) covers Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya for multi-country trips — see our Uganda safari FAQs and gorilla trekking FAQs for full visa and permit detail.

Best time to go: the dry seasons (June–September and December–February) offer easier trekking conditions and generally clearer wildlife sightings, though gorilla trekking is genuinely possible year-round — the wetter months bring lush scenery and fewer crowds, sometimes with shorter treks since gorillas range less far when forest food is abundant.

Costs for Gorilla Trekking and a Big Five Safari

Costs vary with itinerary length, accommodation tier, and group size. For a 5–7 day trip per person (based on two travellers sharing), expect roughly:

Gorilla trekking permits: ~$800 per person in Uganda (Bwindi or Mgahinga), ~$1,500 per person in Rwanda (Volcanoes National Park).
Safari park fees: $40–$150 per person per day, depending on the specific park.
Accommodation: roughly $50–$100/night budget, $150–$300/night mid-range, $400–$1,000+/night luxury.
Transportation: international flights to Entebbe or Kigali typically run $500–$2,400 round trip; domestic 4×4 transfers are usually $80–$150/day and included in our packages; an optional chartered flight to Bwindi runs around $600 per person.
Meals and drinks: $30–$50/day where not already included — most lodges provide meals, and our tours cover food and water during activities.
Additional costs: porters around $20/day for gorilla trekking; optional activities like chimpanzee trekking or boat safaris typically $50–$150 each; visa costs of $50 (single-country) or $100 (East Africa Tourist Visa).

Booking 6–12 months ahead secures both permits and preferred lodges, particularly for peak season travel.

Why Choose Trek Rwanda Gorillas / Maranatha Tours & Travel

As a Ugandan-owned operator with over a decade of experience, we focus on personalised, genuinely sustainable tourism. Our guides are experienced naturalists who maximise both wildlife sightings and cultural understanding along the way.

We offer budget, mid-range, and luxury packages tailored to your group size and schedule, and we handle every logistical detail — permits, flights, 4×4 transfers, and visa guidance — so you’re not assembling a multi-country trip alone.

Our conservation-focused approach means your trip directly supports gorilla and wildlife protection through the communities and parks we work with, and our TripAdvisor reviews reflect consistently responsive, flexible service across Rwanda, Uganda, and Congo itineraries.

FAQs – Combine Gorilla Trekking with a Big Five Safari

How much does it cost to combine gorilla trekking with a Big Five safari? Expect roughly $800–$1,500 for the gorilla permit alone (Uganda vs. Rwanda), plus $40–$150 per day in park fees and accommodation costs varying by tier — a full 7-day combined trip typically runs from a few thousand dollars per person for budget travel up to significantly more for luxury lodges.

Which is cheaper: gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda? Uganda, meaningfully — permits run around $800 versus Rwanda’s $1,500, making Uganda the stronger choice for budget-conscious travellers wanting the same core gorilla trekking experience.

Can I see the Big Five in the same park as gorilla trekking? Not in the same park, but Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks sit close enough to Bwindi and Mgahinga to combine both experiences within a single, well-planned itinerary.

How fit do I need to be for gorilla trekking? Moderate fitness is sufficient for most travellers — treks run 1–6 hours over sometimes steep, muddy terrain, and porters are available for those wanting extra support.

How far in advance should I book gorilla permits? 6–12 months ahead, especially for peak season (June–September, December–February), since only eight visitors are permitted per gorilla family per day.

Book Your Gorilla Trekking and Big Five Safari Today

Combining gorilla trekking with a Big Five safari is the single most complete wildlife experience East Africa has to offer — dense rainforest and open savanna, endangered gorillas and Africa’s most iconic large mammals, in one seamless trip.

Trek Rwanda Gorillas handles every detail, from permits to lodges to transfers, across Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo. Contact our team today to start planning your 2026 gorilla and Big Five adventure, or browse our Uganda safari packages and Rwanda safaris to see our most popular combined itineraries.

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