Exciting 17 Days Gorilla Trekking & Mount Nyiragongo Hike –Rwanda, Congo & Uganda Primate Safari

17 Days Gorilla Trekking & Mount Nyiragongo Hike. This epic multi-country primate safari takes you from the rolling hills of Rwanda, through the volcanic landscapes of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and into the wildlife-rich savannahs and rainforests of Uganda — combining mountain gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking, chimpanzee trekking, a Nyiragongo Volcano hike, boat cruises on three different lakes, and classic African game drives into one unforgettable three-country journey.

Beginning in Kigali and ending in Kampala, this is the definitive itinerary for travelers who want to see it all: two separate gorilla trekking experiences (Rwanda and Uganda), three chimpanzee tracking opportunities, rhino tracking at Ziwa, and the chance to camp on the crater rim of one of the world’s most active volcanoes.

⚠️ Travel Advisory for the Congo Leg (Day 5–6): This itinerary includes a short crossing into DR Congo for the Nyiragongo Volcano hike near Virunga National Park. Due to ongoing security concerns linked to M23 rebel activity in eastern DR Congo, this specific area has experienced periods of closure, and access should always be reconfirmed before booking. If the Congo leg is unavailable or inadvisable at the time of your travel, we can seamlessly restructure this safari into a 16-day Rwanda and Uganda gorilla trekking tour, extending your time at Lake Kivu or Volcanoes National Park instead. Ask our team for the current status when you enquire.

Why This Is the Ultimate Gorilla and Primate Trekking Safari

Most gorilla trekking tours focus on a single country and a single primate encounter. This 17 day gorilla safari is different — it’s built for travelers who want the full picture of Central and East Africa’s great ape destinations in one seamless trip. Over 17 days, you’ll experience:

  • Mountain gorilla trekking in both Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
  • Golden monkey tracking, one of Africa’s rarest primate experiences
  • Three separate chimpanzee tracking excursions — in Kalinzu Forest, Kibale Forest, and Budongo Forest
  • A Nyiragongo Volcano hike to camp beside the world’s largest lava lake
  • Classic game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Park
  • Rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
  • Boat cruises on Lake Kivu, Lake Bunyonyi, the Kazinga Channel, and the Nile

For travelers with less time, our shorter 3 day gorilla trek in Kahuzi-Biega or 3 day Virunga gorilla trek offer a taste of this same region in a fraction of the time.

Brief Itinerary: 17 Days Gorilla Trekking & Mount Nyiragongo Hike

Day 1: Kigali city exploration and transfer to Volcanoes National Park

Day 2: Gorilla tracking and Iby’Iwacu village visit

Day 3: Golden monkey tracking and touring the twin lakes

Day 4: Transfer to Lake Kivu, visiting the Murambi Genocide Memorial and the King’s Palace Day 5: Hiking Mount Nyiragongo Volcano Day 6: Transfer back to Lake Kivu

Day 7: Boat ride at Nyamirundi Island

Day 8: Kigali city exploration and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi, Uganda

Day 9: Boat ride and transfer to Bwindi National Park

Day 10: Second gorilla trekking, this time in Uganda

Day 11: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kazinga Channel boat cruise

Day 12: Game drive and chimpanzee tracking at Kalinzu Forest

Day 13: Transfer to Fort Portal and a visit to the King’s Palace

Day 14: Chimpanzee tracking and birding at Bigodi Swamp

Day 15: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

Day 16: Game drives and a boat cruise

Day 17: Rhino tracking at Ziwa and return to Kampala

Blackback Gorillas

Detailed 17 Days Gorilla Trekking & Mount Nyiragongo Hike

Day 1: Kigali City Tour – Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

Your driver-guide picks you up from your Kigali hotel for a Kigali city tour, exploring the clean, modern Rwandan capital, including the Gisozi Genocide Memorial, craft shops, and local markets.

After lunch, you’ll drive north to Volcanoes National Park in Musanze province. Overnight at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (luxury), Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge or La Palme (mid-range), or Muhabura Hotel (basic).

Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda – Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village

After breakfast, head to Kinigi park headquarters for your briefing before setting off into the Volcanoes National Park forest with your guide and armed ranger in search of mountain gorillas.

Watching the silverback lead and control the group is one of the most mesmerizing sights in Rwanda gorilla trekking. In the afternoon, visit the Iby’Iwacu cultural village to learn about Rwandan traditions and enjoy a performance from traditional dancers, echoing the kind of community encounters found on our Congo gorilla trekking tours as well.

Day 3: Golden Monkey Tracking – Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo

Following breakfast and a briefing, set off on a golden monkey tracking adventure — an encounter with one of Africa’s rarest and most endangered primate species. After lunch, visit the scenic twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo before returning to your hotel for dinner.

Day 4: Transfer to Lake Kivu

Travel to Lake Kivu, Rwanda’s largest freshwater lake and one of its most relaxing destinations, stopping en route at the Murambi Genocide Memorial Site and the King’s Palace.

Arrive at the lakeshore in the evening. Overnight at Lake Kivu Serena Hotel (luxury), Palm Gardens Resort (deluxe), or Paradise Malahide (budget).

17 Days Gorilla Trekking Mount Nyiragongo Hike

Day 5: Nyiragongo Volcano Hike in Congo

After an early breakfast, drive into DR Congo, reaching Kibati village at the trailhead of Mount Nyiragongo. The hike begins around 9:30 AM and takes roughly 5 to 6 hours up one of the world’s most active volcanoes, home to the planet’s largest lava lake.

Overnight at the campsite on the Nyiragongo crater rim — as covered in more depth in our dedicated 5 day Congo gorillas and Nyiragongo hike guide.

Day 6: Descend and Return to Lake Kivu

After descending Nyiragongo, drive back to Lake Kivu for a well-earned evening of relaxation, dinner, and overnight rest.

Day 7: Nyamirundi Island Boat Ride – Transfer to Kigali

Enjoy a scenic boat ride to Nyamirundi coffee island, learning how Rwandan coffee is processed, before driving back to Kigali. Overnight at Kigali Flame Tree (mid-range).

Day 8: Kigali City Tour – Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi, Uganda

Back in Kigali, enjoy a further city tour taking in the Genocide Memorial grounds, local markets, museum, and craft shops before crossing into Uganda toward Lake Bunyonyi, one of the most scenic lakes in the region. Overnight at Bunyonyi Overland Camp (budget), Bunyonyi Safari Resort (mid-range), or Bunyonyi Overland Resort (luxury).

Day 9: Lake Bunyonyi Boat Ride – Transfer to Bwindi National Park

Wake to breathtaking views over Lake Bunyonyi before a launch cruise across this birder’s paradise. After lunch, transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Overnight at Bakiga Lodge, Gorilla Mist, or Ruhija Forest Lodge (luxury).

Day 10: Second Gorilla Trekking – This Time in Uganda

An early breakfast precedes your briefing at the Bwindi park headquarters, where your Uganda gorilla trekking guide explains the day ahead — let your guide know in advance if you’d prefer an easier trekking route.

Entering the forest for your second mountain gorilla trekking encounter of the trip is an experience that never grows old, and the emotional hour spent with the great apes remains one of travel’s most treasured memories.

In the afternoon, meet the Batwa pygmy community, former forest dwellers who once called Bwindi home before it became a protected gorilla sanctuary.

Day 11: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park via the Ishasha sector, famous for its tree-climbing lions, arriving in time for lunch. In the afternoon, take a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, rewarded with hippos, crocodiles, buffalo, elephants, and a wealth of birdlife. Overnight at Kingfisher Lodge (budget), Ihamba Safari Lodge (mid-range), or Mweya Safari Lodge (luxury).

Day 12: Game Drive – Chimpanzee Tracking in Kalinzu Forest

An early game drive offers sightings of lions, leopards, giant forest hogs, buffalo, elephants, waterbucks, Uganda kob, topi, and bushbuck. In the afternoon, head to Kalinzu Forest Reserve for habituated chimpanzee tracking, one of three chimp encounters on this itinerary.

Day 13: Transfer to Fort Portal – The King’s Palace

Drive to Fort Portal, seat of the Tooro Kingdom, visiting the King’s Palace and learning about Bunyoro-Tooro culture, with beautiful views of the Rwenzori Mountains along the way. Overnight at Chimpanzee Guest House (budget), Crater Safari Lodge (mid-range), or Kyaninga Lodge (luxury).

Day 14: Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Wetland Visit

Head to the Kibale Forest park offices for your briefing before entering the forest — often called the “primate capital of East Africa” for its exceptional density of primate species.

This second chimpanzee tracking experience is among the best in Africa. In the afternoon, choose between birding at Bigodi Wetland or a community visit to Bigodi village.

Day 15: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

Drive north to Murchison Falls National Park, with a lunch stop in Masindi town. On arrival, tour the top of the falls and take in the thunderous roar of the River Nile forcing its way through a narrow gorge.

Day 16: Game Drive and Boat Cruise

A morning game drive along the southern banks reveals giraffes, hartebeest, elephants, bushbuck, lion, and jackal. After lunch, a launch cruise brings you close to concentrations of hippos and birdlife, including the elusive Pel’s fishing owl.

Day 17: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – Return to Kampala

Depart the park toward Kampala, stopping for chimpanzee tracking at Kaniyo Pabidi Forest within Budongo Forest — your third and final primate encounter — and continuing to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for rhino tracking on foot. Overnight at Cassia Lodge or Holiday Express Hotel, marking the end of your 17 Days Gorilla Trekking Mount Nyiragongo Hike.

End of the 17 Days Gorilla Trekking & Mount Nyiragongo Hike.

What’s Included in the 17 Day Gorilla Trekking Safari

  • Gorilla trekking permits ($1,500 per person)
  • Chimpanzee tracking permits
  • Nature walks
  • Cultural tour in Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village
  • Transportation in a 4×4 safari vehicle
  • Full-time English-speaking driver-guide
  • Accommodation and meals
  • Relevant government taxes
  • All listed activities in the itinerary (excluding optional add-ons)
  • Bottled water

What’s Excluded

  • Rwanda visa fees
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal expenses such as cigarettes, phone calls, laundry, tips, extra activities, and accommodation outside the itinerary

Gorilla Trekking Permit Costs: Rwanda vs. Uganda vs. Congo

One of the most common questions from travelers planning a multi-country gorilla safari is how permit costs compare. On this itinerary, Rwanda gorilla trekking permits run at $1,500 per person, reflecting Volcanoes National Park’s premium positioning, well-developed infrastructure, and shorter transfer times from Kigali. Uganda’s Bwindi gorilla permits are typically more affordable, while Congo’s Kahuzi-Biega lowland gorilla permits remain the most budget-friendly option in the region — a detail we cover in full in our Congo lowland gorilla trekking guide. Because this itinerary includes trekking in both Rwanda and Uganda, you’ll experience two genuinely different gorilla trekking environments and permit systems within a single trip.

Golden Monkey Tracking: A Rare Rwanda Primate Experience

Few primate encounters in Africa rival golden monkey tracking in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. These endangered, strikingly colored primates live in the bamboo forests of the Virunga Massif and offer a completely different trekking experience from mountain gorilla trekking — generally shorter, livelier, and filled with playful, fast-moving troops. It’s a highlight many travelers rank alongside their gorilla trekking safari as one of the trip’s most memorable wildlife encounters.

Best Time for a 17 Day Multi-Country Gorilla Safari

As with most Rwanda, Congo, and Uganda gorilla trekking itineraries, the dry seasons — June to September and December to February — offer the best trekking conditions across all three countries, with firmer trails and better visibility for both gorilla trekking and the Nyiragongo Volcano hike. See our best time to visit Rwanda and Congo guide for a month-by-month breakdown relevant to this route.

Guidelines for Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking

Whether you’re tracking mountain gorillas in Rwanda, Uganda, or chimpanzees across three separate forests on this itinerary, the same core rules apply:

  • Only travelers aged 15 and above are eligible for gorilla and chimpanzee permits
  • A maximum of one hour is granted for your encounter with gorillas or chimpanzees
  • Flash photography is not permitted
  • Maintain a minimum distance of 7 meters from the animals at all times
  • Leave the habitat exactly as you found it
  • Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing; visitors feeling unwell should not track
  • Eating, drinking, and smoking are not allowed during treks

For a deeper look at safety protocols across the region, see our Congo and Rwanda travel safety guide.

What to Pack for a 17 Day Gorilla and Volcano Trekking Safari

Because this trip spans rainforest trekking, high-altitude volcano hiking, and savannah game drives, pack:

  • Waterproof hiking boots
  • Long-sleeved shirts/t-shirts
  • Your gorilla and chimpanzee permits
  • A good digital camera
  • A waterproof daypack
  • A lightweight rain jacket
  • Gaiters
  • Insect repellent
  • A basic first aid kit

Our complete gorilla trekking packing list covers additional cold-weather gear needed for the Nyiragongo summit.

Extend or Customize Your Multi-Country Primate Safari

This 17-day route is comprehensive, but it’s also flexible. Travelers with more time sometimes add a stopover in Nyungwe Forest for canopy walks, extra game viewing in Akagera National Park, or an extra relaxation day on Lake Kivu. For travelers whose dates don’t allow the Congo leg, our team can restructure this into a pure Rwanda and Uganda gorilla trekking itinerary without losing any of the primate trekking highlights. If you’re drawn specifically to the Rwandan side of the Virunga Massif, our colleagues at Trek Rwanda Gorillas also offer excellent specialist-guided treks into Volcanoes National Park worth comparing notes with.

Frequently Asked Questions About This 17 Day Gorilla Safari

Is the Nyiragongo hike always included in this itinerary? The Nyiragongo leg depends on the current security situation in eastern DR Congo. We recommend checking our Congo gorilla trekking FAQ or asking our team for the latest status before booking, since this region has experienced periods of closure.

How many gorilla treks does this itinerary include? Two — one in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and a second in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, giving you two distinct mountain gorilla trekking experiences on a single trip.

Can this trip be shortened? Yes. If 17 days is more than you have available, our shorter Uganda gorilla and Queen Elizabeth National Park safaris or 3 day Virunga gorilla trek cover key sections of this same route.

Book the Ultimate Gorilla Trekking and Nyiragongo Hike Safari

Few itineraries anywhere in the world combine as many bucket-list wildlife experiences as this 17 Days Gorilla Trekking Mount Nyiragongo Hike. From two separate mountain gorilla encounters, to golden monkey tracking, three chimpanzee treks, an overnight volcano hike, and classic savannah game drives across three countries, this is the definitive Rwanda, Congo, and Uganda gorilla safari for serious wildlife travelers.

Get in touch with our team today to book your 17-day adventure, confirm current access for the Congo leg, and start planning the primate safari of a lifetime.

PLAN YOUR 17 DAY GORILLA SAFARI →

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