Designed for travellers based in Kigali, Rwanda, this 3-day safari crosses into Uganda for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage Site sheltering more than half the world's remaining mountain gorillas. Pick & Transfer handles all logistics end-to-end, so you focus entirely on the experience.
The centrepiece is Day 2: a one-hour encounter with a habituated gorilla family in one of Africa's oldest and most biodiverse rainforests. Day 3 returns you to Kigali comfortably, completing a self-contained adventure that fits cleanly into any international itinerary.
Early-morning pickup from your Kigali hotel or the airport. Your driver-guide briefs the group and departs northwest through Rwanda's iconic terraced hillsides, passing through Musanze before reaching the Cyanika border post — the most scenic and least congested Rwanda–Uganda crossing.
In Uganda, the road descends through the dramatic Kisoro highland landscape — five Virunga volcanoes filling the horizon — before climbing toward the Bwindi forest area. Arrive at the lodge in late afternoon for check-in, dinner, and an optional guide briefing on tomorrow's trek.
- Early hotel or airport pickup in Kigali
- Drive through Rwanda's terraced highlands
- Cyanika border crossing (Rwanda → Uganda)
- Drive through Kisoro — Virunga volcano panorama
- Bwindi lodge check-in, dinner & trek briefing
Early breakfast then transfer to the Uganda Wildlife Authority briefing point by 7:30 AM. Rangers assign groups of eight to specific habituated gorilla families and lead the trek into Bwindi's ancient, root-tangled rainforest. Trek time varies from 30 minutes to six hours depending on the family's location.
The one-hour gorilla encounter is the emotional heart of this journey — silverbacks at rest metres away, nursing mothers, juveniles swinging through the undergrowth. Nothing in safari travel quite prepares you for it. Return to the lodge for a hot lunch, a free afternoon, and dinner.
- Early breakfast and transfer to UWA briefing point
- 7:30 AM ranger briefing and group assignment
- Trek into Bwindi — follow trackers to gorilla family
- One full hour with the habituated gorilla family
- Return to lodge for hot lunch and afternoon rest
- Optional: community village walk in the afternoon
- Dinner and overnight at Bwindi lodge
Final breakfast with forest views, then check-out and the scenic return drive to Kigali via the Cyanika border. Optional stop at Lake Mutanda — a breathtaking volcanic crater lake with direct Virunga views — or the Kisoro craft market for souvenirs.
Back in Kigali by early-to-mid afternoon, with time before any evening flight. Drop-off at your Kigali hotel, the airport, or any city address of your choice.
- Final breakfast and lodge check-out
- Optional stop at Lake Mutanda (crater lake views)
- Return via Cyanika border post into Rwanda
- Scenic drive back through Rwanda's highlands
- Drop-off at Kigali hotel / airport / address
- ✔Gorilla trekking permit (USD 800)
- ✔Private 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- ✔Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- ✔2 nights' lodge accommodation at Bwindi
- ✔All meals as per itinerary
- ✔Cyanika border crossing assistance
- ✔Park entry & UWA ranger fees
- ✔Bottled drinking water throughout
- ✔All fuel and vehicle running costs
- ✔24/7 Pick & Transfer on-trip support
- ✗International flights to/from Kigali
- ✗Rwanda or Uganda visa fees
- ✗Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- ✗Yellow fever vaccination certificate
- ✗Tips for porters and lodge staff
- ✗Alcoholic drinks and personal purchases
- ✗Optional porter hire (~USD 15)
- ✗Meals not listed in the itinerary
