Classic Gorilla Trekking Safari and Lake Bunyonyi
A gorilla family in the forest, a dugout canoe on a quiet lake and two nights in each place. Five days in Uganda's southwest at a pace that lets you enjoy it.
Two places, one unforgettable hour
This classic itinerary pairs the thrill of meeting mountain gorillas in Rushaga with the calm of Lake Bunyonyi. You drive south through the hills, settle beside the lake, trek in the forest and return to the water for a sunset canoe.
The pace is steady. There are two nights in each place, a trek day built around a full hour with the family, a morning with the Batwa people and time to simply rest.
Three moments you will carry home
Still water at the end of the road
You reach the lake after a long drive. The hills fold around you, the water goes quiet and a table is waiting on the terrace.
Time slows down
The forest closes around you. A young gorilla studies you, an adult chews calmly, and one hour passes at the pace of the forest.
A canoe as the light turns gold
The hills glow, the lake goes still and the only sound is the paddle. This is the moment you will describe for years.
Your five days in Uganda
Arrival at the lake
Entebbe or Kampala to Lake Bunyonyi
The hills rise, the air cools, and the lake appears among terraced slopes like a secret you were meant to find.
- 07:00Pick up at Entebbe airport or your Kampala hotel. Meet your driver guide.
- 09:30Photo stop at the Equator crossing.
- 13:00Lunch break in Mbarara.
- 17:00Arrive at Lake Bunyonyi. Check in and have tea on the terrace.
- 19:00Dinner with a lake view and an early night.
Slow morning, then Rushaga
Lake Bunyonyi to Bwindi
Begin slowly with breakfast above the water, then drive into the forest country where the gorillas live.
- 08:00Breakfast and a slow morning by the lake.
- 11:00Depart for Rushaga, about 2 hours.
- 14:00Arrive at your lodge, lunch and rest.
- 16:00Gear check and a gentle briefing on tomorrow.
- 19:30Dinner at the lodge.
Gorilla day
Trek in Rushaga, Bwindi
Today you walk into the forest. Afterwards, a hot shower and a quiet room take the ache from your legs.
- 06:30Breakfast and packed lunch.
- 07:30Briefing at the Rushaga trailhead. Your gorilla family is assigned.
- 08:00Walk into the forest with a ranger and trackers, from 1 to 7 hours.
- MiddayYour full hour with the gorillas.
- AfternoonReturn to the lodge to rest, shower and share the stories.
- 19:30Dinner at the lodge.
The Batwa and the water
Back to Lake Bunyonyi
A walk with the people of the forest, then the evening light on the lake from a dugout canoe.
- 08:00Breakfast.
- 09:00Batwa community walk to hear their forest stories and traditions.
- 11:30Depart for Lake Bunyonyi, about 2 hours.
- 14:00Lunch and a quiet afternoon.
- 17:00Sunset canoe on the lake.
- 19:30Dinner and a toast to the trip.
The long way home
Lake Bunyonyi to Entebbe or Kampala
One last look at the water, then the road home with a story to tell.
- 08:00Breakfast.
- 09:00Depart Lake Bunyonyi.
- 13:30Lunch break in Mbarara.
- 18:30Arrive in Kampala or Entebbe.
How will your trek feel?
The forest sets the pace on Day 3. Slide to see what each kind of day looks like.
Choose your lodge level
| Area | Budget (on request) | Midrange | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Bunyonyi, 2 nights | Byoona Amagara Island Retreat | Arcadia Cottages | Quoted on request |
| Rushaga, Bwindi, 2 nights | Rushaga Gorilla Camp | Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge | Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Nkuringo |
Or similar lodges, depending on availability. Tell us your preference and we will confirm.
Smooth from first mile to last
- Private 4x4 with a professional local driver guide
- Airport or hotel pick up and drop off
- Long drives: about 9 to 10 hours on Day 1 and Day 5
- Short transfers of about 2 hours between the lake and Rushaga
- Permit, park fees and lodging handled by us
What you will do
- Gorilla trek with a UWA ranger and trackers
- Batwa community walk
- Sunset canoe on Lake Bunyonyi
- Scenic drive through the Kigezi hills
- Optional birdwatching at the lake
Clear costs, no surprises
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Classic Gorilla Trekking Safari and Lake Bunyonyi, midrange, per person sharing | From USD 2,000 |
| Gorilla permit (foreign nonresident), included | USD 800 |
| Luxury lodges or budget camps | Quoted on request |
| Optional extras (bird guide, picnic, extra night) | Quoted at booking |
| Porter, paid on site | USD 15 to 20 |
| Uganda eVisa, paid by you | About USD 50 |
Included
- Gorilla permit
- 4 nights lodging, full board
- Sunset canoe on Lake Bunyonyi
- Batwa community walk
- Private 4x4 and driver guide
- Airport or hotel transfers
Not included
- International flights
- Visa and travel insurance
- Porter, tips and personal items
- Premium drinks
- Optional extras
Seasons
Dry months (Jun to Sep, Dec to Feb) are easiest underfoot and book first. Green months (Mar to May, Oct to Nov) are quieter and lush. Book 6 to 9 months ahead for dry season dates. Permits can cost less in April, May and November, which may lower your price.
Shape it around you
Tick what interests you and send it to our team in one tap.
Arrive ready
Documents and health
- Passport valid 6 months
- Uganda eVisa (evisa.go.ug)
- Yellow fever certificate
- Travel insurance with medical cover
- Ask your doctor about malaria advice
What to pack
Safety
- Keep 7 metres from the gorillas
- Guests with colds or flu cannot trek
- Armed rangers escort every group
- Wear life jackets on the canoe
- Tell us about any health or mobility needs
Simple, secure payment
- 30 percent deposit confirms your booking and permit
- Balance due 60 days before arrival
- Bookings within 60 days are paid in full
- Pay online through WeTravel, or ask for bank details
Fair and clear if plans change
| When you cancel | What is refunded |
|---|---|
| 60 days or more before arrival | Everything paid, except the permit and costs already committed |
| 30 to 59 days before arrival | 50 percent of the package price, excluding the permit |
| Under 30 days or no show | No refund |
Gorilla permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and are generally nonrefundable once purchased. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
Where your booking stands
- Enquiry received
- Permit availability checked
- Itinerary agreed
- Deposit paid, confirmed
- Final documents sent
- Travel day
We update your stage and share a link ending in #status-1 to #status-6 so you can follow it from your phone.
Your gorilla and lake adventure is waiting
Permits are limited to 8 guests per gorilla family each day. Tell us your dates and we will check availability today.
Classic Gorilla Trekking Safari and Lake Bunyonyi
A gorilla family in the forest, a dugout canoe on a quiet lake and two nights in each place. Five days in Uganda's southwest at a pace that lets you enjoy it.
Two places, one unforgettable hour
This classic itinerary pairs the thrill of meeting mountain gorillas in Rushaga with the calm of Lake Bunyonyi. You drive south through the hills, settle beside the lake, trek in the forest and return to the water for a sunset canoe.
The pace is steady. There are two nights in each place, a trek day built around a full hour with the family, a morning with the Batwa people and time to simply rest.
Three moments you will carry home
Still water at the end of the road
You reach the lake after a long drive. The hills fold around you, the water goes quiet and a table is waiting on the terrace.
Time slows down
The forest closes around you. A young gorilla studies you, an adult chews calmly, and one hour passes at the pace of the forest.
A canoe as the light turns gold
The hills glow, the lake goes still and the only sound is the paddle. This is the moment you will describe for years.
Your five days in Uganda
Arrival at the lake
Entebbe or Kampala to Lake Bunyonyi
The hills rise, the air cools, and the lake appears among terraced slopes like a secret you were meant to find.
- 07:00Pick up at Entebbe airport or your Kampala hotel. Meet your driver guide.
- 09:30Photo stop at the Equator crossing.
- 13:00Lunch break in Mbarara.
- 17:00Arrive at Lake Bunyonyi. Check in and have tea on the terrace.
- 19:00Dinner with a lake view and an early night.
Slow morning, then Rushaga
Lake Bunyonyi to Bwindi
Begin slowly with breakfast above the water, then drive into the forest country where the gorillas live.
- 08:00Breakfast and a slow morning by the lake.
- 11:00Depart for Rushaga, about 2 hours.
- 14:00Arrive at your lodge, lunch and rest.
- 16:00Gear check and a gentle briefing on tomorrow.
- 19:30Dinner at the lodge.
Gorilla day
Trek in Rushaga, Bwindi
Today you walk into the forest. Afterwards, a hot shower and a quiet room take the ache from your legs.
- 06:30Breakfast and packed lunch.
- 07:30Briefing at the Rushaga trailhead. Your gorilla family is assigned.
- 08:00Walk into the forest with a ranger and trackers, from 1 to 7 hours.
- MiddayYour full hour with the gorillas.
- AfternoonReturn to the lodge to rest, shower and share the stories.
- 19:30Dinner at the lodge.
The Batwa and the water
Back to Lake Bunyonyi
A walk with the people of the forest, then the evening light on the lake from a dugout canoe.
- 08:00Breakfast.
- 09:00Batwa community walk to hear their forest stories and traditions.
- 11:30Depart for Lake Bunyonyi, about 2 hours.
- 14:00Lunch and a quiet afternoon.
- 17:00Sunset canoe on the lake.
- 19:30Dinner and a toast to the trip.
The long way home
Lake Bunyonyi to Entebbe or Kampala
One last look at the water, then the road home with a story to tell.
- 08:00Breakfast.
- 09:00Depart Lake Bunyonyi.
- 13:30Lunch break in Mbarara.
- 18:30Arrive in Kampala or Entebbe.
How will your trek feel?
The forest sets the pace on Day 3. Slide to see what each kind of day looks like.
Choose your lodge level
| Area | Budget (on request) | Midrange | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Bunyonyi, 2 nights | Byoona Amagara Island Retreat | Arcadia Cottages | Quoted on request |
| Rushaga, Bwindi, 2 nights | Rushaga Gorilla Camp | Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge | Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Nkuringo |
Or similar lodges, depending on availability. Tell us your preference and we will confirm.
Smooth from first mile to last
- Private 4x4 with a professional local driver guide
- Airport or hotel pick up and drop off
- Long drives: about 9 to 10 hours on Day 1 and Day 5
- Short transfers of about 2 hours between the lake and Rushaga
- Permit, park fees and lodging handled by us
What you will do
- Gorilla trek with a UWA ranger and trackers
- Batwa community walk
- Sunset canoe on Lake Bunyonyi
- Scenic drive through the Kigezi hills
- Optional birdwatching at the lake
Clear costs, no surprises
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Classic Gorilla Trekking Safari and Lake Bunyonyi, midrange, per person sharing | From USD 2,000 |
| Gorilla permit (foreign nonresident), included | USD 800 |
| Luxury lodges or budget camps | Quoted on request |
| Optional extras (bird guide, picnic, extra night) | Quoted at booking |
| Porter, paid on site | USD 15 to 20 |
| Uganda eVisa, paid by you | About USD 50 |
Included
- Gorilla permit
- 4 nights lodging, full board
- Sunset canoe on Lake Bunyonyi
- Batwa community walk
- Private 4x4 and driver guide
- Airport or hotel transfers
Not included
- International flights
- Visa and travel insurance
- Porter, tips and personal items
- Premium drinks
- Optional extras
Seasons
Dry months (Jun to Sep, Dec to Feb) are easiest underfoot and book first. Green months (Mar to May, Oct to Nov) are quieter and lush. Book 6 to 9 months ahead for dry season dates. Permits can cost less in April, May and November, which may lower your price.
Shape it around you
Tick what interests you and send it to our team in one tap.
Arrive ready
Documents and health
- Passport valid 6 months
- Uganda eVisa (evisa.go.ug)
- Yellow fever certificate
- Travel insurance with medical cover
- Ask your doctor about malaria advice
What to pack
Safety
- Keep 7 metres from the gorillas
- Guests with colds or flu cannot trek
- Armed rangers escort every group
- Wear life jackets on the canoe
- Tell us about any health or mobility needs
Simple, secure payment
- 30 percent deposit confirms your booking and permit
- Balance due 60 days before arrival
- Bookings within 60 days are paid in full
- Pay online through WeTravel, or ask for bank details
Fair and clear if plans change
| When you cancel | What is refunded |
|---|---|
| 60 days or more before arrival | Everything paid, except the permit and costs already committed |
| 30 to 59 days before arrival | 50 percent of the package price, excluding the permit |
| Under 30 days or no show | No refund |
Gorilla permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and are generally nonrefundable once purchased. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
Where your booking stands
- Enquiry received
- Permit availability checked
- Itinerary agreed
- Deposit paid, confirmed
- Final documents sent
- Travel day
We update your stage and share a link ending in #status-1 to #status-6 so you can follow it from your phone.
Your gorilla and lake adventure is waiting
Permits are limited to 8 guests per gorilla family each day. Tell us your dates and we will check availability today.