Two gorilla treks in two different parks, starting and ending in Kigali. You trek the single gorilla family in Mgahinga, drive on to the Rushaga sector of Bwindi and trek a second family the next morning, then return to Rwanda.
It is the most compact way to see gorillas twice, and it works well for travellers who already know they want more than one hour with the animals.
Trip overview
The route links the volcano slopes of Mgahinga with the forest of Rushaga, which are only a couple of hours apart by road. Each trek is a different experience: Mgahinga is more open, with bamboo and volcano views, and Bwindi is dense and steep. You need two gorilla permits, one for each park, and both are booked before anything else. Read the Mgahinga guide and the Bwindi guide to see how they differ.
Day by day
Day 1Kigali to Mgahinga
You are met at Kigali airport, have lunch and drive north through Musanze towards the Cyanika border. After crossing into Uganda you continue to Kisoro and your lodge near Mgahinga, with views of the Virunga volcanoes. The drive takes about four to five hours. Dinner and overnight near the park.
Day 2Gorilla trek in Mgahinga, then on to Rushaga
Early briefing at the park headquarters, then a walk with rangers and trackers to the habituated gorilla family. You spend one hour with them, then return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon you drive to the Rushaga sector of Bwindi, where you check in for the night.
Because Mgahinga has only one family, and that family sometimes crosses the border, we watch the situation closely before your trip. If the family is unavailable on your date, we rebook the Mgahinga trek as a second Bwindi trek so the trip still works.
Day 3Gorilla trek in Rushaga and community walk
Another early start, this time for the ranger briefing in Rushaga. You are assigned to a different gorilla family, follow the trackers into the forest and spend one hour with the group. Terrain here can be steep and muddy, so a walking pole and a porter are worth having. In the afternoon you can join a walk with a Batwa community to learn about their forest traditions. Overnight in Rushaga.
Day 4Back to Kigali
After breakfast you drive to Kigali via Kisoro and the Cyanika border, stopping for lunch. Border crossings can be slow, so leave time before any onward flight. You are dropped at your hotel or Kigali airport.
Where you stay
- Near Mgahinga (Kisoro): midrange lodges such as Ichumbi Lodge in Kisoro or Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge, and higher-end properties such as Mount Gahinga Lodge.
- Rushaga, Bwindi: Rushaga Gorilla Camp on a budget, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge in the midrange and Four Gorillas Lodge at the top end.
We hold the lodges together with your permits. See our lodges guide for how to choose.
What is included
- Two gorilla trekking permits, one in Mgahinga and one in Rushaga
- Private vehicle and English-speaking driver-guide throughout
- Three nights of accommodation with meals as listed
- Park entry fees and bottled drinking water
- Border assistance at Cyanika
What is not included
- International flights and visas
- Travel insurance
- Porters, tips and personal spending
- Optional cultural experiences unless added
Fitness and planning
Two treks on consecutive days need a reasonable level of fitness, because you walk on steep, sometimes slippery ground both mornings. You are also travelling on both days. Plan to arrive in Kigali a day early if your flight is long, and see our best time to go guide before choosing your dates. In the wet months allow extra time on the roads.
Who this suits
This route suits travellers who want two gorilla encounters in four days and are comfortable with early starts. If you would like more time, or a rest day on Lake Bunyonyi, look at the six-day double gorilla trek.
Request this itinerary
We confirm both permits and both lodges before quoting, so you never pay for dates that cannot be delivered.
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