Uganda and Rwanda gorillas: combining both treks in one trip

Uganda and Rwanda gorillas on one trip: the short answer

You can see Uganda and Rwanda gorillas on one trip, and many travellers do. Seeing Uganda and Rwanda gorillas in one journey gives you two forests and two styles of trek. The two parks lie close together, linked by good roads and two border crossings. The main tasks are to buy two separate permits, plan the border day well and choose an order that suits your flights.

This page covers the practical side of combining both countries. If you are still deciding which country is better for you, read our Uganda or Rwanda comparison first. Once you are ready to do both, the sections below show how to link them.

Why combine two countries for gorilla trekking?

Seeing Uganda and Rwanda gorillas together gives you more than one forest and more than one style of trek. Bwindi is a deep, ancient forest with many sectors. The Virunga volcanoes in Rwanda and Mgahinga rise as steep, bamboo-clad slopes. Each setting changes how the walk feels and how the gorillas behave.

• Two different treks. Compare the families, the trails and the scenery.
• Two different cultures. Enjoy Uganda's lively villages and Rwanda's calm, orderly towns.
• More wildlife. Add chimpanzees, golden monkeys or a savannah park.
• Efficient flights. Fly into one capital and out of the other.

Not everyone needs both. A single trek is a superb experience, and a second trek adds time and cost. Combine only if you have the days and the energy.

Permits for both countries

Each country runs its own system. The Uganda Wildlife Authority issues permits for Bwindi and Mgahinga, and the Rwanda Development Board issues permits for Volcanoes National Park. One confirmation never covers the other.

Two permits mean two sets of dates, names and terms. Match passport spellings in both, and keep a printed copy of each. Read the RDB gorilla tracking page and the UWA website for each authority's own wording. Our permit booking guide explains the process, and we reserve both permits in one request.

Which country first?

The best order depends on your flights and your fitness. There is no single right answer.

Many travellers prefer to place the longest drive early and keep the final days gentle. If you add savannah parks, finish your trip with the gorillas so you arrive rested. Our trek planning guide explains how to build in rest days.

Border crossings between Uganda and Rwanda

Two main routes link the countries, and both are used by tourists.

Cyanika, in the south-west

The Cyanika crossing lies between Musanze, the base for Volcanoes National Park, and Kisoro, the base for Mgahinga and southern Bwindi. It suits trips that combine the Virunga volcanoes with Rushaga or Nkuringo. The roads on either side are winding, so allow extra time.

Gatuna, on the Kabale route

The Gatuna crossing, called Katuna on the Ugandan side, lies on the main road between Kigali and Kabale. It suits trips that include Lake Bunyonyi, Kabale or the northern sectors of Bwindi. The route is well surfaced, though traffic can slow the journey.

Border rules and opening arrangements can change. Confirm current conditions with the official immigration sites shortly before you travel, and ask us to check for any notices.

Visas for a two-country trip

Visa rules depend on your nationality, so check the official sites. Rwanda's immigration service explains that the East Africa Tourist Visa covers Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda, and it is valid for 90 days with multiple entries if you stay within the three countries. It also notes that, if you obtain it before travel, your first entry point must be the country where you applied. Read the full conditions on the Rwanda immigration visa page and on the Uganda immigration site.

This visa can simplify a route through both countries, because you do not buy a separate visa at each border. Even so, it does not suit everyone, so compare it with separate visas for your nationality. Carry your passport with at least six months of validity, and keep copies of your permits and your visa. Rules can change, so confirm current requirements with the official sites before you book.

Sample routes for Uganda and Rwanda gorillas

These routes show common shapes. We adjust each one to your dates and your permits.

Browse our Uganda tours and Rwanda tours for ready-made routes. The 5-day gorilla and chimpanzee safari shows how gorillas and chimps fit together, and the 5-day Rwanda gorillas and chimps tour shows the Rwanda side.

Transport and luggage on the border day

A border crossing takes more than the drive. You pass through exit and entry formalities on both sides, and queues can form. Plan a half day for the crossing, and avoid a tight schedule on the same afternoon.

• Use a vehicle and driver from one country to the border, then change to the second country's vehicle if your operator arranges it.
• Keep passports, visas and permits in your daypack, not in the luggage compartment.
• Pack a snack and water, since stops can be long.
• Carry small notes for fees and refreshments.

When both legs are managed by one team, the changeover is smoother. We coordinate drivers on both sides, so you do not stand at the border arranging a pick-up.

Fitness, health and pacing

Two treks in a few days need care, whichever way you order Uganda and Rwanda gorillas. Gorilla treks can be steep and wet, and the second one may feel harder than the first. Leave a rest day between treks when you can, and choose gentler sectors if you are worried. Our difficulty guide explains how rangers match groups to families.

Speak to a travel clinic about vaccines and malaria prevention before you fly. Carry insurance that includes medical evacuation. Do not trek if you have a cold, because gorillas catch human illness. These rules apply in both countries.

Packing for two countries and two climates

Both parks are cool, wet and muddy, so you need the same core kit. A single packing list serves the whole trip.

• Waterproof walking boots and gaiters.
• Long trousers, long sleeves and a rain jacket.
• Gloves for stinging nettles, and a hat.
• A daypack, a refillable bottle and snacks.
• A power bank and a travel adapter.

Rwanda has restrictions on plastic bags, so avoid carrying them in. Read our packing guide for the full checklist.

Common mistakes when you combine both treks

Most problems with Uganda and Rwanda gorillas on one trip come from rushing. Avoid these.

• Booking flights before permits. Both permits must be confirmed first.
• Scheduling treks on back-to-back days. Tired legs make the second trek harder.
• Ignoring the border day. Queues and formalities can take hours.
• Forgetting visa details. Check where your first entry must be.
• Underestimating the roads. Hill roads are slow, so add buffer time.

A well-paced route turns these risks into easy days. Our team builds each plan around your permit dates.

Best months for a two-country trip

The drier months, June to September and December to February, suit a route through both countries. Trails are firmer, roads are easier and views are clearer. However, those months are also the busiest, so permits sell out early. Wetter months bring quieter forests, more mud and lush scenery, and they still work well with the right gear.

When you plan Uganda and Rwanda gorillas together, start with the month in which both permits can be secured. Then build lodges and transfers around those dates. For a month-by-month view, read our best time guide.

Adding golden monkeys, chimpanzees and parks

A two-country route has room for more than gorillas. Golden monkeys live in both Mgahinga and Volcanoes National Park, and a bamboo-forest trek makes a pleasant second primate day. Chimpanzees live in Kibale and in Rwanda's Nyungwe forest. Savannah lovers can add Queen Elizabeth or Lake Mburo on the Ugandan side.

See our Mgahinga guide and Volcanoes guide for the volcano forests, and our chimpanzee trekking guide for chimps. Our Uganda national parks guide shows how the safari parks fit in. Each addition means more days, so choose what matters most.

Budget and value without prices

We do not publish prices, because fees and costs change with dates, group size and the length of the route. Instead, we send one clear quote that lists every inclusion. A two-country route involves two permits, extra transfers and a border day, so it needs more planning than a single trek. Ask us for your quote, and we explain where each part of the plan goes.

Plan Uganda and Rwanda gorillas with one team

We are a licensed Ugandan operator, and we plan routes that span both countries. One named member of our team handles permits, transfers and the border day.

1. Tell us your dates. Send your dates and group size, or message us on WhatsApp.
2. Choose your route. We suggest the order and the border crossing.
3. Get one clear quote. It lists every inclusion and deadline.

Our Uganda gorilla trekking guide and Rwanda gorilla trekking guide cover each country in depth.

Frequently asked questions