2-Day Bwindi Gorilla Trek from Kigali, Rwanda
Many people think they must fly to Entebbe to see the gorillas in Uganda. This is a common mistake 
that adds ten hours of driving to your trip. Starting your journey in Kigali is a much better choice. You will save money and cut your travel time in half. This two-day trip is the fastest way to meet the mountain gorillas in their natural home. You get the best of both countries. You enjoy the neat streets of Rwanda and the thick, green forests of Uganda. Starting from Kigali allows you to reach the southern parts of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in just four or five hours. If you start from Entebbe, you will spend at least nine hours on the road. This short route is perfect if you have limited time. It also helps you avoid the high cost of Rwanda gorilla permits. In Rwanda, a permit costs 1,500 dollars. In Uganda, the same permit costs 800 dollars. You save 700 dollars just by crossing the border. This money can pay for your luxury lodge or your flights.
Quick Safari Overview
Start/End: Kigali (hotel or airport pickup)
Destination: Bwindi Southern Sectors (Rushaga / Nkuringo)
Drive time: 4 to 5 hours (typical)
Uganda gorilla permit: $800 FNR (official)
Rwanda permit comparison (context): $1,500 (non-African visitors
Itinerary
Day 1 Kigali to Cyanika border to Bwindi (Rushaga/Nkuringo)
Your trip begins early in the morning in Kigali. Your driver will pick you up from your hotel or the airport. Kigali is a very clean and organized city. You will notice the paved roads and green hills as you leave the capital. The drive toward the border is very scenic. You will pass through small towns where 
people sell fresh fruit and local crafts. The hills of Rwanda are famous for their beauty. They look like green waves under the morning sun.
You will likely head toward the Cyanika border near Kisoro. This is the best crossing if you are visiting the Rushaga or Nkuringo sectors of Bwindi. The border process is usually smooth. You will need your passport and an East African Tourist Visa. This visa allows you to move between Rwanda and Uganda without paying for extra entry fees. The Uganda Wildlife Authority works closely with border officials to keep things moving.
Once you cross into Uganda, the landscape changes. The hills become steeper, and the forests become thicker. You are now in the Kigezi region. Many people call this area the Switzerland of Africa. The air is cool and smells like damp earth and eucalyptus trees. You will see farmers working on steep slopes. They grow potatoes, beans, and tea.
You will arrive at your lodge in the afternoon. This gives you time to rest and prepare. You can sit on your private balcony and look at the forest. The trees in Bwindi are very old. Some have lived for thousands of years. You might hear the distant calls of monkeys or see colorful birds flying over the canopy. Your evening will include a hot dinner and a briefing about the next day. You should go to bed early. You will need your energy for the trek.
Day 2 Gorilla trekking & return to Kigali
This is the most important day of your trip. After an early breakfast, you will go to the park headquarters at 7:00 AM for a briefing. The rangers will explain the rules of the forest and group you 
with seven other travelers. You are then assigned a specific gorilla family to track.
The trek can take anywhere from two to six hours, depending on where the gorillas spent the night. You will hike through thick vegetation, vines, and bamboo. The terrain is steep and can be slippery, but the pace is set by the slowest member of the group.
When you finally find the gorillas, the clock starts. You have exactly one hour to watch them. You might see the silverback protecting the group, mothers grooming their young, or juveniles playing in the trees. It is a quiet, intense experience. You are required to keep a distance of 10 meters to protect the gorillas from human diseases.
After your hour is up, you hike back to the headquarters to receive your trekking certificate. Your driver will be waiting to start the return journey to Kigali. You will cross the border again and arrive back in the city or at the airport by late evening. Most travelers are dropped off by 6:00 PM or 7:00 PM, though we recommend booking a late flight if you are departing the same night
Where You Will Stay
Accommodation is divided into three levels to suit different preferences. Each lodge listed here is chosen for its proximity to the trekking start points in the southern sector.
Luxury Lodges. If you want the highest level of comfort, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge in
Nkuringo offers private stone cottages with fireplaces and personal butlers. Gorilla Heights Lodge is another premier option in Rushaga, featuring high-end amenities and heated pools, which are rare in this remote area.
Mid-Range Lodges For a balance of comfort and value, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge is award-winning and offers incredible views of the Virunga Volcanoes. In the Rushaga area, Rushaga Gorilla Camp or Ichumbi Gorilla Lodgeprovide private ensuite cottages with great service and warm hospitality.
Budget Lodges If you are looking for simple, clean, and safe accommodation, Bwindi Backpackers Lodge or Nshongi Camp are excellent choices. These camps focus on the essentials and put you right at the edge of the forest.
Why Start in Kigali
There is a massive strategic advantage to this route that most first-time travelers miss. A gorilla permit in Rwanda currently costs $1,500. A permit in Uganda costs $800. By driving just a few hours further from Kigali, you save $700 per person. For a couple, that is a saving of $1,400, which often covers the entire cost of the rest of the trip, including lodging and transport. Furthermore, the southern sectors of Bwindi (Rushaga and Nkuringo) are actually closer to Kigali than they are to Uganda’s own capital, Kampala. You get the same world-class wildlife encounter for a fraction of the price and half the driving time of a traditional Uganda safari.
What to Pack for Your Trek
Sturdy Hiking Boots: You need shoes with a good grip for steep, muddy slopes.
Long-Sleeved Shirt and Trousers: These protect you from stinging nettles and scratches from branches.
Gardening Gloves: You will often need to grab onto plants or roots for balance; gloves protect your hands.
Rain Jacket: A lightweight, waterproof poncho or jacket is essential.
Insect Repellent: To keep flies and mosquitoes away during the forest walk.
Small Daypack: To carry your water and packed lunch provided by the lodge.
The Best Time to Visit
You can visit the gorillas at any time of year. However, most people prefer the dry seasons: June to August and December to February. During these months, the trails are drier and easier to climb. The rainy seasons (March to May and October to November) make the trek more challenging because of the mud. However, these months are great for photographers because the air is clear of dust and the forest is vibrant green. There are also fewer people in the park, which makes for a more private experience.
What’s Included / Excluded
Included: permit, private 4×4 transport, driver-guide, 1 night lodge, meals, water, border assistance.
Excluded: flights, East African Tourist Visa, tips, personal spend, porter fee ($15–$20).
