Combine the intimacy of
mountain gorilla trekking
with the wide-open drama
of an African savannah safari.
A gorilla and big game safari
gives you the chance to spend
time with mountain gorillas
in the forest, then continue
to national parks where you may
see lions, elephants, buffalo,
hippos, antelope and other
classic African wildlife.
These journeys are ideal for
first-time visitors to East Africa,
couples, families and travellers
who want more than one
extraordinary wildlife experience.
Uganda offers mountain gorilla
trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable
National Park and Mgahinga
Gorilla National Park.
Bwindi is Uganda's principal
gorilla destination, with four
main trekking sectors:
Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga
and Nkuringo.
Bwindi offers multiple
gorilla trekking areas
and accommodation options.
It is especially useful
for combining gorillas
with chimpanzees and
traditional wildlife safaris.
Your lodge should be
selected according to
the trekking sector
assigned to your permit.
Mgahinga offers gorilla
trekking amid the remarkable
volcanic scenery of
the Virunga Mountains.
Golden monkey trekking
can also be incorporated,
making it attractive
for primate enthusiasts.
One of the easiest wildlife
parks to combine with Bwindi.
Possible wildlife sightings
include:
A Kazinga Channel boat safari
adds a rewarding water-based
wildlife experience.
One of Uganda's most dramatic
safari destinations, where
the Nile runs through a
landscape rich in wildlife.
Murchison generally suits
a longer Uganda itinerary
because it lies far
north of Bwindi.
A smaller park that can fit
conveniently into some
overland safari routes.
Lake Mburo is a useful
wildlife stop before
or after visiting
Uganda's gorilla highlands.
Suggested Uganda route:
Kibale → Queen Elizabeth → Bwindi,
or Bwindi → Queen Elizabeth → Entebbe.
The route can be reversed to suit
permits, flights and lodge availability.
Rwanda's mountain gorillas
are found in Volcanoes National
Park near Musanze.
For a classic savannah
wildlife experience, continue
to Akagera National Park.
The principal gorilla
trekking destination
in Rwanda, accessible
from Kigali.
This makes Rwanda attractive
for travellers who want
a shorter gorilla-focused
itinerary combined with
a wildlife extension.
Rwanda's main savannah
safari destination,
with grasslands,
wetlands and lakes.
Suggested Rwanda route:
Kigali → Volcanoes National Park
→ Akagera National Park.
Uganda is generally the stronger
choice for travellers who want
the broadest combination of
gorillas, chimpanzees, big game
and boat safaris in one country.
Rwanda is ideal for a shorter,
more compact gorilla and
savannah wildlife itinerary,
combining Volcanoes National
Park with Akagera.
Gorilla trekking is
intimate, quiet and
physically active.
A game drive is
more open and panoramic.
One day you might be
trekking through dense
rainforest to observe
mountain gorillas.
A day or two later,
you could be watching
elephants cross a
savannah road or
hippos gather along
a river.
This contrast makes
gorilla and big game
safaris particularly
rewarding.
For travellers arriving from
the United States or Europe,
we generally recommend at
least 7–10 days
to enjoy both gorillas
and traditional safari
without rushing.
Choose an existing safari
itinerary or request a
customised journey around
your travel dates,
destinations and interests.
Arrive through Entebbe and prepare for your safari. Travel to Queen Elizabeth and settle into your lodge, with a possible game drive depending on arrival time. Look for lions, elephants, buffalo and other wildlife, followed by a Kazinga Channel boat safari. Continue south into the mountain gorilla highlands. Trek through Bwindi with authorized rangers in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family. Optional community visits, forest walks or another primate experience, depending on your interests. Travel by road or take a scheduled domestic flight, depending on your chosen itinerary. Travel north to the Musanze area and settle into your lodge. Track mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. Travel across Rwanda toward its eastern savannah and lake landscapes. Look for lions, elephants, buffalo, giraffes and hippos, and enjoy a boat experience where arranged. Complete your safari or connect with another East African destination.
Uganda is especially well
suited to adding chimpanzees
to a gorilla and big game
safari.
A strong route is:
Kibale → Queen Elizabeth → Bwindi.
Yes. Fly-in options can make
a gorilla and big game safari
more comfortable, especially
when you want to reduce
long road transfers.
Kihihi and Kisoro are
important domestic
airstrips serving
the Bwindi region.
Longer safari circuits
may benefit from
additional scheduled
flights or charter
arrangements.
Yes, with the right planning.
Game drives and boat safaris
are generally less physically
demanding than gorilla trekking,
which can create a more
balanced safari itinerary.
Porter assistance
and itinerary planning
can help make the
overall journey
more manageable.
The trek itself
must still be considered
according to individual
mobility and fitness.
Uganda and Rwanda can both
be visited year-round.
The best dates depend
on gorilla permit availability,
road conditions, wildlife
movements, preferred weather
and your desired safari pace.
Drier conditions can make
forest trekking and
some road journeys easier,
although rain remains
possible throughout
the year.
Wetter months can bring
greener landscapes,
atmospheric forests
and dramatic scenery.
Gorilla permits should
be checked early,
especially when travel
dates are fixed.
Buutu Safaris is a
family-owned Ugandan
safari operator with
more than 30 years
of East African
safari experience.
Our aim is to build
a safari that gives you
enough time in each
destination without
making the trip
feel rushed.
We help coordinate
gorilla permits,
suitable trekking
sectors and lodging.
We plan game drives,
boat safaris,
lodge selection and
practical park routing.
We can combine road
and fly-in transfers,
chimpanzees and
cross-border journeys
around your travel style.
Yes. Bwindi gorilla trekking can be combined with lion viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park, while Rwanda combines Volcanoes National Park with big game in Akagera.
Uganda generally offers a broader wildlife circuit, while Rwanda is well suited to a shorter and more compact gorilla and savannah safari.
Yes. Uganda is particularly strong for combining chimpanzees in Kibale, big game in Queen Elizabeth and mountain gorillas in Bwindi.
Yes. Popular options include the Kazinga Channel and Nile in Uganda, and Lake Ihema in Rwanda.
Seven to ten days is a useful starting point for travellers who want gorillas and traditional big game without rushing.
Domestic scheduled or charter flights can be included where routes, schedules and landing facilities make them practical.
Yes, with careful planning. Comfortable transport, suitable lodges, rest days and porter support can help, although gorilla trekking still requires consideration of individual fitness and mobility.
Yes. Uganda’s gorilla trekking can be followed by a Maasai Mara or Serengeti extension, with transport and accommodation arranged around the available travel time.
Tell us your travel dates,
number of travellers,
preferred safari length
and whether you would
like Uganda, Rwanda
or a combination of
East African destinations.
Our local safari specialists
can help combine mountain
gorilla trekking with
game drives, boat safaris,
chimpanzees and carefully
selected accommodation.
Permit enquiries are handled
by the Buutu Safaris team;
the button does not display
live permit inventory.
Gorilla & Big Game Safaris
in Uganda & Rwanda
What Can You Experience on a Gorilla & Big Game Safari?
Mountain Gorillas & Primates
Classic African Wildlife
Comfortable Safari Travel
Gorilla Trekking and Big Game at a Glance
Experience
Uganda
Rwanda
Mountain gorillas
Bwindi & Mgahinga
Volcanoes National Park
Main big game parks
Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls & Lake Mburo
Akagera National Park
Lions
Yes, in selected parks
Yes, in Akagera
Elephants
Yes, in selected parks
Yes, in Akagera
Buffalo
Yes
Yes
Hippos
Yes
Yes
Boat safaris
Kazinga Channel, Nile & Lake Mburo
Lake Ihema
Best for
Longer, varied safari circuits
Compact gorilla and savannah combinations
Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Best Big Game Parks in Uganda
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Murchison Falls National Park
Lake Mburo National Park
Gorilla Trekking & Big Game in Rwanda
Volcanoes National Park
Akagera National Park
Uganda vs Rwanda for Gorilla & Big Game Safaris
Question
Uganda
Rwanda
Best for
Longer varied wildlife circuits
Shorter compact trips
Gorilla parks
Bwindi & Mgahinga
Volcanoes National Park
Big game parks
Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls & Lake Mburo
Akagera
Boat safaris
Kazinga Channel, Nile & Lake Mburo
Lake Ihema
Safari variety
Very high
More compact
Suggested trip length
7–12+ days
5–8 days
Chimpanzee combination
Kibale and other Uganda forests
Possible, often with longer or cross-border routing
Which Country Is Better for Gorillas & Big Game?
Why Combine Gorillas and Big Game?
Two Very Different Wildlife Experiences
More Variety in One Journey
How Many Days Do You Need?
Safari Length
What You Can Include
4–5 Days
Gorillas plus one short wildlife extension
6–7 Days
Gorillas plus Queen Elizabeth or Akagera
8–10 Days
Gorillas, big game, boat safari and optional chimpanzees
10–14 Days
Full primate and big game circuit
14+ Days
Extended Uganda and Rwanda safari
Gorilla & Big Game Safari Options
Sample 7-Day Uganda Gorilla & Big Game Safari
Day 1 – Arrive in Uganda
Day 2 – Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 3 – Game Drive & Boat Safari
Day 4 – Travel to Bwindi
Day 5 – Gorilla Trekking
Day 6 – Relax or Add Another Experience
Day 7 – Return to Entebbe
Sample 5-Day Rwanda Gorilla & Big Game Safari
Day 1 – Kigali to Volcanoes National Park
Day 2 – Gorilla Trekking
Day 3 – Transfer to Akagera
Day 4 – Game Drive & Boat Safari
Day 5 – Return to Kigali
Can You Add Chimpanzee Trekking?
Kibale, Queen Elizabeth & Bwindi
Three Wildlife Experiences
Explore Primate Safaris
Can You Fly Between Safari Areas?
Who Benefits From Flying?
Flights to Gorilla Country
Is a Gorilla & Big Game Safari Good for Seniors?
Comfortable Safari Planning
Gorilla Trekking Support
Best Time for Gorilla & Big Game Safaris
Drier Periods
Wetter Periods
Why Choose Buutu Safaris?
Gorilla Expertise
Wildlife Safari Planning
Private, Tailored Journeys
Gorilla & Big Game Safari FAQs
Can I see gorillas and lions on the same safari?
Which country is better for gorillas and big game?
Can I add chimpanzee trekking?
Can I include a boat safari?
How many days should I allow?
Can I fly between national parks?
Is this safari suitable for seniors?
Can I combine Uganda with Kenya or Tanzania?
Plan Your Gorilla & Big Game Safari
Combine mountain gorilla trekking
in Uganda or Rwanda
with lions, elephants, buffalo,
hippos, game drives and boat
safaris for the best of
primates and classic
African wildlife.
Gorilla & Big Game Safaris