1-Day Mgahinga Gorilla Trekking Safari from Kigali, Rwanda

Embark on an extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime 1-Day Mgahinga Gorilla Trekking Safari with Deks Safaris & Tours Africa, journeying from the scenic city of Kigali, Rwanda, to the breathtaking volcanic landscapes of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in southwestern Uganda. This exclusive 1-Day Mgahinga Gorilla Trekking Safari offers you the unique opportunity to trek one of the world’s last remaining families of mountain gorillas in their natural habitat without the long journeys typically associated with gorilla tracking safaris from Kampala or Entebbe.

Set against the stunning backdrop of the Virunga Volcanoes, Mgahinga National Park is a hidden gem within the greater Virunga Conservation Area, an ecological wonder that transcends borders between Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The park’s slogan, “Where Gold Meets Silver,” perfectly captures its essence where golden monkeys and silverback gorillas coexist amid lush bamboo forests and misty mountain slopes.

This 1-Day Mgahinga Gorilla Trekking Safari from Kigali is specially designed for travelers with limited time but who wish to experience the magic of Uganda’s gorillas. Starting early in the morning from your hotel in Kigali or directly from Kigali International Airport, this exhilarating adventure takes you across scenic countryside landscapes, rolling hills, and terraced farms as you cross into Uganda via the Cyanika or Katuna border posts.

An Exclusive Cross-Border Gorilla Adventure

Upon arrival at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, you’ll embark on an unforgettable gorilla trekking expedition through thick vegetation, climbing to altitudes where these magnificent primates thrive. As you track the gorillas with your ranger guide, you’ll gain firsthand insight into their behavior, family dynamics, and conservation story culminating in an awe-inspiring hour spent observing a habituated gorilla family in their natural home.

After this profound wildlife encounter, you may choose to return to Kigali the same day or optionally unwind for the night in Kisoro at Ichumbi Hotel, enjoying panoramic views of the Virunga Mountains. Optional post-trek activities such as an evening Lake Mutanda sunset cruise or golden monkey tracking the next morning make your 1-Day Mgahinga Gorilla Trekking Safari experience even more rewarding.

This 1-Day Mgahinga Gorilla Trekking Safari is perfect for business travelers, short-term visitors, or anyone already in Rwanda seeking an affordable yet unforgettable encounter with Uganda’s mountain gorillas.

With Deks Safaris & Tours Africa, every moment of your 1-Day Mgahinga Gorilla Trekking Safari is meticulously planned ensuring smooth border crossings, timely transfers, expert guiding, and unmatched service excellence throughout your journey.

 

Detailed 1-Day Mgahinga Gorilla Trekking Safari

Day 0: Arrival at Kigali International Airport – Pickup and Hotel Relaxation

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, our professional Deks Safaris & Tours Africa representative will warmly welcome you to Rwanda, the “Land of a Thousand Hills.” After a short meet-and-greet, you’ll be briefed about your upcoming gorilla trekking adventure to Uganda. Our 1-Day Mgahinga Gorilla Trekking Safari driver-guide will ensure you are comfortably transferred to your pre-booked hotel in Kigali for check-in and relaxation.

Depending on your arrival time, you may opt for a short evening tour of Kigali City exploring highlights such as the Kigali Genocide Memorial, Kimironko Market, or the Kigali Convention Centre, a gleaming symbol of Rwanda’s modern transformation. Alternatively, simply unwind at your hotel and enjoy the serenity of Kigali’s hillside setting.

Your evening will be spent resting in preparation for the early morning road transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park the next day. Dinner and overnight will be at your chosen hotel in Kigali.

Accommodation Options:

• Luxury: Kigali Serena Hotel / The Retreat by Heaven
• Midrange: Hotel des Mille Collines / Lemigo Hotel
• Budget: Urban by CityBlue / Five to Five Hotel

Meal Plan: Dinner

Day 1: Early Morning Transfer from Kigali to Mgahinga National Park for Gorilla Trekking

Your 1-Day Mgahinga Gorilla Trekking Safari begins in the stillness of the early morning. At exactly 3:00 AM (Rwanda time), our experienced driver-guide from Deks Safaris & Tours Africa will pick you up from your hotel or Kigali Airport and begin your scenic drive toward Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The route leads you southwest through Rwanda’s picturesque countryside an ever-changing landscape of rolling hills, mist-covered valleys, and traditional villages.

Arrival in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

After approximately four to five hours of driving, you’ll arrive at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park around 7:50 AM (Uganda time), just in time for your pre-trek briefing. Border crossing is handled smoothly with the assistance of our 1-Day Mgahinga Gorilla Trekking Safari guide, ensuring you experience minimal delays at the Cyanika border post.

At the park headquarters in Ntebeko, you’ll meet your Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger guides for a comprehensive briefing on the rules and guidelines of gorilla trekking. You’ll be assigned a specific gorilla family to track most likely the Nyakagezi group, Mgahinga’s famous habituated family known for its stable composition and relatively accessible range.

Starting the Gorilla Trek in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

The trek begins through the cool, misty forests, following trails that wind through bamboo zones, montane vegetation, and volcanic slopes. Gorilla tracking may take anywhere between 2 to 6 hours depending on the gorillas’ movements. Along the way, your ranger will interpret various forest signs, such as nests, footprints, dung, and broken vegetation clues that guide your path to the gorillas.

When you finally encounter the gorilla family, all fatigue vanishes. The sheer sight of a massive silverback feeding peacefully, mothers nursing their infants, and juveniles playing in the undergrowth is both humbling and transformative. You’ll spend a magical one hour observing and photographing the gorillas (at a safe 7-meter distance), witnessing their striking human-like behavior and deep familial bonds.

A Refreshing Lunch in Kisoro after the Gorilla Trekking Experience

After this life-changing experience, you’ll trek back to the park headquarters, where you’ll receive your Gorilla Trekking Certificate a cherished memento of your unforgettable 1-Day Mgahinga Gorilla Trekking Safari in Uganda.

Lunch will be arranged either at the park headquarters or a nearby restaurant in Kisoro town, depending on time and preferences.

Later in the afternoon, you’ll embark on a scenic drive back to Kigali City, where your driver will drop you off either at your hotel or directly at Kigali International Airport for your onward flight.

• Drive Time: Approx. 3-4 hours each way
• Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch

 

Optional 1-Day Mgahinga Gorilla Trekking Safari Add-On Experiences

For travelers who wish to extend the 1-Day Mgahinga Gorilla Trekking Safari and soak in more of Mgahinga’s magic, Deks Safaris & Tours Africa recommends optional activities and experiences that beautifully complement the gorilla trek:

 

Option 1: Overnight Stay at Ichumbi Hotel in Kisoro (US$130 – Full Board)

After the gorilla trek, instead of rushing back to Kigali, you may opt to spend a relaxing night at Ichumbi Hotel, nestled in Kisoro town with breathtaking views of the Virunga Volcano ranges. The lodge’s name “Ichumbi” means “a comfortable place” in the local Rufumbira language and true to its name, it offers exceptional hospitality, hot showers, delicious meals, and cozy rooms overlooking the mountains.

Evening relaxation around a campfire or a quiet drink on the terrace as the sun dips behind the volcanoes provides the perfect end to a physically demanding yet fulfilling day.

 

Option 2: Evening Relaxation at Lake Mutanda with a Sunset Boat Cruise (US$45)

A short drive from Kisoro leads you to the serene Lake Mutanda, a hidden paradise fringed by the towering Virunga peaks. Here, you can unwind with a sunset boat cruise, gliding silently across the glassy waters while watching the sun’s golden reflection shimmer over the lake. You’ll see fishermen casting their nets, birds soaring above, and islands dotted with traditional homesteads. The 1-Day Mgahinga Gorilla Trekking Safari experience is romantic, peaceful, and ideal for photography enthusiasts seeking to capture the beauty of Uganda’s highlands.

 

Option 3: Morning Golden Monkey Tracking in Mgahinga National Park (US$100)

The next morning, embark on an exciting golden monkey tracking adventure before heading back to Kigali. These rare primates, endemic to the Virunga ranges, are known for their playful nature, vibrant fur, and sociable character. Tracking them offers a completely different experience from gorilla trekking faster-paced, lighter, and filled with cheerful energy as golden monkeys leap gracefully through the bamboo canopy.

The experience takes about 2–3 hours and provides fantastic opportunities for photography and close-up observation of another endangered species thriving within the same ecosystem.

 

Option 4: Morning Relaxation at the Hotel and Mid-Morning Transfer to Kigali City

For travelers seeking a slower pace, you can spend your morning relaxing at Ichumbi Hotel after breakfast enjoying coffee with mountain views before beginning your mid-morning road transfer back to Kigali City, arriving around midday.

 

About Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, covering only 33.7 square kilometers, is Uganda’s smallest but most scenic national park. It lies at the tri-border region of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, forming part of the greater Virunga Conservation Area, which shelters over 480 mountain gorillas almost half of the world’s remaining population.

The park is dominated by three extinct volcanoes Mount Muhabura (4,127m), Mount Gahinga (3,474m), and Mount Sabyinyo (3,645m) all part of the majestic Virunga Mountain chain. Its ecosystem features bamboo forests, montane woodland, afro-montane moorlands, and rich montane rainforests that support a variety of wildlife species.

Besides gorillas and golden monkeys, Mgahinga is home to forest elephants, giant forest hogs, bushbucks, black-fronted duikers, and over 180 bird species, including the Rwenzori turaco and crowned hornbill. The park also holds deep cultural significance to the Batwa pygmies, the indigenous forest dwellers who once lived in harmony with the forest.

Trekking in Mgahinga offers a quieter, more intimate gorilla experience compared to the more crowded Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Its breathtaking scenery, manageable trek lengths, and combined cultural elements make it a top choice for discerning travelers seeking a premium gorilla adventure.

 

1-Day Mgahinga Gorilla Trekking Safari Experience Highlights

• Early morning scenic drive from Kigali, Rwanda, to Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
• Cross-border adventure through the Virunga highlands
• Guided gorilla trekking experience with Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers
• Unforgettable encounter with a habituated mountain gorilla family
• Optional post-trek relaxation by Lake Mutanda or golden monkey tracking
• Spectacular views of the Virunga Volcanoes and lush Ugandan landscapes
• Seamless logistics, expert guiding, and personalized service by Deks Safaris & Tours Africa

 

1-Day Mgahinga Gorilla Trekking Safari Inclusions and Exclusions

Safari Inclusions

• Gorilla Trekking Permit (worth US$800 per person)
• All transportation in a comfortable 4×4 Safari Vehicle
• Professional English-speaking driver/guide
• All park entrance and activity fees
• Bottled drinking water throughout the trip
• Meals as per itinerary (Breakfast & Lunch)
• Kigali hotel pickup and drop-off
• Border crossing assistance
• Full-day support and coordination by Deks Safaris & Tours Africa

 

Safari Exclusions

• International flights and visas (Rwanda and Uganda)
• Accommodation in Kigali before and after the trip
• Optional activities (Lake Mutanda Cruise, Golden Monkey Tracking, etc.)
• Tips and gratuities for guides and hotel staff
• Alcoholic and soft drinks
• Personal travel insurance
• Souvenirs and personal expenses

Why Choose Deks Safaris & Tours Africa

At Deks Safaris & Tours Africa, we believe that every journey should be an experience of a lifetime. With our deep expertise in East African safaris, we craft seamless itineraries that combine comfort, authenticity, and adventure. From personalized airport pickups to professional guiding and cross-border coordination, every detail is handled with precision and care.

Our philosophy is rooted in eco-conscious travel, ensuring that your safari not only offers extraordinary wildlife encounters but also contributes to local conservation and community development. With us, you don’t just see Africa you feel it, live it, and take-home stories that stay with you forever.

 

End of 1-Day Mgahinga Gorilla Trekking Safari

Crafted with excellence by Deks Safaris & Tours Africa “Travel Beyond Ordinary.”

 

Tour Quotation Based on a Solo Traveler

• 1 Day Gorilla Trekking: US$1,166
• 1 Day Gorilla Trekking with a Night in Kisoro: US$1,441
• Gorilla Trekking, Golden Monkey Tracking with a Night in Kisoro: US$1,606

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