5 days gorilla trekking and volcano hiking trip in Uganda

This is the ultimate adventure trip in Uganda that will have you trekking through the dense jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to see the endangered mountain gorillas and then do a hike on a Virunga volcano in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 – travel to Bwindi National Park

Your tour driver shall pick you from your hotel in Kampala or Entebbe at 7am and drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwestern Uganda. This will be an 8 hour drive with stop along the way for the lunch.

Day 2 – gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Taking a packed lunch box you shall transfer to Bwindi park office by 7am for briefing and allocating to the gorilla families. Bwindi National Park has the highest population of gorillas in Uganda and there are 19 habituated gorilla families which is the highest for any park. You will then head off into Bwindi forest for the gorilla trekking adventure, led by a park guide. Porters will be available for hire to carry at $15 your daypack. After several of hours of trekking through the jungle and hiking sharp hills and ridges you will the gorillas and be rewarded with 1 hour to observe them.

After gorillas experience you shall return to the lodge and relax away the rest of the day.

Day 3 – transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park via Lake Mutanda

Today you transfer to the foothills of the magnificent Virunga Mountains. The Virunga Mountains is a chain of 8 major volcanoes which are spread along the borders of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Three volcanoes (Sabyinyo, Gahinga, Muhavura) are located along the Uganda border and these make up the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

You will stopover at beautiful Lake Mutanda for a boat ride to explore the breathtaking scenery. Lake Mutanda has such an idyllic setting. It is dotted by several islands and surrounded by big green highlands with the Virunga Mountains creating a stunning backdrop. It is such a surreal landscape!

Day 4 – volcano hiking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Today you shall set out for the volcano hike in Mgahinga National Park, taking on Mount Sabyinyo which offers the most challenging hike due to the highly rugged terrain with sharp ridges and possesses three peaks which you have to conquer one at ago. Mt. Sabyinyo is situated at the meeting point of three border countries and lies almost in the middle of the Virunga Mountains providing stunning views across the chain. The hike to and fro may take about 8 hours depending on your pace and fitness.

Return to the lodge for relaxation.

Alternatively you can hike Mount Muhavura which is higher than Sabyinyo but has a gradual terrain which is easier to hike. Mt. Muhavura also has beautiful Crater Lake at the summit.