A Gorilla Trek And Tree Climbing Lion Safari From Kigali

Combining gorilla trekking and Ishasha tree climbing lion safari starting from Kigali presents you to the most unforgettable wildlife encounter in the wild. This is one of the exceptional Uganda safaris awaiting you to be part.

Plan a gorilla tour –choose your destination

Visitor choice on where to go track in Uganda revolves around the 2 gorilla safari parks; Bwindi and Mgahinga National Park. In each park, there are habituated gorilla families to be visited and in total, Uganda has about 21 families ready for gorilla trekking. Trekking to see these apes begins from the 5 sectors or regions –Nkuringo, Ntebeko (for Mgahinga), Rushaga, Ruhija and Buhoma.

To see tree climbing lions, your target destination is Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP) and this is at Ishasha sector in the south, an area close to Bwindi. These unique creatures can be spotted during the morning or afternoon game drive.

Get your gorilla permit booked in advance

Obtain your gorilla permit or a permit for gorilla habituation in advance through your reliable tour operator. The rates range from USD 700 for foreign nonresidents, USD 600 for foreign residents to shs 250,000 for all Ugandans. Gorilla habituation permits are issued at USD 1500 per person but guarantees you 4 hours for up close and personal with gorillas. To see the tree climbing lions, park entrance and game drive fees must be paid for.

Booking accommodation

This being a combined trip, you should consider booking lodges in gorilla parks and also at Queen Elizabeth National Park. In and around Bwindi, lodges to book include Buhoma Lodge, Gorilla Forest Camp, Bwindi View Bandas, Engagi Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Lodge, Bakiga Lodge, and more. Mgahinga NP lodges include Mgahinga Gorilla Triangle, Gahinga Lodge, Amajambere Iwacu Camp and others. Queen Elizabeth NP lodges in and around Ishasha: Ishasha

Wilderness Camp, Ishasha Pride Lodge, Ishasha Jungle Lodge, Enjojo Lodge, and others.

Getting there

By road; travel to Uganda from Kigali by road and using our 4×4 wheel drive car, drive via Katuna or Chanika borders. This is 4-5 hours’ drive to Bwindi or Mgahinga and to Ishasha Queen Elizabeth National Park, about 6 hours. From Buhoma to Ishasha is 64km drive.

By air; fly first up to Kigali International Airport (KGL) and start your drive to Uganda through the border points. Connecting from Kigali to Bwindi/Mgahinga saves you so many hours if you used Kampala/Entebbe-Kabale-Bwindi route.

Best time to book your gorilla and tree climbing lion tour

The dry season is amazingly the most favorite time to enjoy the best of gorilla trekking and drive to see the tree climbing lions at Ishasha sector. The dry months to mark on your travel calendar for a successful gorilla and tree climbing lion excursion; June to September, December to January. These months are favorable thanks to the best weather conditions that come with them that make it easier trekking through the forest to see gorillas and also drive on the game tracks in search of tree climbing lions.

Plan for other experiences

The 3 key destinations covered on the gorilla and tree climbing lion tours all have several other exciting activities worth including into your list. They include the Batwa cultural experience, golden monkey tracking, cycling, volcano hike, and at Queen Elizabeth Park, engage in game drive through Kasenyi plains too, launch cruise on Kazinga channel, birding, chimpanzee tracking at Kyambura Gorge, visit the Katwe salt mines, explore the spectacular Crater Lakes, visit the nearby local communities at Queen Elizabeth Park, hot balloon excursions, nature walks, and a lot more.