3-Day Gorilla, Golden Monkey & Batwa Cultural Safari from Kigali 

A Short Safari with a Big Impact

Guided by Hillary – Local Safari Guide & Photographer.

You don’t need a long itinerary to experience the beauty, wildlife, and cultures of Uganda. This 3-day safari, starting conveniently from Kigali, Rwanda, brings you face-to-face with some of Africa’s most treasured experiences, from meeting the Batwa community to trekking mountain gorillas or the playful golden monkeys of Mgahinga.

You will be guided by Hillary, a knowledgeable local guide and professional wildlife photographer born and raised in the southwestern highlands. With Hillary, your journey is more personal, meaningful, and connected to the communities who call these landscapes home.

Day 1: Kigali → Kisoro & Batwa Cultural Immersion

Your trip begins early as Hillary picks you up in Kigali, sharing insight into landscapes and communities you pass through. Depending on the border crossing, the journey takes around 3–4 hours, weaving through dramatic hills and open valleys.

Upon arrival in Kisoro, the hills feel close and the air fresh as this region sits at the foot of the Virunga Mountains, home to gorillas, golden monkeys, and deep-rooted cultural traditions.

In the afternoon, you visit the Batwa that are one of Africa’s oldest indigenous forest peoples. Once hunter-gatherers of the rainforest, the Batwa were displaced during the creation of protected national parks. Spending time with them offers a living window into ancient knowledge and survival traditions.

You will join them on a community forest trail, guided by local Batwa storytellers and accompanied by Hillary. You’ll learn:

• How they tracked wildlife

• How they made fire from sticks

• Herbal medicines and natural remedies

• Cultural songs and dances passed down for centuries

The experience is genuine, respectful, and powerful, not a staged performance, but a shared exchange.

Dinner & Overnight in Kisoro
Lodges (mid-range):

• Traveler’s Rest Hotel

• Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge

Day 2: Gorilla Trekking or Golden Monkey Tracking in Mgahinga

Today is your wildlife highlight and you may choose between Gorilla Trekking or Golden Monkey Tracking, depending on your interest and permits:

Option 1: Gorilla Trekking

Begin with a briefing at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park Headquarters. Rangers assign your gorilla family and guide you through rich montane forests. Your ranger guide helps you pace your trek and shares photography guidance.
When you finally meet the gorillas, it’s emotional and unforgettable; their gentle expressions, family interactions, and deep presence leave a lifetime impression.

You spend one sacred hour with them watching, listening, and photographing.

Option 2: Golden Monkey Tracking

If you prefer something less physically demanding or more playful, golden monkey tracking is a wonderful alternative. These rare primates are lively and curious, often approaching travelers with bold personalities.
The trek is shorter and the photography opportunities are fantastic, as they leap among bamboo trees in warm, golden light.

Afternoon: Travel to Lake Bunyonyi & Scenic Boat Ride

After your forest adventure, drive to the calm and breathtaking Lake Bunyonyi, known as “the lake of many little birds.”
Your afternoon offers time for rest and gentle exploration. If time allows join Hillary on a traditional canoe boat ride visiting islands and meeting lakeside communities.

Stories shared here include the local legend of Punishment Island, teachings about the lake’s ecosystem, and insights into how highland communities live harmoniously with nature.

A Journey That Gives Back

Every safari booked through Hillary Uganda Trips directly supports local families around Lake Bunyonyi and Kisoro.
Your travel helps provide essential supplies, such as food and clean drinking water, to households in remote villages where support is needed most.

This means your journey will leave a positive footprint long after you return home.

Day 3: Sunrise Views → Return to Kigali

Wake to birdsong and morning mist lifting off the lake. Enjoy a relaxed breakfast and take in the final panoramic views of island-dotted waters.

Depending on schedule, you may choose:

• A scenic hilltop walk for photography

• A cultural craft market stop in Kabale

• A relaxed lakeshore coffee before departure

Afterward, you begin the return journey to Kigali, arriving by late afternoon.

Read more about Gorilla Trekking in Uganda → /gorilla-trekking-uganda 

Trip Summary 

Book Your Journey 

📩 Email: hillary@hillaryugandatrips.com
💬 WhatsApp:+256726436969

About Hillary Uganda Trips / Meet Hillary → /about-hillary

Travel with a local, Travel with purpose, Travel with Hillary.