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Gorilla Trekking from Botswana – How to Combine Safari & Mountain Gorillas
Botswana is famous for its pristine wilderness, exceptional game viewing, and luxury safari camps. From the waterways of the Okavango Delta to the elephant herds of Chobe, Botswana offers one of Africa’s most exclusive safari experiences. However, mountain gorillas are not found in Southern Africa. To experience gorilla trekking, travelers must journey to East Africa.
This guide explains how to plan gorilla trekking from Botswana, the best travel routes, where to go, permit costs, and how to combine two of Africa’s most iconic wildlife experiences into one unforgettable safari.
Why Combine Botswana Safari with Gorilla Trekking?
Botswana offers extraordinary big game experiences in destinations such as the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park, where visitors can enjoy:
Mokoro canoe safaris
Walking safaris
Boat cruises along the Chobe River
Exceptional sightings of elephants, lions, and leopards
In contrast, gorilla trekking takes place in the misty mountain forests of East Africa. By combining Botswana with Uganda or Rwanda, you experience:
Classic Big Five savannah wildlife
Water-based safari adventures
Intimate rainforest hikes
Close encounters with endangered mountain gorillas
This combination delivers unmatched ecological diversity in one extended African journey.
Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Uganda offers the most affordable gorilla permits and diverse trekking sectors within Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Bwindi is home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas.
Uganda also offers trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, part of the greater Virunga Conservation Area.
Why choose Uganda?
Lower permit cost
More gorilla families
Gorilla habituation experiences (up to 4 hours with gorillas)
Wide range of lodge options
Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
Rwanda’s gorilla trekking takes place in Volcanoes National Park, just a few hours from Kigali International Airport.
Why choose Rwanda?
Shorter drive from the airport
High-end luxury lodges
Well-maintained trekking infrastructure
Ideal for shorter itineraries
How to Travel from Botswana to Gorilla Trekking Destinations
Traveling from Botswana to mountain gorilla trekking destinations requires international connections, as gorillas are found only in East Africa. After enjoying a safari in the Okavango Delta or Chobe National Park, travelers must connect through major African aviation hubs to reach Uganda or Rwanda, where gorilla trekking takes place.
Most safari itineraries in Botswana begin or end in Maun or Kasane. From Maun (gateway to the Okavango Delta) or Kasane (serving Chobe National Park), you typically take a regional flight to Johannesburg in South Africa or Addis Ababa in Ethiopia. These cities act as major airline hubs offering onward international connections to East Africa.
From Johannesburg or Addis Ababa, you can board a direct flight to Entebbe International Airport in Uganda or Kigali International Airport in Rwanda. Entebbe serves travelers heading to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, while Kigali is the main gateway for trekking in Volcanoes National Park.
Upon arrival in Uganda or Rwanda, the journey continues by road or domestic flight to the gorilla trekking region. In Uganda, travelers can either take a scenic 8–9 hour drive from Entebbe to Bwindi or fly domestically to Kisoro or Kihihi Airstrip before transferring to their lodge. In Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park is approximately 2–3 hours by road from Kigali, making it the most convenient option for shorter itineraries.
For luxury travelers, private charters can sometimes be arranged to reduce travel time between countries. However, most safari combinations involve scheduled commercial flights due to cost efficiency and availability.
Because this is a multi-country journey, it is important to check visa requirements, vaccination guidelines, and baggage allowances for internal flights. Planning with an experienced safari operator ensures smooth connections, secure gorilla permits in advance, and well-coordinated transfers between destinations.
Although the journey from Botswana to gorilla trekking regions involves multiple steps, it is well worth the effort. Combining Southern Africa’s classic big-game safari with the rare and intimate experience of mountain gorilla trekking creates one of the most diverse and rewarding wildlife adventures on the continent.
Suggested Itinerary: Botswana & Gorilla Trekking Safari
Days 1–4: Okavango Delta
Explore the Okavango Delta with mokoro canoe safaris, game drives, and guided bush walks. Enjoy sightings of elephants, buffalo, hippos, and big cats in a pristine wilderness setting.
Days 5–6: Chobe National Park
Visit Chobe National Park, famous for its massive elephant herds and river safaris along the Chobe River.
Day 7: Travel to Uganda or Rwanda
Fly via a regional hub to Entebbe or Kigali and transfer to your lodge near Bwindi or Volcanoes National Park.
Day 8: Gorilla Trekking Experience
Begin with an early morning briefing before entering the forest with experienced rangers. Trekking time varies depending on gorilla location.
Once the gorillas are found, visitors spend one unforgettable hour observing the family. Watching a silverback protect his group or young gorillas play in the forest is one of Africa’s most moving wildlife encounters.
Day 9: Departure or Extension
You may return home or extend your East African safari with additional wildlife destinations such as Queen Elizabeth National Park or Lake Bunyonyi in Uganda.
Gorilla Permit Costs (2026)
Permit prices are set by national wildlife authorities:
Uganda: USD 800 per person
Rwanda: USD 1,500 per person
Permits should be booked months in advance, especially during peak travel seasons.
Best Time to Combine Botswana and Gorilla Trekking
Botswana’s prime safari season runs from May to October (dry season). This period also coincides with the best trekking conditions in Uganda and Rwanda.
The ideal months to combine both destinations are:
June to September
These months offer excellent wildlife viewing in Botswana and drier forest trails for gorilla trekking.
Fitness and Preparation
Gorilla trekking is a physically engaging activity that requires a reasonable level of fitness and preparation. Unlike traditional game drives in Botswana’s Okavango Delta, trekking involves hiking through dense rainforest terrain in destinations such as Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Volcanoes National Park. The trails can be steep, muddy, and uneven, with trekking times ranging from one to six hours depending on the location of the gorilla family. Visitors should be comfortable walking on inclines and navigating thick vegetation. Proper preparation includes bringing sturdy waterproof hiking boots, long-sleeved shirts and trousers to protect against insects and thorny plants, a lightweight rain jacket, gardening gloves for gripping vegetation, and a small backpack for water and essentials. Hiring a porter is highly recommended, as they assist with carrying bags and provide support on difficult sections of the trail while also supporting the local community. While you do not need to be an athlete, moderate fitness, mental readiness, and appropriate gear will ensure you fully enjoy this extraordinary once-in-a-lifetime encounter with mountain gorillas.
Why Gorilla Trekking from Botswana Is Worth It
Gorilla trekking from Botswana is worth it because it combines two of Africa’s most extraordinary wildlife experiences into one unforgettable journey. After exploring the pristine waterways of the Okavango Delta or witnessing massive elephant herds in Chobe National Park, traveling to the misty forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Volcanoes National Park allows you to encounter endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. The contrast between Botswana’s open savannahs and floodplains and East Africa’s dense rainforest creates a rare and diverse safari experience that few destinations can match. Tracking big cats and elephants in Southern Africa, then standing face to face with a silverback gorilla in the wild, delivers both thrilling adventure and deeply emotional connection—making the extended journey truly worthwhile.
Plan Your Botswana & Gorilla Safari
At Qash Safaris, we design seamless multi-country itineraries connecting Southern and East Africa. From arranging international flights to securing gorilla permits and luxury lodges, we ensure a smooth and unforgettable journey.
If you are planning a Botswana safari, adding gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda transforms your trip into the ultimate African wildlife adventure.
