A gorilla and lion safari brings together two of Africa's greatest wildlife encounters in one trip: an hour beside a family of mountain gorillas in the misty forests of Bwindi, and a pride of lions lounging in the branches of a fig tree on the plains of Ishasha. Few places on earth let you do both, and Uganda, with neighbouring Rwanda, does it better than anywhere else.
Tulambule Uganda Safaris has planned gorilla and lion safaris since 2014. This guide explains where to see mountain gorillas and lions, how Uganda and Rwanda compare, what permits cost, the best time to go and a sample 10-day itinerary that covers gorillas in both countries, Uganda's tree-climbing lions, chimpanzees and a Kazinga Channel boat cruise.
Gorilla and Lion Safari at a Glance
| Where | Uganda (Bwindi, Mgahinga, Queen Elizabeth) and Rwanda (Volcanoes, Akagera) |
| Ideal length | 5 to 10 days |
| Gorilla permits | Uganda US$800, Rwanda US$1,500 per person |
| Lion highlight | Tree-climbing lions of Ishasha, Queen Elizabeth National Park |
| Best time | June to September and December to February |
| Also see | Chimpanzees, golden monkeys, elephants, hippos and over 600 bird species |
Mountain Gorillas: The Heart of Your Gorilla and Lion Safari
Only about 1,063 mountain gorillas remain in the wild, living in two areas: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda, and the Virunga volcanoes shared by Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. They cannot survive in captivity, so the only way to see one is to trek into their forest home.
On a gorilla and lion safari, every gorilla trek follows the same pattern. After a morning briefing by rangers, you hike into the forest with a guide and trackers who have located your gorilla family. The walk can take from one hour to most of the day. Once you reach the family, you spend one magical hour with them in a group of no more than eight visitors, watching them feed, play and rest just metres away.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to about half of the world's mountain gorillas. This ancient rainforest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has around 20 habituated gorilla families spread across four trekking sectors: Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo. Read our guide to the best Bwindi gorilla trekking sectors.
For a deeper experience, the Gorilla Habituation Experience in Rushaga lets a small group spend up to four hours with a family still being introduced to people. It costs US$1,500 per person and rises to US$1,800 from January 2027.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park sits on the slopes of the Virunga volcanoes in Uganda's far southwest. It is smaller and quieter than Bwindi, with one habituated gorilla family, the Nyakagezi group. It is also one of the best places to track the rare golden monkey. See our golden monkey tracking safari in Mgahinga.
Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Volcanoes National Park protects Rwanda's share of the Virunga volcanoes, about 2.5 hours by road from Kigali International Airport. It has around a dozen habituated gorilla families, and treks are often shorter than in Bwindi. You can also track golden monkeys and hike to Dian Fossey's grave. See Rwanda gorilla permits.
Uganda or Rwanda for Gorilla Trekking?
| Uganda | Rwanda | |
|---|---|---|
| Permit cost | US$800 | US$1,500 |
| Gorilla families | About 20 in Bwindi, plus 1 in Mgahinga | About a dozen |
| Trek difficulty | Moderate to challenging | Often shorter |
| Distance from airport | 8 to 9 hours by road from Entebbe, or a 1.5-hour flight | About 2.5 hours from Kigali |
| Habituation Experience | Yes, in Rushaga | No |
| Best wildlife add-ons | Tree-climbing lions, chimpanzees, Kazinga Channel | Akagera Big Five, Kigali city |
The best answer for many travellers is both. Bwindi's southern sectors are only a few hours from the Rwandan border, so a gorilla and lion safari can easily include a trek in each country. Compare them further in gorilla safaris in Uganda vs Rwanda.
Lions: Uganda's Tree-Climbing Prides
Lions are the second half of every gorilla and lion safari. When people think of lions, they picture the Serengeti or the Maasai Mara. Yet one of Africa's most unusual lion sightings is in Uganda, just a few hours from Bwindi, which makes it the perfect partner for gorilla trekking.
The Tree-Climbing Lions of Ishasha
In the Ishasha sector in the south of Queen Elizabeth National Park, lions regularly climb into the branches of large fig and acacia trees. Tree climbing has been recorded in only a few places in Africa, including Lake Manyara in Tanzania, but Ishasha is the most reliable. Imagine driving across the open plains and looking up to find a whole pride draped over the branches above you.
Ishasha is a remote, quiet corner of the park with few vehicles. Besides lions, it has large herds of Uganda kob, buffalo, elephants, topi and a rich variety of birds.
Why Do the Ishasha Lions Climb Trees?
Scientists are still not certain, but the main theories are:
- Escaping biting flies: tsetse and other flies are worse at ground level.
- Keeping cool: the branches catch the breeze and offer shade in the midday heat.
- Watching for prey: a high perch gives a clear view of Uganda kob across the plains.
- Learned behaviour: cubs learn to climb from their mothers, so the habit passes down through the prides.
Lion Tracking in Kasenyi
In the Kasenyi plains in the north of the park, lions hunt the big herds of Uganda kob. Here you can join researchers on an experiential lion tracking drive, using radio collars to find prides at dawn. Our 4-Day Queen Elizabeth Safari with Lion Tracking includes this experience. For more lion destinations, read our guide to the African lion.
Lions in Rwanda: Akagera National Park
Rwanda's Akagera National Park is one of Africa's great conservation comebacks. Lions were reintroduced in 2015 and black rhinos in 2017, and the park, managed by Akagera National Park and African Parks, is now a Big Five destination. Adding Akagera to gorillas in Volcanoes National Park gives you a complete Rwanda gorilla and lion safari.
Sample 10-Day Gorilla and Lion Safari in Uganda and Rwanda
- Day 1: Arrive at Entebbe and relax at your hotel by Lake Victoria.
- Day 2: Drive to Fort Portal and Kibale Forest.
- Day 3: Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park, then the Bigodi Wetland walk.
- Day 4: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park via the crater lakes, with an afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel.
- Day 5: Morning game drive in Kasenyi, then continue to Ishasha.
- Day 6: Game drive in Ishasha for the tree-climbing lions, then drive to Bwindi.
- Day 7: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
- Day 8: Cross into Rwanda and drive to Musanze, near Volcanoes National Park.
- Day 9: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.
- Day 10: Drive to Kigali for a city tour and the Kigali Genocide Memorial, then depart.
Short on time? A 5-day gorilla and lion safari can focus on Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi. See our 5-Day Bwindi Gorilla and Queen Elizabeth Safari, the 7-Day Uganda Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari or our 5-Day Rwanda and Uganda Safari.
Why Uganda and Rwanda Are Perfect for a Gorilla and Lion Safari
- Primates: mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, golden monkeys and many other monkeys.
- Big cats: the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha, lion tracking in Kasenyi, leopards and Akagera's returning lions.
- Big game: elephants, buffalo, hippos, crocodiles, giraffes and Uganda kob.
- Birds: over 600 species in Queen Elizabeth National Park alone.
- Landscapes: ancient rainforest, volcanoes, savannah, crater lakes and the Kazinga Channel.
- Conservation: your permit fees directly support gorilla protection and local communities. Learn more from the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Best Time for a Gorilla and Lion Safari
Gorilla trekking and lion viewing are possible all year. The drier months, June to September and December to February, are best: forest trails are less muddy, the grass on the plains is shorter and the Ishasha lions spend more time in the trees during the hot middle of the day. The wetter months bring green scenery, fewer visitors and sometimes lower lodge rates.
Booking Your Gorilla and Lion Safari
Gorilla permits sell out, so book three to six months ahead for Uganda and as early as possible for Rwanda in the busy seasons. We handle every detail: gorilla and chimpanzee permits, lodges for every budget, a 4x4 safari vehicle with an experienced driver-guide and smooth border crossings between Uganda and Rwanda.
- Uganda gorilla permit: US$800 per person
- Rwanda gorilla permit: US$1,500 per person
- Uganda Gorilla Habituation Experience: US$1,500 per person, rising to US$1,800 from January 2027
Explore more ideas in our best Uganda gorilla safaris and gorilla trekking Uganda guide.
Gorilla and Lion Safari FAQs
Can I see gorillas and lions on the same safari?
Yes. In Uganda, Bwindi's gorillas and the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha in Queen Elizabeth National Park are only a few hours apart by road, so you can see both in as little as 5 days.
Where are the tree-climbing lions in Uganda?
They live in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park in southwestern Uganda, about 2 to 3 hours' drive from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
How much does a gorilla permit cost?
A gorilla permit costs US$800 per person in Uganda and US$1,500 in Rwanda for foreign non-residents. The Uganda Gorilla Habituation Experience costs US$1,500, rising to US$1,800 from January 2027.
Is it better to track gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda?
Uganda offers cheaper permits, more gorilla families and easy access to tree-climbing lions and chimpanzees. Rwanda offers shorter treks and quick access from Kigali. Many travellers combine both.
How many days do I need for a gorilla and lion safari?
Five days is enough for Bwindi and Queen Elizabeth. Allow 8 to 10 days to add chimpanzees in Kibale and a second gorilla trek in Rwanda.
Plan Your Gorilla and Lion Safari With Tulambule
Tulambule Uganda Safaris is 100% Ugandan-owned, accredited by the Uganda Tourism Board and the Uganda Wildlife Authority, and rated 4.9 stars on TripAdvisor. Tell us your dates and budget, and we will design your perfect gorilla and lion safari. Call or WhatsApp +256 782 915 447, or email info@tulambule.com, for a free quote.
