Has anyone done a shorter-term (4 or 5 days max) gorilla safari in either Rwanda or Uganda. I would love to do Rwanda more and possibly see the genocide museum but beyond that we are open to suggestions of tour operators for a short term trip and with our limited schedule, the best area to visit.

we spent 4 days in rwanda
used thousand hills tour operator
we hired a guide and he drove us everywhere
we went to lake kivu also
very relaxing
the country is beautiful and so are the people

For that amount of time, I think Rwanda works well. It is easier to get to/from the gorillas in Rwanda.

Here is a discussion on operators.
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=35103896

contact is Eben, from KiliWarrior Expeditions, He will hook you up with a private guide in Rwanda that will set everything up including trekking and accomodations. he has done it for me and a number of others, the key is getting with an operator there in Rwanda that knows how to show up on time and get the program set into action; and make it happen so you do what you want and you dont miss anything. the company he uses is "on the ball" and you will get exactly what you want, and have fun doing it. davgai

Just back from Rwanda. I have also been to Uganda. I thought my experience in Rwanda was better. If you can go for at least two is not three gorilla tracking. I used Volcano Safaris with no issues. I also met Jacqui from Thousand Hills - the owner - she seemed to have her at together with very current in country information.

It is also possible to do this without a tour operator. We visited the gorillas in Rwanda--took a public minibus (not the scary matatus that are full to the brink, but one that sells tickets for only how many seats they have) from Kigali to Ruhengeri. The bus cost $2 each way. We stayed at the Murahabura in Ruhengeri and the hotel manager arranged for transport for us to see the gorillas--they took us there and back and it cost $50. We then took a taxi to Gisenyi on Lake Kivu which cost $35/40. You can then take a bus from Gisenyi back to Kigali. If you're on a budget, this was very easy to do and much less expensive.

We went with ITT (International Travel & Tours)their office is based in Kigali and the owner is Jeannette Gisa (Tel +250 08300256)
Moses Kirenzi was our fantastic guide ([email protected]).
I would recommend you do the Genocide Museum as you arrive in Kigali ... and then do your gorilla trek (2 if you can); there's a wonderful place to stay called Paradis Malahide in Gisenyi, about an hour and a half from Ruhengeri on Lake Kivu. For more info, I did a trip report, posted on 11 Jan this year.
Good luck and I'm sure you'll love Rwanda!
Caroline

having been in rwanda in July the second time, I was going with www.amahoro-tours.com/.the owner , Greg, is very helpful, and in my case he was able to organize permitts, although we had been a bit late.they picked us up in Kigali (unfortunately not our luggage- KLM didnt bring it all the 5 days) and we had our own driver for our stay. you should go for 2 gorilla trackings at least, otherwise maybe you are feeling, you have missed something. so I did the year before, when we had 5 hours of downpouring rains- and than you just have to come back!