A journey through the breathtaking landscapes of Best of Uganda & Rwanda Safari, exploring primate-rich rainforests, vast savannahs, and diverse wetlands. This adventure is designed to immerse you in the incredible biodiversity and cultural heritage of East Africa. Trek through the jungles to see mountain gorillas and golden monkeys, cruise along the Kazinga Channel, and track chimpanzees in Kibale Forest. Each day is packed with unforgettable experiences, making this an expedition of a lifetime.
Tour Summary
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali, Rwanda
Day 2: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Day 3: Golden Monkey Trekking & Visit to Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village
Day 4: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda
Day 5: Gorilla Trekking & Batwa Cultural Experience
Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 7: Morning Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Day 8: Morning Game Drive & Transfer to Kibale Forest
Day 9: Chimpanzee Trekking & Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary Walk
Day 10: Transfer to Entebbe for Departure
Detailed 10 Days Best of Uganda and Rwanda Safari
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali, Rwanda
Welcome to Rwanda, the Land of a Thousand Hills! Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your professional safari guide and transferred to your hotel for check-in. Depending on your arrival time, you may relax at the hotel or embark on an optional Kigali city tour.
Discover one of Africa’s cleanest and most vibrant capitals as you visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, an important site that tells the story of Rwanda’s past and remarkable recovery. You may also explore the bustling Kimironko Market, browse locally crafted souvenirs, or visit the Inema Arts Center to admire contemporary Rwandan artwork.
Return to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Dinner
Day 2: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast, depart Kigali and journey north to Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda’s premier primate destination and home to the endangered mountain gorillas. The scenic drive takes approximately 2–3 hours through Rwanda’s breathtaking countryside, with panoramic views of rolling hills, terraced farms, and picturesque villages.
Upon arrival, check in at your lodge and enjoy lunch before spending the remainder of the day at leisure. Guests may choose to relax while enjoying spectacular views of the Virunga Volcanoes or take an optional visit to the Gorilla Guardians Village (formerly Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village). Here, you’ll gain fascinating insights into Rwanda’s traditions, watch energetic cultural performances, learn about traditional medicine and local crafts, and hear inspiring stories of former poachers who have become conservation ambassadors.
Return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Golden Monkey Trekking & Gorilla Guardians Village Experience
Following an early breakfast, transfer to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters for a briefing before setting off on an exciting golden monkey trekking adventure. Accompanied by experienced park rangers, hike through the bamboo forests in search of these rare and endangered primates, which are found only within the Virunga Mountains. Once located, you’ll spend one unforgettable hour observing their playful behavior as they leap through the forest canopy and forage for food.
After the trek, return to the lodge for lunch and a short rest.
In the afternoon, immerse yourself in Rwanda’s rich cultural heritage with a visit to the Gorilla Guardians Village. Meet local community members, enjoy traditional music and dance performances, learn ancient hunting techniques, participate in cultural activities, and discover how community-based tourism has transformed local livelihoods while supporting wildlife conservation.
Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda
After breakfast, check out of your lodge and begin your scenic journey across the Cyanika border into southwestern Uganda. Continue through the beautiful Kigezi Highlands, often referred to as the “Switzerland of Africa” because of their spectacular rolling hills, terraced farmland, and picturesque villages.
Arrive at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the afternoon and check in to your lodge. Spend the rest of the day relaxing while enjoying the tranquil rainforest surroundings as you prepare for the unforgettable gorilla trekking experience awaiting you the next day.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Gorilla Trekking & Batwa Cultural Experience
After an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers before setting off into the ancient rainforest in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family. The trek may take between 2 and 6 hours, depending on the gorillas’ location and movements through the forest.
Once you locate the gorillas, you will spend one unforgettable hour observing them in their natural habitat as they feed, groom, play, and interact with one another. This extraordinary wildlife encounter is widely regarded as one of Africa’s greatest safari experiences.
After returning from the trek and enjoying lunch, visit the Batwa community for an authentic cultural experience. Learn about the traditional forest lifestyle of the Batwa people through storytelling, music, dance, hunting demonstrations, and medicinal plant knowledge, offering valuable insight into the lives of the original inhabitants of Bwindi Forest.
Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Enjoy breakfast before departing Bwindi for Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s most visited savannah park. The drive offers breathtaking scenery, including rolling hills, crater lakes, rural villages, and the spectacular landscapes of western Uganda.
Upon arrival, check into your lodge and relax while taking in views of the surrounding wilderness. Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy optional wildlife viewing around the lodge before dinner.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Morning Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Begin the day with an early morning game drive through the famous Kasenyi Plains, one of the best wildlife viewing areas in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Look out for elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, warthogs, lions, hyenas, and, with some luck, the elusive leopard. The park is also home to over 600 bird species, making it a paradise for bird enthusiasts.
Return to the lodge for lunch before heading out for an afternoon boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel. This natural waterway linking Lake Edward and Lake George hosts one of Africa’s highest concentrations of hippos, enormous Nile crocodiles, elephants along the shoreline, buffaloes, and countless water birds. The cruise provides outstanding opportunities for wildlife photography.
Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8: Morning Game Drive & Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
After breakfast, enjoy one final morning game drive for another opportunity to spot wildlife before departing Queen Elizabeth National Park. Continue your journey north through scenic countryside to Kibale Forest National Park, renowned as the primate capital of East Africa.
Arrive in the afternoon, check into your lodge, and spend the remainder of the day relaxing amid the beautiful tropical forest surroundings in preparation for chimpanzee trekking the following morning.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 9: Chimpanzee Trekking & Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary Walk
Following an early breakfast, report to the Kibale Forest Visitor Centre for a briefing before beginning your guided chimpanzee trekking experience. Accompanied by experienced ranger guides, venture into the lush rainforest in search of habituated chimpanzee communities. Once located, spend one hour observing these energetic primates as they communicate, feed, groom, and swing effortlessly through the forest canopy.
After lunch, visit the nearby Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a guided nature walk through one of Uganda’s richest ecosystems. This community-managed wetland is home to numerous primate species, including black-and-white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys, and an impressive diversity of birdlife such as the Great Blue Turaco.
Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 10: Transfer to Entebbe for Departure
After breakfast, check out of your lodge and begin the drive back to Entebbe, enjoying scenic views of tea plantations, farmlands, and local communities along the way. Depending on your flight schedule, there may be time for lunch or a brief stop at the Uganda Equator for souvenir shopping and memorable photographs.
Upon arrival in Entebbe, you will be transferred to Entebbe International Airport in time for your onward flight, bringing your unforgettable Uganda and Rwanda safari adventure to a close.
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch