8 Days Uganda and Rwanda Safari Overview
An 8-day Uganda and Rwanda safari offers an incredible opportunity to explore the natural beauty, diverse wildlife, and breathtaking landscapes of two of East Africa’s most remarkable destinations. Starting from Kigali, Rwanda’s vibrant capital city, this adventure takes you across the scenic countryside of Rwanda and Uganda, combining unforgettable wildlife encounters with unique cultural and nature experiences.
During this 8-day safari, you will visit some of Uganda’s most famous destinations, including Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where you will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to trek through the ancient rainforest in search of endangered mountain gorillas. The journey continues to Queen Elizabeth National Park for exciting game drives across the savannah plains, where you may spot elephants, lions, buffaloes, leopards, antelopes, and other wildlife, followed by a relaxing boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, famous for its large concentration of hippos and bird species.
The safari also takes you to Kibale Forest National Park, home to one of Africa’s highest concentrations of primates, for an amazing chimpanzee trekking experience. You will also explore the stunning beauty of Lake Bunyonyi, a peaceful highland lake surrounded by terraced hills and picturesque islands, offering a perfect place to relax and enjoy the scenery.
This 8-day Uganda and Rwanda safari from Kigali provides a perfect combination of gorilla trekking, chimpanzee encounters, wildlife viewing, scenic landscapes, and cultural experiences. The trip can end in Entebbe International Airport for your departure or return to Kigali, depending on your travel plans.
Tour Summary
- Day 1: Arrival in Kigali and transfer to Volcanoes national park
- Day 2: Golden monkey trekking
- Day 3: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest national park
- Day 4: Gorilla trekking and Batwa community walk
- Day 5: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth via Isha sha sector- Evening game drive
- Day 6: Morning game drive, boat cruise and transfer to Kibale forest national park
- Day 7: Chimpanzee trekking and Transfer to lake Bunyonyi
- Day 8: Canoe boat and Departure
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali, Rwanda
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your professional safari guide who will brief you about your upcoming adventure before transferring you to your hotel in Kigali. Depending on your arrival time, you can relax at the hotel or explore the surrounding area at your leisure.
Meal Plan: Dinner (Lunch included for early arrivals)
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Kigali Serena Hotel, Kigali Marriott Hotel, Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre, The Retreat by Heaven
Mid-range: Hôtel des Mille Collines, Heaven Boutique Hotel Kigali, Five to Five Hotel, Inside Afrika Boutique Hotel
Budget: Le Palme Hotel
Day 2: Kigali City Tour and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast, embark on a guided Kigali City Tour. Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, one of Rwanda’s most important historical sites, where you will gain insight into the country’s history and remarkable journey of reconciliation. Continue to other attractions such as local craft markets and the Campaign Against Genocide Museum (or the National Museum, depending on time).
After lunch in Kigali, drive north through Rwanda’s beautiful rolling hills to Volcanoes National Park, home to the endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. Upon arrival, check in at your lodge and spend the evening relaxing while enjoying spectacular views of the Virunga Volcanoes.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: One&Only Gorilla’s Nest, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
Mid-range: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, The Bishop’s House Rwanda
Budget: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, La Palme Hotel
Day 3: Golden Monkey Trekking and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Following an early breakfast, report to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters for a briefing before beginning your Golden Monkey Trekking adventure. These playful and endangered primates inhabit the bamboo forests on the lower slopes of the Virunga Mountains, making the trek relatively easier than gorilla trekking. The experience typically lasts between 1 and 4 hours, including one hour with the monkeys.
After returning to the lodge for lunch, check out and cross into Uganda through the Katuna Border before continuing to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Arrive at your lodge in the Rushaga sector for dinner and overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Mid-range: Four Gorillas Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Gorilla Leisure Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge
Budget: Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp, Bakiga Lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp
Day 4: Gorilla Trekking and Batwa Cultural Experience
Today marks the highlight of your safari. After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing before beginning your unforgettable mountain gorilla trekking experience. Accompanied by experienced Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers, trek through the dense rainforest in search of one of Bwindi’s habituated gorilla families. The trek may take between 1 and 6 hours depending on the gorillas’ location. Once located, you will spend one magical hour observing these gentle giants as they feed, groom, play, and interact in their natural habitat.
After lunch and some relaxation, visit the Batwa community, the original forest dwellers of Bwindi. Learn about their traditional way of life through cultural performances, storytelling, hunting demonstrations, traditional medicine, basket weaving, and local cuisine.
Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Same as Day 3
Day 5: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park via Ishasha Sector
Enjoy breakfast before departing for Queen Elizabeth National Park. Drive through the famous Ishasha Sector, renowned for its rare tree-climbing lions. If fortunate, you may witness these magnificent cats resting on fig tree branches while keeping watch over the surrounding plains.
Continue through the park to your lodge, arriving in the evening for dinner and relaxation.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge, Kyambura Gorge Lodge
Mid-range: Elephant Plains Lodge, Elephant Hab Lodge, Twin Lakes Lodge
Budget: Simba Safari Camp, Irungu Safari Lodge
Day 6: Morning Game Drive, Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise and Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
Start the day with an early morning game drive across the Kasenyi Plains, one of Uganda’s best wildlife viewing areas. Look out for elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, lions, leopards, hyenas and numerous bird species.
After the game drive, enjoy a memorable afternoon boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, famous for its extraordinary concentration of hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes and hundreds of water birds gathering along the shores.
Following the cruise, drive to Kibale Forest National Park, often referred to as the Primate Capital of the World. Check in at your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Kibale Lodge, Ndali Lodge, Primate Lodge Kibale
Mid-range: Isunga Lodge, Kibale Forest Camp
Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge, Mountains of the Moon Hotel
Day 7: Chimpanzee Trekking and Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
After breakfast, head to Kibale Forest headquarters for a briefing before beginning your chimpanzee trekking adventure. Follow experienced rangers through the tropical rainforest in search of habituated chimpanzees while spotting other primates including black-and-white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys and numerous bird species. Once located, spend one hour observing the chimpanzees in their natural habitat.
After lunch, depart for the breathtaking Lake Bunyonyi, one of Africa’s deepest and most scenic lakes, surrounded by terraced hills and dotted with 29 beautiful islands.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Arcadia Cottages Lake Bunyonyi
Mid-range: BirdNest Resort Bunyonyi
Budget: Bunyonyi Rock Resort
Day 8: Canoe Excursion on Lake Bunyonyi and Departure to Kigali
After breakfast, enjoy a relaxing canoe or motorboat excursion on Lake Bunyonyi. Explore some of its famous islands, including Punishment Island (Akampene), while learning about the fascinating history and local traditions associated with each island. The lake is also an excellent destination for birdwatching and photography, with stunning scenery surrounding every corner.
Following the excursion, begin your drive back to Kigali with lunch en route in Kabale. Upon arrival in Kigali, you will be transferred to Kigali International Airport for your onward flight, marking the end of your unforgettable Uganda and Rwanda safari.
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch
End of Safari