13-Day Rwanda and Uganda Gorilla & Wildlife Safari
This 13-day Rwanda-Uganda safari includes visits to some of Rwanda’s and Uganda’s greatest vacation locations. The safari begins in Rwanda and concludes in Uganda, Rwanda, however, it may also start in Uganda and end in Kigali. You decide what you prefer. Both options. I have the same experience. The first destination will be Kigali then to Volcanoes National Park where you will encounter the mountain gorillas, golden monkey tracking, cultural tours, and a city tour. Then the last leg of the safari brings you to the ‘’Pearl of Africa’’ where you will visit Uganda’s Murchison Falls National Park, followed by Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Bunyonyi, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for your second gorilla trekking.
Your first stop in Rwanda is Volcanoes National Park, the most popular national park in the country. Here, you’ll register for a gorilla trekking experience and golden monkey tracking. In the evenings, visit the Gorilla Guardians Village and the twin lakes, Ruhondo and Burera. After these activities, your driver will take you to Kigali for a city tour, which includes the Genocide Memorial Centre, the main city market, the Presidential Palace Museum, and artisan shops. Finally, you’ll be dropped off at your hotel or the airport for departure.
Murchison Falls is Uganda’s largest national park and the only place where you can see all of the Big Five mammals. Before entering the park, you’ll visit the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to track white rhinos. In Murchison Falls, you can explore the top of the falls, enjoy a game drive, and take a launch cruise. Next, you’ll transfer to Kibale National Park, known for its primate tracking opportunities, including chimpanzees, with the biggest population residing in Kibale forest. Following Kibale, you will head to Queen Elizabeth National Park, renowned for its tree-climbing lions, beautiful landscapes, and crater lakes, where you will participate in two game drives and a launch cruise.
The journey continues to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site with the highest population of mountain gorillas where you will participate in your second gorilla trekking and visiting the Batwa pygmies. After gorilla trekking, you’ll relax at Lake Bunyonyi, enjoying canoeing, nature walks, bird watching, and island hopping. Your safari ends in Entebbe airport where you will board your departure flight back home.
Tour Highlights
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali Rwanda
Day 2: Kigali city tour and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Day 3: Golden Monkey tracking and cultural Tour, Volcanoes National Park
Day 4: Lake Kivu Boat Trip and Kimbiri Coffee Tour-Rwanda
Day 5: Lake Kivu to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Uganda
Day 6: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest-Uganda
Day 7: Batwa Trail, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Coffee Tour, Kisoro District -Uganda
Day 8: Lake Bunyonyi-Uganda
Day 9: Lake Bunyonyi to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 10: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 11: Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park- Uganda
Day 12: Kibale National Park to Kampala-Uganda
Day 13: Kampala to Entebbe-Uganda
Day by Day Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Kigali-Rwanda
After arriving at Kigali International Airport, you’ll be warmly welcomed by your guide and transferred to your hotel in Kigali. Settle in and relax after your journey. You will have dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Five to five hotels (Budget), Des Mille Collines (Mid-range), Kigali Marriot (Luxury)
Meal plan: Dinner
Day 2: Kigali Tour and Volcanoes National Park Rwanda
Wake up early, and enjoy your breakfast at the hotel. After, you will your safari guide who will take you on a Kigali city tour, Rwanda’s capital. The guide is experienced and knowledgeable about the Kigali city safari destinations you will be visiting. Kigali is a modern and safe capital city characterized by a lively atmosphere and friendly residents. Visitors often note that Kigali is remarkably clean and well-managed compared to other cities in Africa.
Our sightseeing tour begins at Kimironko Market, a vibrant place where you can immerse yourself in local arts and crafts, as well as purchase unique gifts and souvenirs. We will also visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, established in 2004 to honor the victims of the 1994 Rwandan genocide. This memorial serves as more than just a final resting place for the nearly one million individuals who lost their lives during that tragic event. Its purpose is to honor their memory, educate the public about the genocide to prevent such atrocities in the future, provide care for survivors, and promote peace-building initiatives.
After our tour of Kigali, you will have lunch and continue with the scenic drive to Ruhengeri, now known as Musanze. As we travel approximately 80 kilometers toward Volcanoes National Park, take a moment to enjoy the breathtaking views of rolling hills and mist-covered volcanoes. Upon arrival, you will check into your booked accommodation where you will enjoy dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation options: Mount Muthaura Lodge, La Palme Hotel (Budget) Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, (Mid-range) Bisate Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, or Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel(luxury)
Meal plan: lunch and dinner
Day 3: Golden Monkey Tracking and Cultural Tour-Volcanoes National Park
Your day begins with a morning breakfast, after which your safari guide will pick you up and take you to the Volcanoes National Park Headquarters to start your golden monkey trek. Volcanoes National Park is renowned not only for gorilla trekking in Rwanda but also for golden monkey tracking. These endangered golden monkeys are native to this area and inhabit the bamboo forests on the lower slopes of the Virunga Mountains, making the trek shorter and easier than gorilla trekking.
Golden monkey tracking offers a unique wildlife experience that is sure to be one of the highlights of your Rwanda safari. When you reach one of the two large, habituated groups, each consisting of around 100 golden monkeys, you can pause to observe these beautiful, long-tailed primates. The golden monkeys are very social and active, jumping quickly between trees and playfully interacting with one another. The hike also provides fantastic opportunities to see other primates and wildlife in the forest, along with a variety of unique bird species. The area is home to forest elephants, spotted hyenas, buffalo, giant forest hogs, bushpigs, and antelopes such as bushbuck and duikers.
After an eventful morning spent tracking golden monkeys, you will return to your lodge in time for a delicious lunch and some relaxation. In the afternoon, you’ll embark on a tour of a local indigenous village for a cultural experience. At the Iby’iwacu Cultural Center, you can learn about Rwandan culture while enjoying traditional drumming and dance performances. Later, you will return to your accommodation for a delightful dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation options: Mount Muthaura Lodge, La Palme Hotel (Budget) Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, (Mid-range) Bisate Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, or Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel(luxury)
Meal plan: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 4: Lake Kivu Boat Trip and Kimbiri Coffee Tour-Rwanda
Early morning breakfast will be served before you head for a relaxing boat cruise on Lake Kivu.
Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s Great Lakes, is situated in the Rift Valley on the boundary of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. It is Africa’s deepest freshwater lake, covering around 2,700 square kilometers, since its bottom is located on a volcanic fault that is sliding outward, adding to its depth.
We will spend around two hours exploring this breathtaking lake and its lush islands, admiring the gorgeous landscape and rich birds as we sail. Our boat ride on Lake Kivu includes a stop at Kimbiri, where we can have a real Rwandan coffee experience at a local farm. On a crop-to-cup trip, we will learn about Rwanda’s coffee manufacturing process and get the chance to try some great coffee. This will improve our appreciation for this cherished beverage.
Following this fantastic morning tour, we will return to our accommodations, stopping for a lovely lunch along the route. When we arrive, we will be dropped off at our selected accommodation, where we will have supper and spend the night.
Accommodation options: Lake Kivu Serena (Luxury), Hotel Paradise Malahide (Mid-range), Rwiza Village/Kivu Resort (Budget)
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and diner
Day 5: Transfer from Lake Kivu to Bwindi Impenetrable forest-Uganda
After early breakfast, we bid farewell to Rwanda and continued our East African safari in Uganda. We take a leisurely trip to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, enjoying the scenic views of undulating hills that showcase Rwanda’s natural beauty along the way. As we journey through these lush green hills, you will see why Rwanda is known as the “Land of a Thousand Hills.”
We enter Uganda through either the Cyanika or Katuna border crossings, passing by the magnificent twin lakes of Ruhondo and Bulera on our route. These stunning lakes, formed by volcanic activity, are located on the Rwanda-Uganda border at the base of Volcano Muhabura.
Upon arriving at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the afternoon, you’ll have time for leisurely exploration and relaxation at the lodge. Afterward, enjoy a fantastic dinner and settle in for an evening stay.
Accommodation options: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge/ Mahogany Springs (Luxury), Gorilla Mist Camp, Bakiga Lodge (Mid-range), Rushaga Gorilla Havel Lodge (Budget).
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 6: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Have an early breakfast and the guide will transfer you to the park headquarters by 8:00 am where you will join others for a briefing by the park ranger (UWA Staff) on the rules and regulations and what to expect during the gorilla trek.
Bwindi forest is one of East Africa’s richest and most diversified ecosystems. This woodland ecosystem supports more than 120 animals, 345 bird species, 200 butterfly species, and 160 tree species. The Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is an important conservation region since it is home to about half of the world’s most endangered mountain gorillas. There are only approximately 1000 mountain gorillas remaining in the wild, so this will undoubtedly be another memorable highlight of your Rwanda and Uganda safari.
You will be joined by the rangers and trackers for the gorilla hike in Bwindi Forest. While on the trek, the rangers will provide valuable educational information about these endangered creatures. Gorilla trekking may be tough, lasting anywhere from 2 to 6 hours up and down steep mountain slopes, ravines, and deep woods, therefore excellent fitness and proper hiking boots are essential. It is also a good idea to come prepared, so bring a rain jacket, drinking water, and snacks. Once you have located the gorilla group, you will spend an hour observing these primates interact with one another from a 10-meter distance. After, you will return to the starting point and the driver guide will pick you up and transfer you back to the lodge for rest, dinner, and overnight stay.
Accommodation options: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge/ Mahogany Springs (Luxury), Gorilla Mist Camp, Bakiga Lodge (Mid-range), Rushaga Gorilla Havel Lodge (Budget).
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 7: Batwa Trail, Bwindi impenetrable forest National Park and Coffee Tour Kisoro District-Uganda
After breakfast, we will take a leisurely tour of the Batwa Community also known as the Batwa Pygmies, and thereafter, you will continue to the farm coffee tour in Kisoro district.
Following a substantial breakfast, we begin the day with a guided Batwa trail trip. This cultural journey immerses guests in the Batwa community’s rich history and cultural legacy, which has coexisted with the old Bwindi woodlands for centuries. The Batwa people, the original guardians of these woods, will demonstrate their age-old forest survival tactics, such as foraging, hunting, and bamboo vessel construction. We learn about their rich culture via folk music, dances, and storytelling, as well as traditional agriculture, archery skills, and the collection of wild honey and medicinal plants. While attempts have been made to remove the Batwa for conservation reasons, their connection with the land remains strong, enabling us to learn about their age-old customs via compelling storytelling and demonstrations.
We next continue our cultural adventure to the rich fields of the Kisoro District, where we will participate in a coffee plantation visit to learn about Ugandan coffee growing. Gain a better knowledge and appreciation for one of the world’s most popular drinks as we explore the fascinating process of coffee manufacturing, from green seedlings to fragrant brown beans. We get to select, prepare, and taste Ugandan coffee firsthand, immersing ourselves in the farm-to-cup experience.
After a day of true African culture, we return to our accommodations, reflecting on the incredible tales and flavors that have defined our day, and enjoy supper and a good rest.
Accommodation option:
Meals include breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Day 8: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
Following a delicious breakfast, we embarked on a scenic 3-hour trip to Lake Bunyonyi where you will take part in an exciting boat ride. The boat tour provides an excellent chance for viewing and witnessing a wide variety of bird species.
Lake Bunyonyi, located in the Kigezi Highlands of southern Uganda, is a mesmerizing, tranquil, and gorgeous site. This calm sanctuary, known as the “Place of Little Birds,” is also known as Africa’s second-deepest lake after Lake Tanganyika. Immerse yourself in nature’s awe-inspiring splendor by admiring the spectacular panoramic vistas of terraced hills and deep valleys. This lovely lake is known for its 29 islands and long history. Enjoy dinner and a restful overnight at the lodge.
Accommodation options: Bunyonyi Overland Resort (Budget), Bunyonyi Rock Resort (Mid-range), Bird Nest Resort (Luxury)
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 9: Lake Bunyonyi to Quen Elizabeth National Park- Uganda
After breakfast, check out of the lodge to Queen Elizabeth National Park via the Ishasha Sector. Queen Elizabeth National Park is situated in the Western branch of the Great Rift Valley and has a variety of ecosystems, including swamplands, savannahs, and forests. It is Uganda’s leading wildlife attraction, with superb game-watching opportunities for elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, baboons, Uganda kob, and lions. This 6-hour trip enables us to see some of the park’s plentiful species as we go through the Ishasha Sector, which includes one of the biggest remaining natural forests, the Maramagambo. This woodland is home to the famed tree-climbing lions, so look for them along the trip. Arrive at the lodge, relax, and have a fantastic dinner and a good night’s sleep before exploring Queen Elizabeth National Park in the morning.
Accommodation options: Mweya Safari Lodge (Luxury) Engangi Game Lodge/ Elephant Hub Lodge (Mid-range), Pumba Safari Lodge/ Simba safari camp (Budget).
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 10: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Begin your day with a thrilling game drive across the savannahs of Queen Elizabeth National Park, where lions, leopards, and other big games are often spotted. In the afternoon, embark on a boat safari on the Kazinga Channel, home to hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of bird species. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation options: Mweya Safari Lodge (Luxury) Engangi Game Lodge/ Elephant Hub Lodge (Mid-range), Pumba Safari Lodge/ Simba safari camp (Budget).
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 11: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale National
Following breakfast this morning, we will drive for three hours to Kibale National Park for our spectacular Chimpanzee Trekking adventure. Kibale National Park has 766 km² of diverse habitats, including lowland tropical rainforest, montane forest, and mixed tropical deciduous forest. Wetlands and savannahs provide habitat for a diverse range of animals, birds, and insects, including 144 butterfly and moth species. Kibale Forest National Park is known not just for chimp trekking, but also for its diverse population of primates. Other animal species found here include duiker, civet, antelopes, and bush pigs, as well as approximately 400 bird species, one of which is peculiar to the area.
Arriving at the park in the afternoon, you proceed to the park headquarters where you will attend a briefing. after, you will be accompanied by the rangers for the start of the trek. As you walk in the forest, listen to the wild forest noises as energetic chimps walk fast over the canopy. We could also see them on the forest floor, eating or resting. Chimpanzees are often spotted on Kibale hikes, sometimes at close range since these primates are quite used to people. Once we have found the chimpanzees, we spend an hour watching them. Experience the thrill of tracking wild chimpanzees in Kibale Forest, where you’ll observe these intelligent primates as they communicate, forage, and play. The lush forest is also home to other primates like red-tailed and colobus monkeys, making this a rewarding day for wildlife enthusiasts as well as various bird and plant species within the forest as we go on our chimp trek. After, you will proceed to the lodge where you will check in for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation options: Primate lodge (Luxury), Isunga Lodge/ Turaco tree tops(mid-range), Chimpanzee Forest Guest house (Budget)
Meal plan: Breakfast lunch and dinner
Day 12: Kibale Forest National Park to Kampala
Have your breakfast exit the park and drive to Kampala, the drive time will take about 7 hours to the capital of Uganda Kampala.
Driving via Mbarara to the Igongo Cultural Village where we stop over to visit the Ankole and Bahima cultures and lifestyles firsthand. We may observe the historic cottages used for livestock and agricultural cultivation and learn about the locals’ customs and farming practices from the past. The Igongo Cultural Centre is a museum where visitors may learn about the indigenous people’s history, art, and culture.
Embark on the journey to Kampala, with another stop at the equator of Uganda. Uganda is one of the few nations in the world where the equator passes through, providing for an amazing and must-see visit, where you may stand with one foot in the northern hemisphere and the other in the southern hemisphere for a memorable photograph. Continue with the journey arriving in Kampala in the afternoon, the guide with take you to the hotel where you will spend the rest of the day at leisure. dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation options: Onomo Hotel (Budget), Cassia Lodge/Fairway Hotel (Mid-range), Latitude o Degrees/ Four Points by Sheraton (Luxury)
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 13: Kampala to Entebbe
Today marks the final day for the 13 days of the Rwanda and Uganda Safari in East Africa. You will have breakfast and depending on your flight schedule, you may go on a Kampala city tour to visit some of the interesting places in Kampala. Have lunch and the guide will drop you off at Entebbe international airport for your departure flight back home.
End of Tour