overview
Book your dream adventure and create memories that last a lifetime on a thrilling 10-day safari across Uganda and Rwanda.
These two breathtaking East African nations offer an unmatched array of wildlife attractions. Consequently, visitors from overseas consistently travel here to witness the incredible biodiversity firsthand. Crucially, your journey will feature the region’s most iconic primates: tracking the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat and observing the playful chimpanzees and rare golden monkeys. Furthermore, this safari is a paradise for nature enthusiasts, boasting world-class opportunities for birding and so much more.
Simply put, an unforgettable expedition awaits you in the heart of Africa.
Tour Highlights
Your ultimate 10-day safari begins with your arrival in Kigali, followed by a comfortable transfer to your hotel. On Day 2, you journey north to Volcanoes National Park, preparing for the incredible primate experiences ahead. Day 3 is the highlight, featuring an unforgettable gorilla trekking experience, which you then complement with a rich visit to the Iby’Iwacu cultural village. The next morning, on Day 4, you track the playful golden monkeys before crossing the border into Uganda’s famous Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The adventure continues on Day 5 with your second, equally moving gorilla trekking session, capped off by an immersive Batwa pygmy cultural tour.
The focus shifts to classic safari on Day 6 as you transfer to the sprawling plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Day 7 starts with an exciting morning game drive to spot lions and elephants, followed by a relaxing afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. On Day 8, you enjoy another game drive before heading north to Kibale Forest National Park. Day 9 offers the thrilling experience of chimpanzee trekking, complemented by a peaceful nature walk through the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary. Finally, Day 10 concludes your grand adventure with a transfer back to Entebbe International Airport for your scheduled departure.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival &Transfer to Kigali
Upon landing at Kigali’s Kanombe International Airport, your expert, trained tour guide actively welcomes you. After a brief and informative safari overview, your guide immediately whisks you away for a captivating Kigali city tour.
Initially, you enjoy an eye-opening exploration, visiting several key attractions. Significantly, your journey through the capital includes powerful stops at important historical sites such as local museums and the moving Gisozi Genocide Memorial Centre. Furthermore, you will pay respects at the solemn Murambi Genocide Memorial.
Following this immersive experience, your guide transfers you directly to your hotel. Here, you have time to refresh and relax. Finally, you enjoy a well-deserved dinner and rest up, ready to embark on the grand adventure that awaits you the next day.
Day 2: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Early morning beckons; you’ll wake up, enjoy your coffee, and immediately set off on the scenic journey to Volcanoes National Park. Crucially, this comfortable drive takes only about two hours, though the exact time depends on your starting lodge.
Upon arrival, staff efficiently complete your check-in and guide you to your overnight lodge. Subsequently, you’ll have time to refresh before enjoying a satisfying lunch. Afterward, you’ll relax until the late afternoon, when you embark on a gentle evening nature walk near the volcanoes.
During this relaxing stroll, keep an eye out for park residents like elephants and buffaloes, though their sightings are rare. Additionally, you’ll marvel at the vibrant green montane vegetation. Finally, you return to the lodge for a delicious dinner and prepare eagerly for the unforgettable gorilla trekking adventure scheduled for tomorrow.
Day 3: Gorilla trekking adventure
Your third day begins with a natural wake-up call, as the singing forest birds serenade you with their sweet melodies. First, you’ll rise, prepare, and enjoy a warm breakfast. By 7:00 AM, you must set off for the jungle to begin your gorilla trekking experience.
Gorilla Trekking
Before starting the trek, your tour guide at the headquarters will provide a short, essential briefing on the rules and regulations for trekking. They will remind you to carry a bottle of water to prevent fatigue and dizziness during the hike.
Once familiar with the guidelines, you will start the trek at 8:00 AM. Your expert guide will lead the challenging effort to trace the mountain gorilla family. Since these families often move deep into the forest to feed, the trained guides will follow their footprints until the gorillas are located. Upon finding them, you get to spend an exhilarating one hour observing them, enjoying their company, and taking incredible photos.
Day 4: Golden monkey trekking & Transfer to Bwindi
Your day starts bright and early! First, you’ll grab a cup of warm coffee before your guide picks you up and drives you to the park headquarters for an essential briefing on monkey trekking. Then, you will immediately head into the jungle to begin the trek. Upon finding the monkeys, you get ample time to take photos and observe them up close.
After this unforgettable experience, you will set off right away for the long drive to Kisoro and Mgahinga National Park. Since this journey takes a good amount of time, you will arrive in the late afternoon or evening. Once you reach the park, you will check in and be directed to your chosen hotel or lodge. Therefore, there are no activities planned for this evening; instead, you will refresh, enjoy your meal, and rest well to prepare for the exciting adventures ahead tomorrow.
Day 5: Gorilla trekking & cave exploration
Your day starts very early with a short transfer to the park headquarters for a necessary briefing on gorilla trekking procedures specific to this park. Afterward, with the rules and regulations fresh in mind, you will enter Uganda’s second smallest national park to begin your trek. Since gorilla families sometimes graze deep within the forest, your expert ranger will lead the way, following their footprints to successfully trace the mountain gorillas.
Upon locating them, you get ample time for observation, photography, and an unforgettable hour sharing space with these gentle giants. Following this thrilling experience, you will return to your lodge for a well-deserved lunch and some time to rest. Later in the afternoon, you will set out to prepare for an exciting cave exploration. Finally, you will return to the lodge for dinner and a restful evening, gearing up for your next adventure.
Day 6: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National park
You will wake up before dawn and grab a cup of tea to warm up. Immediately afterward, you will set off for the drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Upon arrival at the park, you will check in and be directed to your chosen lodge for the night. Next, you will relax and enjoy lunch.
In the late afternoon, you will head out for an exciting evening game drive. This drive offers an excellent opportunity to spot diverse wildlife, including lions, leopards, and buffaloes, among many others. Following the game drive, you will return to the lodge, refresh, have dinner, and then rest to prepare for tomorrow’s adventures.
Day 7: Ishasha Tree climbing lion experience
Start your day bright and early by waking up and enjoying a warming cup of tea. Immediately afterward, you will head into the park to participate in a thrilling Lion Trekking experience in the Ishasha Sector. This is a truly unusual sighting in any Ugandan park, as this region is famous for its tree-climbing lions, making it a massive draw for visitors.
Once you complete the trek, you will return to the lodge for lunch and some time to relax. Later in the day, you will embark on an exciting evening game drive. This drive offers an excellent opportunity to spot a variety of wildlife, including leopards and buffaloes, along with numerous species of birds for enthusiasts. Finally, you will head back to the lodge for dinner and a restful night, preparing for your journey ahead.
Day 8: Journey to Lake Bunyonyi & Island Cruising
You will wake up, enjoy your breakfast, and then set off for the scenic drive to Lake Bunyonyi. Upon arrival, you will check in at your accommodation, like the Bunyonyi Overland Resort. This lake is the deepest in Uganda and serves as a superb location for relaxation, offering great views of the landscape and the surrounding islands.
First, you will have lunch and then prepare for an afternoon boat cruise. This cruise will take you past the lake’s islands, including the historical “Punishment Island,” where pregnant, unmarried Bakiga girls were traditionally abandoned. After the cruise, you will return to the resort to relax, have dinner, and prepare for the next day’s adventures.
Day 9: Scenic Drive to Kampala & city tour
Wake up very early and enjoy your morning tea. Afterward, you will set off for the drive to Kampala. During this transfer, you will enjoy the beautiful scenery, diverse landscape, and lush green vegetation of the Ugandan countryside.
Upon reaching the city, you will check into your hotel, where you will refresh and have lunch. Next, you will embark on an exciting Kampala city tour. This tour will allow you to explore a number of key attractions, such as museums, the historical Kabaka’s Tombs, and the magnificent Baháʼí Temple, among others. Following the tour, you will return to your lodge to relax, have dinner, and get a good night’s rest to prepare for your final activities.
Day 10: Journey back to Kigali
On your final day, you will wake up very early and enjoy a final cup of coffee. Subsequently, you will set off for the drive to Kigali, Rwanda. This journey marks the successful conclusion of your 10-day Uganda and Rwanda Gorilla Safari adventure.