wildlife10 Days

Grand Uganda & Rwanda Combined Safari

Two countries, two gorilla encounters, one epic African journey

Duration

10 Days

Group Size

1-8 People

Starting From

$4,850pp

Book This Safari

Tour Overview

This grand 10-day expedition combines the very best of Uganda and Rwanda into a single seamless itinerary—offering the rare opportunity to trek with mountain gorillas in both countries. Begin in Uganda with game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park, chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest, and a gorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Then cross the border into Rwanda—the "Land of a Thousand Hills"—for a second gorilla encounter in the dramatic Volcanoes National Park, home to the gorilla families made famous by Dian Fossey. Along the way, explore Kigali's powerful Genocide Memorial, cruise the Kazinga Channel, and traverse some of the most spectacular scenery in all of Africa. With comfortable lodges, expert guides, and meticulously planned logistics, this is the definitive East African primate and wildlife safari.

Tour Highlights

Mountain gorilla trekking in both Uganda (Bwindi) and Rwanda (Volcanoes NP)

Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest National Park

Game drives and Kazinga Channel boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth NP

Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial—a profound and moving experience

Scenic cross-border transfer through the Virunga highlands

Two gorilla permits included (Uganda and Rwanda)

Comfortable lodges and expert guides throughout

Traverse the dramatic landscapes of southwestern Uganda and northern Rwanda

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe & Welcome

Arrive at Entebbe International Airport and transfer to your lakeside hotel. Meet your safari guide for a welcome briefing and overview of the 10-day adventure ahead. Enjoy a relaxed dinner on the shores of Lake Victoria and turn in early for an early start tomorrow.

Day 2: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

Depart Entebbe and drive west through Uganda's green heartland to Kibale Forest National Park. Pass through the Mpanga tea estates and the stunning Fort Portal crater lake region. Arrive at your forest lodge by mid-afternoon. An evening nature walk along the lodge trails provides a gentle introduction to the forest ecosystem, with primates and birds already making their presence felt.

Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking & Bigodi Wetland Walk

Report to the Kanyanchu Visitor Centre for a morning chimpanzee tracking experience. Follow your ranger guide into the forest and spend one hour with a habituated chimp community. In the afternoon, explore the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary—a community-managed boardwalk trail teeming with red colobus monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, and over 200 bird species.

Day 4: Queen Elizabeth National Park Game Drive & Boat Cruise

Drive south to Queen Elizabeth National Park. A morning game drive on the Kasenyi Plains targets lions, leopards, elephants, and Uganda kob. After lunch at your lodge, board a boat for the Kazinga Channel cruise—one of Africa's finest waterborne wildlife experiences. Hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants, and over 600 bird species line the banks as you cruise the 32-kilometre natural channel.

Day 5: Ishasha Tree-Climbing Lions & Transfer to Bwindi

Head to the southern Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth NP to search for the famous tree-climbing lions. Spend the morning scanning fig trees for these photogenic big cats. After lunch, drive south through the terraced Kigezi Highlands to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Arrive at your lodge in time for an evening gorilla briefing and dinner.

Day 6: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi

Your first gorilla encounter: trek into the ancient montane forest of Bwindi with experienced rangers and trackers. The hike may last one to six hours depending on the family's location, but the reward—one hour sitting quietly among a gorilla family as they feed, play, and interact—is beyond words. Return to the lodge to celebrate with a well-deserved meal and share stories of the encounter.

Day 7: Border Crossing to Rwanda & Kigali

After a relaxed breakfast, drive to the Uganda-Rwanda border at Cyanika or Katuna. Complete immigration formalities and meet your Rwandan guide. Continue to Kigali, Rwanda's immaculate capital. In the afternoon, visit the deeply moving Kigali Genocide Memorial—an essential experience for understanding Rwanda's recent history and remarkable recovery. Overnight at a centrally located hotel.

Day 8: Kigali to Volcanoes National Park

Explore Kigali's vibrant markets and café culture in the morning. After lunch, drive northwest to the town of Musanze at the foot of the Virunga Volcanoes. Check in to your lodge with views of the five volcanic peaks that form the backdrop to Volcanoes National Park. An evening briefing prepares you for tomorrow's gorilla trek in the park made famous by Dian Fossey's groundbreaking research.

Day 9: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Your second gorilla encounter—this time in the bamboo-cloaked slopes of Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park. The terrain differs markedly from Bwindi, with the five Virunga volcanoes providing a dramatic backdrop. Spend an hour with a habituated family, then hike back through cultivated pyrethrum fields. In the afternoon, visit the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund's Ellen DeGeneres Campus to learn about ongoing gorilla conservation efforts. A farewell dinner celebrates the conclusion of an extraordinary journey.

Day 10: Departure from Kigali

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before transferring to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight. Alternatively, extend your stay with an optional golden monkey tracking experience or a cultural village visit before heading to the airport. Depart Rwanda with an exceptional collection of memories from two incredible countries.