Discover the 18-Day Uganda & Rwanda Gorilla, Chimpanzee & Wildlife Safari, exploring the diverse landscapes and wildlife of the Great Lakes region. Experience gorilla and chimpanzee trekking, game drives, boat safaris, walking excursions and cultural encounters as you travel from Kigali through Rwanda and Uganda.
Begin in Rwanda with Kigali and Akagera National Park, then cross into Uganda to explore Lake Bunyonyi, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Ishasha, famous for its tree-climbing lions. Continue to the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains, track chimpanzees in Kibale Forest, explore the spectacular wildlife and landscapes of Murchison Falls National Park, and walk alongside rhinos at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. The journey concludes in Jinja, with a visit to the Source of the Nile and the option to enjoy world-class white-water rafting. This itinerary can also include Kidepo Valley National Park, one of Uganda’s most remote wilderness areas.
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be welcomed by your private driver-guide and transferred to your hotel in Kigali.
Depending on your arrival time, the remainder of the day is free to relax and recover from your journey.
After breakfast, set out to discover Kigali, Rwanda's capital city, known for its clean streets, green hills and vibrant neighborhoods.
Your private city tour takes you through different parts of Kigali, with a visit to Kimironko Market, one of the city's busiest local markets. Explore stalls selling fresh produce, spices, clothing, crafts and other everyday goods while experiencing the lively atmosphere of local Rwandan life.
You will also visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, an important historical and educational site commemorating victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The visit provides important context for understanding Rwanda's recent history and subsequent development.
Spend the remainder of the afternoon exploring more of Kigali or relaxing at your hotel.
After breakfast, leave Kigali and travel east towards Akagera National Park, Rwanda's largest protected area. The drive takes approximately 2.5–3 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions.
As you leave the capital, the landscape gradually changes from Kigali's rolling hills to open countryside, woodland, savannah and wetland habitats.
Upon arrival in Akagera, continue to your lodge and settle into the peaceful surroundings of the park. In the late afternoon, set out on an evening game drive, exploring the park's savannah and woodland landscapes as wildlife becomes more active toward sunset.
Keep watch for elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, antelopes and other wildlife, while enjoying the changing scenery and beautiful sunset across Akagera's plains.
After the game drive, return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Start the day with an early morning game drive in Akagera National Park, when wildlife is most active. Explore the park's savannah plains, woodlands and wetlands while looking for elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, antelopes and other wildlife.
After the morning game drive, continue to Lake Ihema for a 9:00 AM boat safari. Cruise along the lake's tranquil waters, watching hippos, crocodiles, waterbirds and other wildlife along the shoreline and surrounding wetlands.
After the boat safari, enjoy lunch before heading out for an afternoon game drive. Continue exploring different areas of Akagera, with opportunities to encounter wildlife and enjoy the changing scenery as the afternoon progresses.
Return to your accommodation in the evening for dinner and overnight.
After breakfast, leave Akagera National Park and travel southwest towards the Katuna border crossing, where you will complete the Rwanda–Uganda border formalities.
Once across the border, continue into Uganda, the Pearl of Africa, with the journey taking you through the scenic highlands of southwestern Uganda.
Stop in Kabale for lunch before continuing to Lake Bunyonyi, one of Uganda's most beautiful highland lakes. Surrounded by steep green hills, terraced farmland and numerous small islands, the lake offers a peaceful setting to relax after the day's journey.
Upon arrival, check in at your lakeside accommodation and later enjoy an evening boat cruise on Lake Bunyonyi, taking in the beautiful scenery as the sun sets over the surrounding hills and islands.
Enjoy a relaxed morning beside Lake Bunyonyi.
You may choose to spend the morning enjoying the scenery or take an optional boat trip to explore the lake and its islands.
After lunch, continue towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The journey takes you through the dramatic highlands of southwestern Uganda, passing terraced hillsides, rural communities and winding mountain roads.
Bwindi is renowned for its mountain gorillas and contains one of Africa's most biologically diverse forest ecosystems, supporting numerous primates, birds and other forest species.
Arrive at your lodge and prepare for tomorrow's gorilla trekking adventure.
Today, enter the ancient forests of Bwindi for one of the defining experiences of your safari: mountain gorilla trekking.
After an early breakfast, transfer to the appropriate trekking sector for your briefing. Park staff will explain the trekking procedures, safety requirements and guidelines for responsible gorilla viewing.
You will then enter the forest accompanied by experienced guides and trackers. The duration of the trek depends on the location and movements of the gorilla family you are tracking, as well as the terrain.
Once the gorillas are located, you will have the permitted viewing period to observe them from the required distance. You may see members of the family feeding, resting, moving through the vegetation and interacting with each other.
After the encounter, hike back through the forest and return to your lodge for some time to relax and freshen up.
In the evening, visit the Batwa community for a cultural experience that offers an introduction to the traditions, history and way of life of the Batwa people, who have a long connection with the forests of the Albertine Rift. Through storytelling, music, dance and cultural demonstrations, you will learn more about their heritage and relationship with the forest.
Return to your lodge after the experience and enjoy a relaxing evening.
After breakfast, leave Bwindi and travel towards the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda’s most scenic and remote wildlife areas.
The landscape changes dramatically as you descend from Bwindi’s mountainous forests into the open savannah plains of the Albertine Rift.
Upon arrival in Ishasha, enjoy a game drive in search of elephants, buffaloes, topi, antelopes, warthogs and other wildlife. Ishasha is particularly famous for its tree-climbing lions, which are sometimes seen resting high in the branches of large fig and acacia trees.
Continue through Queen Elizabeth National Park towards the Kazinga Channel. In the evening, enjoy a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway connecting Lakes Edward and George. Watch for large concentrations of hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes and a variety of waterbirds along the shoreline.
After the boat safari, continue to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.l
Start the day with an early morning game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park. Explore the savannah plains in search of elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, lions and other wildlife, while enjoying the beautiful landscapes of the park.
After lunch, visit Lake Katwe, a traditional salt lake where local communities have produced salt for generations. Learn about the traditional salt-extraction methods and the importance of this activity to the surrounding communities.
In the late afternoon, continue to Lake Munyanyange, a scenic crater lake known for its seasonal concentrations of flamingos and other waterbirds. Enjoy a relaxing sundowner overlooking the lake, taking in the changing colours of the landscape as the sun sets.
Return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
After breakfast, leave Queen Elizabeth National Park and drive north towards Kibale Forest National Park, home to one of Africa's highest concentrations of primates.
The journey takes you through beautiful countryside, crater lakes, tea plantations and rolling green hills as you approach the Kibale region.
After lunch and check-in at your lodge, head to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for an afternoon guided nature walk. Explore the wetland and surrounding community landscapes while looking for monkeys, birds, butterflies and other wildlife. The walk also offers an opportunity to learn about local communities, traditional practices and the conservation of the wetland.
Return to your lodge in the evening and relax in preparation for the following day's chimpanzee tracking experience.
After an early breakfast, head to Kibale Forest National Park for your chimpanzee tracking experience.
Begin with a briefing from the Uganda Wildlife Authority guides before entering the forest. Follow experienced trackers through the lush rainforest in search of wild chimpanzees, while also watching for other primates, birds and forest wildlife.
Once you locate a chimpanzee community, spend time observing their natural behaviour, including feeding, climbing, grooming and social interactions.
After the trek, return to the lodge for lunch and some time to relax.
In the evening, enjoy a local coffee and banana gin brewing experience. Learn about coffee production in the Kibale area and discover how locally grown bananas are traditionally processed and transformed into gin. The experience offers an authentic introduction to local agricultural traditions and community livelihoods.
Return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay in the forest surroundings.
After breakfast, leave Kibale Forest National Park and begin your journey north towards Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda's largest national park.
Travel through the scenic landscapes of western Uganda, crossing parts of the Albertine Rift Valley. The route offers beautiful views of rolling hills, fertile farmland, rural communities and woodland as you gradually descend towards the Rift Valley landscapes.
Stop for lunch along the way before continuing towards Murchison Falls. As you approach the park, the scenery changes to open savannah, woodland and expansive plains.
Arrive at your lodge in the late afternoon or evening, check in and relax after the journey.
Dedicate the day to exploring the wildlife-rich landscapes of Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest national park.
After breakfast, set out on a game drive across the northern sector, where open savannah plains, woodland and Borassus palms provide habitat for abundant wildlife. Watch for giraffes, elephants, buffaloes, antelopes and warthogs, while lions and other predators may also be encountered depending on their movements.
Later, enjoy a boat safari along the Victoria Nile towards the base of Murchison Falls. Cruise along the river, watching for hippos, crocodiles, elephants and a variety of water birds along the shoreline. The boat provides excellent views of the wildlife gathered around the river and the dramatic scenery of the Nile.
Continue to the Top of Murchison Falls, where the mighty Nile is forced through a narrow gorge before plunging into the valley below. Take a short hike to the viewpoints overlooking the falls and experience the power of the river as it squeezes through the rocks.
Afterwards, return to your accommodation and relax after a full day of wildlife, river and scenic exploration.
After breakfast, leave Murchison Falls National Park and begin your journey south towards Entebbe.
As you travel through northern Uganda, enjoy the changing landscapes of woodland, farmland and rural communities. Continue to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, where you will have the opportunity to take part in a guided rhino tracking experience. Accompanied by experienced rangers, walk through the sanctuary in search of the southern white rhinoceros while learning about Uganda's rhino conservation and reintroduction efforts.
After the one-hour rhino experience, continue towards Entebbe, with a lunch stop along the way.
Arrive in Entebbe later in the afternoon or evening and transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the evening is free to relax after the long journey.
After breakfast, begin the journey east towards Jinja, one of Uganda's historic towns and a major destination for Nile-based adventures.
Upon arrival, explore the area associated with the Source of the Nile, where the Victoria Nile flows out of Lake Victoria and begins its journey northwards.
Later, enjoy a boat excursion around the Nile and Lake Victoria environment. The waterways and surrounding vegetation provide opportunities to see birds and enjoy the changing scenery.
Return to your accommodation near the Nile for the evening.
Today is yours to experience Jinja at your preferred pace.
For adventure enthusiasts, optional activities can include white-water rafting on the Nile, kayaking, horseback riding, cycling and other outdoor experiences.
Alternatively, enjoy a slower day exploring Jinja, relaxing at your accommodation or spending time beside the Nile.
Your activities can be arranged according to your interests and available time.
After breakfast, enjoy a relaxed morning in Jinja before beginning the drive towards Entebbe.
Continue towards the shores of Lake Victoria and spend the day enjoying a peaceful beach experience. Relax by the water, take a leisurely walk along the shore, or simply unwind in the tropical surroundings after your safari.
Later, continue to Entebbe and check in at your hotel, where you can enjoy a relaxed evening and your final night in Uganda.
After breakfast, check out of your lodge and transfer to Entebbe International Airport.
Depending on your flight schedule, enjoy some final time in Entebbe before proceeding to the airport for check-in and your international flight home.
End of your Uganda and Rwanda safari.
| Duration | 4 days |
| Destination | উগান্ডা গরিলা ট্রেকিং ট্যুরস |
| Duration | 4 days |
| Destination | Rwanda |
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| Duration | 4 Days days |
| Destination | উগান্ডা গরিলা ট্রেকিং ট্যুরস |
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