You will embark on an unforgettable 9-day safari that blends the lush volcanic rainforests of Rwanda and Uganda with breathtaking savannah landscapes, offering close encounters with endangered mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, and diverse wildlife.
From the scenic Volcanoes National Park to the rich biodiversity of Kibale Forest and Queen Elizabeth National Park, this safari is perfect for nature lovers seeking rare primate encounters and classic African game viewing in one seamless adventure.
Day 1: Arrival at Kigali International Airport and Transfer to the Hotel
Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by our guide at Kigali International Airport, from where you will be transfered to your booked accommodation for the night. Depending on your time of arrival at the airport, you will have lunch before transferring to your hotel in Kigali for some rest as you prepare for the Best of Rwanda and Uganda safari experience the following day.
Meal plan : Dinner
Day 2: Kigali City Tour and Transfer to Akagera National Park
After your early morning breakfast, you will be picked up by our guide who will brief you about the safari. Thereafter, you will start your safari with a Kigali city tour. During this city tour, you will visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where you will learn about the stories of the 1994 Genocide. You will also visit the local handicrafts market, and you will learn about their way of life.
Afterwards, you will transfer to Akagera National Park for a wildlife experience. It’s quite a long journey, but you enjoy the views of the hills as you transfer to the park. You will have an en route lunch as you transfer to Akagera National Park. You will arrive at the lodge later that evening. You will check in at the lodge. Your dinner and overnight stay will be at the lodge.
Meal plan : Breakfast ,lunch ,dinner
Day 3: Morning Game Drive in Akagera National Park and Afternoon Boat Cruise on Lake Ihema
After your early morning breakfast, you will head out for a morning game drive in Akagera National Park. During the game drive, you will have an opportunity to sight many animals such as elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, impalas, zebras, bushbucks, waterbucks, lions, and leopards. You will be able to see many bird species, as Akagera National Park is home to over 500 bird species.
You will then return to the lodge for lunch. After lunch, you will head out for a boat cruise on Lake Ihema, where you will see animals like hippos, crocodiles, and many bird species. After the boat cruise, you will return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay at the lodge.
Meal Plan : Breakfast ,lunch , dinner
Day 4: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After your morning breakfast at the lodge in Akagera National Park, you will check out and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. You will enjoy a scenic drive from Rwanda to Uganda. You will arrive at the lodge in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park later in the afternoon, where you will check in at the lodge. You will have an en route lunch as you transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Your dinner and overnight stay will be at the lodge.
Meal plan : Breakfast ,lunch , dinner
Day 5: Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
You will wake up early in the morning for breakfast and then report to the park headquarters at 7:30 am for a briefing about the dos and don’ts while with the gorillas. Remember to carry your packed lunch and enough drinking water since you may stay in the forest up to the afternoon in search of these gentle giants in their natural environment.
Gorilla tracking exercise is physically demanding but an exciting activity. You may need to hire a porter to assist you during tracking. These are readily available at the park headquarters. Time allowed to spend with gorillas is 1 hour when you have found them, and this is enough to ask all the questions about their behaviour.
Later, return to the lodge after tracking and freshen up. In the evening, Batwa pygmies will be invited to entertain you with their dances, storytelling after you have dinner and overnight. Your dinner and overnight stay will be at your lodge.
Meal Plan : Breakfast ,lunch , dinner
Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After your early morning breakfast, you will check out of the lodge in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You will transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park through the Ishasha Sector. You will have a game drive in the Ishasha sector. You will have a chance to see the tree-climbing lions that are seen resting in the fig trees.
After that, you will proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park (Kasenyi plains), and you will have lunch along the way. You will check in at the lodge later that day. Your dinner and overnight stay will be at the lodge.
Meal plan : Breakfast ,lunch , dinner.
Day 7: Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Cruise on the Kazinga Channel
You will have your breakfast very early in the morning, depart for an early morning game drive as early as 6:00 am to the rolling plains of Uganda’s second largest National Park. You will look out for: lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, hippos, waterbucks, warthogs, leopards, Uganda Kobs, Hyenas, and Hippos.
For any birder, there are several birds to see during the drive. You will return to the lodge for some rest time and lunch. After lunch at the lodge, you will go for a 2-hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, which connects Lakes George and Edward. You will surely be fascinated by the concentrations of giant hippos, buffalo, elephants, and crocodiles, among others. You will also see many varieties of birds at the water’s shore. You will have dinner and an overnight stay at the lodge.
Meal plan : Breakfast , Lunch , dinner
Day 8: Transfer to Kibale National Park and visit the Bigodi community.
After your morning breakfast, you will check out of the lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park and transfer to Kibale National Park. You will arrive at the lodge, where you will have lunch. After lunch, you will proceed with the Bigodi community.
In this Bigodi community , you will engage in activities like banana brewing , coffee roasting , weaving and craft making , forest walks and many others
Meal plan : Breakfast ,lunch , dinner.
Day 9: Transfer to Entebbe International Airport
After your morning breakfast at the lodge in Kibale National Park, you will report to the park headquarters at Kanyanchu at 07:00 am for a briefing by the guides about the dos and don’ts while with the chimpanzees. You will then embark on a trek in search of the chimpanzees.
Once you have spotted a group, you will spend one hour with them observing their different behaviours. You will also spot other primates in the forest. After the chimpanzee tracking experience, you will be awarded a chimpanzee tracking certificate. Afterward, you will return to the lodge for relaxation.
You will check out of the lodge and transfer to Entebbe Airport. You will have an en-route lunch. You will continue your journey to Kampala or Entebbe International Airport.
Meal plan : Breakfast ,lunch .
Safari Includes:
- Airport transfers & private transport
- Accommodation with meals as listed
- Gorilla trekking permit
- All park entry fees
- Guided cultural and nature activities
- Bottled water during travel
Not Included:
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Tips and personal expenses
- Optional activities not listed