10-Day Rwanda and Uganda Safari
10-Day Rwanda and Uganda Safari, gorillas, Chimps & More
Tour Overview
This 10-day Rwanda and Uganda safari is a great opportunity to explore some of the most amazing wildlife in Africa. The trip begins in Kigali, Rwanda. Here, we’ll take a fascinating city tour, including a visit to the Genocide Memorial Center. At Volcanoes National Park, you will d golden monkey tracking in the bamboo forest.
Then, you will cross the border into Uganda and drive to Africa’s most beautiful lake, Lake Mutanda and the spectacular Nkuringo Secor of Bwindi. From there, you’ll go gorilla trekking and experience all sorts of things on and around the lake. The next stop is Queen Elizabeth National Park, where you’ll enjoy a truly fantastic boat safari and, of course, a car safari! In Kibale Forest, you’ll go on a chimpanzee trekking and take a beautiful swamp walk, where you can spot numerous monkey and bird species. In Murchison Falls National Park, you’ll enjoy two more safaris and a final, magnificent boat safari! You end the trip in Entebbe, Uganda.
Your Itinerary at a Glance
- Day 1: Arrival and transfer to your hotel
- Day 2: Kigali City Tour and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
- Day 3: Golden Monkey Tracking and Drive to Bwindi Forest National Park
- Day 4: Gorilla trekking and Relaxation
- Day 5: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Day 6: Safari and along the tea fields to Kibale Forest
- Day 7: Chimpanzee trekking and Bigodi Swamp walk
- Day 8: To Murchison Falls National Park- Falls hike
- Day 9: Lions, elephants and hippos during the safaris
- Day 10: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and transfer to Kampala or Entebbe
Your Itinerary In Details
Day 1: Arrival and transfer to your hotel
Upon arrival, our guide will be waiting to take you to your first comfortable accommodation. Welcome to “the land of a thousand hills”!
Accommodation Options:
Midrange: Hôtel des Mille Collines
Luxury: Kigali Serena Hotel
Exclusive: Heaven Boutique Hotel
Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
Day 2: Kigali City Tour and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
This morning, meet your local guide for a Kigali city tour. The tour lasts about five hours. You will explore Rwanda’s clean and vibrant capital. Visit the historic Hotel des Mille Collines, a symbol of hope during the genocide. Continue to City Hall, where Kigali’s modern vision is showcased. Enjoy lunch at one of Kigali’s top restaurants. Later, explore the lively city center and see the contrast between hilltop neighborhoods and lower-lying areas. At Kandt House, learn about Rwanda’s colonial past and the road to independence. The tour ends at the Genocide Memorial Center, a powerful place of reflection and remembrance.
In the afternoon, drive north to Volcanoes National Park. Pass through scenic terraced hills and rolling countryside. Arrive at the lodge in the evening. Relax and prepare for the next day’s adventure.
Accommodation Options:
Midrange: Tiloreza Volcanoes ecolodge-Standard Room
Luxury: Tiloreza Volcanoes ecolodge – Deluxe Premium Rooms
Exclusive: Virunga Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Golden Monkey Tracking and Drive to Bwindi Forest National Park
After an early breakfast, drive to the park headquarters for a briefing. Golden monkey tracking starts at 7:00 am. You will enter the forest with other visitors in search of the endangered Golden Monkeys. The trek takes about four hours, including one hour spent with the monkeys. Watch them jump through bamboo, roll on stems, and move freely in the forest. Their silver patches are easy to spot. The monkeys are calm due to habituation, making the experience very enjoyable.
After the trek, travel around the volcanoes and cross into Uganda, the country Winston Churchill called the Pearl of Africa. Drive through the tri-border area and arrive at Lake Mutanda. The views are stunning. You can swim, paddleboard, kayak, sail, or take a motorboat ride. Hiking in the nearby hills is also possible.
Luxury and exclusive options include an overnight stay close to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where you can enjoy peaceful nature walks.
Lake Mutanda
Lake Mutanda lies in southwestern Uganda, at the foot of the Virunga Volcanoes. This volcanic chain connects Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo. Rainforests around the lake are home to the endangered mountain gorillas, making this area ideal for gorilla trekking. Nearby parks include Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Bwindi & Lake Mutanda Excursions – (optional)
This green region offers activities for every traveler. Enjoy sailing, kayaking, or stand-up paddleboarding on Lake Mutanda. A sundowner boat cruise is a great way to relax. In Mgahinga National Park, you can climb the Virunga Volcanoes or go on another Golden Monkey trek. In Bwindi, you can take scenic forest walks in addition to gorilla trekking. Cultural visits to the Batwa pygmies or nearby villages are also possible. If you have special interests, your travel specialist can help plan activities in advance or on arrival.
Accommodation Options:
Midrange: Mutanda Lake Resort – Standard Room
Luxury: Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge
Exclusive: Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Gorilla trekking and Relaxation
Today is a big day. Gorilla trekking is the highlight. You will drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where you receive a detailed briefing before the trek begins. Guides explain the rules and what to expect during this special experience.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park: Bwindi is a dense montane rainforest and one of the most important places for gorilla trekking in the world. Together with the Virunga Mountains in Rwanda, it protects almost half of all wild mountain gorillas. The park is also rich in wildlife, with over 120 mammal species and 350 bird species.
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest
During the trek, you walk slowly through thick forest. You may crouch under branches and move across steep, muddy trails. Experienced Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) rangers lead the way. You search for signs such as nests, dung, broken twigs, and chewed bamboo. Then comes the magical moment. You meet a silverback guarding his family. He may watch you calmly as the group moves around him. This is a powerful and unforgettable wildlife encounter.
Gorilla Habituation Day in Bwindi Forest (optional): Instead of standard trekking, you may choose a gorilla habituation experience. You join researchers as they work with a gorilla family. You can spend up to four hours with the gorillas. The group is limited to four people only. This offers a rare and close look at gorilla behavior and conservation.
Accommodation Options:
Midrange: Mutanda Lake Resort – Standard Room
Luxury: Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge
Exclusive: Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Today you drive from the green mountains of Bwindi to the wide savannah of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The scenery changes from forests to open plains. Along the way, you pass through the Ishasha sector, famous for tree-climbing lions. You may spot them resting in fig trees beside the road. On arrival in Queen Elizabeth National Park, visit the Kyambura Women’s Cooperative. Learn about local crafts and community projects. After the visit, continue to your lodge and check in. In the afternoon, enjoy a spectacular boat safari. Look out for hippos, crocodiles, buffalo, elephants, and many water birds.
Queen Elizabeth National Park: Queen Elizabeth National Park covers nearly 2,000 square kilometers in the Rift Valley. The Rwenzori Mountains rise to the north, while Lake Edward lies to the west. At the heart of the park is the Kazinga Channel, linking Lake Edward and Lake George. This channel is one of the best places in Africa for boat safaris. West of the channel, you find volcanic craters and open savannah. The Kyambura Gorge cuts deep into the landscape and shelters rainforest and chimpanzees. The park is home to elephants, buffalo, lions, leopards, hippos, crocodiles, and more. Over 600 bird species live here.
Queen Elizabeth Boat Safari – Afternoon
The afternoon boat safari takes place on the Kazinga Channel. This waterway is rich in wildlife. You will see large groups of hippos, huge Nile crocodiles, and buffalo cooling in the water. Elephants often come to the shore to drink and bathe. Birdlife is abundant, making this cruise a true highlight of the day.
Optional Private Queen Elizabeth Boat Safari – Afternoon: You may choose a private boat safari for a more exclusive experience. A smaller boat brings you closer to the wildlife. You move at your own pace and enjoy the cruise with just your group. This option offers comfort, flexibility, and excellent photo opportunities.
Accommodation Options:
Midrange: The Bush Lodge – Banda
Luxury: Elephant Plains Lodge
Exclusive: The Honeybear Bush Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Safari and along the tea fields to Kibale Forest
After breakfast, enjoy one last morning safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Later, begin your drive to Kibale Forest National Park. The route is scenic and relaxing. You pass matoke plantations, small villages, and wide views of the Rwenzori Mountains. The landscape slowly changes as you enter the lush rainforest of Kibale.
Queen Elizabeth Game Drive – Morning: During the morning game drive, look for buffalo, elephants, Ugandan kobs, topi, lions, leopards, and hyenas. The scenery varies greatly. You pass open grasslands with candelabra euphorbias, crater lakes, and thick forest patches. The drive starts early, as the sun rises over the savannah. Morning mist often hangs in the air, and the sounds of wildlife surround you. It is a perfect start to the day.
Predator Tracking in Queen Elizabeth – Morning (optional): You may choose a special predator tracking experience with a park biologist. The biologist studies the movements of lion prides and individual leopards. Lions are tracked using radio collars, which increases the chance of sightings. Leopard sightings are possible but not guaranteed. This activity allows off-road driving and offers a deeper understanding of predator behavior. The fees support ongoing conservation research.
Kibale Forest National Park
Kibale Forest is one of Africa’s richest rainforests for primates. It is home to 13 primate species, including red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus, red colobus, blue monkeys, mantled mangabeys, and bush babies. The forest sits at an average altitude of 1,300 meters. Tea plantations surround the forest to the north, while papyrus swamps lie to the south. The nearby Bigodi Forest and Swamp are also rich in birdlife, making this area a paradise for nature lovers.
Accommodation Options:
Midrange: Turaco Treetops – Standard Cottage
Luxury: Primate Lodge
Exclusive: Kibale Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7: Chimpanzee trekking and Bigodi Swamp walk
Today focuses on the many primate species of Kibale Forest and the nearby wetlands. In the morning, you go chimpanzee trekking. In the afternoon, you enjoy a guided walk in Bigodi Swamp. Between the activities, you return to your lodge for lunch and some rest.
The order of activities depends on chimpanzee permit availability. The swamp walk may take place in the morning, with chimpanzee trekking in the afternoon.
Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale Forest – Morning: This morning, you head into the forest for a chimpanzee trekking experience. Together with a ranger, you track chimpanzees using sounds, broken branches, droppings, and feeding remains. Each trek is different, and sightings are never guaranteed. Coming face to face with a chimpanzee is intense and unforgettable. This activity normally takes place in the morning.
Bigodi Swamp Walk – Afternoon: In the afternoon, you take a walk through Bigodi Swamp. The wetlands are rich in wildlife and birdlife. You may spot several monkey species and the rare giant turaco, one of Uganda’s most colorful birds. The walk takes place during the cooler hours, when animals are most active.
Accommodation Options:
Midrange: Turaco Treetops – Standard Cottage
Luxury: Primate Lodge
Exclusive: Kibale Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8: To Murchison Falls National Park- Falls hike
Today is a long but scenic travel day. You drive from the rainforest to the open savannah of Murchison Falls National Park. The route passes rolling hills, lakes, and wide tea plantations. On arrival, you head straight to the top of the famous waterfall. Here, you enjoy a guided walk with stunning views. After the hike, continue to your lodge overlooking the Nile River. Relax with a drink and enjoy the natural sounds around you.
Murchison Falls National Park: Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest national park. The Nile River flows through the park, dividing it in two. The landscape changes from rainforest in the southwest to wide savannah in the north. Thanks to the Nile, the park is one of the greenest in Africa. The highlight is the Murchison Falls, where the Nile creates one of its most powerful moments on its journey to the Mediterranean Sea.
Murchison Waterfall Walk – Afternoon: In the afternoon, you take a walk at the top of Murchison Falls. You view the waterfall from several viewpoints. Watch the Nile squeeze through a narrow gorge only seven meters wide before plunging into the river below. Feel the spray and hear the thunder of the water. If time allows, you can walk down to see the full waterfall. Before heading to the lodge, you stop for photos at the top of the falls.
Accommodation Options:
Midrange: Murchison River Lodge – Thatched Cottage
Luxury: Papa’s Camp
Exclusive: Nile Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 9: Lions, elephants and hippos during the safaris
Today is fully dedicated to the wildlife of Murchison Falls National Park. Early in the morning, you go on a jeep safari. In the afternoon, you enjoy a boat safari on the Nile. Look out for hippos, crocodiles, water birds, and, if you are lucky, elephants bathing along the riverbanks. At the end of the day, you return to your lodge for the night.
Murchison Falls Game Drive – Morning: The morning safari takes place northwest of the Nile. This area has rolling green plains and many Borassus palms, whose fruits attract elephants. You search for Rothschild giraffes, buffalo, lions, leopards, hippos, Nile crocodiles, and several antelope species. Birdlife is rich and colorful. After an early breakfast, you drive toward the delta area. The sun rises over the savannah, and the air is still cool. This is the best time for wildlife sightings. Along the way, you stop at the Nile, where large groups of hippos rest near the water.
Boat Safari to Murchison Falls – Afternoon: In the afternoon, you cruise slowly along the Nile River. Crocodiles rest on the banks, while hippos stay close to the boat. Monkeys call from the trees, and water birds search for fish. Elephants and other animals often come to drink along the shore. The boat trip ends at the base of the 40-meter-high Murchison Falls. The safari lasts about three hours.
Private Murchison Falls Boat Safari – Afternoon (optional): This private boat safari follows the same route on the Nile. A smaller boat allows closer wildlife encounters. You move at your own pace and enjoy the experience with only your group. This option offers comfort, flexibility, and excellent viewing opportunities.
Accommodation Options:
Midrange: Murchison River Lodge – Thatched Cottage
Luxury: Papa’s Camp
Exclusive: Nile Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 10: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and transfer to Kampala or Entebbe
After breakfast, you will begin your journey toward Entebbe. On the way, you can visit the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongora to track rhinos, if included in your safari package. At the sanctuary, you may see these magnificent animals up close in their natural habitat. After the visit, continue your drive to Entebbe, where you will be dropped off at Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight. This marks the end of your unforgettable 10-day Rwanda and Uganda wildlife adventure.
10 Day RWANDA UGANDA Safari Price
Midrange Package Price
- 1 Pax: USD 6891
- 2 Pax: USD 4980 per person
- 3 Pax: USD 4385 per person
- 4 Pax: USD4056 per person
- 5 Pax: USD 3884 per person
- 6 Pax: USD 3748 per person
Luxury Package Price
- 1 Pax: USD 9997
- 2 Pax: USD 7994 per person
- 3 Pax: USD 7320 per person
- 4 Pax: USD 6987 per person
- 5 Pax: USD 6784 per person
- 6 Pax: USD 6652 per person
Exclusive Package Price
- 1 Pax: USD 17981
- 2 Pax: USD 16801 per person
- 3 Pax: USD 15495 per person
- 4 Pax: USD 15367 per person
- 5 Pax: USD 14998 per person
- 6 Pax: USD 14869 per person
If your are travel during the low season months of March, April and May, please contact us for low season rates on luxury and exclusive packages.
Inclusions
- Accommodation as per itinerary
- Daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner (where specified)
- Airport and hotel transfers in Kigali and Entebbe
- All road transfers in private, air-conditioned safari vehicles
- Border transfer between Rwanda and Uganda
- Kigali city tour
- Golden Monkey tracking at Volcanoes National Park
- Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
- Queen Elizabeth National Park safari game drives
- Queen Elizabeth National Park boat safari on Kazinga Channel
- Kibale Forest chimpanzee trekking
- Bigodi Swamp guided walk
- Murchison Falls National Park morning game drive
- Murchison Falls National Park afternoon boat safari on the Nile
- Murchison Falls guided waterfall hike
- National park entrance fees for all parks and reserves visited
- Experienced local guides for all activities
- Bottled water during safaris and treks
- Wildlife spotting guidance from expert guides
- Safari vehicle with pop-up roof for photography and game drives
exclusions
- International flights to and from Rwanda.
- Uganda and Rwanda visa fees
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Optional activities not listed as included
- Alcoholic drinks and soft drinks
- Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls, and souvenirs
- Tips and gratuities for driver-guides, lodge staff, and park rangers
- Extra accommodation before or after the safari
- Any services not mentioned under safari inclusions
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