Uganda known as the Pearl of Africa” and Rwanda, the Land of a Thousand Hills, these two countries complement each other perfectly.
Uganda offers the world’s best chimpanzee tracking experience and classic savannah game drives, while Rwanda offers an intimate gorilla trekking experience and one of Africa’s most successful wildlife reintroduction stories in its Akagera National Park.
This 10 Days Uganda and Rwanda Wildlife Safari is an ideal option for adventurers who are seeking for a complete East African safari experience without wasting a single day.
Tour Highlights
- Mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest of Uganda
- Golden monkey tracking in Rwanda Volcanoes national park
- Thrilling game drives in Queen Elizabeth N.P, Murchison Falls N.P, & Akagera National Park Rwanda
- Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest National park
- Boat cruising on the Nile River
- Watching the Tree climbing lions in Ishasha sector
- safaris on the Nile River and Kazinga Channel
- Cultural experiences with the Batwa people of Uganda & Rwandan communities
- Kigali city tour including a visit to the Genocide Memorial
Brief Itinerary Overview
Day 1: Arrival Entebbe & transfer to your accommodation
Day 2: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary & transfer to Murchison Falls NP
Day 3: Game drive & Nile boat cruise to the falls
Day 4: Transfer to Kibale – Bigodi Wetland walk
Day 5: Chimpanzee tracking & community experience
Day 6: Drive to Queen Elizabeth NP – afternoon game drive
Day 7: Morning game drive – transfer to Bwindi via Ishasha
Day 8: Gorilla trekking Bwindi – cross border to Rwanda
Day 9: Golden monkey trekking – transfer to Kigali
Day 10: Kigali city tour – departure
Detailed Itinerary of the 10 Days Uganda and Rwanda Wildlife Safari
Day 1: Arrival in Uganda
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be greeted by your driver guide, who will offer a warm welcome and provide a brief introduction to Uganda. You will then be transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay and relaxation.
If time allows, you will embark on a relaxing sunset walk along the shores of lake Victoria.
Day 2: Rhino Tracking at Ziwa & Transfer to Murchison Falls
After an early breakfast, you will embark on a scenic drive taking you to the northern regions of Uganda to Ziwa Rhino Sactuary. This is the only place in Uganda to track the endangered white rhinos on foot. Completing a rhino tracking experience here technically gives you one of the Big Fives in Uganda before even entering a national park.
After, continue to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda largest national park occupying an area of 3,840km2. On this day, you will go for a brief hike to the top of the falls, where the Nile River explodes though a 7 meter gorge.
Day 3: Murchison Falls – Game Drive & Nile Boat Cruise
Wake up with an early morning game drive in the norther sector of Murchison Fall N.P. Here, expect to spot elephants, giraffes, buffalo, Jackson’s hartebeest, and with luck, lions and leopards. In the afternoon, enjoy a scenic 3 hour boat cruise on the Victoria Nile. This as well takes you to the bottom of the magnificent Murchison falls where you will spot a variety of water bird species, hippos and crocodiles at the shores.
Day 4: Transfer to Kibale Forest – Bigodi Wetland Walk
This is a long but scenic approximately 4 hour drive taking you through charming Uganda local villages, plantations, scenic landscapes. On arrival and relaxing at your prebooked kibale national park lodge, you embark on a guided bigodi swamp walk featured with sightings of different wildlife creatures including a variety of monkey species such as the black-and-white colobus, red colobus, grey-cheeked mangabey, and over 200 bird species.
Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale National Park
After an early breakfast, you are transferred to Kanyanchu headquarters to attend a simple chimpanzee tracking briefing. After, led by an experienced, knowledgeable and an armed park guide, you trek through the tropical forest in search of the habituated chimpanzee families. Once found, spend one magical hour observing them feed, play, and groom. In the afternoon, relax at your lodge or go for an optional late evening nature walk in the forest.
Day 6: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Afternoon Game Drive
Today, you wake up with morning drive to Queen Elizabeth NP, Uganda’s most popular savannah reserve. After lunch, enjoy a game drive in the Kasenyi plains famously known for its lions, Uganda kobs, African elephants, and giant forest hogs.
Day 7: Morning Game Drive & Transfer to Bwindi via Ishasha
After breakfast, embark on an early morning game drive, best time to see wild animals grazing on the savannah plains. After, follow it with unforgettable boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, one of Africa’s highest concentrations of hippos and excellent birdlife. Afterward, drive south through the Ishasha sector in search of the famous tree-climbing lions before ascending into the misty mountains of Bwindi Impenetrable national park.
Day 8: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi – Cross to Rwanda
The day you’ve been waiting for! After early breakfast and briefing at the park headquaters, enter the ancient forest to trek one of the 19 Bwindi’s habituated gorilla families. Gorilla trekking in bwindi forest lasts anywhere between two to seven hours depending on the location of that specified gorilla family on that day and the weather conditions.
Once encountered, you have one magical hour of observing these gentle giants going about their day.
After, return to your lodges for relaxation. Later in the late afternoon, you are transferred to Rwanda via Cyanika or Katuna border, continuing to the foothills of the Virunga volcanoes.
Day 9: Golden Monkey Trekking – Transfer to Kigali
Morning trek to see the playful and beautiful golden monkeys found only in the Virunga massif specifically in Volcanoes national park Rwanda. Golden monkey tracking in Rwanda is easier and shorter than gorilla trekking yet equally rewarding.
After the trek, lunch and a bit of relaxation, you will embark on a scenic 2.5–3 hours drive to the vibrant capital of Rwanda, Kigali City.
Day 10: Kigali City Tour & Departure
Morning tour of Kigali city, one of Africa’s cleanest and safest capitals. It takes you to visit the iconic Kigali Genocide Memorial, local markets, art galleries, and craft centers. After, transfer to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight.
Gorilla Trekking Experience in Uganda vs Rwanda
Gorilla trekking remains the crown jewel of this 10 days Rwanda Uganda safari itinerary. Uganda offers more gorilla families, home to approximately 20 habituated gorilla groups encountered in its Bwindi impenetrable forest and Mgahinga gorilla national park. This offers gorilla trackers a more adventurous experience.
On the other hand, Rwanda provides easier gorilla treks which are often shorter and less steep.
A Uganda gorilla trekking permit is cheaper costing usd 800 compared to that of Rwanda offered at USD 1,500. This makes Uganda a prime destination for budget conscious travelers seeking thrilling wildlife experiences.
10 days Rwanda Uganda safari Inclusions:
- Gorilla & golden monkey permits,
- chimp permit
- all park entrance fees
- private 4×4 safari vehicle
- Full-time English-speaking driver-guide
- Full-board accommodation
- bottled water
- Fees of all activities mentioned.
Exclusions:
- International flights
- Visas
- Tips / gratiitudes
- Special Drinks like wines
- Laundry services
- optional activities.
Packing List for Your 10 days Uganda Rwanda Safari
- Comfortable hiking boots
- Gardening gloves
- Neutral colored long-sleeved shirts & trousers
- Waterproof rain jacket or poncho
- Hat, sunscreen, insect repellent
- Daypack & reusable water bottle
- Energy snacks