10 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari
Overview
Join us on a 10-day wildlife safari in Uganda and Rwanda that will be the adventure of a lifetime. This meticulously planned itinerary combines the natural beauty of Rwanda’s rolling hills with the untamed wildness of Uganda. Join us on this East African Wildlife safari to Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and get up close and personal with the iconic but critically endangered mountain gorillas. In a just ten days, you may experience the unique local cultures of these two nations, cruise the magnificent Nile River, track the lively golden monkeys and chimpanzees, and hunt for the Big Five in their varied natural habitats.Rwanda, also known as the Land of a Thousand Hills, and Uganda, renowned as the Pearl of Africa, make an ideal pair.
While Uganda is home to the greatest chimpanzee tracking and traditional savannah game drives in the world, Rwanda is the place to go for a personal encounter with gorillas and see one of Africa’s greatest success stories in animal reintroduction in Akagera National Park.If you are an explorer looking for a comprehensive East African safari that doesn’t waste a single day, this 10-day Uganda and Rwanda Wildlife Safari is for you.
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
Your driving guide will be waiting for you at Entebbe International Airport to greet you with a smile and give you a rundown of Uganda. The next step is a transfer to your hotel, where you may rest for the night.Assuming there is time, you will go for a stroll around Lake Victoria’s shoreline at sunset.
Transfer to Murchison Falls and Rhino Tracking at Ziwa on Day 2
Your journey to Ziwa Rhino Sactuary in northern Uganda will begin with an early breakfast, followed by a beautiful drive. You can only go here in Uganda if you want to go on foot to see the endangered white rhinos. Even before you step foot in a national park in Uganda, you can officially say that you’ve seen one of the Big Five on this rhino tracking adventure.
Murchison Falls National Park, the biggest national park in Uganda at 3,840 km2, is the next stop after that. Today, you will go on a short trek to the base of the falls, where the Nile River gushes out of a 7-meter chasm.
In the northern sector of Murchison Fall National Park, set out on a game drive first thing in the morning. Elephants, giraffes, buffalo, Jackson’s hartebeest, and, if you’re lucky, leopards and lions will all be spotted here. Afternoon boat rides on the Victoria Nile are sure to be spectacular. Along the way, you may see crocodiles, hippos, and a variety of aquatic birds at the base of the breathtaking Murchison Falls.
Approximately four hours of beautiful driving will take you through quaint Ugandan towns, plantations, and scenery. Once you’ve checked into your prearranged lodge in Kibale National Park, take a guided walk through the Bigodi Swamp. Along the way, you might see over 200 different kinds of birds, as well as a variety of monkeys, including the black-and-white colobus, red colobus, and grey-cheeked mangabey.
You will be taken to the Kanyanchu headquarters for a briefing on chimpanzee tracking after an early breakfast. Then, under the guidance of a park ranger who is both skilled and armed, you will embark on a trip through the tropical forest to find the habituated chimpanzee families. Spend a lovely hour watching them feed, play, and groom once you find them. Spend the afternoon lounging about the lodge or, if you’d like, go for a late-night woodland stroll.
Travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park, the most visited savannah reserve in Uganda, first thing in the morning. The Kasenyi plains are home to lions, Uganda kobs, African elephants, and massive forest pigs; after lunch, go on a game drive across these famed plains.
The greatest time to watch wild animals grazing on the savannah plains is early in the morning, so after breakfast, go on a game drive. Then, for something truly memorable, take a boat ride over the Kazinga Channel, home to some of the best birds and hippos in all of Africa. The next day, head south through the Ishasha sector in pursuit of the renowned tree-climbing lions, and then rise into the foggy slopes of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park .
Here it is, the long-awaited day! Enter the ancient forest to hike one of the 19 habituated gorilla families after an early breakfast and orientation at the park headquarters. Depending on the weather and where the gorilla family is located in the bush, a gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi might take anything from two to seven hours.
You have a lovely hour to watch these gentle giants as they go about their day once you discover them.Afterwards, get back to your lodgings to unwind. On the way to the foothills of the Virunga volcanoes in Rwanda, you’ll stop at the Cyanika or Katuna border in the late afternoon.
Early morning hike to observe the stunning golden monkeys, a species unique to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, who are both charming and quite active. If you’re looking for a simpler and quicker alternative to trekking gorillas in Rwanda, golden monkey tracking is a great choice.Embark on a picturesque 2.5-3 hour journey to the colorful capital of Rwanda, Kigali City, after the climb, lunch, and some downtime.
The highlight of this 10-day safari in Rwanda and Uganda is still going to be gorilla trekking. More gorilla families may be found in Uganda, where you can visit the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where you can experience around 20 habituated gorilla groups. Gorilla trackers may get a more exciting experience with this.Gorilla hikes in Rwanda, on the other hand, tend to be less strenuous and shorter.
The price of a gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda is 1,500 USD, but in Uganda it is only 800 USD. Because of this, Uganda is a great place for anyone on a tight budget who nevertheless want to see amazing wildlife.
Gorilla Trekking Experience in Uganda vs Rwanda
The highlight of this 10-day safari in Rwanda and Uganda is still going to be gorilla trekking. More gorilla families may be found in Uganda, where you can visit the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where you can experience around 20 habituated gorilla groups. Gorilla trackers may get a more exciting experience with this.Gorilla hikes in Rwanda, on the other hand, tend to be less strenuous and shorter.
The price of a gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda is 1,500 USD, but in Uganda it is only 800 USD. Because of this, Uganda is a great place for anyone on a tight budget who nevertheless want to see amazing wildlife.
Safari Inclusion/Exclusion
Safari Inclusion
- 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.
Safari Exclusion
- 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
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Embrace the journey of reconnecting with nature and the wild spirit within yourself.
Gorilla Tours
Top Silverback Gorilla Tours
- 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
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.
- International flights
- Visas
- Tips / gratiitudes
- Special Drinks like wines
- Laundry services
- optional activities.
- 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