Detailed Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Kigali City Tour and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Your 7-Day Rwanda Uganda Gorilla Safari begins with a warm welcome on arrival at Kigali International Airport or pickup from your hotel in Kigali. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a guided Kigali city tour through one of Africa’s cleanest and fastest-growing capitals.
Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial for a powerful insight into Rwanda’s history and remarkable transformation. Continue through colorful local markets, artisan centers, and scenic viewpoints that showcase Kigali’s modern charm.
After lunch, begin your scenic drive north to Volcanoes National Park, famous for its mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, and dramatic volcanic scenery. The journey passes through Rwanda’s famous rolling hills, terraced farms, and picturesque villages, earning the country its title as the “Land of a Thousand Hills.”
Arrive at your lodge in the late afternoon. If time allows, you may visit the Gorilla Guardians Village or the Dian Fossey Museum before dinner.
Dinner and overnight near Volcanoes National Park.
Day 2: Golden Monkey Trekking in Rwanda and Transfer to Bwindi Uganda
After an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing before your golden monkey trekking experience in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda.
Golden monkeys are among Africa’s rarest and most playful primates, known for their bright golden-orange fur and energetic behavior. Trek through bamboo forests and volcanic slopes as expert guides lead you to one of the habituated groups.
Once found, enjoy time observing these lively monkeys as they leap through the forest canopy.
After the trek, return for lunch and proceed to Uganda via the Cyanika border crossing. Continue through the stunning highlands of southwestern Uganda to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas.
Dinner and overnight near Bwindi Forest.
Day 3: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi and Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
Today is the highlight of your safari — the unforgettable gorilla trekking experience in Uganda.
After breakfast, head to the park headquarters for registration and ranger briefing before entering the ancient rainforest of Bwindi. Trekking can take anywhere from two to seven hours depending on the movement of your assigned gorilla family.
The reward is extraordinary: spending one magical hour in the presence of mountain gorillas as they feed, groom, play, and interact in their natural habitat.
Few wildlife encounters on earth compare to the emotion and privilege of standing just meters away from these gentle giants.
After your trek, receive your gorilla trekking certificate and transfer to the scenic shores of Lake Bunyonyi, one of Africa’s most beautiful lakes surrounded by terraced hills and dotted islands.
Dinner and overnight at a lakeside lodge.
Day 4: Lake Bunyonyi Boat Excursion and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Wake up to fresh mountain air and breathtaking lake views. After breakfast, enjoy a relaxing boat excursion on Lake Bunyonyi, known as the “Place of Many Little Birds.”
Explore some of the lake’s historic islands while learning local stories and enjoying exceptional scenery perfect for photography and relaxation.
Later, depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s most popular savannah safari destination. The drive takes you through rolling countryside, crater lakes, tea plantations, and dramatic views of the western rift valley.
Arrive in the evening and settle into your safari lodge.
Dinner and overnight in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Day 5: Morning Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Safari
Rise early for a sunrise game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park, when predators and grazers are most active across the Kasenyi plains.
Look out for elephants, buffaloes, lions, Uganda kob, waterbucks, warthogs, hyenas, and numerous bird species. The park is one of Uganda’s richest wildlife areas and offers superb classic safari scenery.
Return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation.
In the afternoon, enjoy one of Uganda’s finest wildlife activities — the Kazinga Channel boat cruise. This natural waterway connects Lake Edward and Lake George and attracts one of Africa’s highest concentrations of hippos.
Expect close sightings of hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants, and abundant birdlife along the shoreline.
Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Day 6: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kalinzu Forest and Transfer to Lake Mburo
After breakfast, transfer to Kalinzu Forest Reserve for an exciting chimpanzee trekking experience in Uganda.
Walk through tropical forest guided by trackers in search of chimpanzees, whose calls often echo through the trees before they are seen. Kalinzu is also home to colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, butterflies, and many forest birds.
After lunch, continue to Lake Mburo National Park, a compact but wildlife-rich reserve known for zebras, giraffes, impalas, and elands.
After dinner, head out for a thrilling night game drive, offering chances to spot nocturnal animals such as bush babies, hyenas, civets, genets, and possibly leopard.
Dinner and overnight in Lake Mburo National Park.
Day 7: Walking Safari in Lake Mburo and Transfer to Entebbe
On your final morning, enjoy a guided walking safari in Lake Mburo National Park, one of the few parks in East Africa where walking among wildlife is possible.
Accompanied by an armed ranger, explore the savannah on foot while encountering zebras, giraffes, impalas, elands, topis, and a variety of birds from a completely different perspective.
After breakfast, begin your scenic drive back to Entebbe with lunch en route. Stop at the Uganda Equator crossing for photos, souvenirs, and refreshments before continuing to Entebbe International Airport for your onward flight.
