7-Day Uganda Rwanda Safari

Experience mountain gorilla trekking in 2 countries on this 7-day Uganda and Rwanda safari, combining the rainforests of Bwindi and Volcanoes National Park with chimpanzee tracking and wildlife viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Beginning in Entebbe or Kampala, the journey takes you west through Uganda’s scenic countryside for game drives and a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel before exploring Kyambura Gorge in search of chimpanzees. You’ll then continue to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for your first mountain gorilla encounter. From Bwindi, cross into Rwanda and travel towards the Virunga Mountains for a second gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park. The 2 trekking experiences offer different forest landscapes, from Bwindi’s dense, steep-sided rainforest to the volcanic slopes of northern Rwanda. With 2 gorilla treks, chimpanzees, savannah wildlife and scenic highlands, this safari is ideal for travellers who want a rewarding primate and wildlife journey through Uganda and Rwanda, beginning in Entebbe and finishing in Kigali.

Safari Highlights

Detailed Safari Itinerary

Day 1, Entebbe to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Your safari begins with an early morning pickup from your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala. Meet your driver-guide for a short briefing before travelling southwest to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The journey takes you through central and western Uganda, passing roadside markets, small towns, farmland and rolling countryside. Along the way, stop near the equator crossing at Kayabwe for photographs before continuing towards Mbarara for lunch. As you travel farther west, the scenery changes towards the Albertine Rift Valley, with views of cultivated hills, open grasslands and the distant Rwenzori Mountains when conditions are clear. The journey generally takes approximately 7 to 9 hours from Kampala, with additional time if starting in Entebbe or making extended stops. Arrive at Queen Elizabeth National Park in the late afternoon or evening and continue to your lodge. Depending on the time of arrival and the lodge location, you may see wildlife along the access roads.

Meals: Lunch and dinner 

mid-range: Hippo Hill Lodge 

 Luxury: Mweya safari lodge or Jacana safari lodge 

Day 2, Queen Elizabeth Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Cruise

Begin the day with an early morning game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park. Your guide will explore suitable wildlife areas, including the Kasenyi plains where accessible, searching for lions, elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, warthogs and other savannah animals. The park’s grasslands and scattered woodland are particularly rewarding during the cooler morning hours, when wildlife is often more active. Return to your lodge for breakfast or lunch, depending on your departure schedule. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, the natural waterway connecting Lake Edward and Lake George. The channel attracts large numbers of hippos, while crocodiles may be seen resting along the banks. Elephants, buffaloes and other animals sometimes approach the water to drink. Birdwatchers can look for African fish eagles, pelicans, cormorants, kingfishers and other waterbirds. The cruise generally lasts around 2 hours, although the exact duration depends on the scheduled service. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Kazinga Channel Cruise

Day 3, Kyambura Gorge Chimpanzee Tracking and Transfer to Bwindi

After an early breakfast, travel to Kyambura Gorge for your chimpanzee tracking experience. Kyambura is a deep, forested gorge surrounded by the savannah landscapes of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Its steep sides and dense vegetation create a distinctive environment for chimpanzees and other forest wildlife. Following a ranger briefing, descend into the gorge along designated trails. The walk may involve steep paths, uneven ground and thick vegetation. Your guide will listen for chimpanzee calls and search for signs of their movements through the forest. Chimpanzee sightings are not guaranteed, particularly because the animals move freely and can be difficult to locate. After the tracking activity, return to your vehicle and continue south to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Depending on the route, you may pass through the Ishasha area, where tree-climbing lions are sometimes seen resting in large fig trees. However, this is primarily a transfer day, and extended wildlife searching should only be attempted if sufficient time remains. Continue through the highlands towards your Bwindi lodge.

Important planning consideration: This day works best when the chimpanzee tracking session finishes early and the Bwindi accommodation is selected to match the confirmed gorilla trekking sector. A late forest exit may require a revised transfer arrangement.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 4, Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Today brings your first mountain gorilla trekking experience. After an early breakfast, carry your packed lunch and travel to the designated gorilla trekking briefing point in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Park rangers will explain the trekking rules, assign you to a habituated gorilla family and introduce the guides who will accompany you into the forest. Bwindi’s rainforest is known for its steep slopes, thick vegetation and remarkable biodiversity. Trekking conditions vary, and some gorilla families may be reached relatively quickly while others require several hours of walking. Your ranger-guide will lead the group along forest trails, sometimes moving through muddy or uneven terrain. Once the gorillas are located, enjoy the permitted one-hour encounter. Watch the family feeding, grooming, resting and interacting. You may see a silverback keeping watch over the group, mothers caring for their young or juveniles playing in the vegetation. Your guide will help you maintain the required distance and follow the park’s wildlife viewing rules. After the encounter, return through the forest to the trekking starting point, where your driver will meet you. The rest of the afternoon is reserved for relaxation.

Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner.

Bwindi gorilla trekking in Uganda

Day 5, Bwindi to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda

After breakfast, leave Bwindi and begin the cross-border journey towards Rwanda. The route depends on your assigned Bwindi trekking sector, lodge location and the border crossing selected for the itinerary. Travellers staying in southern Bwindi may use the Cyanika crossing, while other routes may be more suitable depending on the starting point. Complete the necessary immigration formalities before continuing to Musanze, the main gateway to Volcanoes National Park. As you approach northern Rwanda, the scenery opens towards the Virunga Mountains, a chain of dramatic volcanic peaks rising above the surrounding farmland. The journey generally takes approximately 4 to 7 hours, depending on your Bwindi sector, road conditions and border procedures. Arrive at your lodge near Volcanoes National Park and enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Your guide will explain the following morning’s gorilla trekking arrangements and help you prepare your clothing and equipment.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Standard: Mountains Gorilla Nest Lodge or Mountain Gorilla View Lodge

Luxury: Volcanoes Lodge or  Sabinyo Silver Back Lodge

Day 6, Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

After an early breakfast, travel to the designated gorilla trekking briefing point at Volcanoes National Park. This is your second mountain gorilla encounter, offering the opportunity to experience gorilla trekking in Rwanda after your earlier trek in Uganda. Following the briefing, join your assigned group and travel to the appropriate trailhead. Accompanied by experienced ranger-guides, begin trekking through the forested slopes of the Virunga Mountains. The landscape here differs from Bwindi, with volcanic slopes, bamboo vegetation and open sections of mountain forest. Walking conditions and trekking times depend on the assigned gorilla family’s location and the weather. Once you reach the gorillas, enjoy the permitted one-hour encounter. Observe the family quietly, watching how the silverback, females and younger gorillas interact in their natural habitat. After the trek, return to your lodge for lunch or a late afternoon meal. Spend the rest of the day resting and enjoying the mountain scenery. If your trek finishes early, an optional cultural visit may be arranged, but it should not be promised as a fixed activity because gorilla trekking times vary.

Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner.

Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tours

Day 7, Volcanoes National Park to Kigali and Departure

After breakfast, leave the Volcanoes National Park area and travel southeast towards Kigali. The drive generally takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on traffic and your lodge location. Along the way, enjoy the views of Rwanda’s cultivated hills, small towns and green countryside. If your international flight schedule allows, enjoy a short Kigali city excursion. You may visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, which commemorates victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and provides an important opportunity to learn about Rwanda’s history. Alternatively, enjoy a relaxed lunch or visit a selected craft market before travelling to Kigali International Airport. Your driver-guide will transfer you to the airport at the agreed time for your departure flight. Your 7-day Uganda and Rwanda safari comes to an end, having explored Queen Elizabeth National Park, tracked chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge and experienced mountain gorilla trekking in both Bwindi and Volcanoes National Park.

Meals: Breakfast

Safari Inclusions and Exclusions

Safari Inclusions

Safari Exclusions