Uganda and Rwanda complement each other in terms of natural diversity and this tour itinerary will offer you a memorable experience in these two destinations. Starting from Uganda, you shall be treated to an array of beautiful landscapes, friendly people and warm weather. Thereafter cross into Rwanda to track the striking Golden Monkeys and enjoy the lush rolling landscapes and cool weather.

This 10 Day Uganda and Rwanda Tour offers you the best of Uganda and Rwanda in the shortest time possible. You will explore Uganda's most popular safari destinations and have scenic views of various landscapes and nature. The safari starts from Uganda within Kibale forest national park (also known as the primate capital of the world,) from which you will be taken to the medley of wonders- Queen Elizabeth National Park. This shall be followed by a transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, an activity during which you will have amazing views of tree climbing lions within the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. While in Bwindi, you will do the most impressive activity of any African safari-gorilla trekking. From Bwindi, you will be taken to the land of a thousand hills- Rwanda, for golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park. Along the way, you will have stunning views of nature and hilly landscapes. On this 10 Day Uganda and Rwanda Tour Combo, you will have a mixture of various activities that range from chimp tracking, game viewing, bird watching, boat cruising, gorilla tracking and golden monkey tracking. You will definitely observe plenty of big game.

We give you a range of accommodations to choose from, ranging from budget, moderate to luxury.

Activities

  1. Kibale Forest National Park
  2. Queen Elizabeth National Park
  3. Bwindi National Park
  4. Volcanoes National Park
  5. Kigali

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival

Arrival at Entebbe International Airport, Welcome & Transfer to your Hotel in Entebbe Town

  • Accommodation: Protea Hotel (Luxury), 2 Friends Beach Hotel or Boma Hotel (Midrange), Papyrus Guesthouse (Budget)
  • Meal Plan: Lunch, Dinner

  • Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport you will be received by our tour guide who shall warmly welcome you. You will then be transferred to your hotel in Entebbe. Located 10 minutes drive from the airport, the hotel has a waterfront view of Lake Victoria (Luxury & Midrange) or is located in the green heart of Entebbe (Budget). It is the best place to spend the overnight and relax off the jetlag.

Day 2

Leisure Time

Transfer from Entebbe to Kibale Forest National Park & Leisure Time at the Lodge

  • Journey Time: 5 - 6 hours
  • Accommodation: Kyaninga Lodge or Papaya Lake Lodge (Luxury), Isunga Lodge or Kibale Forest Camp (Midrange), Kibale Forest Camp or Chimpanzee Guesthouse (Budget)
  • Meal Plan: Breafast, Lunch (en-route), Dinner

  • Have early breakfast and prepare for pick up by 7.00am. Leave for Kibale Forest Park in western Uganda, driving through the capital Kampala and taking the Kampala – Mityana highway. After close to four hours of going past trading centers, local markets, gardens, lush country sides you will Fort Portal town, the biggest town in this region. Fort Portal is located in the shadow of the legendary Rwenzori Mountain which forms a mystic backdrop to the beautiful volcanic landscape you are treated to on your drive from the town to the park. You shall make a stopover in the town for lunch and brief relaxation. Thereafter continue to Kibale on a drive that shall treat you to wonderful views of the lush landscape. You shall reach Kibale in the late afternoon and transfer to your lodge located outside the park. Spend the rest of the evening and overnight at the lodge.

Day 3

Chimpanzee Tracking

Bigodi Swamp Walk

Chimpanzee Tracking at Kibale Forest in the Morning & Nature Walk through Bigodi Wetlands in the Afternoon

  • Accommodation: Kyaninga Lodge or Papaya Lake Lodge (Luxury), Isunga Lodge or Kibale Forest Camp (Mid-range), Kibale Forest Camp or Chimpanzee Guesthouse (Budget)
  • Meal Plan: Breafast, Lunch, Dinner

  • After early breakfast you shall transfer to the park offices by 7.30am for briefing. You will be divided into groups and assigned a ranger and thereafter begin the trek into the forest to find the Chimpanzees. The trek usually lasts between 3 to 5 hours depending on the movement of the chimps. Kibale has three groups of chimpnazees that are habituated for tourism. You will trek one of these. You shall observe of wildlife in the forest including many species of monkeys, birds, small mammals, butterflies, and plants. One shall be allowed to be with the Chimpanzees which are habituated and therefore pose no threat. Return to the lodge for lunch, and relaxation. In the late afternoon you may go out for nature walk in Bigodi Wetlands to see plenty of monkeys, birds, butterflies, and a variety of plants and shrubs. The Bigodi are located on the eastern boundary of the park.  You will have chances of viewing forest elephants,sitatungas, forest buffalos, serval cats, civet cats among others. After the walk in the wetland, you will be taken to the community for a community walk which involves coming closer to the local people to experience culture and have a look at a few things that are done by them. These include; Gin brewing from banana, coffee processing and craft making. You will also have  a visit to the local medicine man to see the use of local medicineand how it is done.

Day 4

Game Drive


Transfer from Kibale Forest National Park to Queen Elizabeth National Park & Evening Game Drive through Kasenyi Savannah Plains

  • Journey time: 2 - 3 hours
  • Accommodation: Kyambura Gorge Lodge or Katara Lodge (Luxury), Kasenyi Safari Camp or Marafiki Safari Lodge (Midrange), Marafiki Safari Lodge (Budget)
  • Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch (packed), Dinner

  • After breakfast, check out and depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park - probably Uganda's most popular tourist destination. You shall make a stopover at Fort Portal for lunch or have lunch at the Lodge. One of the reasons why the park is so favoured by tourists is its diverse scenery of wide savannah, shady forests and fertile wetlands which makes it an ideal habitat for the classic big game: buffalos, elephants, lions, leopards and many more. The park is also home to 10 primate species including chimpanzees living in the Kyambura Gorge. In the backdrop of the park appear the stunning Rwenzori Mountains which perfects the view over Queen Elizabeth National Park. This evening, we have the chance to go on our first game drive through the park. We are on the look-out for the big cats, which become more active in the evening hours and get prepared for their nights' hunt. (Game drive at discretion). We transfer to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 5

Game Drive

Boat Cruise

Crater Drive


Morning Game Drive through Kasenyi Savannah Plains & Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel in the Afternoon & Scenic Crater Drive 

  • Accommodation: Kyambura Gorge Lodge or Katara Lodge (Luxury), Kasenyi Safari Camp or Marafiki Safari Lodge (Midrange), Marafiki Safari Lodge (Budget)
  • Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • After an early cup of tea set out for the game drive into the park. Standard time to start the game drives is 7am, however an earlier start increases the chance to find the nocturnal and more so the cats such as Leopard, Hyena, and Lions. The main game viewing area is the Kasenyi plains which are the mating groups for antelopes and thus a favorable ground for the predators such as the lions are rarely missed. Herds of buffalo, elephants, Uganda kob, and waterbuck are a common sight. Enjoy the beautiful scenery as you drive though the game tracks. After enjoying the amazing wildlife sightings drive through scenic crater lakes area and head to the lake katwe salt mines for a walk to observe the local salt mines that have been in existence for more than a century. Thereafter return to the lodge for breakfast and relaxation. In the late afternoon you shall set out for yet another exciting adventure, the boat safari on the Kazinga Channel. The cruise is usually conducted between 3 to 5 pm, although additional ones can be done at 11am and 1 pm. The 2 hour ride offers a chance to observe plenty of wildlife at very close range. The channel hosts many Hippos and Crocodiles. Plenty of other animals come to drink and cool off such as Elephants, Buffaloes, and Antelopes. Hundreds of bird species congregate along the river bank. On the way back from the boat cruise, you will do a loop through one of the most scenic part of Uganda: the carters of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Take your time and make a few stops for photos when driving through this spectacular landscape and enjoy the sundowner. Thereafter return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 6

Game Drive

Leisure Time

Transfer from Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi National Park in the Morning, Stopover at Ishasha Sector for a Game Drive on the Look-Out for the famous Tree-Climbing Lions & Rest of the Day at Leisure 

  • Journey time: 2 hours to Ishasha Sector & 2 hours to Buhoma Sector or 4 - 5 hours to Rushaga Sector of Bwindi Impenetrable NP
  • Accommodation: Clouds Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Bwindi Lodge, Buhoma Lodge or Mahogany Springs (Luxury), Chameleon Hill Lodge (Upmarket), Rushaga Gorilla Camp or Ichumbi Lodge (Midrange), Rushaga Gorilla Camp (Budget)
  • Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch (en-route), Dinner

  • After breakfast, check out the lodge and leave for Bwindi National Park. We will transfer to Ishasha which is located near the south-western rim of Queen Elizabeth National Park. It is recognized for its very famous tree climbing lions that are an exceptional attraction and one among the major highlights on all safaris taken within Queen Elizabeth National park. Here the lions are constantly spotted hanging on braches of huge fig trees. So be alert and observe all trees carefully as you drive through this beautiful savannah landscape. We will have our lunch en-route. After the afternoon game drive through Ishasha, we will leave Queen Elizabeth National Park and continue our journey to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a dense tropical rain forest located in south-western Uganda and home of the endangered mountain gorillas. Transfer to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 7

Gorilla Tracking

Leisure Time

Gorilla Tracking at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in the Morning & Rest of the Day at Leisure at the Lodge

  • Accommodation: Clouds Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Bwindi Lodge, Buhoma Lodge or Mahogany Springs (Luxury), Chameleon Hill Lodge (Upmarket), Rushaga Gorilla Camp or Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge (Midrange), Rushaga Gorilla Camp (Budget)
  • Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Be up by 6.30am, have quick breakfast, pick a lunch box and transfer to the park offices. Today we will have the amazing opportunity to observe the gorgeous scenery of Uganda's tropical rainforest and experience a breathtaking encounter with the endangered mountain gorillas. Today's schedule will take us through the impenetrable Jungle of Bwindi National Park, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. Bwindi Impenetrable NP occupies the size of about 321 sq km and it's the home of the endangered mountain gorillas. As of 2019, the park has an estimated 459 mountain gorillas that exist in 50 groups or families, 21 of which have been habituated for tourism. These 21 groups can be tracked at the park's 4 gorilla tracking sectors that include Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo. After an early breakfast, we will be heading to the briefing point, where we will meet the ranger guide. You will register and be briefed about the guidelines of gorilla trekking. You will then be divided into groups and assigned a ranger before you head into the forest to see the gorillas. The time taken to trek the gorilla family depends on their location and varies between 3 to 7 hours. Once we have reached them, we have an hour time to observe and admire these gentle giants - a surely fascinating experience. We will return to the lodge and relax for the rest of the day. Also do not forget to carry at least one litter of water and a rain jacket.

Day 8

Leisure Time


Transfer from Bwindi Impenetrable National park to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda & Rest of the Day at Leisure

  • Journey time: 3 hours
  • Accommodation: Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge or Virunga Lodge (Luxury), Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Upmarket), Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge (Midrange), Garden Place Hotel (Budget)
  • Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • After breakfast, check out and depart for Rwanda crossing via the Cyanika or Katuna border. Reach the park after approximately 3 hours. Check in the lodge, enjoy the view and spend the day relaxing at the lodge.

Day 9

Golden Monkey Tracking

Leisure Time

Golden Monkey Tracking at Volcanoes National Park in the Morning & Rest of the Day at Leisure 

  • Accommodation: Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge or Virunga Lodge (Luxury), Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Upmarket), Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge (Midrange), Garden Place Hotel (Budget)
  • Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Have early breakfast and transfer to the park offices in Kinigi by 7am to meet the rangers for briefing. Thereafter you shall transfer to start of the trek into the park to find the striking Golden Monkeys. The Monkeys occupy the lush bamboo in the lower zones of the mountains and thereafter finding them is not daunting task like the Gorilla trek. You shall spend an hour following these spritely creatures that are great for photos! Return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation.

Day 10

Drive to Kigali

Departure


Transfer from Volcanoes National Park to Kigali, Airport Transfer & Departure

  • Journey time: 2 hours
  • Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch

  • After breakfast, check out and depart for Kigali to catch you flight back home.

General Tips:

  • Please note the age limit of 15 years and above for gorilla tracking.
  • Book your permits well in advance as only 8 permits are issued per gorilla group in a day. There are 14 habituated gorilla groups in Bwindi.
  • You should be free from infectious diseases such as Flue which can be passed to the gorillas since humans share 98% DNA with gorillas. If you are found to carry an infectious disease you will not be allowed to track.
  • Every participant has the chance to hire a trekking assistance (porter) who will help carrying the bags and support whenever it is needed. For the trekking assistant an additional fee of US$ 15 is charged.
  • OPTIONAL: Are you interested in getting a close-up experience with the Lions? Then book the LION EXPERIENTIAL at Queen Elizabeth National Park and get closer to the big cats than anyone else, as you will leave the main tracks and drive on unbeaten tracks through the park accompanied by the Cat Doctor.

What to bring:

  • Walking boots, long trousers and rain gears as you will be hiking through Bwindi Forest.
  • Sun screen is recommended.
  • Mosquito repellant is advisable.
  • At least 1-2 liters of drinking water per person during the trekking.