This 13-day Rwanda and Uganda Gorilla Trekking and Big Game Safari itinerary offers the ultimate East African safari experience, taking you through two of the region’s most iconic gorilla and big game safari destinations.
Explore the lush rainforests of Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda, where intimate encounters with the endangered mountain gorillas will leave you awe-inspired.
Experience the thrill of tracking playful golden monkeys and chimpanzees in their natural habitats, complemented by serene moments on the picturesque shores of Lake Kivu.
Dive into the heart of Uganda’s rich wildlife as you visit Queen Elizabeth National Park, famous for its tree-climbing lions and diverse wildlife, and Murchison Falls National Park, where the Nile dramatically cascades through a narrow gorge.
While on this 13-day Rwanda and Uganda gorilla trekking and big game safari, you will be introduced to the vibrant cultures, stunning landscapes, and exceptional biodiversity that make Rwanda and Uganda African bucket-list destinations.
Safari Highlights;
- Gorilla trekking
- Chimpanzee trekking
- Golden monkey trekking
- Boat safaris
- Game drive safaris
- Explore Murchison Falls
- Cultural excursions
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali, Rwanda
Upon landing at Kigali International Airport, your guide and representative from Vacation-Safaris will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel. If time permits, take a city tour of Kigali and explore the Kigali Genocide Memorial, local markets, and handicrafts, for a glimpse into Rwanda’s awe-inspiring culture and history. Overnight stay in Kigali.
Accommodation: Kigali Serena Hotel (Luxury) / Heaven Boutique Hotel (Midrange)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 2: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast, depart for Volcanoes National Park, a 2.5-hour drive through Rwanda’s scenic countryside, characterized by beautiful rolling terraced hills. You will arrive in time for lunch, followed by relaxation at your lodge, while preparing for the next day’s thrilling gorilla trek.
Travel time: 2 to 3 hours
Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge / Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
After an early breakfast, depart your lodge with a packed lunch and attend a briefing at the park headquarters before setting off on your trek. Gorilla trekking in the Volcanoes National Park is the ultimate experience for any Rwanda safari for many tourists visiting the “Land of a Thousand Hills.” Gorilla trekking in Rwanda takes place on the high slopes of this majestic Virunga Mountain, which is protected by Volcanoes National Park.
The park is home to over 10 habituated gorilla groups that offer daily encounters with these magnificent apes. Briefing in the park headquarters starts as early as 6:30 am and by 7 am, you will be starting the gorilla trek. In a group of eight, you will be led by expert an expert guide and ranger into the dense forest in search of your assigned gorilla family.
While here, take a moment to appreciate the park’s variety of nature and wildlife including golden monkeys, baboons, and a range of colorful bird species.
Expect to trek for 1 to 2 hours before finding the gorillas, depending on their location in the forest. Once you locate them, you will be allocated an hour to observe them in their natural habitat as they go on about their daily routine including feeding, and grooming each other. Return to your lodge for lunch and spend the evening at leisure.
Trekking Time: 1 to 4 Hours
Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge / Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Golden Monkey Trekking and Transfer to Lake Kivu
After breakfast, embark on yet another exciting trek to see the playful golden monkeys. Golden monkeys are also an endangered primate species naive to the Virunga Mountains in Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
Many tourists often seek these primates for their unique size, beauty, and playfulness. Like gorilla trekking, you will have a briefing at the park headquarters after which you will be led into the forest for golden monkey trekking. After finding them, spend a magical hour observing them play, feed, and nurture each other. Enjoy photography and capture lasting moments with these lovely monkeys before trekking back to your lodge for lunch. After lunch, transfer to the serene shores of Lake Kivu, and on arrival, check into your lodge and relax or take a boat ride to explore the various islands. Overnight stay at Lake Kivu.
Travel Time: 2 to 3 Hours
Accommodation: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel / Paradise Malahide
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Cross into Uganda – Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Spend a leisurely morning, at the hotel swimming, taking a beach walk, or doing water sports. After lunch, check out of your hotel and drive to the Cyanika or Katuna border to cross into Uganda. Upon entry into Uganda, proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to over half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas. Check into your lodge and relax. Overnight stay in Bwindi.
Travel Time: 3 to 4 Hours
Accommodation: Buhoma Lodge / Gorilla Safari Lodge.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Set out early for your second gorilla trekking experience, this time in Uganda. Start the day with an early breakfast and depart your lodge with a packed lunch for briefing at the park headquarters.
By 8 am, you should be on your trek in search of your assigned mountain gorilla group. Depending on the gorilla family’s movements, trekking will take between 1 to 7 hours and after finding them, you have an hour to spend time in their presence.
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi entails ascending steep slopes, and thick vegetation, which requires good hiking shoes, being in good physical shape, and hiring a porter to assist you, particularly on the steep slopes, and to carry your luggage. Enjoy close encounters with the gorillas and appreciate the subtle differences in their behavior while taking photos and videos. Return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation. Overnight stay in Bwindi.
Trekking time: 1 to 7 Hours (depending on gorilla location)
Accommodation: Buhoma Lodge / Gorilla Safari Lodge.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Ishasha Sector
Early breakfast at your lodge and embark on a drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park’s southern Ishasha sector, famous for its tree-climbing lions. Nestled between the Great Rift Valley and the Rwenzori Mountains, Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s second-largest and most famous national park home to four of the African Big Five (Leopard, African elephant, Cape Buffalo, and Lion). Upon arriving in the park, enjoy an afternoon game drive to spot Uganda kobs and tree-climbing lions relaxing in the fig trees. Overnight stay in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Travel Time: 4 to 5 Hours
Accommodation: Ishasha Wilderness Camp (Mid-range) / Enjojo Lodge (Budget)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Early Morning Game Drive and Boat Safari on Kazinga Channel
Wake up early at 6:30 am and have a cup of coffee/tea before setting out for an early morning game drive to experience the wilderness at the crack of dawn. Expect to spot a variety of predators such as leopards, hyenas, and lions in action, and as the sun comes up, enjoy sights of elephants, buffaloes, kobs, and antelopes grazing in the savannah. Return to your lodge for a late breakfast and later lunch.
In the afternoon, you will be transferred to Kazinga channel for an exciting boat cruise to see hippos, Nile crocodiles, and an array of bird species including kingfishers, pelicans, and the rare shoebill stork. Overnight stay in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge (Luxury) / Park View Safari Lodge (Mid-range)
Meal Plan: Dinner, Breakfast
Day 9: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
After breakfast, journey to Kibale Forest National Park, renowned for its magnificent chimpanzee population. Kibale Forest National Park is known as the “Primate Capital of Africa,” and it is home to 13 primate species including the largest population of chimpanzees on the continent.
The drive to Kibale offers breathtaking views of crater lakes and picturesque landscapes including the Rwenzori Mountains. Spend the evening relaxing at your lodge.
Travel Time: 3 to 4 Hours
Accommodation: Primate Lodge (Luxury) / Turaco Treetops (Midrange)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale Forest National Park
After breakfast, head to Kanyanchu Tourism Center for a briefing prior to your chimpanzee trek. Kibale Forest is home to several habituated chimpanzee troops, making it the best place in Uganda to see chimps in their natural habitat.
After briefing, you will be put in a group of eight people and assigned a ranger guide to lead you on your trek. Trekking begins at 8 am, and along the way, expect to encounter a variety of creatures including colobus monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, baboons, and a range of bird species such as Turacos. After locating your chimp troop, spend an hour watching them go on about their daily routines and jumping between tree canopies. Return to your lodge and relax. Later, embark on a nature walk to explore Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a haven for birds, primates, and cultural heritage.
Trekking Time: 1 to 6 Hours (depending on chimpanzee location)
Accommodation: Primate Lodge (Luxury) / Turaco Treetops (Midrange)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
Following an early breakfast, travel north to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest conservation area and the home to the famous Murchison Falls. En route, stop at the top of the falls to witness the Nile’s thunderous plunge through a narrow gorge, creating one of the most breathtaking sceneries with mist and rainbows. Overnight stay in Murchison Falls National Park.
Travel Time: 6 to 7 Hours
Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge (Luxury) / Pakuba Safari Lodge (Midrange)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12: Morning Game Drive and Nile Boat Cruise
Wake up early and enjoy a morning game drive to spot giraffes, lions, elephants, leopards, hyenas, elands, zebras, and many more. This park is believed to have the largest concentration of wildlife in Uganda – hosting over 76 mammal species including four of the Big Five. Relax at your lodge after with a late breakfast.
In the afternoon, take a boat cruise on the Nile to the base of Murchison Falls, where you’ll marvel at the powerful waterfall, in addition to enjoying impressive game viewing with the sights of hippos, Nile crocodiles, and an array of birds. Overnight stay in Murchison.
Day 13: Fly to Entebbe
After breakfast, drive to Pakuba Airstrip for your domestic flight to Entebbe International Airport. Depending on your flight schedule back home, you can spend the night in Entebbe or board directly. This is the end of your 13-day Rwanda and Uganda Gorilla Trekking and Big Game Safari.
Safari Inclusions;
- All park entry and permit fees
- Accommodation and meals as mentioned
- Ground transfers in a 4×4 safari vehicle
- Service of professional English-speaking guides
- All safari activities included in the itinerary
- Domestic flights
- Border crossing fees
Safari Exclusions;
- International flights
- Travel Insurance
- Visas
- All personal expenses
- All optional activities excluded from the itinerary
End of Safari