This unusual Rwanda & Uganda Safari offers an extraordinary African adventure with diverse activities, including game drives, boat trips, cultural tours, and primate encounters. Go Uganda gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda and chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park, Uganda.
An exciting 13-day East Africa Safari in Rwanda and Uganda, packed with unique wildlife and cultural experiences. Explore the rich local culture, wildlife, history, and scenic landscapes of Uganda and Rwanda on an unforgettable journey in a 4x4 safari vehicle, accompanied by an English-speaking guide/driver. Choose from a range of full-board accommodation options, from budget to luxury.
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This 13-day Rwanda & Uganda Safari begins when you arrive in Kigali, where you will be warmly welcomed and transferred to your selected hotel.
Settle in and freshen up before savouring your first locally inspired dinner to the backdrop of the setting sun. Then, retire for a good night's rest to wake up refreshed and ready to kick off your East Africa safari in Rwanda, affectionately known as the “Land of a Thousand Hills” for its lush, rolling landscapes that beckon to be explored.
Wake up in Rwanda and enjoy a relaxing breakfast at your hotel before heading out into the city. Your knowledgeable safari guide takes you on an insightful tour of Kigali City, the capital city of Rwanda, this morning.
Kigali is a modern and safe capital with a vibrant atmosphere and friendly local people. Visitors often find Kigali surprisingly clean and well-managed compared to other African cities. The sightseeing tour takes us to the Kimironko Market, a sensory feast, where we can browse local arts and crafts and buy curios and gifts. We also visit the landmark Kigali Genocide Memorial, established in 2004 to commemorate the Rwanda Genocide of 1994. The memorial is more than just the final resting place of the more than one million people killed in the Rwandan genocide. It serves to honour the memory of those killed in the war, educate about and prevent future genocide, provide survivor support, and promote peace-building.
After our Kigali City tour, we embark on a scenic drive to the town of Ruhengeri, now called Musanze. Gaze in awe at the stunning scenery of rolling hills and mist-covered volcanoes as we make our way to Volcanoes National Park, approximately 80 km away, home and sanctuary to the awe-inspiring mountain gorillas. Check in to your chosen lodge upon arrival where you will have dinner and stay overnight.
Day three of our Rwanda & Uganda Safari begins with an early morning breakfast at your lodge. Then you will be fetched by your safari guide for a transfer to the Volcanoes National Park Headquarters where your golden monkey trek will start. In addition to being Rwanda's gorilla trekking hotspot, Volcanoes National Park is also famous for its golden monkey tracking. These endangered golden monkeys are endemic to this region and are found in the bamboo forests on the lower slopes of the mountains; which makes for an easier and shorter hike than gorilla trekking.
Golden Monkey tracking is a highly recommended and rare wildlife experience that will certainly be one of the most memorable highlights of your safari in Rwanda.
Finding one of the two large, habituated troops, numbering over 100 golden monkeys each, you stop to watch these striking, long-tailed primates. The golden monkeys are very social and active, jumping energetically between the trees and interacting playfully. The walk also offers excellent opportunities for spotting other primates and mammals in the forest, along with numerous exotic birds. Animals found here, include forest elephants, spotted hyenas, buffaloes, giant forest hogs, bushpigs, and various antelopes such as bushbuck and duikers.
After your exciting morning of tracking golden monkeys, you return to your lodge in time to enjoy a delicious lunch and relax. This afternoon we set off on a local indigenous village tour and cultural experience. Get a glimpse into Rwandan culture and also watch a traditional drumming and dance performance at the IbyIwacu Cultural Center. Return to your accommodation for a scrumptious dinner and stay overnight.
Tuck into an early breakfast before being collected for a breathtaking sunrise boat trip on Lake Kivu.
One of the Great African Lakes of the Rift Valley, Lake Kivu lies on the border between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. Covering about 2700 km², it is the deepest freshwater lake in Africa due to the bottom of the lake being on a volcanic fault that is moving outwards giving it its depth. Known for its beautiful sandy beaches, we spend about 2 hours exploring this beautiful lake and its lush islands, taking in the beautiful scenery and birdlife as we cruise.
A highlight of this Lake Kivu boat cruise is a stop at Kimbiri to enjoy a Rwandan coffee experience at a coffee plantation. Here we will learn all about Rwandan coffee production and get to sample some too on a crop-to-cup coffee tour, giving us a new appreciation for our cuppa. We head back to our accommodation after this morning’s unforgettable excursion and drive to Nyungwe stopping for a delicious lunch en route, before being dropped off at our chosen accommodation where we will enjoy dinner and stay overnight.
Today, we say goodbye to Rwanda and continue our East Africa safari in Uganda. We take a scenic drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, marvelling at the undulating landscape and rolling hills that are synonymous with Rwanda’s beauty along the way. As we drive through the lush green hills you'll understand why Rwanda is known as the Land of a Thousand Hills.
Then, we cross the border into Uganda via the Cyanika or Katuna border posts, driving by the picturesque twin lakes of Ruhondo and Bulera along the way. These breathtaking lakes lie on the Rwanda-Uganda border at the base of Volcano Muhabura and were formed due to volcanic activity. We continue to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, arriving in the afternoon with some time for leisurely sightseeing and unwinding at your chosen hotel before enjoying a delicious dinner and overnight stay, waking refreshed for our exciting gorilla trek tomorrow.
Our exciting Uganda gorilla trek starts after an early breakfast at our lodge. At 8h00 we are driven to the Bwindi National Park headquarters to be briefed by the UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authority) staff on what to expect on our trek into Bwindi Forest.
This unique, lush and diverse forest, is one of the richest and most diverse ecosystems in East Africa. This forest ecosystem supports over 120 mammals, 345 species of birds, 200 species of butterflies, and 160 species of trees. The Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a precious conservation area, as an estimated half of the world’s most endangered Mountain gorillas live here. There are only about 1000 mountain gorillas left in the wild, so this is sure to be another unforgettable highlight of your Rwanda & Uganda Safari.
The expert rangers and trackers will accompany us throughout our gorilla trek in Bwindi Forest starting at the Gorilla Sanctuary entrance. The rangers offer insightful educational information about these endangered primates throughout our Uganda gorilla trek. As gorilla trekking can be quite strenuous with a trek lasting anywhere from 2 to 6 hours up and down steep mountain slopes, ravines and dense forests, a good fitness level is required as well as wearing appropriate walking shoes. It is also advisable to be prepared - pack a rain jacket and some water and snacks. Once the rangers have located a mountain gorilla group, we will spend about an hour observing these primates interact with one another from a 10 m distance, making the potentially strenuous trek more than worth it for such an incredible experience observing these giant primates feed, groom, rest and play in their natural habitat. Return to your accommodation for dinner and relaxation with another overnight stay after your exhilarating mountain gorilla encounter.
Today’s itinerary takes us on a heartwarming cultural journey into the lives of the Batwa Pygmy people of the Bwindi Forest, followed by an enlightening coffee farm tour in Kisoro District.
After a hearty breakfast, we start our day with a guided Batwa trail experience. This cultural trip immerses visitors in the rich history and cultural heritage of the Batwa community, who have lived in harmony with the ancient Bwindi woods for generations. As the original stewards of these forests, the Batwa people will engage us with demonstrations of their age-old forest survival techniques including foraging, hunting practices, and the crafting of bamboo vessels. We get a glimpse into their rich culture through folk songs, dances, and storytelling, while they illuminate their methods of traditional agriculture, archery skills, and the gathering of wild honey and medicinal herbs. While efforts have been made to relocate the Batwa for conservation purposes, their connection to the land remains strong, allowing us to appreciate their age-old traditions through engaging narratives and demonstrations.
Next, we continue our cultural journey in the fertile lands of the Kisoro District, where we discover the world of Ugandan coffee agriculture on a coffee farm tour. Gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of one of the world’s favourite beverages as we delve into the fascinating process of coffee production, from green seedlings to aromatic brown beans. We experience the hands-on process of picking, processing, and tasting Ugandan coffee, immersing ourselves in a true farm-to-cup experience.
After a day filled with authentic African culture, we return to our accommodation, reflecting on the remarkable stories and flavours that have shaped our day and enjoy dinner and a good night’s rest before continuing on our Rwanda & Uganda Safari to Lake Bunyonyi tomorrow.
After a scrumptious breakfast, we set off on a picturesque 3-hour drive to Lake Bunyonyi for a delightful morning boat excursion. The boat trip presents an extraordinary opportunity for sightseeing and encountering a diverse array of bird species.
Nestled in the Kigezi Highlands of southwestern Uganda, Lake Bunyonyi is a captivating, serene and picturesque destination. Renowned as the "Place of many little birds," this tranquil haven sits at an elevation of 1,962 meters (6,437 feet) and spans about 25 km (15.5 miles) in length and 7 km (4.35 miles) in width and is the second-deepest lake in Africa after Lake Tanganyika. Immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring beauty of nature as you take in the breathtaking panoramic views of terraced hills and deep valleys. This magnificent lake is renowned for its 29 islands and rich history. Enjoy a relaxing overnight stay at your preferred accommodation before we head to Queen Elizabeth National Park in the morning.
This morning we leave Lake Bunyonyi after breakfast and continue on our Uganda Safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park, driving through the Ishasha Sector. Queen Elizabeth National Park is located in the Western branch of the Great Rift Valley and it incorporates diverse habitats including swamplands, savannahs, and woods. It is the top wildlife destination in Uganda, known for its excellent game viewing of elephants, buffalos, antelopes, baboons, Uganda kob, and lions. This 6-hour drive allows us to spot some of the abundant wildlife as we drive through the Ishasha Sector of the park, which boasts one of the largest surviving natural forests, the Maramagambo. This forest is home to the famous tree-climbing lions, so keep an eye out along the way for these famous lions often spotted lazing in the tree-tops. Arrive at your chosen accommodation, unwind and enjoy a delicious dinner and a good night’s rest, ready to explore Queen Elizabeth National Park in the morning.
Our day starts early with a dawn game drive. This is one of the best times of the day to spot the abundant species of wildlife that inhabit Queen Elizabeth National Park, including rarer wildlife like giant hogs and about 638 recorded species of birds.
After lunch, enjoy a laid-back boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, a 32 km-long natural channel that links Lake Edward and Lake George. This relaxing boat cruise takes you past fishing villages with lovely views of the Mweya Peninsula and its surroundings. The boat cruise is perfect for spotting herds of elephants, hippos, buffalo, warthogs, antelope, crocodiles, and numerous species of birds as you drift along the channel. End another exhilarating day on safari in Uganda unwinding with dinner at your lodge where you will stay overnight once more.
Following breakfast this morning we embark on a 3-hour drive to Kibale National Park for our incredible Chimpanzee Trekking experience. Kibale National Park covers 766 km² of various kinds of forests such as lowland tropical rainforest, montane forest, and mixed tropical deciduous forest. It includes wetlands and savannahs, all providing habitats for a rich array of animals, birds, and insects, including 144 species of butterflies and moths. Kibale Forest National Park is not only renowned for chimpanzee trekking but also for its wide variety of primates. Other wildlife found here include duiker, civet, antelopes, and bush pigs as well as nearly 400 species of birds, including an endemic species only found here.
Arriving in the afternoon, we will be briefed by our expert guide at Kibale Headquarters for our chimpanzee tracking adventure. Tune in to the noisy forest sounds as active chimpanzees move quickly through the forest canopy. We may also spot them near the forest floor eating or resting. Chimpanzees are usually sighted on the treks in Kibale, sometimes at quite close range because these primates are quite habituated to humans. Once we have located the chimps, we spend an hour observing them. This exhilarating forest walk offers beautiful scenery and our knowledgeable guide will point out other species of primates like colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, red colobus, black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons and different bird and plant species within the forest as we go about our chimpanzee trek. We head to our accommodation afterwards to relax and indulge in a delicious dinner, reminiscing about our unforgettable time on this Rwanda & Uganda Safari, falling asleep to the sounds of the African forest once more.
After breakfast this morning, we leave Kibale National Park and embark on a 7-hour drive to Kampala, the Ugandan capital city.
The drive takes us via Mbarara to the Igongo Cultural Village, where we get a first-hand look into the culture and lifestyle of the Ankole and Bahima people. Here we can see the traditional huts used for cattle and crop farming and learn all about the traditions and past farming methods of the local people. The Igongo Cultural Centre is a museum where we can learn all about the history, art and culture of these indigenous people.
We continue our journey to Kampala with lunch en route and stop at the Equator in Uganda. Uganda is one of the few countries in the world that the equator runs through, making for an unforgettable and must-see visit, where you can stand with one foot in the northern hemisphere and the other in the southern hemisphere, for a memorable photo opportunity. From here, our next stop is Kampala, where we will stay overnight at our preferred accommodation.
Our epic 13-day Rwanda & Uganda Safari in East Africa ends today. Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and if time permits, spend some time exploring Kampala before being transferred to Entebbe International Airport for your flight to your next destination or home.
For this Rwanda and Uganda Safari, you can choose between budget, mid-range and luxury accommodation options based on your budget and preferences.
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