9-Day Best Uganda & Rwanda Safari Experience

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Welcome to Kigali – Gateway to Your East African Safari

Upon your arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your professional driver-guide, who will provide a brief introduction to your exciting Uganda and Rwanda safari. After the welcome briefing, you’ll be transferred to your hotel in Kigali for check-in. The rest of the day is at your leisure to relax after your journey, enjoy the hotel’s facilities, or explore the vibrant surroundings at your own pace. As the gateway to your unforgettable adventure, Kigali offers a warm introduction to the beauty and hospitality of East Africa. Enjoy a restful overnight stay as you prepare for the incredible wildlife encounters, breathtaking landscapes, and unforgettable experiences that await in the days ahead.

Main Destination:

Kigali International Airport (Kigali, Rwanda)

Accommodation:

Park Inn by Radisson Kigali

• Mid-range hotel located in Kigali (Rwanda)

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+8 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinks not included

Scenic Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After an early breakfast, depart Kigali and begin your scenic journey to Uganda’s renowned Queen Elizabeth National Park. Travel through Rwanda’s picturesque rolling hills before crossing the border into Uganda, where the landscape gradually transforms into lush countryside and traditional villages. Continue to the park, enjoying beautiful views along the way. Upon arrival, check in to your lodge and spend the remainder of the day at leisure, surrounded by the stunning wilderness of one of Uganda’s most celebrated national parks. Overnight stay in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Main Destination:

Queen Elizabeth National Park (Uganda)

Best Time To Visit January to February and June to July (Dry seasons)

High Season June to September (Peak time for Uganda)

Best Weather June to July and January to February (Less rainfall)

Wildlife in Queen Elizabeth NP

ChimpanzeeOccasional

ElephantCommon

LionCommon

BuffaloCommon

HippoAbundant

LeopardOccasional

Show more

GiraffeNone

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

CheetahNone

ZebraNone

WildebeestNone

Wild DogNone

Accommodation:

Aardvark Safari Lodge

• Mid-range lodge bordering Queen Elizabeth NP (Uganda) without fences

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+10 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Chimpanzee Trekking & Queen Elizabeth Game Drive

After an early breakfast, head to Kalinzu Forest Reserve for an unforgettable chimpanzee trekking experience. Following a briefing by experienced rangers, venture into the lush rainforest in search of habituated chimpanzees while spotting other primates and colorful birdlife. After lunch, enjoy an exciting afternoon game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park, where you may encounter elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, warthogs, and, with a bit of luck, lions or leopards before returning to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Main Destination:

Kalinzu Forest Reserve (Chimps)

Best Time To Go January to February and June to July (Dry seasons)

High Season June to September (But it’s seldom busy)

Best Weather

Accommodation:

Mweya Safari Lodge

• Luxury lodge located inside Queen Elizabeth NP (Uganda)

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Morning Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Start the day with an early morning game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park, exploring its diverse landscapes in search of elephants, lions, buffaloes, antelopes, hyenas, and abundant birdlife. After lunch, enjoy a relaxing boat cruise along the famous Kazinga Channel, home to one of Africa’s largest concentrations of hippos and Nile crocodiles. Watch elephants gather along the shoreline while numerous water birds complete this unforgettable wildlife experience before returning to your lodge.

Main Destination:

Queen Elizabeth National Park (Uganda)

Accommodation:

Mweya Safari Lodge

• Luxury lodge located inside Queen Elizabeth NP (Uganda)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Scenic Drive to Bwindi via Ishasha Sector

After breakfast, depart Queen Elizabeth National Park and travel through the scenic Ishasha Sector, renowned for its rare tree-climbing lions. Enjoy a game drive en route while searching for elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, and other wildlife. Continue through Uganda’s beautiful countryside to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Upon arrival, check in to your lodge, relax, and prepare for tomorrow’s extraordinary gorilla trekking adventure.

Main Destination:

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)

Best Time To Visit June to August and December to February (Gorilla trekking is easiest)

High Season June to September (Gorilla permits are scarce)

Best Weather June to July and December to February (Less rainfall)

Wildlife in Bwindi Impenetrable NP

GorillaCommon

ChimpanzeeRare

ElephantRare

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

LionNone

Show more

GiraffeNone

LeopardNone

CheetahNone

BuffaloNone

ZebraNone

WildebeestNone

HippoNone

Accommodation:

Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge

• Mid-range lodge just outside Rushaga (Bwindi Impenetrable NP, Uganda)

+5 Photos

+4 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Mountain Gorilla Trekking & Batwa Cultural Experience

Following an early breakfast, report to the park headquarters for a briefing before setting off on the unforgettable mountain gorilla trek. Hike through Bwindi’s ancient rainforest with experienced guides in search of a habituated gorilla family. Once located, spend one magical hour observing these gentle giants in their natural habitat. In the afternoon, visit the Batwa community to learn about their traditional forest lifestyle, music, dance, and unique cultural heritage before returning to your lodge.

Main Destination:

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)

Accommodation:

Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge

• Mid-range lodge just outside Rushaga (Bwindi Impenetrable NP, Uganda)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Cross into Rwanda & Transfer to Lake Ruhondo

After breakfast, depart Bwindi and drive toward the Rwanda border, enjoying spectacular views along the way. After completing border formalities, continue through Rwanda’s rolling hills and picturesque countryside to the tranquil shores of Lake Ruhondo. Surrounded by the majestic Virunga Volcanoes, this peaceful destination is the perfect place to relax. Upon arrival, check in to your lakeside lodge and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure before dinner and your overnight stay.

Main Destination:

Lake Ruhondo (Rwanda)

Accommodation:

My Hill Eco-Lodge

• Mid-range hotel located at Lake Ruhondo (Rwanda)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Lake Ruhondo Experience & Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

After a leisurely breakfast, enjoy a traditional canoe excursion across the tranquil waters of Lake Ruhondo, surrounded by the breathtaking Virunga Volcanoes. Paddle to one of the lake’s scenic islands and embark on a guided hike, where you’ll be rewarded with spectacular panoramic views while learning about the area’s natural beauty and local way of life. After the island hike, return to your lodge for lunch before departing on a scenic drive to Volcanoes National Park. Upon arrival, check in to your lodge, relax, and prepare for tomorrow’s unforgettable golden monkey trekking adventure.

Main Destination:

Volcanoes National Park (Gorillas)

Best Time To Visit June to August (It is drier and hiking is easier)

High Season June to September (Permits are scarce)

Best Weather June to October (Sunny, but not too hot)

Wildlife in Volcanoes NP

GorillaCommon

ChimpanzeeNone

ElephantRare

BuffaloRare

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

Show more

GiraffeNone

LionNone

LeopardNone

CheetahNone

ZebraNone

WildebeestNone

HippoNone

Accommodation:

Mountain Gorilla View Lodge

• Mid-range lodge less than 1hr drive from Volcanoes NP (Gorillas, Rwanda)

+2 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Golden Monkey Trekking & Return to Kigali

After an early breakfast, head to Volcanoes National Park for an exciting golden monkey trekking experience. Accompanied by experienced park guides, explore the bamboo forests at the foot of the Virunga Volcanoes in search of these playful and endangered primates. After the trek, return to your lodge for lunch before visiting the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund to learn about gorilla conservation and research. Later, depart for Kigali, where you’ll be transferred to your hotel or Kigali International Airport, marking the end of your unforgettable Uganda and Rwanda safari.

Main Destination:

Kigali (Rwanda)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.