7-Day Best of Uganda Gorilla Trekking & Wildlife Safari

• 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

Welcome to Rwanda, the “Land of a Thousand Hills.” Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport (KGL), you will be warmly welcomed by your professional safari guide and transferred to your hotel in Kigali. Depending on your arrival time, you may choose to relax after your flight or enjoy an optional Kigali city tour, including visits to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, local craft markets, or one of the city’s charming cafés. Kigali is renowned for its cleanliness, safety, and scenic hills, providing the perfect introduction to your East African adventure. Spend the evening at leisure as you prepare for the exciting safari experiences awaiting you.

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)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Scenic Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After an early breakfast, depart Kigali and drive north through Rwanda’s beautiful rolling hills before crossing the border into Uganda. Continue your scenic journey through picturesque countryside, traditional villages, tea plantations, and fertile farmland to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Uganda’s most popular savannah park is famous for its rich biodiversity, crater lakes, spectacular landscapes, and abundant wildlife. Upon arrival, check in at your lodge and relax while enjoying the peaceful surroundings and beautiful views of the African wilderness.

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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Meals & Drinks:

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

Chimpanzee Trekking & Afternoon Wildlife Game Drive

After breakfast, head to Kalinzu Forest Reserve for an unforgettable chimpanzee trekking experience. Following a ranger briefing, walk through the lush rainforest in search of habituated chimpanzees while spotting other primates and colorful birdlife. After lunch, continue with an afternoon game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park, where you may encounter elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, warthogs, lions, and, if fortunate, the elusive leopard before returning to your lodge.

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

Begin the day with an early morning game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park, when wildlife is most active. Search for elephants, buffaloes, lions, hyenas, antelopes, and many bird species across the park’s diverse landscapes. 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. Return to your lodge in the late afternoon for dinner and overnight.

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)

Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After breakfast, depart for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Enjoy a scenic drive through southwestern Uganda’s breathtaking highlands, passing terraced hillsides, lush forests, and traditional villages. Upon arrival at your lodge, relax and enjoy the peaceful forest atmosphere. Later, your guide will brief you about the following day’s gorilla trekking adventure and what to expect during this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

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)

Gorilla Trekking & Transfer to Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

Today marks the highlight of your safari. After an early breakfast, report to the park headquarters for a briefing before setting off into the dense rainforest with experienced rangers to search for a habituated mountain gorilla family. The trek may take several hours depending on the gorillas’ location, but the reward is extraordinary. Spend one unforgettable hour observing these magnificent gentle giants in their natural habitat as they feed, play, and interact. After lunch, depart Bwindi and cross back into Rwanda, continuing to your lodge near Volcanoes National Park.

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 & Departure to Kigali

After breakfast, head to Volcanoes National Park for an exciting golden monkey trekking adventure. These endangered primates are known for their striking golden-orange fur, playful behavior, and incredible agility as they leap through the bamboo forest. Spend time observing them in their natural habitat while learning about ongoing conservation efforts in the Virunga Mountains. After the trek, enjoy lunch before driving back to Kigali through Rwanda’s spectacular countryside. Depending on your departure time, you may stop for souvenir shopping before being transferred to Kigali International Airport for your onward flight.

Main Destination:

Kigali International Airport (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.