Tour Uganda “the Pearl of Africa” and Rwanda “the Land of a Thousand Hills” on this unforgettable 13-day Uganda & Rwanda tour. This cross-border journey gives you a rich mix of wildlife, scenery and culture. Explore the vast savannas of Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Parks, take in the power of the Nile at the top of Murchison Falls and cruise the Kazinga Channel alongside hippos and elephants. Trek through the rainforest of Kibale Forest National Park to meet wild chimpanzees and descend into Ishasha in search of tree-climbing lions.
Your adventure continues south to the bamboo-covered slopes of Mgahinga, where you’ll meet a Mountain Gorilla family face-to-face. Cross into Rwanda to visit the playful golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park, relax by the scenic shores of Lake Kivu and finish your journey in Kigali with a moving visit to the Genocide Memorial Center.
Along the way, you’ll also connect with local life through a village walk near Ishasha, see how crops like bananas and coffee are grown and enjoy Uganda’s friendly countryside hospitality.
This is a safari that goes beyond wildlife, it’s a journey through landscapes, history and human connection.
Note that you can make use of the East African tourist visa for this safari, so no need to process two visas.
Itinerary ref: MS104
This Uganda & Rwanda tour includes:
- Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
- Murchison Falls National Park
- Kibale Forest National Park
- Crater lakes region
- Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
- Volcanoes National Park
- Lake Kivu
- Kigali
Learn more about Uganda’s national parks or gorilla trekking.
Day by day itinerary for our Uganda & Rwanda tour:
DAY 1: ARRIVAL TO UGANDA FOR YOUR UGANDA & RWANDA tour
Arrival at Entebbe airport for the Uganda & Rwanda tour. We meet our tour guide and transfer to our Hotel to relax after the flight.
Overnight Tilapia Lodge
DAY 2: TRANSFER TO MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK VIA ZIWA RHINO AND TOP OF THE FALLS
Leave Lake Victoria behind in the morning to head to Murchison Falls National Park. Along the way we make a stop at Ziwa rhino sanctuary where they are working to reintroduce rhinos to Uganda. Here you go for a trek to meet these impressive animals. You then continue on having lunch along the way and drive on to Murchison Falls NP for a visit to the top of the falls. This is a magnificent classic highlight as an explosive dash of water at close range gushes through a narrow crevice. After this we drive on to the lodge just outside the park.
Overnight in Hornbill Bush Lodge
DAY 3: GAME DRIVE AND BOAT-CRUISE IN MURCHISON FALLS NP
In the early morning we set off for a game-drive in the park, the first one of this Uganda & Rwanda tour. You have the chance of seeing Big cats hunting, Elephants, Giraffes, Buffalos, plus more as the checklist of mammals reaches 76. We continue browsing the Drive circuits to the Delta point for a cocktail of Birds and mammals. Enjoy a relaxed lunch and then go for a 3 hour boat ride on the river Nile to the base of the falls where you get to see the Hippos (You have never seen more hippos yawning, Grooming in there Pods anywhere else than here- Believe me you)! Nile Crocodiles, Elephants and a variety of beautiful bird species along the banks. If you are a keen birder this might be your magnet to catch them. This is a grand start to your visit in this Great Animal home!
Overnight in Hornbill Bush Lodge
DAY 4: TRANSFER TO THE KIBALE FOREST ENVIRONS
After breakfast transfer towards the environs of Kibale Forest. It’s a long drive, so be prepared to relax in the car. A punctuation of stopovers at sceneries like the Rift valley escarpment on Lake Albert if the day is clear with the Congo mountains in view – typical African village setup in the far countryside and tea plantations along the drive offer us chances of stretching. We check in late afternoon at the lodge bordering Kibale Forest in an area with an amazing display of primates. A night in this forest gives you the calls from the nocturnal life plus famous Frog concerts in this forest area revealing a true pristine Africa.
Overnight Isunga Lodge
DAY 5: Chimps trekking in Kibale Forest & crater lakes walk
This mornings activity takes you into the jungle, as you head for chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park. In a small group with a specialized guide you trek to the point where the chimps are and get to see them go about their life. After the trek your guide picks you and our target is Queen Elizabeth NP. We drive through the beautiful crater lakes region and you take a walk to take it all in.
Overnight Pumba Safari Cottages
DAY 6: Morning game-drive & afternoon BOAT-CRUISE ON KAZINGA CHANNEL
In the morning we will set out for a game-drive in the main part of Queen Elizabeth NP for chance to see lion, elephants, buffaloes and more as their day starts. In the afternoon it is then time for the afternoon boat-cruise on Kazinga channel. This natural channel connects Lake George – Lake Edward. Here you can see Hippopotamuses yawning, Nile Crocodile gaping along the Banks, Savannah version of Pigs the Warthog, impressive elephants and more. After the boat we continue on to the lodge for dinner and a relaxed evening.
Overnight Pumba Safari Cottages
DAY 7: transfer to Ishasha & village walk
Enjoy a relaxed morning at the lodge. We then start the journey southwards on the adventures road going through the park to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth NP. Along the way we can see elephants, monkeys and maybe even a leopard. On arrival at Topi Lodge, you’ll have the chance to stretch your legs and explore the nearby village on a guided walk. This is a great opportunity to see Ugandan countryside life as you see how crops like banana and coffee grow and connect with the local community.
OVERNIGHT IN Topi Lodge
DAY 8: GAME-DRIVE IN ISHASHA AND TRANSFER TO KISORO BY MGAHINGA NP
After breakfast we leave the lodge and head into Ishasha, the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth national park. Ishasha is known for its tree-climbing lions, one of two places in Africa where the lions have the habit of regularly climbing trees to rest. We drive along the tracks seeing buffaloes, topis and hopefully the lions in the fig-trees. After the morning game-drive we continue the journey to Kisoro, drive through the bamboo area via the echuya forest with the Golden scenery of the Volcanoes at eye level in view as we drive down the meandering road to Kisoro volcanic stone town!
OVERNIGHT IN MUCHA HOTEL
DAY 9: GORILLA TREKKING DAY- MGAHINGA NATIONAL PARK
In the morning we drive to the gorilla trekking starting point where your adventure will begin, as it is time for a highlight of the 13 days Uganda & Rwanda tour. You are lead into the forest in a group with a specialized guide and make a trek to the point where the gorillas are. Then you get to spend one unforgettable hour with the gorilla family. After the trek we set off for our target destination Rwanda, the second country in the Uganda & Rwanda safari. Drive out to cross the relaxed border post and continue on through a beautiful landscape in Rwanda to reach the town of Ruhengeri where we spend the night.
OVERNIGHT AT HOTEL MUHABURA RUHENGERI
DAY 10: GOLDEN MONKEY TREKKING IN VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK AND TRANSFER TO LAKE KIVU
This morning you set off to meet the golden monkeys. Your guide takes you to the starting point and you set off with a specialized guide for the trek. You’ll experience beautiful nature and get a great experience of primates After the trek we leave Ruhengeri and make the short journey to Lake Kivu. Here you can enjoy the beautiful and relax after the trek.
OVERNIGHT PARADIS MALAHIDE
DAY 11: Free day by lake Kivu
Enjoy a day of relaxation by Lake Kivu. Take in the beauty and contemplate on the adventures you have had during your safari.
OVERNIGHT PARADIS MALAHIDE
DAY 12: TRANSFER TO Kigali and city tour with genocide memorial center
We continue exploring Rwanda and this day the target is to transfer to the capital, Kigali. Enjoy the landscape passing by the windows and take in the Rwandese countryside. In Kigali we then do a city tour as well as visit the Genocide memorial center to learn about Rwanda’s challenging resent history.
OVERNIGHT Step Motel
DAY 13: FLIGHT DAY
Your guide drops you at the airport in time for your flight as we have finished your 13 days Uganda Rwanda safari.
‘IN CONSERVATION WE TRUST- DISCOVER YOUR TRAVEL DREAMS’
Useful Information
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Tailor-made safaris: We work with private safaris that can be tailor-made to fit your wishes. Contact us and we adjust the itinerary to your preferences.
Price: The price depends on number of people and accommodation level. Contact us with your inquiry to get the best price for your safari.
Included: Accommodation, meals, safari car, fuel, guide, park entries, gorilla permits (if applicable) and activities mentioned in the itinerary. Plus water in the car and a couple of fruits along the way.
Excluded: International flights, visas, drinks, tips and personal expenses.
Accommodation: In general accommodation mentioned in the itinerary is good places on budget to mid-range level (with the exception of luxury safaris). The accommodation can be adapted to your price range of budget, mid-range or luxury. Of-course a mix is also possible. Take a look here for links to the website’s of the lodges we regularly work with.
Payment options: We accept international bank transfer, card payment through PesaPal (adds 3,5% charge) and cash payment if you are in Uganda.
For more info see our terms & conditions.
8-days uGANDA & RWANDA SAFARI
Expereince the highlights of Uganda & Rwanda during this safari. Start in Uganda with Queen Elizabeth national park for a boat-cruise spotting elephants & hippos in the banks. Next is chimps trekking and a game-drive looking for tree-climbing lions in Ishasha. Continue on to the beautiful Mgahinga NP for mountain gorilla trekking. Then cross the border to Rwanda where the highlights are golden monkey trekking, beautiful Lake Kivu and finally a visit to the capital Kigali.
10 DAYS Uganda & Rwanda gorilla safari
In this safari we focus on the fascinating primates that can be found in Uganda and Rwanda. You start off by spending a full day with our close cousins the chimpanzees and continue on to trek the mysterious mountain gorillas in Uganda. Along the way we take the chance to get a taste of the animals of the savanna in Queen Elizabeth national park as well. Heading over to Rwanda you go trekking golden monkeys and finish off with a trek to the mountain gorillas in Rwanda.
12 DAYS Uganda safari
Search for the Big 5 and trek for mountain gorillas as well as chimps. Four of the Big 5 roam freely in National Parks in Uganda, this is the lion, leopard, buffalo and elephant. The 5th of the Big 5 is the rhino, that was hunted to extinction in Uganda in the 80’s, but is now being reintroduced thanks to the great efforts of Ziwa Rhino sanctuary.
For more itinerary options take a look under “safaris” in the menu at the top of the site.
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FAQ’S ABOUT Uganda & Rwanda safari
What about visas for Uganda and Rwanda?
For this cross-border itinerary, the East Africa Tourist Visa is your most convenient option. It allows seamless entry into Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya on a single visa. Just make sure to apply through the country where you’ll start your journey—in this case, Uganda. The application is done online through the official immigration portal.
Want to know more? Read our guide to the East Africa Tourist Visa
Why does this itinerary include gorilla trekking in Uganda, not Rwanda?
We’ve chosen Uganda for Gorilla trekking in this tour because it offers an equally incredible encounter, at nearly half the price. You’ll trek in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, part of the same Virunga mountain range that stretches into Rwanda and enjoy the same breathtaking forest scenery and magical hour with a Gorilla family.
Opting for Uganda makes the tour more cost-effective and leaves room to include more experiences, like chimpanzee trekking, game drives and cultural stops. Without compromising on the quality of the gorilla trek.
Explore the pros and cons: Gorilla trekking in Uganda vs Rwanda
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