Experience the best of Uganda and Rwanda in just 8 days. This carefully designed cross-border safari takes you from the open savannas of Queen Elizabeth National Park, where elephants and lions roam, to the misty, volcanic slopes of Mgahinga and Volcanoes National Parks, home to mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. Along the way, you’ll cruise the Kazinga Channel alongside hippos and crocodiles, descend into the dramatic Kyambura Gorge to track wild chimpanzees, and spot the rare tree-climbing lions of Ishasha.
But this journey is more than wildlife alone. In Uganda, you’ll take time to connect with local life during a guided village walk, gaining insight into traditional farming, homesteads, and the rhythms of countryside living. And in Rwanda, you’ll reflect on the country’s resilience and transformation with a visit to the powerful Genocide Memorial Center in Kigali.
Whether you’re drawn to primates, scenic landscapes, or meaningful cultural encounters, this 8-day Uganda & Rwanda safari is a compact yet unforgettable experience through two of East Africa’s most captivating destinations.
Note that you can make use of the East African tourist visa for this safari, so no need to process two visas.
Itinerary ref: MS101
Explore this safari: Itinerary | Map | Useful info | Gallery | FAQ | Similar safaris
This UGANDA & RWANDA HIGHLIGHTS SAFARI includes:
- Queen Elizabeth National Park – Game drives & Kazinga Channel boat cruise
- Kyambura Gorge – Chimpanzee trekking in dramatic landscapes
- Ishasha – Search for rare tree-climbing lions
- Mgahinga Gorilla National Park – Gorilla trekking amid volcanoes
- Volcanoes National Park – Golden monkey trekking
- Lake Kivu – Relaxation by the lake
- Kigali – Genocide Memorial & cultural insights
Learn more: Uganda travel guide | Gorilla trekking tips
Day by day itinerary for our 8 days Uganda & Rwanda safari
Get ready to trace the heart of East Africa in just eight unforgettable days. This safari is designed to immerse you in the landscapes, wildlife, and local life of both Uganda and Rwanda—from thrilling game drives and tranquil boat cruises to close encounters with gorillas, chimps, and golden monkeys. Each day of our Uganda and Rwanda itinerary brings a new adventure and a deeper connection to the places and people that make this region so special.
DAY 1: ARRIVAL TO UGANDA FOR OUR SAFARI TO UGANDA & RWANDA
Arrival at Entebbe airport for the Uganda & Rwanda safari. We meet our tour guide and transfer to the hotel to relax after the flight to be ready for the adventure starting the next day.
Overnight Tilapia Lodge
DAY 2: TRANSFER TO QUEEN ELIZABETH NP & BOAT-CRUISE ON KAZINGA CHANNEL
We leave Entebbe in the early morning and drive towards Queen Elizabeth NP as we start our 8 days Uganda & Rwanda safari . Along the way we pass by the Equator where you can stand on the point where the northern- and southern hemispheres meet. Continue on driving through a changing landscape and finally the view of Queen Elizabeth NP opening up in front of us. We have lunch and get to 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 3: Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge, transfer to Ishasha & village walk
In the morning, you’ll descend into the lush Kyambura Gorge for a thrilling chimpanzee trekking experience. This hidden rainforest within the savanna is home to a small population of wild chimps and offers a dramatic setting. After the trek we continue our journey to the the lodge by the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth NP. 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 Topi Lodge
DAY 4: 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 Mucha hotel
DAY 5: 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 8 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 Hotel Muhabura Ruhengeri
DAY 6: 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 Paradise Malahide
DAY 7: 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 8: FLIGHT DAY
Your guide drops you at the airport in time for your flight as we have finished your 8 days Uganda Rwanda safari.
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Map showing the route
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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 on the website’s of the lodges we regularly work with: Good accommodation in Uganda.
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.
Photo Gallery | 8 Day Uganda Rwanda Tour
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FAQ’S ABOUT Uganda & Rwanda safari
How does it work with visa?
The East Africa tourist visa is the best option and gives you entry to both countries. It covers covers Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda. The important thing to remember is that you should apply through the visa portal of the country you enter the region through. Read more about the East African tourist visa.
This itinerary has Mountain Gorilla trekking in Uganda. Why not in Rwanda?
We’ve chosen to include gorilla trekking in Uganda in this itinerary because it offers the same unforgettable experience as Rwanda, but at a significantly lower cost. By trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, you still get the incredible opportunity to stand face to face with a mountain gorilla family, surrounded by the dramatic scenery of the Virunga volcanoes. It’s every bit as magical, just more affordable, making it possible to include more experiences (like chimp trekking, golden monkeys and game drives)
Read more: Gorilla trekking in Uganda vs. Rwanda
Similar safaris to consider
7 days Uganda tour
This safari start with a search for the pre-historic looking Great Shoebill Stork at Mabamba Swamp. Next the itinerary takes us to Kibale Forest National Park for chimps trekking. Continuing south we have a boat-cruise on Kazinga channel. Then on to the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha. Next on the itinerary is Mountain Gorilla trekking in Bwinid Impenetrable National Park a great highlight of Uganda tours. The last stop of the tour is in Lake Mburo National Park for zebras, impalas and giraffes.
Ref: Itinerary MS24
10 days gorillas in Uganda & Rwanda safari
During this 10-days tour we focus on the primates of East Africa, with the great highlights of Mountain Gorilla trekking in both Uganda and Rwanda. Besides this you enter the jungles in Kibale Forest National Park for chimps trekking and Volcanoes National Park for golden monkey trekking. In addition you have the chance to see animals of the savanna during the Kazinga channel boat-cruise and a game-drive for tree-climbing lions in Ishasha, Queen Elizabeth National Park. You fly in to Entebbe in Uganda and out from Kigali in Rwanda.
Ref: Itinerary MS103
13 days Uganda & Rwanda tour
Here we have a Uganda and Rwanda safari that lets you see a lot of each country. We start in Uganda with a drive to Murchison Falls National Park via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for rhino trekking. In Murchison Falls we visit the top of the falls, go for a game-drive, and take a boat-cruise on the Nile. Heading south, we pass through the crater lakes region to Kibale Forest for chimpanzee trekking, then continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park for a game-drive and boat-cruise. The journey goes on to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for Mountain Gorilla trekking before crossing into Rwanda. There we trek to see golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park, relax by Lake Kivu and finish the tour with a visit to the Genocide Memorial in Kigali before flying out.
Ref: Itinerary MS104
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