7 Days Rwanda Uganda Safari

This 7 Days Rwanda Uganda Safari combines the best of both countries, offering an unforgettable journey through Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Uganda’s most celebrated wildlife destinations. Experience mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest National Park, game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and scenic landscapes that range from volcanic mountains and tropical forests to vast savannahs and crater lakes.

The safari is ideal for travellers seeking a complete East African wildlife and primate experience within one week.

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali and City Tour

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be welcomed by your driver-guide and transferred into Kigali for a city tour depending on your arrival time.

Visit some of Kigali’s cultural and historical attractions before enjoying lunch at a local restaurant. Later, check into your hotel for relaxation and a safari briefing.

Accommodation Options

Budget: Eagle View Lodge Kigali

Mid-range: Hotel des Mille Collines

Luxury: Kigali Serena Hotel

Meals: Dinner

Day 2: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After breakfast, depart Kigali and drive north towards the Rwanda-Uganda border. Complete immigration formalities before continuing to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas.

The journey offers beautiful views of rolling hills, terraced farms, and rural communities.

Arrive at your lodge in the afternoon and spend the remainder of the day relaxing while preparing for the next day’s gorilla trekking adventure.

Accommodation Options

Budget: Rushaga Gorilla Camp

Mid-range: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge

Luxury: Four Gorillas Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3: Gorilla Trekking and Batwa Cultural Experience

After an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for registration and a briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers.

Enter the forest accompanied by experienced guides and trackers in search of a habituated gorilla family. The trek may take between one and six hours depending on the location of the gorillas.

Once located, spend one unforgettable hour observing the gorillas as they feed, groom, play, and interact in their natural habitat.

After lunch and some relaxation at the lodge, enjoy a Batwa cultural experience. Learn about the indigenous Batwa people, their traditional forest lifestyle, hunting techniques, music, dance, and medicinal plants.

Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation

As above

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park via Ishasha

After breakfast, depart Bwindi and travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park through the famous Ishasha Sector.

Enjoy a game drive in search of the area’s renowned tree-climbing lions, often seen resting in large fig trees. Other wildlife commonly seen includes elephants, buffaloes, topis, and Uganda kobs.

Continue to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation Options

Budget: Pumba Safari Cottages

Mid-range: Twin Lakes Safari Lodge

Luxury: Elephant Plains Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5: Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Start the day with an early morning game drive in the Kasenyi Plains, one of Uganda’s best wildlife viewing areas.

Look out for lions, elephants, buffaloes, hyenas, waterbucks, Uganda kobs, and numerous bird species.

Return to the lodge for breakfast and relaxation before lunch.

In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway connecting Lake Edward and Lake George. This is one of Africa’s best boat safaris and offers exceptional opportunities to see hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, and a wide variety of birds at close range.

Return to the lodge for dinner.

Accommodation

As above

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 6: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

After breakfast, drive through the scenic crater lake region towards Kibale Forest National Park, known as the primate capital of East Africa.

Along the way, enjoy views of tea plantations, rolling hills, and traditional villages.

Arrive at your lodge in time for lunch and spend the afternoon relaxing or participating in an optional community walk.

Accommodation Options

Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Guest House

Mid-range: Turaco Treetops

Luxury: Kyaninga Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7: Chimpanzee Tracking and Transfer to Kigali

After an early breakfast, report to the Kibale Forest visitor centre for a briefing before starting your chimpanzee tracking experience.

Accompanied by experienced guides, enter the forest in search of habituated chimpanzees. Along the way, you may encounter other primates including red colobus monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, and grey-cheeked mangabeys.

Once the chimpanzees are located, spend an hour observing their behaviour as they feed, groom, communicate, and move through the forest.

After the trek, begin the journey back to Kigali, arriving in the evening for your departure flight or hotel drop-off.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Optional Activities

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

• Gorilla habituation experience
• Guided forest nature walks
• Bird watching excursions
• Community village walks
• Coffee experience with local farmers
• Waterfall hike

Queen Elizabeth National Park

• Lion tracking experience
• Night game drive
• Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge
• Guided nature walks
• Bird watching excursions
• Cultural community visits

Kibale Forest National Park

• Chimpanzee habituation experience
• Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary walk
• Bird watching tours
• Crater lake exploration
• Community cultural visits
• Tea plantation tour

Kigali

• Kigali Genocide Memorial
• Inema Arts Centre
• Kimironko Market tour
• Rwanda Art Museum
• Local coffee tasting experience