Seventeen days through the heart of East Africa, Rwanda and Uganda together, in full. From Kigali’s vibrant streets and Rwanda’s ancient rainforests to Uganda’s immense national parks and the thundering spectacle of Murchison Falls, this itinerary leaves nothing out.
A Safari That Stays With You Forever
Mountain gorilla trekking features twice: once in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and once in Uganda’s Bwindi. Chimpanzees appear in both Nyungwe and Kibale. The Kazinga Channel, the Kazinga boat cruise, Queen Elizabeth National Park’s famous tree-climbing lions of Ishasha, a Nile cruise at Murchison Falls, and a final scenic circuit back through Rwanda round out one of the most comprehensive East African safari itineraries available anywhere.
Highlights
- Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes NP (Rwanda) and Bwindi NP (Uganda).
- Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe Forest (Rwanda) and Kibale Forest (Uganda).
- Game viewing in Queen Elizabeth NP, including the Ishasha tree-climbing lions.
- Boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel and the Nile at Murchison Falls.
- Akagera National Park Big Five safari in Rwanda.
- Lake Kivu, Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Edward, and Lake Albert offer scenic experiences.
17 Day Safari Across Uganda and Rwanda
Uganda and Rwanda have a way of getting under your skin. Let’s explore your 17-day safari across the two countries.
Get a warm welcome into Uganda - The Pearl of Africa by your driver guide and later, a briefing about what your long luxury 17-day Uganda and Rwanda safari tour is all about. After, you will be transferred to a comfortable hotel to retire for the night.
Meal Plan: Dinner.
Drive Time: 10 Minutes.
Stay:
Entebbe Forest Lodge - Luxury- Facility
Hotel No. 5 Boutique Hotel - Mid-Range- Facility
Boma House - Standard Facility
After a hearty breakfast in Entebbe, begin your journey to Murchison Falls National Park, home to the world’s most powerful waterfall.
Along the way, stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a 2-hour rhino tracking experience. Here, you’ll also spot Uganda kobs, Defassa waterbucks, hippos, and bushbucks in their natural habitat.
Enjoy lunch at Kabalega Dinners, then continue your scenic drive to the park. Arrive in the evening for dinner and an overnight stay, ready for the next day’s adventure.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Driving Time: 6 hours.
Stay:
Nile Safari Lodge Luxury Facility
Twiga Safari Lodge Mid-Range Facility
Pakuba Safari Lodge Standard Facility
Start your day with an early 6:30 am game drive through the northern tracks of Murchison Falls National Park. Over three hours, keep an eye out for giraffes, buffaloes, elephants, lions, leopards, antelopes, warthogs, and diverse bird species roaming the savanna, woodlands, and grasslands.
Return for lunch and relaxation, then set off on a scenic boat safari along the Victoria Nile. Cruise to the base of Murchison Falls, spotting hippos, crocodiles, and water birds along the riverbanks. Take in the powerful waterfall views before beginning a 45-minute hike to the top, where you'll witness the thundering falls up close.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Stay:
Nile Safari Lodge Luxury Facility
Twiga Safari Lodge Mid-Range Facility
Pakuba Safari Lodge Standard Facility
Get ready for a morning breakfast, straddling Uganda’s lush equatorial rainforest known as Kibale Forest National Park, located in Kabarole district, Western Uganda. Your journey to Kibale takes you via Hoima City to Fort Portal, a strikingly designated tourism city in Uganda's Western Region, for a lunch break, then continues to the enchanting Crater Lakes around the park. Then, you will drive to a lodge for dinner and overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Travel Time: 7 Hours.
Stay:
Papaya Game Lodge Luxury
Tabebuia Resort- Mid-Range
Turaco Tree Tops – Standard
A special day in Kibale starts with a briefing on chimpanzee-tracking rules after breakfast. Tracking chimpanzees in Kibale begins at 8:00 am, with a guide leading a group of 6 pax to see the chimp community in the wild.
This will take 2-4 hours and includes one hour with chimpanzees in the Kibale forest- take as many pictures as you can and return with a deep understanding of the behaviours of these massive apes. In addition, many other primates will be sighted, including Colobus, l’hoest, and vervet monkeys, as well as birds.
Lunch at the lodge, and after, you will transfer to Bigodi Wetland for a guided nature walk. Bigodi Swamp is endowed with 8 primate species, about 138 bird species and other mammals, the majority of which will be sighted on a nature walk here. OR
Visiting the nearby local community, where you will learn about the locals- their foods, artefacts, traditional dances and traditional dressing. You will then retire to the Lodge for your meal and overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Stay:
Papaya Game Lodge Luxury
Tabebuia Resort- Mid-Range
Turaco Tree Tops – Standard
Travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of the most popular parks in Uganda. Queen Elizabeth National Park lies in the western region of the country. You will have lunch on arrival at a lodge and have ample time to chill, then set off for an evening game drive to see the diversity of wildlife.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Travel Time: 3 Hours.
Stay:
Kyambura Gorge Lodge- Luxury
Buffalo Safari Lodge- Mid-Range
Enganzi Game Lodge- Standard
Start your day early with a hot cup of tea or coffee, then meet your driver for a 6:30 am lion tracking experience in the Kasenyi section of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Guided by researchers and trackers, follow lions using radio signals from collars placed around their necks. Unlike regular game drives, this unique experience allows off-road tracking, helping you get closer to these big cats.
After the adventure, return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. In the afternoon, set off for a 2–3-hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. Enjoy the peaceful ride as you spot hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of aquatic birds along the water's edge.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Stay:
Kyambura Gorge Lodge- Luxury
Buffalo Safari Lodge- Mid-Range
Enganzi Game Lodge- Standard
Begin your day with the morning breakfast and transfer to Bwindi National Park. It’s no secret that Bwindi is home to more than the world’s surviving population of mountain gorillas. It has over 20 habituated gorilla families in Bwindi Forest National Park.
Afternoon: Visit the Batwa Culture Community.
The Batwa Experience was created by the displaced Batwa pygmies to educate their children and to share their amazing heritage and traditions with the world. Since 1992, the Batwa have been unable to live in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, their ancestors’ home. Yet they have not forgotten the old ways.
Step back in time to see how the Batwa lived for millennia in the Bwindi, one of the most beautiful jungles on earth and home to the famous mountain gorillas.
Enjoy an incredible day hike in the rain forest with Batwa guides, see how the Batwa lived and hunted, learn about medicinal plants, and watch for animals and birds.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Travel Time: +4 Hour Drive
Stay:
Ishasha Wilderness Camp Luxury
Enjojo Lodge- Mid-Range
Begin your day with the morning breakfast and transfer to Bwindi National Park. It’s no secret that Bwindi is home to more than the world’s surviving population of mountain gorillas. It has over 20 habituated gorilla families in Bwindi Forest National Park.
Afternoon: Visit the Batwa Culture Community.
The Batwa Experience was created by the displaced Batwa pygmies to educate their children and to share their amazing heritage and traditions with the world.
Since 1992, the Batwa have been unable to live in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, their ancestors’ home. Yet they have not forgotten the old ways.
Step back in time to see how the Batwa lived for millennia in the Bwindi, one of the most beautiful jungles on earth and home to the famous mountain gorillas.
Enjoy an incredible day hike in the rain forest with Batwa guides, see how the Batwa lived and hunted, learn about medicinal plants, and watch for animals and birds.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Travel Time: +4 Hour Drive
Stay:
Gorilla Forest Camp- Luxury
Mahogany Springs- Mid-Range
Gorilla Leisure Lodge- Standard
After breakfast, you will head to the Park Headquarters for the mandatory registration and briefing before starting the gorilla trek. After 30 minutes of entertainment from the local community group, you will be introduced to the trekking rules and regulations by the Park Ranger, grab a walking stick, wear a mask and start the walk through Bwindi Forest.
Be prepared to walk for 1-6 hours while sighting different primates, remarkable tree species, colourful birds, and butterflies before finally coming across the Giant Apes. You will have the most unforgettable hour of your life to observe them go about their daily routines, and also take photos.
Having had your fill of the forest and spent time with the mountain gorillas, it is now time to have lunch and rest for the remainder of the afternoon.
Return to the lodge for a short relaxation and embark on a waterfall hike with a ranger guide. The Munyaga waterfall trail starts from the Park office and ends at the magnificent Munyaga waterfall. The walk to and from the waterfall takes about three hours and is a good way to practice or cool down a day after the gorilla tracking. Back to lodge for dinner & overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Stay:
Gorilla Forest Camp- Luxury
Mahogany Springs- Mid-Range
Gorilla Leisure Lodge- Standard
Enjoy breakfast, then drive to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda via the Cyanika border. Enjoy photo opportunities as you drive along the winding roads in southern Uganda. You will arrive at your lodge in time for lunch, or it will be a picnic en route.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Travel Time: + 4 Hours
Stay:
Virunga INN- Luxury
5 Volcanoes- Mid-Range
Mountain Gorilla View Lodge- Standard
Golden monkeys are found in the Virunga volcanoes, shared by Uganda, Rwanda, and the DR Congo. After a brief from the ranger guides, you will start your hike in search of the golden monkeys. Enforcement officers will join you to help if you encounter buffalo, which can be dangerous. The golden monkeys are generally more active than the gorillas, and you will follow them as they move to feed. Just like gorilla trekking, you are only allowed to spend 1 hour with the golden monkey before you start your descent back.
In the afternoon, you will enjoy a rewarding cultural encounter within the Gorilla Guardians ‘Village. Visit the traditional healer and learn about plants used in treating common ailments, go through banana beer brewing, be entertained in traditional dances, visit the local school and visit the King’s Palace replica, among others.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Stay:
Virunga INN- Luxury
5 Volcanoes- Mid-Range
Mountain Gorilla View Lodge- Standard
After this experience, drive to the beautiful Lake Kivu. Visit the former Imbabazi orphanage and learn about their work. Continue to your hotel along Lake Kivu. Relax at the lakeside in the evening, sipping away at your favourite drink.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Stay:
Cleo Kivu - Luxury
Serena Kivu Hotel- Mid-Range
Paradise Kivu Resort- Standard
Have a lazy morning, then take a boat ride on Lake Kivu. Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime boat cruise expedition in Kibuye to witness one of nature’s most incredible displays. From a two-hour trip to a full-day adventure, we can design the perfect experience for you. Charter a private cruise and design the itinerary of your dreams, complete with a captain and crew who will cater to every detail of your experience. A sunset cruise entertaining loved ones aboard a luxurious boat.
In the afternoon, you will engage in kayaking on Lake Kivu for about 2 hours. Later, back to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Stay:
Cleo Kivu - Luxury
Serena Kivu Hotel- Mid-Range
Paradise Kivu Resort- Standard
After breakfast, your tour guide will transfer you to Kigali, where you will have a city tour exploring the city's highlights before retiring to your hotel.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Travel Time: 7-Hour Drive
Stay
Kigali Marriott – Luxury
Hotel des Mille Collins – Mid-Range.
Onomo Hotel – Standard
Begin the day with a morning breakfast and then embark on your full-day Kigali city tour as you explore more of the city’s top historical and cultural sites. The tour will include visits to the Kigali Genocide Memorial for insight into the country's genocide history, and to art and craft galleries for stylish African footwear and clothing. Visit the Innema Art Gallery and the Kimironko local market to buy souvenirs.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Stay:
Kigali Marriott – Luxury
Hotel des Mille Collins – Mid-Range.
Onomo Hotel – Standard
We do hope you had an amazing time exploring the beauty of Uganda and Rwanda. Thank you for choosing to spend your time and money contributing to these countries. Your driver will take you to the airport for your flight home. You will say farewell to the Pearl of Africa on this day. Have breakfast and meet at the Lobby for a briefing before beginning the short journey to Kigali Airport.
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Travel Time: 20 Minute Drive
INCLUDED/EXCLUDED
INCLUDED
- All accommodation (16 nights full board)
- Rwanda gorilla permit (USD 1,500 pp)
- Uganda gorilla permit (USD 800 pp)
- Nyungwe and Kibale chimpanzee permits
- Golden monkey permit
- Nyungwe Canopy Walk
- Akagera game drives and Lake Ihema boat cruise
- Kazinga Channel and Nile boat cruises
- All park and entry fees
- Private 4x4 and driver-guide throughout
- All airport and border transfers
- Flight Entebbe–Kigali (final leg)
EXCLUDED
- International flights and visa fees
- All items of a personal nature
- Optional activities not in the itinerary
- Tips and gratuities
- Travel and medical insurance
- Personal drinks and laundry
Frequently Asked Questions
The 17-day safari adds a full day in Akagera National Park (Rwanda’s savannah reserve), the Ishasha tree-climbing lion sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, and an additional night at Murchison Falls. These additions transform the itinerary from a primate-focused safari into a genuinely comprehensive East African wildlife expedition.
The Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park in southwestern Uganda is one of only two places in the world where lions have been regularly observed climbing and resting in fig trees. The behaviour is well documented in Ishasha, and sightings are reasonably common during morning and afternoon game drives.
The boat cruise on the Nile below Murchison Falls is one of Uganda’s greatest wildlife spectacles. The river banks teem with hippos, Nile crocodiles, African fish eagles, and a remarkable diversity of water birds. The cruise ends at the base of the Falls themselves, where the entire Nile thunders through a 7-metre crack in the rock in one of nature’s most dramatic displays.
Yes. Both Uganda and Rwanda require separate entry visas. Rwanda’s e-Visa is available online before travel. Uganda’s visa can be obtained as an East Africa Tourist Visa, which also covers Kenya, allowing visa-free movement between the three countries. La Pisada Africa Safaris can advise on the most efficient visa arrangement for your nationality.
The itinerary includes gorilla trekking (physically demanding), chimpanzee tracking (moderately demanding), game drives (not physically demanding), and boat cruises (easy). The gorilla treks in both Rwanda and Uganda are the most strenuous activities. Reasonable fitness and comfortable hiking boots are the main requirements. Porters are available at both trekking sites to assist those who need support.
