11-Day Rwanda & Uganda Gorilla, Wildlife & Cultural Safari

Overview

This 11-day Rwanda and Uganda safari combines gorilla trekking, primate encounters, wildlife viewing, cultural experiences, and scenic landscapes across two of East Africa’s most remarkable destinations. The journey begins in Kigali with a city tour before continuing to Volcanoes National Park for a Mount Bisoke hike and optional cultural experience, followed by gorilla habituation in Bwindi and golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga. The safari then explores Queen Elizabeth National Park, including game drives in Ishasha and Kasenyi and a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, before continuing to Kibale National Park for crater scenery, a Bigodi wetland walk, and chimpanzee trekking. The adventure concludes in Murchison Falls National Park with game drives, a Nile boat cruise, and a visit to the top of the falls, followed by rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, a shoebill excursion, and a Kampala city tour before departure from Entebbe.

Why Visit Kigali city tour?

Gorilla habituation permits
Golden monkey trek permits
Chimpanzee trek permit
Shoebill tour
Rhino tracking

Itinerary

Day 1

Kigali City Tour and drive to Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, enjoy a 3–4-hours guided Kigali city tour, visiting important landmarks and experiencing the city's history, culture, and modern atmosphere. Afterwards, drive to Volcanoes National Park through Rwanda's beautiful terraced hills and countryside, taking approximately 2½–3 hours. Check in and relax at La Bambou Lodge.
Overnight at La Bambou Lodge

Day 2

Mount Bisoke Hike, Cultural Visit & transfer to Uganda

After an early breakfast, begin the Mount Bisoke hike, a challenging trek of approximately 5–7 hours depending on pace and trail conditions, with spectacular volcanic scenery and the opportunity to see the Crater Lake at the summit. In the evening, an optional 1½–2-hour Ibyiwachu Cultural Village visit can be arranged to experience traditional Rwandan culture, music, dance, and local customs. Later, drive to the Chanika border and cross into Uganda, continuing toward Lake Mulehe for approximately 2½–3½ hours.
Overnight at Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge.

Day 3

Gorilla Habituation in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Enjoy an early breakfast before heading into Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for the gorilla habituation experience, which can take approximately 5–8 hours in the forest depending on the location and movement of the gorilla family. This extended experience offers more time 4 hrs observing the gorillas in their natural habitat and learning from the trackers and guides. Return to the lodge in the afternoon or evening for relaxation.
Overnight at Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge

Day 4

Golden Monkey Trekking – Ishasha, Queen Elizabeth National Park.

After breakfast, drive approximately 1–1½ hours to Mgahinga National Park for golden monkey trekking, usually taking 3–5 hours including the forest walk and time spent observing the monkeys. Afterwards, continue to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, a drive of approximately 3½–4½ hours depending on road conditions and stops. The afternoon is available for relaxation at Enjojo Lodge.
Overnight at Enjojo Lodge.

Day 5

Ishasha Game Drive, drive to Kasenyi Plains

Start with an early morning 3–4-hour game drive in Ishasha, exploring the savannah in search of elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, lions, and the famous tree-climbing lions. After breakfast or a short rest, drive toward the northern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, taking approximately 2½–3½ hours. After check-in and relaxation, enjoy an evening game drive of about 2–3 hours across the Kasenyi Plains.
Overnight at Tabingi Lodge

Day 6

Morning Game Drive – Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise.

Begin with an early morning 3–4-hour game drive on the Kasenyi Plains when wildlife is most active, with opportunities to see lions, elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, and many bird species. After lunch and some relaxation, take a 2–3-hour boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, one of Uganda's best wildlife-viewing experiences, with large concentrations of hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, and water birds.
Overnight at Tabingi Lodge

Day 7

Transfer to Kibale – Crater Hike – Bigodi Wetland Walk

After breakfast, drive from Queen Elizabeth National Park to Kibale National Park for approximately 2½–3½ hours. Enjoy a 2–3-hour crater hike through scenic volcanic landscapes and crater lakes, followed by an afternoon 2–3-hour guided walk in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, where you can encounter monkeys, colorful birds, butterflies, and other wildlife while learning about the local community's conservation work.
Overnight at Kibale Forest Camp

Day 8

Chimpanzee Trekking – Murchison Falls National Park.

Begin with an early morning chimpanzee trekking experience in Kibale Forest, generally lasting 3–5 hours including the forest walk and chimpanzee observation. Afterwards, embark on the long journey to Murchison Falls National Park, approximately 7–9 hours by road depending on stops and road conditions. Arrive at Fort Murchison Lodge for dinner and relaxation.
Overnight at Fort Murchison Lodge.

Day 9

Murchison Falls Game Drive – Nile Boat Cruise.

Set out early for a 3–4-hour game drive through Murchison Falls National Park, searching for elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, lions, antelopes, and other wildlife across the savannah. After lunch, enjoy a 2½–3-hour boat cruise along the Victoria Nile toward the base of Murchison Falls, providing excellent views of hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, and numerous bird species.
Overnight at Fort Murchison Lodge.

Day 10

Top of Murchison Falls – Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – Entebbe.

After breakfast, visit the Top of Murchison Falls for approximately 1 hour, where the Nile squeezes through a narrow gorge before plunging dramatically below. Continue to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, with the journey taking approximately 4–5 hours, and enjoy a guided rhino tracking experience of about 2–3 hours. Afterwards, continue to Entebbe for approximately 3–4 hours, arriving in the evening.
Overnight at Jet Villas Hotel.

Day 11

Shoebill Tour – Kampala City Tour – Local Lunch – Departure.

Begin early with a 3–4-hour shoebill excursion in a nearby wetland, offering the chance to search for Uganda's iconic shoebill stork and other wetland birds. Return toward Kampala and enjoy a 3–4-hour guided city tour covering selected cultural and historical attractions, followed by a traditional Ugandan lunch of approximately 1 hour. Afterwards, transfer to Entebbe International Airport, approximately 45 minutes–1½ hours depending on traffic, for your departure flight, marking the end of your Rwanda and Uganda safari.

“End of safari”

Included

Accommodation (full board meal plan)
Private transportation (with professional guide and 4x4 land cruiser)
Gorilla habituation permits
Golden monkey trek permits
Chimpanzee trek permit
Bisoke volcano hike fee
Gorilla guardian’s village cultural experience
Park entrances
Game drives
Launch cruises
Enroute lunch
Shoebill tour
Rhino tracking
Hike to the “top of the world” fee
Top of the falls hike Murchison falls national park
Bigodi swamp walk

Excluded

Flight fares
Insurance
Purchase of personal items
Tips/gratuity
Alcoholic beverages
Porter’s fee

$5,050

/ person

11d / 10n Max 7

Interested in this tour? Send us a quote request and our travel experts will get back to you with pricing, availability, and a tailored itinerary.

Request for Quote

We typically respond within 24 hours