This 8-day safari pairs the best of Uganda and Rwanda: game drives and boat cruises in Queen Elizabeth National Park, followed by mountain gorilla trekking in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. It’s a compact, well-paced trip for travelers who want two countries’ top wildlife experiences without long overland distances.
8 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari
- 8 Days
Adult
From
$ 2,500
Per Adult
Description
Duration
8 Days
Language
English, French
Uganda Rwanda Safari Highlights
Highlights include game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park, a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, a scenic overland crossing into Rwanda, and a guided trek to see mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. Optional add-ons include Lake Bunyonyi canoeing, community visits, and the equator crossing photo stop.
Included
- 7 nights' accommodation (mid-range lodges, upgradeable to luxury)
- All ground transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle with English-speaking driver-guide
- Park entrance fees for Queen Elizabeth National Park
- One gorilla trekking permit (Rwanda, $1,500 per person)
- Kazinga Channel boat cruise
- Meals as specified in the itinerary (breakfast, lunch, dinner as noted daily)
- Bottled drinking water during game drives and transfers
- All applicable government taxes
Excluded
- International flights to/from Entebbe and from Kigali
- Uganda e-Visa and Rwanda visa fees
- Yellow fever vaccination (mandatory for entry)
- Travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities for guides and lodge staff
- Alcoholic and premium beverages
- Personal expenses (souvenirs, laundry, phone/internet)
- Optional activities not listed above (e.g., chimpanzee tracking, canoeing, community visits)
Uganda Rwanda Safari Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival in Entebbe
Arrive at Entebbe International Airport, where your driver-guide will meet you for transfer to a lodge near the airport or in Kampala. Depending on arrival time, relax by Lake Victoria or take an optional evening city tour. Overnight near Entebbe. (Meals: Dinner)
Day 2 - Entebbe to Queen Elizabeth National Park
An early departure for the scenic 6–7 hour drive southwest to Queen Elizabeth National Park, crossing the equator en route with a stop for photos. Arrive in time for an afternoon game drive in the Kasenyi plains, known for lion sightings. Overnight at a lodge in or near the park. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 3 - Queen Elizabeth National Park — Game Drive & Boat Cruise
Morning game drive through the park in search of elephants, buffalo, hyenas, and Uganda kob, followed by a midday boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel — one of the best wildlife viewing experiences in Africa, with hippos, crocodiles, and prolific birdlife lining the banks. Optional afternoon excursion to Ishasha sector for tree-climbing lions (extra distance and time required). Overnight at the same lodge. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 4 - Queen Elizabeth to Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Depart for the border crossing into Rwanda, driving through Uganda's southwestern highlands and Rwanda's terraced hillsides — a striking contrast in scenery. Arrive in the Volcanoes National Park area (Musanze/Kinigi) by evening. Briefing on the next day's gorilla trek. Overnight near the park. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 5 - Mountain Gorilla Trekking
The highlight of the Uganda Rwanda safari adventure. After an early briefing at park headquarters, trek with rangers and guides into the forested slopes of the Virunga volcanoes to find a habituated gorilla family. Trek duration varies from 1–6 hours depending on the gorillas' location, followed by a full hour observing the family up close. Afternoon at leisure, or an optional Golden Monkey trek or Dian Fossey tomb hike. Overnight near the park. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 6 - Lake Bunyonyi (Optional) or Kigali Transfer
Choose between a relaxing day at Lake Bunyonyi back in Uganda — canoeing, island-hopping, and birdwatching on one of Africa's most scenic lakes — or an earlier transfer toward Kigali with stops at local markets and viewpoints en route. Overnight accordingly. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 7 - Transfer to Kigali
Drive to Kigali, Rwanda's capital, arriving by afternoon. Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial for a moving and important look at Rwanda's history, followed by a city tour of Kigali's markets, craft cooperatives, and the leafy neighborhoods that have made it one of Africa's cleanest and most walkable capitals. Overnight in Kigali. (Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 8 - Departure
Free morning to relax or shop for last-minute souvenirs, before transfer to Kigali International Airport for your departing flight. (Meals: Breakfast)
Maps
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, unless you're a citizen of a visa-exempt country. Most travelers can use the East Africa Tourist Visa ($100), which covers Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya on a single multiple-entry visa — ideal for this itinerary since it crosses both countries.
You don't need to be an athlete, but a reasonable level of fitness helps. Treks can range from under an hour to five or six hours through steep, muddy forest terrain. Porters are available to carry bags and assist with the climb, and are well worth hiring.
One trek is enough for most travelers and is what's included in this itinerary. Serious wildlife enthusiasts sometimes add a second trek (in either Uganda or Rwanda) for a different gorilla family experience, which extends the trip and cost.
Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park has shorter average trekking times and easier terrain than Uganda's Bwindi, though it comes at a higher permit cost. This itinerary is built around convenience and can be adjusted to trek in Uganda instead.
Uganda and Rwanda are year-round destinations, but the dry seasons (June–September and December–February) offer the easiest trekking conditions and best game viewing. The rainy seasons bring fewer crowds and lush scenery, with occasional trekking permit discounts in Uganda.
Yes. The Katuna/Gatuna or Cyanika border crossings used on this route are well-established and routinely used by tour operators. Your driver-guide handles the logistics; you'll typically need your passport, visa, and yellow fever certificate on hand.
Yes. Days can be added for chimpanzee tracking, extra gorilla treks, or more time at Lake Bunyonyi, and the Lake Bunyonyi day can be skipped to shorten the trip to around 6–7 days if needed.
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory for entry into both countries. Malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended, and routine vaccinations should be up to date. Consult a travel health professional before departure.
From $ 2,500
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From $ 2,500
Book This Tour