13 Days Uganda Rwanda Gorilla and Wildlife Safari

This 13-day Uganda Rwanda gorilla and wildlife safari is designed for travellers who want a cross-border journey that combines classic wildlife viewing with East Africa’s best-known primate experiences. The itinerary links Murchison Falls National Park, Budongo Forest, Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Volcanoes National Park, and Kigali, giving you a broader safari than a single-country trip. Instead of focusing on only one destination, this route combines rhino viewing, chimpanzee tracking, gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking, a Nile boat cruise, tree-climbing lions, and cross-border travel into one long-form East Africa safari.

Safari Highlights

• 13 days Uganda Rwanda gorilla and wildlife safari
• Rhino stop en route to Murchison Falls National Park
• Game drive and boat cruise on the Victoria Nile
• Chimpanzee tracking in Budongo and Kibale
• Wildlife safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
• Golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park
• Kigali finish after a cross-border safari route

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1, Transfer from Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park

Early in the morning, a driver guide from AA Safaris and Tours Ltd will pick you up from your overnight hotel and transfer you to Murchison Falls National Park. Along the way, pass through the Luwero Triangle and continue to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to see rhinos that have been reintroduced in Uganda. Later, continue to the top of the falls for one of the most dramatic views on the Nile. Dinner and overnight stay at: Luxury Paraa Safari Lodge, Nile Safari Lodge, or Chobe Safari Lodge, Mid-range Sambiya Lodge, or Budget Red Chilli Rest Camp

Day 2, Game drive and boat cruise on the Victoria Nile

Wake up early and head out for a game drive. You may see a variety of animals such as hartebeest, Uganda kob, lions, waterbucks, buffaloes, oribi, and baboons. Enjoy the green vegetation around the riverbanks before returning to the lodge for breakfast and later lunch. In the afternoon, move down to the river for an interesting launch cruise. You may see beautiful birdlife, herds of elephants, buffalo, antelopes, pods of hippos, crocodiles, and other wildlife before returning to your lodge.

Day 3, Chimpanzee tracking in Budongo Forest, free afternoon

Get up early for breakfast and head to Budongo Forest Reserve, known for its ecological diversity, for chimpanzee tracking. Observe our closest relatives and learn more about their behaviour in the wild. Other primates in the forest include vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, pottos, black-and-white colobus monkeys, and baboons. You will also enjoy a forest walk and learn more about some of the many tree species found in the forest. The guide will explain both the scientific and local names of selected trees. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay at your booked accommodation

Day 4, Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

After a hearty breakfast, drive to Fort Portal via the Masindi Hoima road. You will arrive in the evening and then have dinner and an overnight stay at: Luxury Ndali Lodge or Primate Lodge, Mid-range Rwenzori View Guest House, Mountains of the Moon Hotel Fort Portal, or Chimps Nest Lodge, Budget Kanyanchu Ecological Bandas

Day 5, Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale, transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Rise early and take a warm cup of tea or coffee. Carry your tracking gear and head to the ranger station for a briefing. Continue to Kanyanchu to track chimpanzees and other primates within the forest. You will have the chance to compare and contrast chimpanzee behaviour with that of humans. You may also see grey-cheeked mangabeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, and vervet monkeys. During the afternoon, drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Enjoy a game drive on the Mweya Peninsula and discover the beauty around Katwe town and its saline crater lakes. Learn more about salt mining in the small towns before dinner and an overnight stay at: Luxury Mweya Safari Lodge or Jacana Lodge, Mid-range Ihamba, Albertine Camp, or Hippo Hill Camp, or Budget Mweya Hostels or Simba Safari Camp

Day 6, Game drive and crater lakes viewpoint in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Rise early in the morning and get ready for an interesting game drive. As you explore the northern sector of the park, you may see warthogs, antelopes, elephants, waterbucks, birds, and several other species. In the afternoon, go for a crater lakes drive to the viewing point. Return to your lodge after sunset for an overnight stay at your previous lodge

Day 7, Transfer from Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After your time in Queen Elizabeth National Park, get ready to leave for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to the mountain gorillas. Pass via the Ishasha sector, where you may see the famous tree-climbing lions, before continuing to Bwindi. Dinner and overnight stay at Budget Buhoma Community Bandas, Gorilla Closeup Lodge, Kisoro Travellers Rest. Mid-range Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp. Luxury Mahogany Springs Lodge, Buhoma Lodge

Day 8, Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Get up early in the morning and prepare for one of the most memorable experiences of the tour. Carry your tracking gear, drinking water, and packed food, then move to the ranger station for a briefing. You will enter the thick, damp, and luxuriant forest in search of the gorillas. You are advised to wear long trousers because there may be stinging insects, and hiking shoes are important because the ground is often boggy and slippery. When you meet the gorillas, you will spend 1 hour with them, taking photographs and watching the young ones at play. Later, return to the lodge to relax or go for a community walk to learn more about Batwa culture before dinner and an overnight stay at the lodge.

Day 9, Transfer to Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

Following breakfast, continue to Rwanda and cross the border via Katuna. Drive to Volcanoes National Park, where you will have dinner and an overnight stay at Budget La Palme hotel, Mid-range Five Volcanoes Hotel, or Mountain Gorilla View Lodge,  luxury
Virunga Lodge or Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge or Bisate Lodge or One and Only Gorilla Nest lodge.

Day 10, Golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Wake up early in the morning for breakfast, then move to the park headquarters for a briefing from the guide before proceeding to golden monkey tracking in the Virunga Mountains. Golden monkeys are one of the notable primates of the Virunga landscape and are closely associated with the Albertine Rift region. Return for dinner and an overnight stay at the lodge.

Day 11, Dian Fossey Tomb Hike, transfer to Lake Kivu

After breakfast, head to the Dian Fossey Trail, where you will learn more about the American gorilla conservationist who spent much of her life studying and protecting gorillas. Her work later gained wider recognition through Gorillas in the Mist. After the hike, drive to Lake Kivu for an overnight stay at: Mid-range Malahide Paradise, Luxury Lake Kivu Serena Hotel.

Day 12, Boat ride on Lake Kivu, afternoon at leisure

You will go for a boat ride on Lake Kivu, where you may see a variety of birds, the surrounding vegetation, and the landing sites along the lakeshore. Later, relax for the rest of the afternoon at your lodge

Day 13, Transfer to Kigali, departure

Having enjoyed your cross-border safari, prepare for your homebound flight from Kigali Airport. This marks the end of your 13-day Uganda Rwanda gorilla safari.

Inclusions and exclusions

Inclusions

• Airport pick-up and drop-off
• Private transport in a safari vehicle
• English-speaking driver guide
• Accommodation for 12 nights
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary
• Chimpanzee tracking  permit
• Gorilla trekking permit
• Golden monkey trekking permit
• Bottled drinking water during transfers

Exclusions

• International flights
• Uganda and Rwanda visas
• Personal travel insurance
• Porter fees during gorilla trekking
• Tips and gratuities
• Alcoholic drinks and extra beverages
• Optional activities not listed as included
• Items of a personal nature