Uganda and Rwanda Experience – Gorillas, Wildlife and Cultural Experiences
Destinations to visit
Safari Overview
Experience the very best of Uganda and Rwanda on this unforgettable 8 Days Uganda & Rwanda Safari, a carefully crafted cross-border adventure that combines thrilling wildlife encounters, breathtaking landscapes, unforgettable primate trekking, and authentic cultural experiences.
Your journey begins in Uganda, the Pearl of Africa, where you’ll explore the diverse ecosystems of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Enjoy exciting game drives in search of elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, and the famous tree-climbing lions of Ishasha. Cruise along the wildlife-rich Kazinga Channel, one of Africa’s best boat safari destinations, and descend into the spectacular Kyambura Gorge in search of wild chimpanzees.
The adventure continues in the mountainous southwest of Uganda with one of Africa’s greatest wildlife experiences—mountain gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. After spending a magical hour with a gorilla family, you’ll cross into Rwanda, famously known as the Land of a Thousand Hills.
In Rwanda, you’ll track the playful golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park, unwind along the beautiful shores of Lake Kivu, and conclude your safari with a fascinating Kigali city tour, including a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, one of Africa’s most important historical sites.
This safari perfectly blends wildlife viewing, primate tracking, spectacular scenery, and meaningful cultural encounters, making it one of the most rewarding East African safaris.
Travel Tip: The East African Tourist Visa covers both Uganda and Rwanda, allowing seamless travel between the two countries without obtaining separate visas.
Safari Activities
Wildlife Game Drives
Explore Queen Elizabeth National Park and the Ishasha Sector during professionally guided game drives. Expect to encounter elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, warthogs, hyenas, giant forest hogs and numerous bird species. Ishasha is internationally renowned for its rare tree-climbing lions, one of only two populations in Africa known for this unique behaviour.
Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Take a relaxing boat safari along the famous Kazinga Channel, which links Lake Edward and Lake George. The channel boasts one of Africa’s highest concentrations of hippos alongside enormous Nile crocodiles, elephants cooling off on the shoreline, buffaloes, monitor lizards and countless water birds.
Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura Gorge
Descend into the spectacular Kyambura Gorge, often referred to as the “Valley of Apes.” This lush tropical rainforest hidden within the savannah offers an exciting opportunity to track a habituated community of wild chimpanzees while enjoying exceptional scenery and birdlife.
Village Cultural Experience
Visit a traditional community near Ishasha where you’ll interact with local residents, observe daily village life, learn about coffee and banana farming, and discover Uganda’s rich rural traditions. This experience offers genuine insight into local culture beyond wildlife viewing.
Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Enjoy the highlight of your safari by trekking endangered mountain gorillas in the beautiful volcanic forests of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Guided by experienced Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers, you’ll hike through bamboo forests and volcanic slopes before spending one unforgettable hour observing a gorilla family in its natural habitat.
Golden Monkey Trekking
Continue your primate adventure in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, where you’ll track the endangered golden monkeys. These energetic primates are known for their striking golden-orange fur and playful behaviour as they leap through bamboo forests.
Lake Kivu Relaxation
After your trekking adventures, unwind at the picturesque Lake Kivu. Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, beautiful lakeside scenery, fresh mountain air, and stunning sunsets over one of Africa’s Great Lakes.
Kigali City Tour
Explore Rwanda’s clean and vibrant capital city. Visit local markets, modern neighbourhoods, cultural landmarks and the moving Kigali Genocide Memorial, where you’ll gain a deeper understanding of Rwanda’s history and remarkable transformation.
Uganda and Rwanda Experience – Gorillas, Wildlife and Cultural Experiences
Detailed Itinerary
Uganda Apes and Wildlife Safari
Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe, Uganda
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your Engeya Tours and Travel professional safari guide. After a short briefing about your upcoming adventure, you'll transfer to your hotel for check-in.
Depending on your arrival time, you may relax by the lakeside or enjoy a leisurely evening before beginning your safari.
Accommodation: Tilapia Lodge
Day 2: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
After an early breakfast, depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park. The journey takes you through Uganda's scenic countryside, colourful roadside markets, tea plantations and rolling hills.
En route, stop at the Equator Monument for memorable photographs and demonstrations before continuing towards western Uganda.
Arrive at the park in time for lunch before embarking on an afternoon boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel.
This incredible cruise offers excellent opportunities to photograph large pods of hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks and hundreds of bird species including African fish eagles, kingfishers, pelicans and African skimmers.
After the cruise, continue to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Pumba Safari Cottages
Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura Gorge & Cultural Village Walk
Following breakfast, head to Kyambura Gorge for a briefing before beginning your chimpanzee trekking adventure.
The dramatic forested gorge contrasts beautifully with the surrounding open savannah. Besides chimpanzees, you may encounter black-and-white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, baboons and numerous forest birds.
Following lunch, drive to the Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Later in the afternoon, enjoy a guided community walk where you'll visit local homes, interact with villagers, learn about traditional farming methods, coffee processing, banana cultivation and everyday life in rural Uganda.
Return to your lodge for dinner.
Accommodation: Topi Lodge
Day 4: Ishasha Game Drive & Transfer to Kisoro
Rise early for a morning game drive in the famous Ishasha Sector.
This region is best known for its tree-climbing lions that often rest high in giant fig trees. Your guide will also search for elephants, buffaloes, topis, Uganda kobs, hyenas and numerous bird species.
After the game drive, continue south towards Kisoro, passing through spectacular mountain scenery, terraced hillsides, bamboo forests and the beautiful Echuya Forest Reserve.
The towering Virunga Volcanoes gradually appear on the horizon, creating one of Uganda's most scenic drives.
Arrive in Kisoro during the evening.
Accommodation: Mucha Hotel
Day 5: Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park & Transfer to Rwanda
After an early breakfast, transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park headquarters for registration and a detailed gorilla trekking briefing.
Accompanied by experienced ranger guides, begin your trek through dense bamboo forests and volcanic terrain in search of one of the park's habituated mountain gorilla families.
The duration of the trek varies depending on the gorillas' location, but the reward is extraordinary. Once located, you'll spend one unforgettable hour observing these gentle giants as they feed, play, groom one another and interact naturally.
Following your trek, receive your Gorilla Trekking Certificate before crossing the Cyanika Border into Rwanda.
Continue to Musanze (Ruhengeri) for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Hotel Muhabura
Day 6: Golden Monkey Trekking & Transfer to Lake Kivu
After breakfast, report to Volcanoes National Park headquarters for another exciting primate adventure.
Golden monkey trekking offers excellent photography opportunities as these colourful primates leap energetically through the bamboo forest.
Following your trek, travel to the beautiful shores of Lake Kivu.
Spend the remainder of the afternoon relaxing, walking along the lakeshore, enjoying the cool breeze or simply taking in the spectacular scenery.
Accommodation: Paradise Malahide
Day 7: Transfer to Kigali & Kigali City Tour
Enjoy breakfast before departing for Kigali.
Upon arrival, begin a guided city tour visiting important landmarks, local craft markets and cultural attractions.
The highlight of the day is a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where you'll gain a deeper appreciation of Rwanda's history, resilience and remarkable journey of reconciliation.
Afterwards, check in at your hotel for your final night.
Accommodation: Step Motel
Day 8: Departure
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before transferring to Kigali International Airport for your onward flight.
Your guide will assist with check-in procedures as your memorable Uganda and Rwanda safari comes to an end.
We thank you for choosing Engeya Tours and Travel and look forward to welcoming you back to East Africa.
What is included in your safari
Safari Includes
- All ground transportation in a 4×4 safari vehicle
- Professional English-speaking safari guide
- Accommodation for 7 nights
- Meals as specified in the itinerary
- Bottled drinking water during the safari
- Gorilla trekking permit (Uganda)
- Golden monkey trekking permit (Rwanda)
- Chimpanzee trekking permit
- Kazinga Channel boat cruise
- All game drives
- Community village walk
- Kigali city tour
- Kigali Genocide Memorial visit
- Park entrance fees
- Government taxes
Safari Excludes
- International and domestic flights
- Rwanda Visa (where applicable)
- Uganda Visa (where applicable)
- Travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Personal shopping expenses
- Laundry services
- Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Items of a personal nature
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