Introduction: The Best of Both Worlds
Why choose between Rwanda and Uganda when you can experience both? A combined Rwanda‑Uganda gorilla safari offers the best of East African primate tourism: the polished efficiency and luxury lodges of Volcanoes National Park, followed by the raw, adventurous jungle trekking of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
This 7‑day itinerary is designed for travellers who want to tick off multiple bucket‑list experiences – mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, chimpanzees and classic savannah wildlife – all in one seamless journey.
Itinerary Overview
| Day | Location | Main Activities |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Kigali & Transfer | Arrival in Kigali, city tour (Genocide Memorial), transfer to Volcanoes NP |
| Day 2 | Volcanoes NP | Gorilla trekking in Rwanda |
| Day 3 | Volcanoes NP / Mgahinga | Golden monkey trekking, cross border to Uganda |
| Day 4 | Bwindi NP / Lake Bunyonyi | Gorilla trekking in Uganda, afternoon at Lake Bunyonyi |
| Day 5 | Queen Elizabeth NP | Scenic drive to Queen Elizabeth, evening game drive |
| Day 6 | Queen Elizabeth NP | Morning game drive (tree‑climbing lions), Kazinga Channel boat cruise |
| Day 7 | Return to Kigali | Scenic drive back, departure |
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali – City Tour & Transfer to Volcanoes NP
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, your professional driver‑guide will greet you. After a short briefing, enjoy a guided city tour of Kigali, including the moving Kigali Genocide Memorial – an essential stop that provides profound context for Rwanda’s remarkable recovery.
After lunch, drive north towards Volcanoes National Park. The scenic 2.5‑3 hour journey passes through Rwanda’s “Land of a Thousand Hills,” with stunning views of terraced hillsides, tea plantations and traditional villages. Overnight at a mid‑range or luxury lodge near the park headquarters at Kinigi.
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda)
This is the day you’ve been waiting for. After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a mandatory briefing. Rangers explain gorilla etiquette, group assignments, and safety protocols. You will be assigned to one of 12 habituated gorilla families, with a maximum of eight trekkers per group.
The trek into the bamboo and Hagenia forest can take anywhere from one to four hours, depending on where the gorillas are. The terrain is less dense than Uganda’s Bwindi, but the altitude (2,400–3,500 m) can make breathing harder. When you find the gorillas, you spend one unforgettable hour watching them feed, play, rest and care for their young.
Evening: Return to your lodge, share stories with fellow trekkers, and rest your legs. Many lodges offer spa treatments – well deserved after a day on the mountain.
Day 3: Golden Monkey Trekking & Cross‑Border Transfer to Uganda
Morning: Golden Monkey Trekking. Before leaving Rwanda, enjoy a golden monkey trekking experience in Volcanoes National Park. These striking primates with bright orange‑gold fur live in the bamboo zone and are highly active and photogenic. Treks are generally easier than gorilla trekking and last 2–3 hours.
Afternoon: Cross the border into Uganda at the Katuna/Cyanika border post (about 2 hours from Volcanoes NP). Your Ugandan guide will meet you on the other side. Continue driving to the Rushaga or Nkuringo sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (approximately 2‑3 hours). Overnight at a lodge near your trekking departure point.
Day 4: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Uganda) & Lake Bunyonyi
Morning: Your second gorilla trekking experience – this time in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to nearly half the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Bwindi is an ancient rainforest with thick vegetation, steep ridges and muddy trails. The trek can be more physically demanding than Rwanda, but the reward is a wilder, more primal experience.
You will spend another hour with a different gorilla family. Every gorilla group has its own unique dynamics, personalities, and stories – no two treks are ever the same.
Afternoon: After lunch, transfer to Lake Bunyonyi (approximately 1.5‑2 hours). This stunning crater lake is dotted with 29 islands and offers excellent canoeing, swimming (bilharzia‑free, unlike many African lakes), and relaxation. Overnight at a lakeside lodge.
Day 5: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Evening Game Drive
Morning: Enjoy a leisurely breakfast overlooking Lake Bunyonyi, then depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive takes approximately 4‑5 hours through the beautiful Ugandan countryside, passing through the Ishasha sector – famous for its tree‑climbing lions.
Late Afternoon: Arrive at your lodge in Queen Elizabeth NP. After settling in, head out for an evening game drive in the Kasenyi Plains. This is prime time for spotting lions, elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, and warthogs as the animals become more active in the cooler temperatures. Overnight at a safari lodge inside or near the park.
Day 6: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Early Morning: Rise early for a sunrise game drive in the Kasenyi sector, the park’s premier wildlife viewing area. Open savannahs make it easy to spot lions, elephants, hyenas and herds of Uganda kob and buffalo. Keep your eyes peeled for leopards, though they are more elusive.
Late Morning: Return to the lodge for breakfast and some rest.
Afternoon (1–3 PM): The highlight of Queen Elizabeth NP – a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. This 40‑km channel connects Lake Edward and Lake George, and the boat safari brings you within metres of hundreds of hippos, yawning crocodiles, buffalo, elephants drinking at the water’s edge, and spectacular birdlife including African fish eagles, kingfishers, and saddle‑billed storks.
Late Afternoon: Optional chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge (if time permits) or a visit to the Katwe salt pans to see traditional salt extraction.
Day 7: Return to Kigali – Departure
Morning: After breakfast, begin your scenic drive back to Kigali. The journey takes approximately 6‑7 hours, passing through the border crossing at Katuna. Enjoy final views of the lush hills and tea plantations.
Late Afternoon: Arrive in Kigali. Depending on your flight time, you may have time for last‑minute souvenir shopping at the Caplaki Craft Village or lunch at a local restaurant.
Evening: Transfer to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight.
Practical Information for Your Combined Safari
Visa Requirements: The East African Tourist Visa ($100 USD) covers Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya for multiple entries over 90 days. Apply online in advance.
Best Time to Go: June–September and December–February offer the driest trails, but the green season (March–May and October–November) has fewer crowds and lower accommodation rates.
Packing Essentials: Waterproof hiking boots (already broken in), long‑sleeved shirts and trousers (for protection against stinging nettles), waterproof jacket, gloves, insect repellent, sunscreen, and a good camera with a zoom lens (no flash).
Fitness Level: Moderate to high. Both gorilla treks require hiking on steep, uneven terrain. Hire a porter at each park – they make the trek easier and provide local employment.
Why This 7‑Day Itinerary Works
This carefully balanced itinerary gives you:
- Two separate gorilla trekking experiences – one in Rwanda, one in Uganda – with different gorilla families and completely different forest environments
- Golden monkey trekking in Rwanda
- Classic savannah wildlife in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- A boat safari on the Kazinga Channel
- Relaxation time at beautiful Lake Bunyonyi
At approximately 7 days, this itinerary offers maximum wildlife diversity without feeling rushed. Contact us to customise your 7‑day gorilla and wildlife safari.
