Overview
This 8-day Rwanda and Uganda safari combines primate tracking, cultural experiences, and classic wildlife viewing across two of East Africa’s most diverse destinations. The journey starts in Kigali with a city tour before heading to Volcanoes National Park for golden monkey trekking. You then cross into Uganda to explore Lake Bunyonyi, trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi, and continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park for game drives and a Kazinga Channel boat cruise. The safari ends with chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest and a return to Entebbe. It is a well-paced itinerary designed for travelers seeking a complete primate and wildlife experience.
Tour Highlights (Day by Day)
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali, meet and greet by guide, safari briefing, and short transfer to hotel
Day 2: Kigali city tour with visits to genocide memorials, craft markets, museum, and transfer to Volcanoes National Park with a stop at Nyirangarama and evening Iby’Iwacu cultural visit
Day 3: Golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park, return for lunch, and cross-border transfer to Lake Bunyonyi with evening community walk
Day 4: Morning boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi exploring islands and local communities, then transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Day 5: Gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi Forest followed by transfer to Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 6: Morning game drive, afternoon Kazinga Channel boat cruise, and evening game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 7: Scenic transfer through crater lakes region to Kibale National Park and afternoon chimpanzee trekking
Day 8: Transfer to Entebbe via Kampala with en-route lunch and departure flight
Day 1: Airport pick up and transfer to hotel
On arrival at Kigali airport you will meet with a Gecko safaris guide who will welcome you and then brief you about your 8 days tour in Rwanda & Uganda after he will then transfer you to your hotel for overnight.
Hotel: Mill colines the Hotel Rwanda
Meal plan: bed only
Day 2: City tour and transfer to Parc de volcanoes
You will have a delicious breakfast meal at the lodge when you wake, then engage in a Kigali city tour where you will after breakfast you will visit the following places genocide the memorials, downtown of Kigali, craft market, museum and then you will be transferred to musanze kinigi parc de volcanoes national park. Which in the north of Rwanda and you will have a brief stop on nyirangarama and you will visit the food market to see local grill like zingaro,Ebirayi and Sambaza and the continue to musanze town which is the third largest city in Rwa nda Check into the hotel and this evening you will visit the ibwiwachu community and see some dances and then transfers back for dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Hotel: Five volcanoes
Meal plan: breakfast, Lunch and dinner.
Day 3: Golden monkey trekking and transfer to Uganda.
You will have early breakfast and then head for golden monkey trekking you will see the beautifully presented creatures as you enjoy the moment take pictures to keep the memory. The walk in the forest will take you 2-4 hours and after you will be back to the lodge for hot lunch and checkout and cross to Uganda and spend a night at lake bunyonyi and this evening you will take a walk around to see the community around or rest for the next activity.
Hotel: Birdnest overseas
Meal plan: breakfast , Lunch and dinner.
Day 4: Boat ride on lake bunyonyi and transfer to Bwindi
Have an early morning breakfast meal and then head on to engage in a boat ride on lake bunyonyi said to be the second deepest lake in Africa you will, see some other islands and also the pygmies and other local people. You will then have your lunch meal and be transferred to Bwindi impenetrable forest, The drive will be through the local community and small trading centers and you will be able to stop and have photos with them and tonight you will sleep in the sounds of the jungle. Where you will check into the hotel have dinner and rest the night.
Hotel: chameleon hill/ gorilla safari lodge.
Meal plan: breakfast, Lunch and dinner.
Day 5: Gorilla trekking and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Rise early enough eat breakfast and depart the lodge with packed lunch and drinking water to head to the park headquarters for briefing before you head on to the activity you will then head into the forest with guidance of the ranger guides it will take you some time to find the gorilla depending on their movement on finding them you will have an hour as you see them feed play you take pictures with the amazing apes and you will feel the trek worthwhile on seeing the gorillas. After the activity you will depart the forest and then head onto the car to transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park in the southern side of the park which more famous for the tree climbing lions with sight of beautiful sceneries you will check in on arrival dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Hotel: ishasha jungle lodge.
Meal plan: breakfast lunch and dinner
Day 6: Morning Game drive, afternoon boat cruise and evening game drive
Today you will rise early grab a cup of coffee and then head to the wild for the morning game drive where you will be in sight of the wild life among which are the buffaloes kobs antelopes, giraffes a lot of bird species and other wild life you will take as many pictures as you like. This will take you some good hours thereafter you will head back for breakfast as you relax on then have your lunch meal followed by the afternoon boat cruise that will allow you sight of the acquatic wildlife. When you retire from the activity you will head back to the lodge dinner evening game drive and sleep over at the lodge.
Hotel: Mweya safari lodge.
Meal plan: breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 7: Transfer to kibale national park and afternoon Chimp trekking
Wake up early enough to eat your breakfast meal and transfer to kibale national park through thr crater lake region and you will be able to see the volcanic forest ,and crater lakes and some animals ,lunch and head for afternoon trekking with briefing at 2:00pm before you head into the forest to trek the chimpanzees in the forest , You will see them having a late lunch relaxed on the grounds. You will have an hour to see and interact with the chimps there after head out of the forest to the lodge check in freshen up then have dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Hotel: Crater safari lodge
Meal plan: breakfast, Lunch and dinner
Day 8: Transfer to Entebbe airport.
You will have morning breakfast and then check out of the hotel the driver will pack your bags and you drive back to Kampala and a drive around with lunch in kampala and then Straight to Entebbe airport but with a stop for lunch on the way.
End of Tour.