Day 1: Arrival in Kigali
Your safari begins with arrival in Kigali, where you are welcomed by your guide and transferred to your hotel. Depending on arrival time, you may relax or explore the city’s vibrant neighborhoods. Kigali’s scenic hills and clean environment provide a pleasant introduction to East Africa.
Day 2: Kigali City Tour and Transfer to Volcanoes Region
After breakfast, you enjoy a guided city tour including cultural sites, local markets, and the historic Kigali Genocide Memorial, which offers important insight into Rwanda’s history. Later, you drive to Volcanoes National Park, home to mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. The scenic journey passes through Rwanda’s famous rolling hills before arriving at your lodge near the park.
Day 3: Golden Monkey Trekking and Cultural Experience
Following breakfast, you head to the park headquarters for briefing before trekking into the bamboo forests to track endangered golden monkeys. These playful primates provide excellent photography opportunities and fascinating behavioral observations. In the afternoon, you may visit local communities to experience Rwandan culture and traditions.
Day 4: Transfer to Uganda – Bwindi Region
After breakfast, you cross into Uganda and travel toward Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its mountain gorilla population. The journey offers stunning views of volcanic mountains and rural landscapes before arriving at your forest lodge for relaxation.
Day 5: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
This is one of the most anticipated days of the safari. After an early breakfast, you proceed to the park headquarters for briefing and group allocation before entering the dense rainforest with experienced trackers. Trekking duration varies depending on gorilla movement, but once located, you spend one magical hour observing the gorilla family. The close encounter with these gentle giants creates an unforgettable wildlife experience.
Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Following breakfast, you travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park, passing through scenic highlands and crater lake regions. Upon arrival, you check into your lodge and enjoy views of the savannah plains and wildlife-rich landscapes.
Day 7: Wildlife Safari and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
The day begins with an early morning game drive where you may encounter elephants, buffalo, lions, antelopes, and various bird species. In the afternoon, you enjoy a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, famous for its large populations of hippos and crocodiles, providing excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.
Day 8: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
After breakfast, you transfer to Kibale National Park, known as the primate capital of East Africa. The journey passes through scenic countryside and tea plantations before arriving at your lodge near the forest.
Day 9: Chimpanzee Trekking and Bigodi Wetland Experience
Following an early briefing, you trek into Kibale Forest to track chimpanzees. Observing these intelligent primates interacting in the wild provides a fascinating contrast to gorilla encounters. In the afternoon, you explore Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, renowned for birdlife and community conservation initiatives.
Day 10: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
After breakfast, you depart for Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest national park. The drive showcases changing landscapes from forested regions to savannah plains before arriving at your lodge near the Nile River.
Day 11: Game Drive and Nile Boat Safari
The day begins with a morning game drive across the park’s northern plains where wildlife sightings may include lions, elephants, giraffes, and antelopes. In the afternoon, you enjoy a boat safari along the Nile River toward the base of Murchison Falls, witnessing hippos, crocodiles, and abundant birdlife.
Day 12: Rhino Tracking and Return to Entebbe
After breakfast, you visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for guided rhino tracking on foot, completing Uganda’s Big Five experience. Later, you continue to Entebbe for overnight near the airport or relaxation by Lake Victoria.
Day 13: Departure
After breakfast, you transfer to the airport for your international flight home, marking the end of a remarkable thirteen-day journey through Uganda and Rwanda. The safari concludes with unforgettable memories of primate encounters, wildlife safaris, and cultural experiences across two of Africa’s most beautiful countries.
If you would like, I can also prepare a luxury version, add Lake Bunyonyi relaxation, or extend this itinerary to include Tanzania or Kenya. Just let me know.