7 Day Uganda Rwanda Gorilla and Wildlife Safari

This 7 day Uganda Rwanda gorilla and wildlife safari is designed for travellers who want to combine big game viewing, chimpanzee tracking, boat safaris and gorilla trekking in two countries. The journey starts in Uganda with Queen Elizabeth National Park, where you explore crater lakes, track chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge or Kalinzu Forest, and take the Kazinga Channel boat cruise. You then continue to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for Uganda gorilla trekking before crossing into Rwanda for a second gorilla trekking experience in Volcanoes National Park. This safari works well for travellers who want to compare Uganda and Rwanda gorilla trekking in one itinerary. It also gives more variety than a short gorilla-only tour because it includes savannah wildlife, forest primates, scenic drives, border crossing, local landscapes and two major gorilla destinations.

Safari Highlights

• 7-day Uganda and Rwanda safari
• Game viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Crater lakes and the Katwe salt lake area
• Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge or Kalinzu Forest
• Kazinga Channel boat cruise for hippos, crocodiles, birds and elephants
• Ishasha sector game drive, known for tree-climbing lions
• Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
• Cross-border transfer from Uganda to Rwanda
• Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
• Option to end in Kigali or return to Kampala
• Budget, mid-range and luxury accommodation options

Detailed Safari Itinerary

Day 1, Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Crater Lakes

Your driver guide will pick you up from your hotel in Kampala or Entebbe and begin the journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park in western Uganda. The drive takes you through towns, rural landscapes and roadside trading centres before reaching the park region. Along the way, you may stop at Mpambire, known for traditional drum making, before continuing towards Queen Elizabeth National Park. On arrival, explore the crater lake region and the Katwe salt lake area, where salt has been mined using traditional methods for many years. This area gives you a good introduction to the park’s scenery, with crater lakes, Rift Valley views, open landscapes and the distant Rwenzori Mountains. After the crater lakes visit, continue to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay. Accommodation options: Budget: Bush Lodge or Simba Safari Camp, Mid-range: Hippo Hill Camp or Ihamba Lodge, Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge, Jacana Safari Lodge, Kyambura Game Lodge or Katara Lodge

Day 2, Chimpanzee Tracking and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

After an early breakfast, transfer to Kyambura Gorge or Kalinzu Forest for chimpanzee tracking. Kyambura Gorge is a deep forested valley within the Queen Elizabeth conservation area, while Kalinzu Forest is a good alternative when Kyambura permits are not available. Your ranger guide will brief you before the walk and explain the forest, primates, birds and other wildlife you may encounter. After the chimpanzee tracking experience, return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, head to the Kazinga Channel for a boat cruise. The channel connects Lake George and Lake Edward and is one of the best places in Uganda for relaxed wildlife viewing. Along the shores, you may see hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants and many water birds. Return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 3, Ishasha Game Drive and Transfer to Bwindi Forest

After breakfast, leave Queen Elizabeth National Park and drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. If your gorilla permit is in the northern Bwindi sectors, the route can include a game drive through Ishasha, an area known for tree-climbing lions. The sector also has open savannah, woodland, the Ishasha River and wildlife such as buffaloes, elephants and antelopes. If your gorilla permit is in the southern Bwindi sectors, the drive is longer, so Ishasha may be skipped to avoid arriving too late. This should be decided at the time of booking based on the confirmed gorilla trekking sector. Continue to Bwindi and check in at your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay. Accommodation options: Budget: Buhoma Community Bandas, Nkuringo Safari Centre or Ruhija Camp, Mid-range: Lake Kitandara Camp, Nkuringo Safari Lodge or Trekkers Tavern, Luxury: Gorilla Forest Camp, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge or Gahinga Volcanoes Lodge

Day 4, Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After an early breakfast, your guide will transfer you to the park headquarters for briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers. The briefing covers gorilla trekking rules, group allocation, forest safety and what to expect during the trek. You will then enter Bwindi Forest with ranger guides and trackers to search for your assigned gorilla family. The trek can take 2 to 7 hours depending on where the gorillas are feeding or moving. The forest can be steep, muddy and thick in some areas, so good walking shoes and a reasonable level of fitness are important. Once the gorillas are located, you spend one hour observing them. You may see a silverback, mothers with infants, juveniles playing, feeding behaviour and quiet family interaction. After the trek, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 5, Cross from Uganda to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda

After breakfast, begin the cross-border transfer from Bwindi to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. The route depends on your Bwindi sector and the border point used. You will complete immigration formalities before continuing into Rwanda towards Musanze, the main town near Volcanoes National Park. On arrival, check in at your lodge and relax as you prepare for the second gorilla trekking experience. Accommodation options: Budget: Kinigi Guest House or Muhabura Guest House, Mid-range: Gorilla Mountain View Lodge, Gorillas Hotel or Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, Luxury: Virunga Lodge or Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge

Day 6, Rwanda Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

After an early breakfast, transfer to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters for a briefing. Ranger guides will explain the trekking rules and allocate visitors to gorilla families. Rwanda’s gorilla trekking experience is known for its scenic volcanic setting, bamboo forest and relatively shorter access from Kigali compared with Uganda. After the briefing, drive to the trailhead and begin the trek with your ranger guides. The walk can vary depending on the location of the gorilla family. Once the gorillas are found, you spend one hour with them before returning to the starting point. After trekking, you may return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay. If trekking ends early and your route requires returning to Uganda, you may transfer to Kabale to shorten the next day’s drive. If you prefer ending the safari in Rwanda can continue to Kigali instead.

Day 7, Return to Kampala or End in Kigali

After breakfast, begin the final transfer. If ending in Uganda, travel back towards Kampala with lunch arranged en route. This is a long road journey, so an early start is recommended. If ending in Rwanda, transfer to Kigali for drop-off at your hotel or Kigali International Airport, depending on your flight schedule. This marks the end of your 7-day Uganda Rwanda gorilla and wildlife safari.

Inclusions and Exclusions

Included

• Airport or hotel pickup
• Private safari vehicle and fuel
• English-speaking driver guide
• Accommodation as stated in the itinerary
• Meals as stated in the final quote
• Chimpanzee tracking permit
• Uganda gorilla trekking permit
• Rwanda gorilla trekking permit
• Cross-border transfer support
• Bottled drinking water during transfers

Excluded

• International flights
• Uganda and Rwanda visa fees
• Travel insurance
• Tips for guides, rangers, trackers and lodge staff
• Personal drinks, laundry and calls
• Optional activities not confirmed in the itinerary
• Extra accommodation before or after the safari