8-Day Rwanda & Uganda Wildlife Expedition
Overview
This 8-day Rwanda & Uganda Wildlife Safari combines two of East Africa’s most beautiful countries in one exciting journey. From Rwanda’s ancient rainforests and peaceful lakes to Uganda’s mountain gorillas and wildlife-rich savannahs, the trip offers a balanced mix of primate trekking, game viewing, boat cruises, culture, and scenic landscapes.
Your adventure starts in Kigali with a short introduction to Rwanda’s history and culture before continuing to Nyungwe National Park. This ancient mountain forest is famous for chimpanzees and many other primates. Follow experienced trackers through the forest in search of chimpanzees before enjoying views over the treetops during a canopy walk.
Continue to Lake Kivu for a relaxing break beside one of Africa’s Great Lakes. A boat trip introduces you to the lake’s islands, communities, birds, and beautiful surrounding hills. From here, travel north toward Musanze and the Virunga Mountains before crossing into Uganda.
The main highlight of your Rwanda & Uganda Wildlife Safari is mountain gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Walk through bamboo and mountain forest with professional trackers before spending the permitted viewing time with a habituated gorilla family.
After your gorilla adventure, travel to beautiful Lake Bunyonyi for a peaceful boat experience before continuing to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Here, enjoy a Kazinga Channel boat safari and a game drive in search of elephants, buffaloes, lions, antelopes, hippos, and other wildlife.
The journey ends with a return to Kigali after eight days filled with forests, lakes, mountains, primates, wildlife, and local experiences. This Rwanda & Uganda Wildlife Safari is an excellent choice for couples, families, photographers, and nature lovers seeking a complete East African adventure.
Tour Plan
Your Rwanda & Uganda Wildlife Safari begins when you arrive in Kigali, Rwanda's lively capital. Meet your professional driver-guide at Kigali International Airport and receive a short introduction to your eight-day journey.
Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a guided tour of Kigali. Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial to learn about the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi and Rwanda's journey of remembrance and recovery. You may also visit Kandt House Museum and a local market if time allows.
After the city experience, enjoy lunch before leaving Kigali and traveling south toward Nyungwe National Park.
The drive introduces you to Rwanda's famous rolling hills, farms, villages, tea-growing areas, and mountain scenery. As you approach Nyungwe, the landscape becomes increasingly green and forested.
Arrive at your accommodation, check in, and enjoy a quiet evening before tomorrow's early chimpanzee trekking experience.
Accommodation: Gisakura Guest House
Wake early for breakfast before transferring to the designated chimpanzee trekking starting point. Meet your guides for a briefing before entering Nyungwe's thick mountain forest.
Follow experienced trackers through the forest while listening for chimpanzee calls. The trek may take several hours depending on where the chimpanzees are located. Once found, enjoy the permitted viewing period observing their natural behavior.
Nyungwe is also rich in other primates, birds, butterflies, and plant life, making the forest walk rewarding even before the chimpanzees are located.
After trekking, continue with a canopy walk for impressive views across the forest. Walking high above the forest floor provides a different view of this ancient ecosystem.
Later, leave Nyungwe and travel toward Kibuye on the shores of Lake Kivu. Check into your accommodation and enjoy a peaceful evening beside the lake.
Accommodation: Rwiza Village
After several active experiences, today offers a slower pace beside beautiful Lake Kivu. Enjoy breakfast while taking in views of the water and surrounding green hills.
Later, head onto the lake for a guided boat trip. Explore sections of the shoreline and nearby islands while learning about local fishing communities and daily life around the lake.
Lake Kivu also offers excellent scenery and birdwatching opportunities. Depending on your chosen program, optional experiences may include kayaking, island exploration, swimming in suitable designated areas, or visiting a coffee-growing community.
Those who prefer a relaxed day can simply enjoy the lakeside setting and lodge facilities.
Lake Kivu provides an important relaxing break during your Rwanda & Uganda Wildlife Safari, allowing you to enjoy Rwanda's natural beauty before continuing toward the Virunga Mountains.
Return to your accommodation later in the day for dinner and another peaceful night beside the lake.
Accommodation: Rwiza Village
Enjoy breakfast before leaving Lake Kivu and traveling north toward Musanze. The drive passes through Rwanda's rolling countryside with beautiful views of farms, villages, hills, and distant mountains.
On arrival in the Musanze region, visit Musanze Caves, where ancient volcanic activity created impressive underground lava formations. Explore the caves with a local guide while learning about the volcanic history of the area.
Depending on the confirmed itinerary and available time, you may also visit the Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo or arrange a Dian Fossey-related experience.
Later, continue toward the Cyanika border and complete the required immigration procedures before entering Uganda.
Drive into the Kisoro and Mgahinga region, where the Virunga volcanoes dominate the landscape. Check into your accommodation and spend the evening preparing for the following day's mountain gorilla trekking adventure.
Accommodation: Mount Muhabura Climbers Rest Camp
Today brings one of the biggest highlights of your Rwanda & Uganda Wildlife Safari. Wake early, enjoy breakfast, and transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park headquarters.
Attend a detailed briefing from park officials covering gorilla trekking rules, safety, forest conditions, and responsible behavior around the gorillas. You will then enter the forest with experienced guides and trackers.
The trek passes through mountain vegetation and bamboo forest. Depending on the location of your assigned gorilla family, the walk can take several hours and may involve steep, wet, or muddy trails.
Once the gorillas are found, you will have the permitted viewing time to quietly observe them from a controlled distance. Watch the silverback, females, juveniles, and young gorillas as they feed, rest, groom, and interact.
After this memorable encounter, trek back to the starting point and meet your driver-guide.
Transfer to your accommodation in the Kisoro area and enjoy a well-earned evening of relaxation.
Accommodation: Mondi Lodge Kisoro
After breakfast, leave Kisoro and travel toward Lake Bunyonyi. The drive passes through southwestern Uganda's beautiful highlands, with views of terraced farms, small villages, green valleys, and steep hills.
Lake Bunyonyi is famous for its calm waters and numerous islands surrounded by cultivated hills. On arrival, check into your accommodation before heading onto the lake for a guided boat experience.
Explore some of the islands and learn about the history and traditions of communities living around the lake. Your guide may share stories connected to places such as Punishment Island and explain how life around Lake Bunyonyi has changed over the years.
The afternoon can be spent relaxing beside the water, taking photographs, watching birds, or enjoying additional activities offered locally.
After an easy day surrounded by beautiful scenery, return to your accommodation for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Crater Bay Cottages and Camp
Enjoy breakfast before beginning the journey north toward Queen Elizabeth National Park. Along the way, travel through changing landscapes and rural communities.
Your journey may include a stop at Kitagata Hot Springs, a natural attraction surrounded by local stories and traditions. After the visit and lunch, continue toward Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Arrive in time for an afternoon boat safari along the Kazinga Channel. The channel connects Lake George and Lake Edward and is one of the best places in the park for viewing wildlife close to the water.
Look for hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants, and other animals along the shoreline. The area is also rich in birdlife, making the cruise especially enjoyable for photographers and birdwatchers.
After the boat safari, transfer to your accommodation and relax after another rewarding day.
Accommodation: Tembo Safari Lodge
Wake up early and head into Queen Elizabeth National Park for your final game drive. Explore the Kasenyi Plains and surrounding wildlife areas when animals are often active during the cooler morning hours.
Search for lions, elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, warthogs, waterbucks, and other wildlife. Leopards also occur within the park but can be difficult to find because of their secretive behavior.
Queen Elizabeth National Park provides a classic savannah experience and creates a fitting conclusion to your Rwanda & Uganda Wildlife Safari after several days focused on forests, lakes, mountains, and primates.
After the game drive, return to the lodge for lunch before beginning the journey toward Rwanda. Complete border formalities and continue through Rwanda's countryside toward Kigali.
Arrive in Kigali in the evening, depending on traffic, border procedures, and road conditions. Your driver-guide will transfer you to Kigali International Airport or your selected hotel, marking the end of your eight-day East African adventure.
