Best of Uganda and Rwanda Safari – 17 Days
The Best of Uganda and Rwanda Safari for 17 days is an exciting adventure that covers both Uganda and Rwanda. The safari starts at Entebbe International Airport and ends at Kigali International Airport. It is one of the best safari packages because it offers a chance to experience top attractions in East Africa. You will see primates that are found nowhere else in the world, along with big mammals and cats in their natural homes.
The safari highlights
- Bird watching at Mabamba Swamp.
- Tracking rhinos at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
- Game drive and boat trip in Murchison Falls National Park
- Hiking to the top of the powerful Murchison Falls
- Game drive, boat trip and tracking the famous tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
- Gorilla tracking in Bwindi and Volcanoes National Parks
- Tracking golden monkeys in Volcanoes
- Game drive and boat trip in Akagera National Park
- chimpanzee tracking and a canopy walk in Nyungwe
- Kigali City Tour
Day 1: Arrival and Airport Pickup
Your journey begins when you arrive at Entebbe Airport. You will be warmly welcomed by our friendly and experienced guide who will take you to The Boma Hotel, where you can relax and settle in. The guide will also give you a brief introduction to your exciting Uganda and Rwanda safari. Enjoy your time at the hotel and prepare for the adventure ahead.
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Mid-Range: The Boma Hotel
Day 2: Birding Experience at Mabamba Swamp
After breakfast, get ready for your birding adventure. On this day, you will visit Mabamba Swamp, a hotspot for bird watching. This swamp is home to many bird species, including the rare Shoe-bill stork. You will board a boat or canoe with an expert birding guide to look for these amazing birds. As you glide through the swamp, you may spot the Shoe-bill standing in the reeds or flying above the papyrus plants. Along the way, you will also see other bird species like the African Jacana, Purple Heron, White-winged Tern, Red-billed Fire-finches, Long-toed Lapwing, African Marsh Harrier, and African Fish Eagle.
After this exciting birding experience, you will head to Fairway Hotel in Kampala for a comfortable overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, En route lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Mid-Range: Fairway Hotel
Day 3: Road Transfer to Murchison Falls via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Start your day with breakfast before setting off for Murchison Falls National Park. The drive will take around 5 hours. On the way, you will stop at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Here, you will have the chance to track rhinos in the wild. After your rhino tracking experience, enjoy lunch at a nearby restaurant. Then, continue your journey to Murchison Falls. Upon arrival, check in at Chobe Safari Lodge for dinner and a restful night.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, En route lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Luxury: Chobe Safari Lodge
Day 4: Hiking to the Top of the Falls and Boat Trip
Start this day with a hearty breakfast, then get ready for an exciting hike to the top of Murchison Falls. Murchison Falls is famous for being one of the most powerful waterfalls in the world. You will be amazed by the sight of water rushing through a narrow gap in the rocks, falling with incredible force into the Nile River below.
After your hike, return to your lodge for lunch and some relaxation. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat trip along the Nile River. This boat ride gives you a chance to spot wildlife like hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and buffaloes along the riverbanks. After the boat trip, head back to Chobe Safari Lodge for dinner and your overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Full Board
Accommodation: Luxury: Chobe Safari Lodge
Day 5: Game Drive and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, you will go on a morning game drive in Murchison Falls National Park. The Delta area is a great spot for seeing animals like lions, elephants, giraffes, antelopes, and leopards. After the game drive, return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation.
In the afternoon, you will begin your journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park. This drive will take several hours, so relax and enjoy the scenic route. Once you arrive at the park, check in at Enganzi Game Lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Full Board
Accommodation: Mid-Range: Enganzi Game Lodge
Day 6: Game Drive and Boat Trip in Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, head out for a morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The park is home to many animals, including elephants, lions, giraffes, buffaloes, and antelopes. You will enjoy spotting these magnificent creatures as you drive through the park’s savannah.
Later, return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, you will embark on a boat trip along the Kazinga Channel. This is the perfect opportunity to see large groups of hippos and crocodiles, along with buffaloes and other wildlife. After the boat trip, head back to Enganzi Game Lodge for dinner and your overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Full Board
Accommodation: Mid-Range: Enganzi Game Lodge
Day 7: Transfer to Ishasha Sector and Tracking the Tree-Climbing Lions
Start the day with breakfast, then set off for Ishasha, a remote sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park known for its tree-climbing lions. The journey will take a few hours, but it’s worth the trip to see these unique lions in action. Once you arrive, your guide will take you on a game drive to track the famous tree-climbing lions.
After your lion tracking experience, you will enjoy lunch in Ishasha before checking into Ishasha Jungle Lodge for a comfortable overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Full Board
Accommodation: Mid-Range: Ishasha Jungle Lodge
Day 8: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
After breakfast, get ready to travel to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, one of Uganda’s most famous parks. Bwindi is home to over half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas, and you will have the chance to track one of its gorilla families.
Upon arrival, check in at Buhoma Haven Lodge, where you will have lunch and relax for the rest of the day. Bwindi is known for its dense forest and challenging terrain, so be prepared for an exciting and rewarding gorilla trekking experience the next day.
Meal Plan: Full Board
Accommodation: Mid-Range: Buhoma Haven Lodge
Day 9: Gorilla Tracking Experience
Start your day with breakfast. After that, you will be transferred to the park headquarters. At the park headquarters, you will receive a briefing from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) staff. They will explain the rules and what to expect during the gorilla trek. After the briefing, a guide will lead you into the jungle. You will track the shy gorillas of the group you have been assigned. Remember to pack your lunch boxes before leaving the lodge. You will have lunch in the jungle, so it’s important to be prepared.
Gorilla trekking is one of the most exciting wildlife experiences in the world. You will spend between 2 and 6 hours tracking the gorillas. The guide will help you get closer to them in their natural habitat. Once you have had the chance to see the gorillas up close, you will return to the lodge. You will have time to relax in the afternoon after an exciting day in the jungle.
Meal Plan: Full board
Accommodation: Mid-range, Buhoma Havens Lodge
Day 10: Road Transfer from Bwindi to Volcanoes National Park
Start your day with breakfast. Afterward, you will begin your road trip to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. The drive will take you through beautiful forests. Along the way, you may spot monkeys and several bird species. The journey will be scenic and enjoyable.
When you arrive at Volcanoes National Park, you will check in at Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel. You will have lunch at the hotel and the rest of the day is free for relaxation.
Meal Plan: Full board
Accommodation: Luxury, Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
Day 11: Gorilla Tracking and Cultural Experience
Your day will begin early with breakfast at 6:00 am. You will then be transferred to the park headquarters for your briefing at 6:30 am. This is your second gorilla tracking experience, this time in Rwanda. You will be guided by a park ranger and two scouts to track the gorillas. Volcanoes National Park is home to 10 families of gorillas, and you will have the chance to see one of them up close. This adventure lasts between 2 and 6 hours. The experience is unforgettable and worth every minute.
After the gorilla trek, you will return to your lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, you will relax and then go on a cultural tour. The cultural tour will introduce you to the local people and their traditions. This is a great way to end your day in Rwanda.
Meal Plan: Full board
Accommodation: Luxury, Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
Day 12: Golden Monkey Trekking and Transfer to Akagera National Park
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the park headquarters for a briefing about golden monkey trekking. These monkeys are playful and active, and they live in the forests of Volcanoes National Park. You will be guided by a ranger into the forest to see these amazing animals. You will track them when they are still resting in their natural habitat.
After your golden monkey trek, you will return to the lodge for lunch. After lunch, you will begin your journey to Akagera National Park. The drive will take several hours, but the scenery will keep you entertained. Once you reach Akagera, you will check in at Akagera Game Lodge for dinner and your overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Full board
Accommodation: Mid-range, Akagera Game Lodge
Day 13: Game Drive and Boat Trip
After breakfast, you will head into Akagera National Park for a game drive. During the game drive, you will see animals such as giraffes, leopards, lions, and impalas. The park is home to many other species as well, so keep your eyes open. After the game drive, you will return to the lodge for lunch and some time to relax.
In the afternoon, you will go for a boat trip on Lake Ihema. This is a great way to see aquatic animals and bird species. You will enjoy the peaceful surroundings as you glide across the water. After the boat trip, you will return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Full board
Accommodation: Mid-range, Akagera Game Lodge
Day 14: Transfer to Nyungwe National Park
You will have breakfast early and start your journey from Akagera to Nyungwe National Park. The drive will take about 7 hours, so it will be a long day. During the drive, you will have lunch along the way. The journey will be tiring, but the beautiful views make it worthwhile.
When you arrive at Nyungwe, you will check in at Nyungwe Nziza Eco Lodge. You will have dinner and relax after a long day on the road.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch en route, and dinner
Accommodation: Mid-range, Nyungwe Nziza Eco Lodge
Day 15: Chimpanzee Trekking and Canopy Walk
Wake up early for a full day of adventure. After breakfast, you will be transferred to the park headquarters for a briefing at 5:00 am. After the briefing, you will walk into the forest to track chimpanzees. The trek can take 2 to 3 hours. You will see the chimpanzees in their natural habitat, which is an exciting and educational experience.
After the chimpanzee trek, you will return to the lodge to rest and have lunch. In the afternoon, you will go on a canopy walk. The walk takes place on a bridge above the forest floor, where you can spot animals from a higher perspective. It’s a unique way to view the forest and wildlife. After the canopy walk, you will return to the lodge for dinner.
Meal Plan: Full board
Accommodation: Mid-range, Nyungwe Nziza Eco Lodge
Day 16: Road Transfer to Kigali and City Tour
On the last day of your safari, you will start with breakfast at the lodge. After breakfast, you will travel by road from Nyungwe to Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. The drive will take about 5 hours. When you arrive in Kigali, you will have lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, you will go on a city tour. Kigali is a vibrant city with rich history and culture. You will visit important landmarks, including museums and memorials. This is a great way to learn about Rwanda’s history and people.
After the city tour, you will check in at Grand Legacy Hotel for dinner and your final overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch en route, and dinner
Accommodation: Luxury, Grand Legacy Hotel
Day 17: Transfer to Kigali Airport
On the last day of your safari, you will have breakfast before being transferred to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight. If your flight is in the afternoon, you may have some extra time to explore Kigali or enjoy lunch before heading to the airport.
If your flight is in the morning, you will be taken to the airport early. This marks the end of your incredible Uganda and Rwanda safari.
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Cost Inclusions
- All road transfers
- All experiences mentioned in the itinerary
- 2 Gorilla permits in Bwindi
- 2 Gorilla permits in Volcanoes National Park
- 2 Golden Monkey permits
- 2 Chimpanzee permits
- All accommodations and meals as per the itinerary
- Exclusive use of a safari vehicle
- Birding specialized guide
- Guides’ fees
- Bottled drinking water
- Handling fee
- Park entrance fees
Cost Exclusions
- Experiences not included in the itinerary
- Air transfers
- Accommodations and meals not included in the itinerary
- Personal expenses such as phone bills
- Alcoholic drinks
- Entry visas
