This 7 Days Uganda-Rwanda Safari combines savannah wildlife, boat trips, mountain gorillas, volcanic landscapes and a short Kigali city experience. The route moves from central Uganda to western Uganda, crosses into Rwanda and ends in Kigali with Africa Adventure Safaris. It works well for travellers who want to combine Uganda’s wildlife with gorilla trekking in either Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.
Trip Highlights – 7 Days Uganda – Rwanda safari
Day 1: Kampala to Lake Mburo National Park
Day 2: Lake Mburo to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 3: Queen Elizabeth National Park game drive and boat cruise
Day 4: Queen Elizabeth to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 5: Gorilla trekking and Nature walk
Day 6: Bwindi to Volcanoes National Park
Day 7: Volcanoes National Park to Kigali
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Kampala to Lake Mburo National Park
Start the 7 Days Uganda-Rwanda Safari early from Kampala. The drive to Lake Mburo takes about 4–5 hours. The route passes through Uganda’s central countryside, with farms, trading centres and roadside markets along the way. Make a short stop at the Equator crossing at Kayabwe. You can take photographs, visit the craft shops and learn about the geographical significance of the Equator. Continue towards Lake Mburo National Park. After lunch, enter the park for an afternoon game drive. Look for zebras, impalas, buffaloes, topis, warthogs and elands. If you arrive early enough, you can instead take a boat trip on Lake Mburo. The lake has hippos, crocodiles and many water birds.
Lake Mburo is a small savannah park in western Uganda. Its landscape includes open grassland, acacia woodland, wetlands and several lakes. The park is known for zebras, impalas, elands, buffaloes, hippos and many bird species. Walking safaris and boat trips give visitors ways to explore the park beyond the usual vehicle game drive. Accommodation options includeMihingo Lodge (luxury), Rwakobo Rock or Mburo Safari Lodge (mid-range), Eagles Nest Camp or a local campsite (budget)
Day 2: Lake Mburo to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Wake up early for a game drive or guided walking safari. A walking safari provides a closer look at animal tracks, plants, birds and smaller wildlife. Lake Mburo is one of the Ugandan parks where walking activities offer a useful alternative to vehicle safaris. After breakfast, leave for Queen Elizabeth National Park. The journey takes about 4–5 hours depending on the route and stops. The scenery changes as you travel from the rolling landscapes around Lake Mburo towards western Uganda. Stop for lunch along the way. Arrive in Queen Elizabeth National Park later in the afternoon. If time permits, take a short evening game drive.
Queen Elizabeth National Park lies between Lake Edward and Lake George in western Uganda. It has savannah plains, crater lakes, forests, wetlands and the Kazinga Channel. The park supports elephants, buffaloes, lions, Uganda kobs, hippos, leopards and many bird species. Accommodation options include Mweya Safari Lodge or Kyambura Gorge Lodge (luxury), Buffalo Safari Lodge or Enganzi Lodge (mid-range), Pumba Safari Cottages or Tembo Safari Lodge (budget)
Day 3: Queen Elizabeth game drive and Kazinga Channel cruise
game viewing
Wake up early for a game drive in the Kasenyi Plains. The morning is suitable for wildlife viewing before temperatures become high. Look for Uganda kobs, elephants, buffaloes, lions, warthogs and antelopes. Leopards are present but can be difficult to spot. Return to the lodge for breakfast and rest.
After lunch, take a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel. The channel connects Lake Edward and Lake George. Hippos are often seen in the water, while crocodiles rest along the banks. The channel also attracts many water birds like Kingfishers, bee-eaters, herons, egrets and fish eagles. The boat trip gives you a different perspective from the morning game drive.
Day 4: Queen Elizabeth to Bwindi Through Ishasha
Leave Queen Elizabeth early and travel towards the Ishasha Sector. The journey from the northern section of Queen Elizabeth towards Ishasha takes several hours. Take a game drive through Ishasha before continuing to Bwindi. Ishasha is known for its tree-climbing lions. Look for large fig trees where the tree-climbing lions sometimes rest. You may also see elephants, buffaloes, topis, Uganda kobs and other wildlife. After the game drive, continue towards Bwindi. The drive from Ishasha to Bwindi can take about 2–4 hours depending on the Bwindi sector and road conditions. You can also stop at viewpoints overlooking the surrounding valleys. Arrive at your lodge and prepare for gorilla trekking.
Bwindi is a mountainous rainforest in southwestern Uganda. It is one of the main destinations for mountain gorilla trekking. The forest has steep trails, dense vegetation and several habituated gorilla families. Accommodation options include Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp (luxury), Four Gorillas Lodge or Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge (mid-range), Buhoma Community Rest Camp (budget)
Day 5: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi
Take an early morning breakfast, head to the park office headquarters with packed lunch for an inevitable briefing ready to trek for the gorillas in the thick impenetrable forests. You get to spend an hour with the gorillas after having trekked for about 3-5 hours. If you are not so worn out in the evening, head for a brief nature walk to the Batwa community. Also available are curio shops, drinking joints, a children’s school among others. You can try the other option being Munyanja river trail, where you can see the waterfalls and an array of bird life or the Muzabajiro/ Ruhija trails which offer forest and grassland bird species plus more primates. Return to Gorilla Forest Camp/ Gorilla Resort/ Buhoma community Bandas/ Buhoma Homestead.
Day 6: Bwindi to Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
mountain gorillas
After breakfast, leave Bwindi and travel towards the Rwanda border. The journey depends on your Bwindi sector and the border crossing used. The Cyanika border near Kisoro provides a practical connection between southwestern Uganda and northern Rwanda. Allow about 4–5 hours for the journey, including border procedures and stops. The landscape changes from Bwindi’s forested hills to the volcanic slopes around Musanze. If your timing allows, make a short stop at Lake Mutanda before crossing the border.
After entering Rwanda, continue towards Volcanoes National Park. If you arrive early, visit the Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo. The lakes sit beneath the Virunga volcanoes and offer views of the surrounding hills. You can take a short boat ride or simply enjoy the landscape from one of the viewpoints. Another option is a visit to a local community near the lakes. Alternatively explore the Musanze caves with a local guide.
Volcanoes National Park lies in northwestern Rwanda within the Virunga Mountains. Five of the eight major Virunga volcanoes are found within the park. These include Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo. The park is known for mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, volcano hiking, and the nearby Twin Lakes. Accommodation options include Virunga Lodge, Bisate Lodge, or One&Only Gorilla’s Nest (luxury), Mountain Gorilla View Lodge or Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (mid-range) and Kinigi Guesthouse or similar local accommodation (budget)
Day 7: Volcanoes National Park and transfer to Kigali
Start the morning with golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park. The trek takes you into the bamboo forests of the Virunga Mountains. Golden monkeys move quickly through the vegetation, so the walk can be active. The park also offers volcano hikes if you prefer a longer mountain experience. A shorter option is a visit to the twin Lakes or a cultural experience near Kinigi.
After lunch, drive from Volcanoes National Park to Kigali. The journey takes around 2–3 hours. Depending on your departure time, take a short Kigali city tour. Possible stops include the Kigali Genocide Memorial, local craft markets, art galleries and the city centre. Continue to Kigali International Airport for your departure.
End of the tour
Included in this tour package;
- Gorilla and Chimpanzee viewing Permits
- Cultural entertainment
- Park Ranger Fees
- Relevant Government Taxes.
- Full Board Accommodation (2 nights) and en-route meals as indicated in the itinerary.
- Full time English speaking Driver/Guide
- Ground Transportation by a 4×4 safari vehicle
- Airport transfer, as long as your flight is on the same day on which the safari ends.
Exclusions:
- Airfares
- Visa Fees
- Personal Insurance
- Expenses of personal nature such as; drinks, tips, laundry, telephone, cigarettes, accommodation & meals not indicated in the itinerary and optional activities.
[/tab]
[/tabs]
