Detailed Itinerary of your 10 Days Rwanda Uganda Safari

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali, Rwanda

Day 1 of your 10 Days Rwanda Uganda safari begins with a warm welcome upon your arrival at Kigali International Airport. Your dedicated guide, who will accompany you throughout this thrilling safari, will be there to receive you.

After a warm welcome and a brief introduction, he will provide you with comfortable transfers to your pre-booked accommodations where you will relax to prepare for the adventure ahead.

We pride ourselves in providing our visitors with the best accommodation options depending on their budget plans. At your accommodation, enjoy a leisurely stay, and feel free and comfortable for the best experience.

This is for those who have landed in the country in the afternoon or evening. But for those who have arrived pretty early, you will go ahead and embark on the Kigali City Tour in the evening, we’ll gather for a welcome dinner, where you’ll meet your fellow travelers and discuss the exciting adventures ahead.

• Accommodation: Radisson Blu Hotel (luxury), Kigali Marriot (mid-range), or Discover Rwanda Hostel (budget)
• Activities: Arrival, welcome dinner
• Meals: Dinner included
• Transport: Private vehicle

Day 2: Kigali City Tour and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

On Day 2 of your 10 days Rwanda Uganda safari, your morning begins with a hearty breakfast at the hotel. Afterward, you’ll embark on a fascinating Kigali city tour. In the city, you will check out different places which include the vibrant local markets, and genocide memorial grounds, hang out in the city gardens, and cafes, and check out the shopping malls, among others as requested.

The Kigali City tour will last up to about 5 hours, immersing you in the city’s rich history, culture, and modern life of the Rwandan people.

 Following the tour, you’ll enjoy a delicious lunch and relax a bit before we transfer you to Volcanoes National Park, a scenic journey of approximately 2-3 hours through stunning landscapes. Upon arrival, you will relax in your accommodation, preparing for the gorilla trekking adventures that will be awaiting you the following day.

• Activities: Visit the Genocide Memorial, local markets, and cultural centers
• Accommodation: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (luxury), Le Bamboo Boutique Hotel (mid-range), or Kinigi Guesthouse (budget)
• Meals: Breakfast and lunch included
• Transport: Private 4×4 vehicle

Day 3: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

On Day 3 of your 10 Days Rwanda Uganda safari, you’ll rise early for an exhilarating day of gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. this is one of the major highlights of this African safari.

 Your day will begin with a warm breakfast. Ensure that you take something heavy for the strenuous yet thrilling gorilla trekking adventure. You will leave the accommodation packed as gorilla trekking is a full-day adventure carried out in the wilderness where there is no access to food and water if needed.

You will be driven to the park headquarters to attend a pre-gorilla briefing session which usually starts as early as 7:30 am. Expect an unforgettable wildlife experience as you hike through the dense forests, and steep and rugged terrains of Volcanoes National Park.

Gorilla treks in the park are led by an armed ranger for your safety and an experienced park guide to provide an engaging and immersive experience. A typical gorilla trek lasts around 3 hours, but depending on the location of your assigned gorilla family, it can extend up to 8 hours, involving navigation through various forest terrains in search of the gorillas.

When you encounter these gentle giants, you have 1 hour of observing them interact and go about their daily activities. This is a thrilling experience leaving you with unforgettable memories.

• Activities: Gorilla trekking (permit included)
• Accommodation: Same as Day 2
• Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, and dinner included
• Transport: Private vehicle to the trekking starting point

Day 4: Golden Monkey Tracking and Cultural Visit

On Day 4 of your 10 Days Rwanda Uganda safari takes you on another thrilling adventure, golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park. Like Mountain gorilla trekking, this adventure starts with a briefing about the trekking rules and guidelines at the park headquarters.

Golden monkey tracking is less demanding than mountain gorilla trekking, as these lively primates are typically found among the bamboo shoots at the base of the volcano. Golden monkeys, loved for their distinctive appearance, are featured with lively behaviors. They are very playful and are observed swinging from one bamboo shoot to another, offering a thrilling experience.

A golden monkey tracking adventure in Volcanoes National Park lasts between 2 to 4 hours depending on their location. After this adventure, you will go back to your accommodations where you will unwind and prepare for cultural encounters in the afternoon.

A visit to the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village will immerse you in the local traditions and customs of Rwanda. At the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village center, you will engage in different activities such as music, dance, preparing traditional dishes, milking cows, and handcrafting, among others offering deep insights into Rwandan culture. Day 4 is a day rich in wildlife and cultural insights!

• Activities: Track golden monkeys, visit a local village
• Accommodation: Same as Day 2
• Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, and dinner included
• Transport: Private vehicle

Day 5: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Day 5 of your 10 Days Rwanda Uganda safari marks the beginning of Uganda wildlife safaris featured with sightings of the Big Five during game drives. It introduces you to Big Five safari parks in Uganda among which include Queen Elizabeth National Park known for its diverse wildlife.

This day will start with an early scenic drive of approximately 6 to 7 hours, taking you from Volcanoes National Park to the stunning Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda. It is a fairly long drive featuring stoppings on request to stretch and take photos and absorb in soul-captivating spots.

Upon arriving at Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda’s premier safari destinations, you will first check into your accommodation, freshen up, and prepare for the thrilling wildlife adventures that await you.

• Activities: Scenic drive, lunch on the way and nature walks
• Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge (luxury), Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge (mid-range), or Ihamba Lakeside Safari Lodge (budget)
• Meals: Breakfast and lunch included
• Transport: Private 4×4 vehicle

Day 6: Game Drive and Boat Cruise

On Day 6, After an early breakfast, you’ll set off for a thrilling morning game drive. Queen Elizabeth is one of those parks that offers the best game drives in Uganda. Game drives in this park are featured with sightings of different animal species roaming about their habitats.

The popularly spotted animals include elephants, lions, buffalo, zebras, and various antelope species. After the game drives, you will take a lunch break and embark on a boat safari on the Kazinga Channel. Here you will enjoy close-up views of different aquatic and semi-aquatic animal species.

Among these include hippos, crocodiles, fish, different water-wading birds, and animals attracted by this water body cooling off by the shores. A mixture of land and water exploration offers a unique perspective on the park’s incredible biodiversity and stunning scenery offering the best African Safari experience.

• Activities: Morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise on Kazinga Channel
• Accommodation: Same as Day 5
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner 
• Transport: Private vehicle for game drives

Day 7: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

On Day 7, you’ll journey from Queen Elizabeth National Park to Kibale Forest National Park. It is approximately a two to three-hour drive from Queen to Kibale forest. You will embark on the journey immediately after breakfast. It is a scenic drive immersing you in the picturesque landscapes and vibrant local culture.

• Activities: Scenic drive, a brief stop at Fort Portal
• Accommodation: Primate Lodge (luxury), Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse (mid-range), or Kibale Forest Camp (budget
• Meals: Breakfast and lunch included
• Transport: Private vehicle

Day 8: Chimpanzee Tracking and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

The highlight of this day is a chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest National Park. The day starts with an early morning transfer to the park headquarters for a chimpanzee trek briefing about the safety rules and guidelines. After, you are divided into different smaller groups of at least 8 individuals, with each led by an armed ranger and an experienced English speaking park guide for an informative and immersive experience.

A chimp trek typically lasts for 2 to 4 hours depending on the location of the assigned chimp group. It is featured with sightings of different plants and animal species along the way. Following this exhilarating encounter, you’ll enjoy lunch before transferring to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, approximately a 4 to 5-hour drive taking you through stunning landscapes. 

• Activities: Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale & a scenic drive to Bwindi
• Accommodation: Gorilla Resort (luxury), Buhoma Community Rest Camp (mid-range), or Silverback Lodge (budget)
• Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, and dinner included
• Transport: Private vehicle

Day 9: Nature Walk in Bwindi and Relaxation at Lake Bunyonyi

• Activities: Nature walks, canoeing on Lake Bunyonyi
• Accommodation: Bunyonyi Overland Resort (luxury), Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort (mid-range), or Acadia Cottages (budget)
• Meals: Breakfast and lunch included
• Transport: Private vehicle

Day 10: Transfer back to Kigali for Departure

On Day 10 of your Rwanda-Uganda safari, you’ll enjoy a leisurely breakfast at Lake Bunyonyi before we begin your transfer back to Kigali. The scenic drive will take approximately 4-5 hours, offering beautiful views of the Rwandan countryside as you reflect on your incredible journey.

 Along the way, we can stop for lunch at a local restaurant, savoring the flavors of the region one last time. Upon reaching Kigali, you’ll have time for last-minute shopping or sightseeing, depending on your flight schedule. Finally, we’ll assist you to the airport for your departure, concluding an unforgettable adventure!

• Activities: Farewell lunch and shopping at local crafts markets
• Meals: Breakfast and lunch included
• Transport: Private vehicle to Kigali Airport

End of 10 Days of an Adventurous safari