10 Days Rwanda Uganda Safari 2026: Gorilla Trekking, Chimpanzee Tracking & Big Five Adventure

10 days Rwanda Uganda safari: This epic cross-border itinerary is the single best way to experience East Africa’s greatest wildlife in one trip — mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, golden monkey tracking, Uganda’s Big Five game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park, a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest, and a nature walk through Bwindi Impenetrable National Park — all woven into a single, expertly guided 10-day journey.

Why a Combined Rwanda Uganda Safari Beats a Single-Country Trip

Most travellers researching a gorilla safari eventually face the same question: Rwanda or Uganda? The honest answer is — why not both? A 10 days Rwanda Uganda safari lets you trek gorillas in Rwanda’s iconic Volcanoes National Park and Uganda’s wild Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, giving you two entirely different gorilla trekking experiences, two countries’ worth of Big Five game viewing, and the “Primate Capital of the World” — Kibale Forest — all in one seamless trip.

For travellers who’d rather stay within one country, we also run a dedicated 12 Day Rwanda and Uganda Safari for those with extra days, or the shorter 5 Days Rwanda Gorilla and Chimp Tour if 10 days feels like too much.

Activities Overview of the 10 Days Rwanda Uganda Safari

Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda)
Golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda)
Cultural visits — Kinyarwanda and Ugandan traditions
Big Five game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park (Uganda)
Boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel (Uganda)
Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest, the Primate Capital of the World
Nature walks in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Relaxation at Lake Bunyonyi
Kigali city tour and Genocide Memorial visit

Want the gorilla-and-golden-monkey combination on its own before crossing into Uganda? See our 4 Days Rwanda Gorilla and Golden Monkey Trekking tour.

Brief Itinerary of the 10 Days Rwanda Uganda Safari

Day 1: Arrive in Kigali, Rwanda
Day 2: Kigali city tour and transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Day 3: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Day 4: Golden monkey tracking and cultural visit
Day 5: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 6: Game drive and boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel
Day 7: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
Day 8: Chimpanzee tracking and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Day 9: Nature walk in Bwindi and relaxation at Lake Bunyonyi
Day 10: Transfer back to Kigali for departure

Detailed Itinerary of Your 10 Days Rwanda Uganda Safari

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali, Rwanda

Your Rwanda Uganda safari begins with a warm welcome at Kigali International Airport, where your dedicated guide will meet you and transfer you to your accommodation. Whether you land in the afternoon or early enough for a same-day Kigali orientation, this first evening is about settling in before the adventure ahead — with a welcome dinner to meet your guide and discuss the days to come.

Accommodation: Radisson Blu Hotel (luxury), Kigali Marriott (mid-range), or Discover Rwanda Hostel (budget) · Meals: Dinner · Transport: Private vehicle

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

Day 2 opens with a full Kigali city tour — the Genocide Memorial, vibrant local markets, city gardens, cafés, and shopping areas, giving real context to modern Rwanda. After lunch, you’ll transfer roughly 2–3 hours to Volcanoes National Park, the epicentre of mountain gorilla trekking in Rwanda, arriving in time to settle in before the following day’s trek. If you’d like to learn the conservation history behind the park before your trek, ask about adding our 1 Day Dian Fossey Grave Hike.

Accommodation: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (luxury), Le Bamboo Boutique Hotel (mid-range), or Kinigi Guesthouse (budget) · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch · Transport: Private 4×4 vehicle

Day 3: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

The undisputed highlight of the trip’s Rwanda leg: gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. After an early breakfast and a 7:30am briefing at park headquarters, you’ll hike through dense forest and steep volcanic terrain, accompanied by an armed ranger and an experienced guide. Treks typically run 3 hours but can extend to 8 depending on the gorilla family’s location — and once you find them, you’ll spend a full hour observing these gentle giants up close. Travellers who want a second, separate gorilla encounter in Rwanda before crossing into Uganda often extend this section using our 4 Days Rwanda Double Gorilla Trekking itinerary as a template.

Accommodation: Same as Day 2 · Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner · Transport: Private vehicle to the trailhead

Day 4: Golden Monkey Tracking and Cultural Visit

Day 4 delivers golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park, a livelier and less strenuous adventure than gorilla trekking, as these playful primates swing through the bamboo forest at the volcano’s base. In the afternoon, a visit to the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village immerses you in Rwandan traditions — music, dance, traditional cooking, cattle milking, and handcraft demonstrations. It’s a day that balances wildlife thrills with genuine cultural connection, echoing the cultural depth found in our standalone 10 Days Rwanda Safari Holiday.

Accommodation: Same as Day 2 · Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner · Transport: Private vehicle

Day 5: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Day 5 marks the crossing point of your Rwanda Uganda combined safari — a scenic 6–7 hour drive from Volcanoes National Park into Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of the country’s premier Big Five safari destinations. Expect photo stops along the way and a smooth border transition before settling into your lodge for the wildlife adventures ahead.

Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge (luxury), Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge (mid-range), or Ihamba Lakeside Safari Lodge (budget) · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch · Transport: Private 4×4 vehicle

Day 6: Game Drive and Boat Cruise

An early morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park offers sightings of elephants, lions, buffalo, zebras, and antelope roaming the open savannah — widely regarded as some of the best game drives in Uganda. After lunch, a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel brings you close to hippos, crocodiles, and dozens of water bird species, rounding out a day that blends land and water wildlife viewing in one of Uganda’s richest ecosystems. If you’d like more time in this park alone, our 3 Days Murchison Falls Safari gives a taste of Uganda’s other flagship savannah park.

Accommodation: Same as Day 5 · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner · Transport: Private vehicle

Day 7: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

A scenic 2–3 hour drive takes you from Queen Elizabeth to Kibale Forest National Park, known worldwide as the “Primate Capital of the World.” The route passes through vibrant villages and lush greenery, with time to stop at Fort Portal along the way. You’ll settle into your lodge with time to relax before the next day’s chimpanzee tracking adventure.

Accommodation: Primate Lodge (luxury), Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse (mid-range), or Kibale Forest Camp (budget) · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch · Transport: Private vehicle

Day 8: Chimpanzee Tracking and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

The morning is dedicated to chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest, following a ranger briefing at park headquarters before splitting into small groups led by an armed ranger and English-speaking guide. A chimp trek typically lasts 2–4 hours through rich rainforest teeming with birdlife and other primates. After lunch, you’ll transfer 4–5 hours to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to over half the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Travellers wanting to combine this leg with a dedicated Bwindi gorilla trek should look at our 4 Days Bwindi Gorillas and Kibale Chimpanzees itinerary.

Accommodation: Gorilla Resort (luxury), Buhoma Community Rest Camp (mid-range), or Silverback Lodge (budget) · Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner · Transport: Private vehicle

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

Start the day with a peaceful nature walk in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, guided by experts sharing insight into the park’s rich flora, fauna, and excellent birdwatching. In the afternoon, transfer to the tranquil shores of Lake Bunyonyi, one of Uganda’s most beautiful lakes, for canoe rides and quiet relaxation after eight days of trekking. For travellers who want to pair this same lake experience with more Uganda wildlife, our 5 Days Bwindi Gorillas and Queen Elizabeth safari covers similar ground on a shorter timeline.

Accommodation: Bunyonyi Overland Resort (luxury), Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort (mid-range), or Acadia Cottages (budget) · Meals: Breakfast, Lunch · Transport: Private vehicle

Day 10: Transfer Back to Kigali for Departure

Your final day begins with a leisurely breakfast at Lake Bunyonyi before the 4–5 hour scenic drive back to Kigali, with a stop for a farewell lunch and last-minute shopping at local craft markets. From there, we’ll transfer you to Kigali International Airport, concluding your unforgettable 10 days Rwanda Uganda safari.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch · Transport: Private vehicle to Kigali Airport

10 Days Rwanda Uganda Safari: Includes & Excludes

Tour Includes: Accommodation as specified · all meals as specified · gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits · professional English-speaking guide · all transportation in a private 4×4 vehicle · park entrance fees and boat cruise · cultural visits and activities.

Tour Excludes: International flights · travel insurance · personal expenses (souvenirs, tips) · additional activities not listed · meals not mentioned.

End of the 10 days rwanda uganda safari.

Best Time to Visit for Gorilla Trekking and Wildlife Viewing

For Rwanda, June to September (dry season) is ideal for gorilla trekking. For Uganda, June to August and December to February are equally strong windows for wildlife viewing in Queen Elizabeth and Kibale. According to Uganda Wildlife Authority, permit demand during these peak months is highest, which is exactly why booking your gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits early through an experienced operator like Trek Rwanda Gorillas matters — permits are limited and non-transferable.

Packing List for Your Rwanda Uganda Safari

Sturdy hiking boots
Lightweight, moisture-wicking clothing
Rain jacket
Hat and sunglasses
Insect repellent and sunscreen
Camera with zoom lens
Binoculars for wildlife viewing
Reusable water bottle
Personal toiletries and medication

Gorilla Trekking Rwanda vs Uganda — Which Should You Choose?

One of the most searched questions among safari travellers is gorilla trekking Rwanda vs Uganda. In Rwanda, permits cost $1,500 per person, reflecting a premium, more polished experience — Volcanoes National Park sits just 2.5 hours from Kigali, with relatively open terrain offering clearer gorilla sightings.

Uganda’s gorilla trekking permits are more affordable at $800 per person, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park delivers a wilder, denser forest experience with potentially longer, more challenging treks.

Rwanda suits travellers prioritising luxury and accessibility; Uganda rewards the budget-conscious and adventure-seeking. The beauty of this 10 days Rwanda Uganda safari is that you don’t have to choose — you get both.

For a Rwanda-only deep dive, browse our 3 Days Rwanda Gorilla Safari; for Uganda-only, see the 1 Day Gorilla Trek Uganda or the longer 8 Day Uganda Primate Safari.

Golden Monkey Trekking vs Gorilla Trekking

Golden monkey trekking, available in both Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda) and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (Uganda), is livelier and less strenuous than gorilla trekking, with permits priced far more affordably at $100 in Rwanda and $90 in Uganda.

Gorilla trekking, by contrast, is the more immersive, physically demanding, and unforgettable experience, at $1,500 in Rwanda and $800 in Uganda.

Many travellers on this itinerary do both — a golden monkey trek offers a lighter, playful contrast to the deeply moving intensity of a gorilla encounter.

Rwanda-Uganda Border Crossing Guide for Tourists

Travellers on a combined Rwanda Uganda safari can apply for the East African Tourist Visa, which allows multiple entries across Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya for 90 days at $100 USD, applied for online through the immigration portal of your first destination.

Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months, and check the latest Yellow Fever vaccination requirements before travel — our guides handle every border logistics detail so you can focus on the wildlife.

Book Your 10 Days Rwanda Uganda Safari Today

Few trips on earth pack in as much as this 10 days Rwanda Uganda safari — two countries, two gorilla trekking experiences, golden monkeys, chimpanzees, the Big Five, and some of East Africa’s most beautiful lakes, all handled by one trusted, permit-savvy team from start to finish.

This is the itinerary for travellers who refuse to choose between Rwanda and Uganda and want the full East African primate and wildlife experience in a single unforgettable journey.

Gorilla and chimpanzee permits for peak season (June–September, December–February) sell out months in advance, so the sooner you reach out, the better your chance of securing the exact dates and gorilla families you want.

Contact Trek Rwanda Gorillas today to check 2026 availability and lock in your Rwanda Uganda safari itinerary — this is the trip you’ll be telling stories about for the rest of your life.

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