Looking for a rewarding 7-day safari in Africa that will leave you wanting more time at every stop? Book this 7-day combo safari through Uganda and Rwanda. By the end of the trip, you will have seen most of the key wildlife species in the region.
Expect to see primates such as gorillas and chimpanzees, mammals like lions, buffaloes, elephants, zebras, giraffes, and several antelope species. You will also spot birds including the crested crane and the Rwenzori turaco, along with crocodiles and hippos.
This safari takes you through Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda, and Bwindi Impenetrable and Queen Elizabeth National Parks in Uganda. The trip begins in Rwanda and ends in Uganda.
7-Day Uganda Rwanda Safari Highlights
- Day 1: Pickup and Kigali city tour
- Day 2: Transfer to Nyungwe National Park
- Day 3: Chimpanzee trekking and canopy walk
- Day 4: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Day 5: Gorilla trekking and cultural visit
- Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park, with a stop for tree-climbing lions in Ishasha sector
- Day 7: Morning game drive and departure
Detailed 7-Day Uganda Rwanda Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Pickup and Kigali City Tour
Our company representative will meet you at the agreed location, whether at the airport or your hotel, for a briefing and the start of your 7-day trip. They will explain the key rules for each destination and walk you through the activities ahead.
Afterward, enjoy a Kigali city tour, either by car or on foot, through one of the cleanest cities in Africa. Visit local markets to pick up items for your trip, exchange money for local currency, and interact with local traders.
After the tour, have lunch, then spend the afternoon at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where documentaries and exhibits mark the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. End the day with dinner and rest at your hotel.
Day 2: Transfer to Nyungwe National Park
After coffee at the hotel, set off on a 4 to 5 hour drive to Nyungwe National Park, passing through rolling hills, plantations, and clear waters along a scenic route.
Stop along the way at a few notable spots your guide will point out, and break for lunch, before arriving at your lodge for a relaxed evening, dinner, and rest.
Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking and Canopy Walk
Start with coffee at the lodge, followed by a short briefing and registration before a 1 to 6 hour chimpanzee trekking experience. Chimpanzees are humans’ closest living relatives, sharing about 98% of our DNA along with many similar behaviors.
The trek passes through forest vegetation, with chances to see reptiles and other primates such as colobus monkeys and grey-cheeked mangabeys. Spend one hour watching the chimpanzees feed, play, and rest before stopping for lunch.
After lunch, take a canopy walk along a suspended bridge 7 meters high, the only one of its kind in Africa. From here, take in views of the park, watch primates move through the treetops, and spot a range of bird species. Return to the lodge for dinner and rest.
Day 4: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast, check out for a 5 to 6 hour drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via the Cyanika border post, stopping for registration and lunch along the way.
The crossing takes you through rolling hills and green plantations, with time to hear stories about the gorillas and the country along the way. The day ends at the lodge with dinner and rest.
Day 5: Gorilla Trekking and Cultural Visit
After breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing from park rangers. The gorilla trek then begins and can take between 1 and 8 hours, depending on where the gorilla family is located. Once you find them, spend one hour watching them play, rest, build nests, and interact as a family.
During the trek, you will also see different tree species, other primates, reptiles, and the forest scenery itself.
After the trek, return to the lodge for lunch, followed by an afternoon visit to the Batwa pygmies. End the day with dinner and rest.
Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park, with a Stop for Tree-Climbing Lions in Ishasha Sector
After breakfast, take a scenic drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park via the Ishasha sector, known for its tree-climbing lions. Stop here for 3 to 4 hours of lion tracking.
During this stop, you have a good chance of spotting one or more lions resting in tree branches or moving through the sector. Afterward, break for lunch before continuing to your lodge for the evening and dinner.
Day 7: Morning Game Drive and Departure
Start the day with an early game drive through the park in search of animals active at dawn. Look for lions, leopards, buffaloes, warthogs, antelopes, vultures, and various bird species across the open savanna.
After the game drive, enjoy a bush breakfast before returning to the lodge to check out. Begin the 5 to 6 hour drive to Entebbe International Airport for your flight, or travel back to Kigali.
If heading to Entebbe, stop at the equator for the water demonstration, lunch, and photos along the way.
What to Bring
Pack hiking boots, a rain jacket, long trousers, a long-sleeved shirt, gardening gloves, insect repellent, sunscreen, drinking water, and energy snacks for the treks. A camera and binoculars help you capture wildlife along the way.
What’s Included
This tour includes transport, a professional driver-guide, accommodation, and park entry and permit fees. Personal expenses are not included unless agreed at booking.
