7 Days Remarkable Rwanda & Uganda Safari

Welcome to Kigali, the capital of Rwanda since it became independent in 1962. While many people remember Rwanda for the tragic genocide of 1994, the country has been working hard to rebuild its economy and offers much to visitors. Although the past should never be forgotten, Rwanda's future in tourism looks bright, thanks to its friendly people, stunning lakes, and the breathtaking Virunga Mountains.

Your visit will start with a meeting with your guide, followed by a trip to the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre. This site, opened in 2004 to mark the 10th anniversary of the genocide, tells the story of the tragedy and its aftermath. It’s also a place where people can remember and mourn those they lost. After the memorial visit, you’ll drive to Musanze, the gateway to Volcanoes National Park, home to the famous mountain gorillas and golden monkeys.

If you’re interested, you can also visit the Gorilla Doctors headquarters. This is the only organization in the world dedicated to saving mountain and eastern lowland gorillas. They focus on the health of these gorillas, offering medical care when needed, and work hard to spot illnesses or injuries early to help these amazing creatures recover. Dinner and overnight at Le Bamboo Gorilla Lodge.  

On day two, you'll explore the montane rainforests of Volcanoes National Park to see the endangered Golden Monkeys. This trek is easier and more relaxed than the gorilla trek, giving you the chance to get up close with these playful primates. If you're not interested in monkey tracking, there are plenty of other fun activities in Musanze. You can hike to Dian Fossey's Tomb, take a peaceful canoe ride on the Mukungwa River, or visit Redrocks Rwanda. There, you can learn how local banana beer is made and enjoy performances with dancing, drumming, and basket-weaving. Afterward, you'll head back to the lodge for lunch, freshen up, and then travel to Uganda, home to over half of the world's mountain gorillas. You'll spend the night at Orugano Bwindi Lodge.

After an early breakfast, you'll head to the park headquarters for a briefing before your trek. With the help of local ranger guides, you'll hike through the tough, mountainous Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in search of mountain gorillas. Getting a glimpse of these amazing creatures up close is a truly unforgettable experience, and visits are carefully controlled to avoid disturbing them. Gorilla tracking is no easy feat – the forest lives up to its name and can be wet, muddy, and tough to navigate, but the joy of finding a group of gorillas makes it all worth it. You'll spend an hour watching them eat, sleep, groom, and play, with the silverback male keeping a watchful eye. Afterward, you'll return to the park offices to receive your Gorilla Trekking Certificate before heading back to the lodge for dinner and time to reflect on this incredible adventure. Overnight at Orugano Lodge.

After breakfast, you'll head to the Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. On the way, you'll meet a local Mukiga woman who will share her story and show you how she sorts, pounds, and grinds millet to make porridge and other traditional Bakiga dishes. Then, you'll continue your journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park, home to 613 bird species, 10 types of primates—including chimpanzees—and 95 species of mammals. This area is known for its tree-climbing lions, so keep an eye out as you go on a game drive towards your ecolodge in the northern part of the park, where you'll spot herds of elephants, buffaloes, and antelopes! Overnight at Kikorongo Safari Lodge.

Wake up for another exciting day in Queen with another 4x4 Game Drive. Be on the lookout for any sightings you may have missed yesterday, and if you’re really lucky, you might be able to spot leopards, lions or giant forest hogs. This afternoon, you have the opportunity to see the park from a different perspective with an optional cruise down the Kazinga Channel, linking Lake Edward to Lake George. You’ll be joined by local guides who will fill you in on everything you could want to know about the landscape and the animals who live within it – be on the lookout for hippos basking on the shore, as well as crocodiles, herds of elephants and abundant birdlife. Overnight at Kikorongo Safari Lodge 

After breakfast, you'll visit Kyambura Gorge, a hidden gem in Queen Elizabeth National Park. As you approach the hike, the lush, Lost World-like gorge remains a secret until you're right there. This crack in the Earth's crust is home to a small group of chimpanzees and is a beautiful, wildlife-filled sanctuary. Starting from the dry savanna, you'll descend into this underground Eden. The length of your hike depends on where the chimpanzees are, and it may involve some bushwhacking since this spot isn't often visited. After the chimpanzee tracking, you'll head to Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda's smallest savannah park. The park is unique for its acacia woodlands, which support different wildlife compared to other East African parks. It's the best place in Uganda to see the giant eland antelope and home to 68 mammal species, including zebras, impalas, buffalo, leopards, hyenas, and jackals. The park also has five lakes, full of hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of waterbirds. The papyrus swamps here are a haven for sitatunga antelope and the vibrant red, black, and yellow papyrus gonalek. Overnight at Rwakobo Rock.

After an early breakfast, you'll head out for a nature walk, your final "safari activity" of the tour. This is one of the most exciting game walks in Uganda, taking you through a beautiful area with an expert local guide. During the walk, you might spot various primates, birds, and antelopes like the Common Eland, Waterbuck, Impala, Topi, Bushbuck, and Klipspringer. You could also see Hyena, Buffalo, Giraffes, Zebras, and Warthogs, all set in a beautiful savannah with tall Acacia trees. After the walk, you'll begin your journey to Entebbe, which is about 4 to 5 hours away. But there’s one last surprise – a stop at the Ugandan Equator crossing in Kayabwe! Here, you can stand with one leg in the Northern Hemisphere and the other in the Southern Hemisphere – perfect for fun photos and lasting memories. It's also a great spot to pick up some souvenirs to remember your amazing safari in Africa. Finally, you'll arrive at Entebbe International Airport, say your goodbyes to new friends, and head off on your onward or return flights.