10 Days Rwanda Uganda Gorilla Safari – Overview

The 10 Days Rwanda Uganda gorilla trekking safari is a comprehensive safari package that begins in Kigali – Rwanda and ends in Kampala – Uganda.

It involves two but yet different gorilla trekking experiences in Volcanoes National Park & Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, paying tribute to the leading gorilla conservationist that the world has ever had – Dian Fossey at Karisoke research center, amazing boat encounter at Lake Bunyonyi, tree climbing lions of Ishasha, wild game encounters in Queen Elizabeth including; Elephants, Buffalo, antelopes, leopard among others, Chimpanzee trekking adventure in Kyambura, crater area scenic drive  and eventually Kampala City encounter with its range of historical, cultural and religious attractions.

10 Days Rwanda Uganda Gorilla Safari – Highlights

• Day 1: Drive to Volcanoes National Park.
• Day 2: First Gorilla Tracking encounter in Rwanda
• Day 3: Hike to Diana Fossey’s Graves
• Day 4: Cross to Uganda & do boat cruise on Lake Bunyonyi.
• Day 5: Connect to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
• Day 6: Undertake a gorilla trekking encounter in Bwindi, Uganda.
• Day 7: Drive to Queen Elizabeth via Ishasha sector – tree climbing lions & do boat cruise.
• Day 8: Do game drive & Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura gorge.
• Day 9: Do crater drive & transfer to Kampala
• Day 10: Encounter Kampala City.

10 Days Rwanda Uganda Gorilla Safari – Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Drive to Volcanoes National Park.

Before embarking on this 10 day Rwanda Uganda gorilla trekking safari, you will have first have an early breakfast at your place of stay in Kigali after which you will transfer with the help of our guide to Volcanoes National Park 116km about 3 hours’ drive.

You will arrive early for Lunch and simple relaxation. In the afternoon, you will embark on the nature walk to the awesome twin lakes of Ruhondo and Burera amidst magical bird sights and amazing scenery.

Accommodation: Virunga Lodge (Upmarket/luxury), Gorilla Mountain View Lodge (Midrange/standard) or Kinigi Guest House (Budget/basic).

Day 2: First Gorilla Tracking Encounter in Rwanda

Wake up for an early cup of coffee, before gathering at Kinigi Park Headquarters for briefing about the gorilla trekking activity at 08:00am always conducted by park rangers.

This is designed to detail the dos and don’ts while trekking gorillas. After briefing, you will traverse the jungle in search of the splendid mountain gorillas in the company of the park ranger guide which stretches between 2 – 8 hours.

You will walk through the luxuriant vegetation, climb raised gradients, ascend down the valleys before you encounter the great mountain gorillas as they munch their food and get astonished by the young gorillas playing and demonstrating their tactics which will prompt you to use up your camera space unknowingly.

Your one hour with gorillas is done and it is time for you to trek back to the lodge for relaxation. In the late afternoon, you will pay a visit to the Iby’ iwachu cultural village to have a detailed encounter of the Kinyarwanda Culture.

Accommodation: You will spend a night at your previous lodge.

Day 3: Hike To Diana Fossey’s Graves

Wake up for breakfast before embarking on the hike to the Dian Fossey site. The hike involves passing through various vegetation zones and a relatively raised ascend before approaching the site of the leading gorilla conservationist that the world is gifted to have had.

Dian Fossey an American Primatologist lays in rest at the site and adjacent is her research station at Karisoke with a lot of collections about Mountain gorillas.

You will also see the tomb of her favorite silverback – Digit that lies closer to hers. Return for relaxation.

Accommodation: You will spend an overnight at your previous lodge.

Day 4: Cross To Uganda & Do Boat Cruise on Lake Bunyonyi.

After breakfast, you will set off from Volcanoes National Park area to cross to Uganda via the Virunga massif with its stunning views.

The drive to Lake Bunyonyi 134km about 5 hours drive involves the great scenery of the Kigezi highlands that has been dubbed the Switzerland of Africa.

You will arrive for Lunch after which you embark on the afternoon boat cruise to explore the Bunyonyi’s 26 Islands and the rolling hills that surround it.

The encounter also gives you an opportunity to see birds while the visit to the adjacent community is quite rewarding as it enhances your cross cultural encounters.

Accommodation: Birdnest@Lake Bunyonyi resort (Upmarket/Luxury), Arcadia Cottages (Midrange/Standard) or Byoona-magara (Budget/Basic).

Day 5: Connect to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Embark on the scenic drive after breakfast through Kigezi highlands to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the north.

It is 110km about 4 hours’ drive. You will arrive early for Lunch and relaxation amidst the fresh soothing air from the pre historic forest of Bwindi.

In the evening, you can take a community to the adjacent Batwa people – the forest hunter gather humans that used to live I the forest of Bwindi before they were evicted to pave way for conservation. You will enjoy their stories and performances.

Accommodation: Gorilla Forest Camp (Upmarket/Luxury), Lake Kitandara Bwindi Camp (Midrange/Standard) or Buhoma Community Bandas (Budget/Basic).

Day 6: Undertake A Gorilla Trekking Encounter in Bwindi, Uganda.

Wake up for an early cup of coffee, before gathering at Park Headquarters at Buhoma for briefing about the gorilla trekking activity at 08:00am always conducted by park rangers.

This gives highlights about the dos and don’ts while trekking gorillas. After briefing, you will traverse the jungle in search of the splendid mountain gorillas in the company of the park ranger guide which stretches between 2 – 8 hours.

You will walk through the luxuriant vegetation, climb raised gradients, ascend down the valleys before you encounter the great mountain gorillas as they munch their food and get astonished by the young gorillas playing and demonstrating their tactics which will prompt you to use up your camera space unknowingly. Your one hour with gorillas is done and return to the lodge for relaxation.

Accommodation: Spend an overnight at your previous lodge.

Day 7: Drive to Queen Elizabeth via Ishasha Sector – Tree Climbing Lions & Do Boat Cruise.

After breakfast, embark on the drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park and for 64km 2 hours of drive, you will enter the re-known Ishasha sector in the south of Queen Elizabeth National Park where you do a simple game drive to spot the tree climbing lions lying on the branches of fig trees in the mid-morning sunshine.

After this encounter, you will continue on the 97km, 3 hours’ drive to Mweya for Lunch and the Kazinga channel boat cruise at 03:00pm.

The 2 hour boat ride gives you impressive sights along this unique 40m channel that connects Lakes George & Edward including; the Hippos and Nile crocodiles in the water, wild game drinking on the channel side and splendid water birds. Retire for overnight.

Accommodation: Mweya safari Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Enganzi Lodge (Midrange/standard) or Simba safari Camp (Budget/Basic).

Day 8: Do Game Drive & Chimpanzee Tracking in Kyambura Gorge.

Depart at 06:00am to encounter the rewarding Queen Elizabeth National Park game drive through the Kasenyi tracks.

This early departure will expose you to the early risers and the night hunters retreating to their hiding places including the rare leopard, side stripped jackal, hyena, and owls among others.

The morning game drive will also expose you the herds of elephants, buffaloes, pride of lions, warthogs and a range of antelopes.

You will retire from the game drive at 10:00am and embark to the lodge for a relaxed late breakfast and relaxation.

At noon, you will transfer with your packed Lunch to the Chimpanzee trekking destination of Kyambura gorge which starts at 02:00pm.

You will enjoy the challenging steep descend and ascend of the Kyambura gorge in search of the magnificent Chimpanzees.

Down on the valley floor is the rolling River of Kyambura whose sights and splendid atmosphere adds spice to this chimp trekking encounter. After trekking, you will drive back to your lodge for overnight.

Day 9: Do Crater Drive & Transfer to Kampala

After breakfast, undertake a scenic drive through the crater area to have the amazing views of the explosion craters that were left behind by the volcanic forces.

Some of these crater hollows were filled with water to form lakes and the absence of outlets made some of them to become completely salty such as the Katwe salty lake.

After the drive, embark on the journey to Kampala 417km about 7 – 8 hours’ drive through the lunch country side of south western Uganda and the range lands of Ankole.

You will stop at Igongo Cultural Center for Lunch and another stop will be at the equator crossing – Kayabwe a famous spot for [photography and amazing water experiments that derive the evidence of the divide between the north and south hemispheres. Arrive in Kampala in the late afternoon.

Accommodation: Kampala Serena Hotel (Upmarket/Luxury), Cassia Lodge (Midrange/standard) or The Lodge (Budget/Basic).

Day 10: Encounter Kampala City.

After breakfast, embark on the city tour of Kampala visiting the historical attractions like the Uganda Museum and monuments, Cultural attractions like Buganda Kingdom palace, Kasubi tombs and Kabaka’s lake, Religious attractions like the Namugongo Martyrs shrine, Namirembe & Rubaga Cathedrals, Baha’i temple and Gadhafi National Mosque, Markets like Owino and Nakasero to mark the end of your 10 days Rwanda Uganda gorilla trekking safari.

End of The 10 Days Rwanda Uganda Gorilla Safari

Safari Inclusions

• Gorilla Permit (for gorilla trekking safaris)
• Chimpanzee Permit (for chimpanzee trekking safaris)
• Full Board Accommodation on Safari
• Transportation in either 4X4 Safari Van or 4X4 Safari Land Cruiser all with Pop up roof & AC
• Fuel
• Professional English Speaking driver guide. Any other foreign language speaking guide can be arranged on request.
• Entrance fees to the tourist sites including Protected areas mentioned
• Activity fees of the tourist activities mentioned
• Bottled water while on safari
• Border crossing fees (for cross border safaris)

Safari Exclusions

• General tips for the driver guide, site guides and service staff at the lodges
• Laundry Services
• Other Beverages / drinks of personal nature like Alcohol
• International Flights (Arranged on request)
• Domestic Flights (Arranged on request)
• Visas
• Optional Activity fees
• Other extras not mentioned in the Itinerary
• Airport Transfer (Arranged on request)
• Accommodation in Kampala or Kigali unless it is part of the Itinerary (Arranged on request)