15 Days Rwanda Uganda Gorilla Safari – Overview

15 Days Rwanda Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari is a comprehensive package that features the prime national parks of Rwanda and Uganda.

The encounter commences in Kigali city – Rwanda and ends in Kampala city – Uganda. It takes you through Nyungwe National Park with its famous chimpanzees and canopy walk, heritage encounters in Butare, the gorilla trekking encounters in Volcanoes National Park, gorilla trekking encounter in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, wildlife viewing and Kazinga Channel launch cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Mount Ruwenzori hiking, chimpanzee trekking encounters in Kibale and Eco-encounters in Bigodi wetland, crater lake hike, Amabere g’ Nnyinamwiru caves and Mpanga tea estate cycling in Fort portal area, the encounter on the top of Murchison Falls, the rewarding wild game viewing including the Big five namely lion, leopard, Rhinos, elephants and buffaloes, boat cruise on the Nile and Jinja source of the Nile Adventures. The package is diverse and worth undertaking.

15 Days Rwanda Uganda Gorilla Safari – Highlights

• Day 1: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park
• Day 2: Chimp trekking & Canopy walk
• Day 3: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
• Day 4: Do Gorilla trekking
• Day 5: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
• Day 6: Undertake Gorilla trekking encounter in Bwindi.
• Day 7: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Day 8: Do morning game drive and afternoon Kazinga Channel boat cruise
• Day 9: Do Mount Rwenzori Hiking & drive to Kibale National Park.
• Day 10: Chimpanzee trekking and Bigodi wetland walk
• Day 11: Do Fort Portal Crater Lake hike, visit the Amabere g’ Nnyinamwiru caves, Mpanga Tea Estate cycling & transfer to Hoima.
• Day 12: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park & visit the top of the falls.
• Day 13: Do game drive & Nile launch cruise
• Day 14: Transfer to Kampala & visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary en route
• Day 15: Encounter the source of River Nile – Jinja.

5 days Rwanda Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari Tour – Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park

After breakfast, embark on your 15 days Rwanda Uganda Gorilla trekking safari by driving to Nyungwe Forest National Park – the home of chimpanzees in Rwanda.

It is 268km about 6 hours’ drive from Kigali city. Driving to Nyungwe is not a mere journey but rather an amazing encounter in its self as you will come across great sights of Rwandan hills, make stop en route in Butare to visit the Nyanza Palace – the residence of the Kings of Rwanda, Butare National Museum featuring rich ethnography of Rwanda and Nyanza memorial site.

Have Lunch en route and continue to arrive in Nyungwe Forest National Park in the afternoon.

Accommodation: Nyungwe Forest Lodge (Upmarket/luxury), Nyungwe Hill Top Hotel (Midrange/standard) or Gisakura Guest House (Budget/Basic).

Day 2: Chimp Trekking & Canopy Walk

Wake up for an early morning cup of coffee before embarking on Chimp trekking experience at 08:00am in the Forest of Nyungwe – Rwanda.

The experience is quite rewarding as you see Chimps roll down the tree branches; munching fruits, young ones playing amidst their amazing sounds.

Their playful and food gathering tactics will leave you in a state of marvel prompting you to fill your camera with amazing photos.

During the chimp trekking, you will also come across other 12 primate species including the unique colobus monkey which will leave you with a true taste of nature.

In the afternoon, embark on the Nyungwe Forest canopy walk, the third of its kind in Africa and the First of its kind in East Africa.

The 90m long and 50m tall walking platform offers rewarding views of animals, birds, butterfly and great flora. The activity is coordinated at Uwinka Visitor Center and it is very rewarding.

Accommodation: You will have dinner and overnight at your previous lodge.

Day 3: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, embark on 284km journey about 8 hours’ drive to the gorilla trekking destination of Volcanoes National Park.

You will be astonished by the amazing scenery en route including the farmed landscapes of Rwanda and the banks of Lake Kivu. You will have lunch en route and arrive in the evening for overnight.

Accommodation: Mount Gorilla View Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), La Palme Hotel (Midrange/standard) or Muhabura Hotel (Budget/Basic).

Day 4: Do Gorilla Trekking

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 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. You will embark on the visit to the splendid twin lakes of Ruhondo and Burera in the evening.

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

Day 5: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This will involve crossing the Uganda boarder and driving along the impressive scenic landscapes of the Virunga Volcanoes.

You will arrive in Bwindi (south) early for lunch for relaxation after which you will undertake a community walk to the Bakiga and Bafumbira communities that surround the area not forgetting the impressive short Batwa people who were formerly forest dwellers before they were evicted to pave way for conservation. Retire for overnight.

Accommodation: Chameleon Hill Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Gorilla Valley Lodge (Midrange/Standard) or Wagtail Eco-Safari Camp (Budget/Basic).

Day 6: Undertake Gorilla Trekking Encounter in Bwindi.

Wake up very early to take breakfast before gathering for briefing and eventual gorilla trekking at the Park Headquarters in Rushaga. 

After short briefing, you will set off to the Impenetrable forest of Bwindi, very thick and sometimes hard to penetrate as its name suggest.

Trekking gorillas in Bwindi- Uganda is quite challenging as it involves rugged terrain shaped by valleys and steep slopes. The jungle is very lively with rich forest sounds.

It ranges between 2 – 8 hours’ to undertake the gorilla trekking activity. You have one hour encounter with gorillas which will lure you into irreversible excitement of gazing at these great apes as they imitate what you do, young ones playing on ground and in tree branches, the sight of the giant silverback and the way they feed all combine to exhaust the capacity of your camera film.  You will return to the lodge for relaxation and overnight.

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

Day 7: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Uganda – Queen Elizabeth National Park 309km.You will drive through the scenic landscapes of the Kigezi highlands and the eastern forested hills of Bwindi before approaching the Savannah landscapes of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

The Southern Ishasha sector offers impressive sights of tree climbing lions and if lucky you can spot some lying on a fig tree branch. Have a simple game drive as you proceed to your lodge for relaxation and overnight.

Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge (Luxury/Upmarket), Enganzi Lodge (Midrange/Standard) or Pumba Safari Cottages (Budget/Basic).

Day 8: Do Morning Game Drive And Afternoon Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

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

This early departure gives you possibilities of seeing 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 give you a possibility to see herds of elephants, buffalos, pride of lions, warthogs and a range of antelopes.

You will retire from the 3 – 4 hours game drive and embark to the lodge for relaxation and lunch. In the afternoon, embark on the transfer to Mweya for Kazinga channel launch cruise that starts at 3pm lasting for two hours.

You have opportunities of spotting hippos, Nile crocodiles, birds on the water shore and counts of wildlife like elephants and buffaloes drinking on the channel side. Retire for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: You will have dinner and overnight at your previous lodge

Day 9: Do Mount Rwenzori Hiking & Drive to Kibale National Park.

Connect to Rwenzori Mountain 72km about 2 hours’ drive to embark on the whole day hiking encounter. The hiking encounter exposes you to raised landscapes of Mount Rwenzori offering impressive scenic views of the ridges and glaciers and the rift valley flats below.

The activity is a whole day experience and upon return, you will transfer to Kibale National Park 135km about 3 hours’ drive for relaxation and overnight.

Accommodation: Primate Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Chimpanzee Guesthouse (Midrange/Standard) or Kibale Forest Camp (Budget/Basic).

Day 10: Chimpanzee Trekking And Bigodi Wetland Walk

After breakfast, gather at Kanyanchu tourism center for briefing at 08:00am from the park rangers about the Chimp trekking conduct. Set off to this forest of Kibale after the short briefing in quest of Chimpanzees.

The 2 – 5 hour trek will expose you amazing tree species and wildlife including other 12 species of primates like Colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, Red tailed monkeys and olive baboons.

The sights of Birds cannot be avoided while their songs will offer you natural entertainment through the jungle.

You will marvel at the Chimpanzees as the roll themselves on tree branches, munch fruits and make their pant – hooting calls.

After utilizing your one hour, you will return to the starting point for relaxation and preparing for another activity.

In the afternoon, you will visit the Bigodi wetland to encounter the swamp animals like Sitatunga and birds like Ruwenzori Turaco and an encounter with local people including the traditional healer.

Accommodation: You will have dinner and overnight at your previous lodge.

Day 11: Do Fort Portal Crater Lake Hike, Visit The Amabere g’ Nnyinamwiru Caves, Mpanga Tea Estate Cycling & Transfer to Hoima.

After breakfast, drive through Fort Portal town and connect to Fort Portal Crater Lake Area for an amazing hiking encounter.

Hike the famous hill of Kyeganywa that is surrounded by counts of crater lakes and crater hollows with impressive scenic views and the towering mountains of the moon at a distance.

You will also visit the Amabere g’ Nnyinamwiru caves to encounter the breast like features of which the locals attach greatly to the Chwezi people.

The Nyakasura falls of the seasonal Nyakasura River also offers rewarding experience. Return from this area and drive through Fort Portal town again to Mpanga tea estates for an active tea estate cycling and a visit to the tea factory. After this encounter, transfer to Hoima town for relaxation and overnight.

Accommodation: Kontik Hotel / Kolping Hotel.

Day 12: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park & Visit The Top Of The Falls.

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Murchison Falls National Park and upon arrival, you will visit the top of the falls to encounter the roaring Nile River which is the longest in the whole world squeezing itself to pass through less than 8m narrow gorge forming a plume of spray marked by a trade mark rain bow as it falls 43m below to what has been regarded as the Devil’s Cauldron. Retire for relaxation and overnight.

Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge (Upmarket/Luxury), Murchison River Lodge (Midrange/Standard) or Heritage Safari Lodge (Budget/Basic).

Day 13: Do Game Drive & Nile Launch Cruise

Wake up very early for a cup of coffee and then head to Paraa ferry crossing at 7:00am to the northern sector of the Park where game drives are carried out.

The possible sights of various wildlife including; elephants, buffalo, Jackson hartebeest, Kobs, lion, leopard, giraffe among other wildlife will leave you with a taste of African Savannah wilderness.

The activity takes 3 – 4 hours after which you will return to the Paraa ferry crossing at 11:00am to go back to your lodge for relaxation and memory sharing.

After your stimulating lunch, gather at the Paraa for an after boat cruise on the Nile at 02:00pm. This boat trip has got captains and guides who have cruised on this waters for years and will be glad to share with every piece of information that you would wish to gather on this trip including any bird species and wildlife both aquatic and land that might present its self.

The shoebill stork can be luckily seen on this boat while the great sights of Nile crocodiles – the second largest reptile in the world and the Hippos would make up your trip up to the base of the falls.

The boat takes 3 hours after which you will have marked the end of your day’s adventures.

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

Day 14: Transfer to Kampala & Visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary En-route

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Kampala 311km about 5 hours’ drive excluding stops en route. At Nakitoma, branch off from the main road for further 7km to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to undertake White Rhino tracking.

Have an opportunity of encountering the only white Rhinos in Uganda. Continue on the drive to arrive in Kampala in the afternoon.

Accommodation: Sheraton Hotel (Upmarket/Luxury), Cassia Lodge (Midrange/Standard) or Buziga Country Resort (Budget/Basic).

Day 15: Encounter The Source of River Nile – Jinja.

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Jinja the source of the Nile 80km from Kampala about 2 hours’ drive.

You will enjoy the fresh air presented by Mabira forest en route with roadside forest views. Upon reaching Jinja – the adventure town of Uganda, you will enroll yourself for the white water rafting experience that will see you contain the strength of waters of the Nile as they splash through the rapids.

You will also participate in the bungee jumping that will see you fall from the cliff to touch on the waters of the Nile 140ft below – one of the active adventures you will ever have.

The relaxing boat cruise to the source of the Nile will take you to the point where John Speke, the first European to see the source of the world’s longest river stood.

You will see the Nile starting it 90 days journey to the Mediterranean Sea. Retreat from this active adventure to Kampala in the evening.

End of The 15 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)