15 day Rwanda & Uganda Safari Overview
Discover the best of East Africa on this unforgettable 15-day Rwanda and Uganda safari, combining breathtaking landscapes, extraordinary wildlife encounters, rich cultural experiences and unforgettable primate adventures.
Explore Rwanda’s beautiful countryside and Uganda’s diverse wilderness, with opportunities to encounter endangered mountain gorillas, track chimpanzees in tropical rainforests and experience thrilling wildlife safaris in some of the region’s most remarkable national parks.
From scenic drives and spectacular landscapes to exciting game drives, boat cruises and authentic cultural encounters, this journey offers an exceptional introduction to the natural beauty and wildlife heritage of Rwanda and Uganda.
Whether you are a wildlife enthusiast, nature lover or adventurous traveller, this carefully designed safari promises memorable experiences across two of East Africa’s most fascinating destinations.
Mountain Gorilla trekking in Uganda
- Golden monkey tracking in Rwanda
- chimpanzee tracking
- Wildlife safaris/ game drives in Queen Elizabeth national park, Murchison Falls national park and Lake Mburo National park
- Boat cruises in queen Elizabeth national park and Murchison Falls national park
- Rhino tracking in ziwa rhino sancturay
- Shoe bill trekking in mabamba swamp
- cultural encounters
- city tours
15 day Rwanda & Uganda Safari Itenerary
This 15-day Rwanda and Uganda safari takes you on an unforgettable journey through two of East Africa's most fascinating destinations. Experience spectacular landscapes, diverse wildlife, tropical rainforests and authentic cultural encounters.
From Rwanda's scenic countryside to Uganda's renowned national parks, each day offers an opportunity to discover something unique. Enjoy exciting game drives, guided nature walks, boat cruises and unforgettable encounters with mountain gorillas and chimpanzees.
Our carefully planned itinerary combines adventure, relaxation and exploration, giving you the opportunity to experience the natural beauty and rich cultural heritage of Rwanda and Uganda at a comfortable pace.
Follow our day-by-day itinerary below to discover the highlights and experiences awaiting you on this remarkable East African adventure.
after breakfast, your guide will meet you and take you through the briefing of your trip. you will then depart for a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, an important historical site commemorating the victims of the 1994 Genocide.
Later enjoy a locally prepared Rwandan lunch and after enjoy a visit to a local market or take a leisurely walk through Kigali city before returning to your lodge.
Accommodation: Eagle View Lodge, Kigali.
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and embark on a scenic 2–3-hour drive to Volcanoes National Park, passing through Rwanda's beautiful countryside and the Musanze district.
Arrive in Kinigi in time for lunch. In the afternoon, visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund to learn about mountain gorilla conservation and the legacy of renowned primatologist Dian Fossey.
Alternatively, enjoy a cultural visit to Iby'Iwacu Cultural Village, where you will experience traditional Rwandan culture through local performances, demonstrations and community interactions.
Accommodation: Tiloreza Volcanoes Ecolodge
After an early breakfast, depart your lodge at approximately 6:45 AM and drive to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters for registration and a briefing about golden monkey tracking.
Embark on an exciting forest trek in search of the endangered golden monkeys, known for their playful behaviour and distinctive golden-orange fur. The activity typically takes approximately 3–4 hours, depending on the location of the monkeys.
After the experience, begin your journey to Uganda through the Cyanika border crossing. Enjoy lunch in Kisoro town before continuing to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, approximately two hours away.
Arrive at your lodge, check in and relax after an adventurous day.
Accommodation: Four Gorillas Lodge
Today brings one of the highlights of your East African safari: an unforgettable mountain gorilla trekking experience.
After breakfast, drive to the park headquarters for registration and a briefing on the rules and guidelines for gorilla trekking. You will then enter the dense tropical rainforest with experienced park guides and trackers in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family.
The trek can take approximately 3–7 hours, depending on the location and movement of the gorillas.
Once you encounter the gorillas, you will spend a precious hour observing them in their natural habitat, witnessing their family interactions and fascinating behaviour.
After the trek, return to your lodge for relaxation and an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Four Gorillas Lodge
After breakfast, check out of your lodge and depart Bwindi for the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Ishasha is particularly famous for its unusual tree-climbing lions, which are often spotted resting in the branches of large fig trees.
Arrive at your lodge in time for lunch. In the afternoon, head into the park for a game drive, exploring the savannah plains in search of tree-climbing lions, elephants, buffaloes, antelopes and other wildlife.
Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight accommodation.
Accommodation: Embogo Lodge.
Start your day with an early morning game drive in Ishasha, when wildlife is often more active. Explore the savannah in search of lions, elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kob and other wildlife.
After the morning safari, continue your journey to the northern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, approximately two hours away.
Upon arrival, check in at your lodge and enjoy some relaxation. Later in the afternoon, head out for another game drive to explore the park's beautiful savannah landscapes and diverse wildlife.
Accommodation: Bush Lodge.
Today is dedicated to exploring the wildlife-rich landscapes of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Depart early in the morning for a game drive across the Kasenyi plains, one of the park's most rewarding wildlife-viewing areas. Look out for lions, elephants, leopards, buffaloes, antelopes and numerous bird species.
The morning game drive usually takes approximately 2–3 hours, depending on wildlife sightings and the day's activities.
Return to your lodge for lunch before heading out in the afternoon for a boat cruise along the famous Kazinga Channel.
This spectacular waterway connects Lake Edward and Lake George and offers excellent opportunities to see large concentrations of hippos, crocodiles, elephants and a variety of water birds along the banks.
Return to your lodge in the evening.
Accommodation: Bush Lodge.
After an early breakfast, depart for Kalinzu Forest for an exciting chimpanzee tracking experience.
Upon arrival, receive a briefing from the forest guides before entering the gorge in search of wild chimpanzees. During the trek, you may also encounter other primates, butterflies and a variety of forest bird species.
The experience typically takes approximately 3–6 hours, depending on the location of the chimpanzees.
After the tracking experience, begin your journey to Lake Mburo National Park, one of Uganda's most scenic wildlife destinations.
On arrival, check in at your lodge and, depending on the time, enjoy an evening game drive in the park.
Accommodation: Rwakobo Lodge
Begin your morning with a guided nature walk in Lake Mburo National Park. This is a wonderful opportunity to explore the park on foot and experience wildlife at close range, with possible sightings of zebras, giraffes, impalas and other animals.
The guided walk typically takes approximately 1–2 hours.
After the walk, depart for the journey to the Kibale region, passing through Uganda's beautiful countryside.
After lunch and arrival in the Bigodi area, enjoy a community experience followed by a guided walk through Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. The wetland is known for its rich biodiversity, including several monkey species and numerous bird species.
Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight accommodation.
Accommodation: Chimp Nest Safari Lodge.
After breakfast, depart the Kibale and Bigodi region for a scenic journey to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda's largest national park.
The drive takes approximately seven hours, passing through beautiful countryside, traditional villages, tea plantations and rolling hills dotted with banana plantations.
Depending on the travel arrangements, lunch will be enjoyed along the way or upon arrival at your lodge.
On reaching Murchison Falls National Park, check in at your lodge and enjoy the rest of the day relaxing in preparation for the wildlife adventures ahead.
Accommodation: Tangi Elephant Camp.
Rise early for an exciting morning game drive across the northern savannah plains of Murchison Falls National Park.
Explore the park in search of elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, antelopes, lions and, with some luck, leopards. The morning game drive typically takes approximately 3–4 hours.
Return to your lodge for lunch
In the afternoon, embark on a memorable boat cruise along the River Nile towards the base of the magnificent Murchison Falls.
Along the riverbanks, look out for hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants and a variety of water birds. Enjoy spectacular views of the powerful Nile as it approaches the narrow gorge before plunging through the falls.
Return to your lodge in the evening.
Accommodation: Tangi Elephant Camp.
Enjoy another exciting day exploring Uganda's oldest and largest national park.
After breakfast, head out for another game drive across the expansive savannah plains, discovering more of the park's wildlife and enjoying additional opportunities for photography and animal sightings.
Depending on the day's arrangements and your preferences, enjoy another afternoon game drive or return to the lodge for relaxation and time to appreciate the natural surroundings.
Accommodation: Tangi Elephant Camp.
After breakfast, check out of your lodge and visit the spectacular top of Murchison Falls.
Witness the incredible power of the River Nile as it squeezes through a narrow gorge before plunging into the river below. Enjoy the breathtaking views and take photographs of this remarkable natural attraction.
Later, continue your journey to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, home to Uganda's southern white rhinos.
Arrive at the sanctuary in time for lunch. In the late afternoon, embark on a guided rhino-tracking experience on foot, accompanied by experienced sanctuary rangers.
This is a unique opportunity to observe these magnificent animals at close range in their natural conservation environment.
Accommodation: Ziwa Rhino lodge
After breakfast, depart for Kampala.
Upon arrival in the capital, enjoy a brief city tour with a visit to the historic Buganda King's Palace, also known as Lubiri, where you will learn about the history and cultural heritage of the Buganda Kingdom.
After the visit, enjoy lunch in Kampala before continuing to Entebbe.
Arrive at your hotel, check in and relax.
Accommodation: ViaVia Entebbe.
On your final day in Uganda, enjoy a memorable excursion to Mabamba Wetland, located along the shores of Lake Victoria.
Embark on a traditional motorised canoe excursion through the wetlands in search of the remarkable shoebill stork, one of Africa's most fascinating and sought-after bird species.
Known for its prehistoric appearance and impressive bill, the shoebill is a major attraction for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.
After the wetland experience, return to Entebbe for lunch and debrief.
Later in the evening, you will be transferred to Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight.