15 Days Uganda and Rwanda Wildlife and Cultural Safari

Day by day

The journey, morning by morning

1. 1

   Arrival in Entebbe

   Your guide meets you at Entebbe International Airport and transfers you to your hotel on the shore of Lake Victoria.

   Entebbe
2. 2

   Shoebills in Mabamba Swamp

   Leave early for Mabamba Swamp and look for the shoebill, among many other wetland birds, from a wooden dugout boat. Return to Entebbe, with an optional walk in the Entebbe Botanical Gardens.

   Mabamba Swamp
3. 3

   Rhino trekking at Ziwa, then Murchison Falls

   After breakfast, drive north and stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to track white rhinos on foot, then continue to your lodge in Murchison Falls National Park.

   Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
4. 4

   Game drive, Nile cruise and the falls

   An early morning game drive, then a late-morning boat cruise up the Nile to the foot of Murchison Falls. In the afternoon, visit the falls themselves, where the river forces through a narrow gorge.

   Murchison Falls National Park
5. 5

   Murchison Falls to Kibale Forest

   Drive south to Kibale Forest and plant a tree, one of the ways we give back to the communities around the parks.

   Kibale National Park
6. 6

   Chimpanzee trekking and Bigodi Wetland

   Track chimpanzees in Kibale Forest in the morning. In the afternoon, walk the Bigodi Wetland and spend time with the community there.

   Kibale National Park
7. 7

   Kibale to Queen Elizabeth National Park

   Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park for an afternoon game drive on arrival.

   Queen Elizabeth National Park
8. 8

   Game drive and the Kazinga Channel

   A morning game drive, then an afternoon boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel for hippos, buffalo, elephants and waterbirds at the water's edge.

   Queen Elizabeth National Park
9. 9

   Ishasha's tree-climbing lions, then Bwindi

   Head south through the Ishasha sector with a game drive looking for its tree-climbing lions, then continue to the Rushaga sector of Bwindi.

   Rushaga
10. 10

    Mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi

    Trek into the forest with the rangers to spend an hour with a mountain gorilla family.

    Rushaga
11. 11

    Across the border to Musanze

    Cross from Uganda into Rwanda and drive to Musanze, at the foot of the Virunga volcanoes.

    Musanze
12. 12

    Lake Burera and a community farm

    A boat ride on Lake Burera, one of the twin lakes below the volcanoes, then a tour of a community farm before returning to the lodge.

    Musanze
13. 13

    Musanze to Lake Kivu

    Drive to Rubavu on the shore of Lake Kivu. Take a boat trip to explore the lake and its shoreline, then watch the sunset over the water.

    Rubavu
14. 14

    Lake Kivu to Kigali

    Drive to Kigali and explore the capital, including Kimironko Market.

    Kigali
15. 15

    Kigali and departure

    Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, with time in the city centre for shopping and lunch, before your transfer to Kigali International Airport for your flight home.

    Kigali

Good to know

Questions travellers ask about this trip

How much does this safari cost?

From US$8,500 per person, as a guide based on two people sharing. The final price depends on your dates, the size of your group and the lodges you choose, and we confirm it in writing before you book.

What does the price cover?

Accommodation for every night, full-board meals on safari, a private 4x4 Land Cruiser with an experienced driver-guide, the gorilla permit in Bwindi, the chimpanzee permit in Kibale, rhino trekking at Ziwa, all park entrance fees, the Nile, Kazinga Channel and Lake Kivu boat trips, and every transfer, including the border crossing.

What is not included?

Visas, flights, drinks at the lodges, tips, personal items, optional activities such as the Entebbe Botanical Gardens walk, and some meals on the first and last days.

Where does it start and end?

It begins at Entebbe International Airport in Uganda and ends at Kigali International Airport in Rwanda, so you fly in and out of different airports. We arrange the transfers at both ends around your flights.

How fit do I need to be?

Moderate fitness is enough for most travellers. The gorilla and chimpanzee treks can last from one to several hours on steep, often muddy forest ground, depending on where the animals have moved to that morning. Porters are available for the gorilla trek, and the pace is set by the group.