This 13-day trans-boundary Uganda-Rwanda safari is the definitive East African odyssey, weaving together the dramatic savannahs of Uganda and the misty, high-altitude peaks of Rwanda. By combining these two nations, you experience the full spectrum of the Albertine Rift: from the thundering Murchison Falls and the tree-climbing lions of the Ugandan plains to the clean, vibrant streets of Kigali and the sheer volcanic majesty of the Virungas.
This itinerary is designed for those who want the “full story” of the region’s primates and predators. You will track chimpanzees in the world’s primate capital, search for the Big Five on the banks of the Nile, and experience the profound silence of a mountain gorilla encounter—not once, but twice if you choose—across two different nations.
Your journey begins on the lush Entebbe peninsula, a quiet town on the shores of Lake Victoria. After a warm welcome, you can spend your afternoon adjusting to the tropical rhythm at the Entebbe Botanical Gardens or taking a sunset boat cruise to see the local shoebill storks. You will spend the night in Entebbe, preparing for the adventure ahead.
Leave the lakeside behind and head north. Your first stop is the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, where you will join a ranger for a walking safari to track Uganda’s only wild rhinos. Afterward, you will continue to Murchison Falls National Park. Before dusk, you’ll visit the Top of the Falls to stand where the world’s longest river is forced through a narrow 7-meter gorge, creating a roar that can be heard for miles.
At dawn, you’ll head out for a game drive across the northern plains to find lions, leopards, Rothschild’s giraffes, and elephants. In the afternoon, the perspective shifts as you board a boat for a cruise upstream. You will glide past pods of hippos and massive Nile crocodiles, eventually reaching the turbulent base of the falls for an incredible photo opportunity.
Today is a scenic drive south toward Fort Portal. You will pass through the historic Bunyoro Kingdom, navigating a landscape of tea plantations and traditional homesteads. As the jagged peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains (the “Mountains of the Moon”) appear on the horizon, you will settle into your lodge on the edge of the Kibale Forest.
Enter the dense canopy of Kibale, the primate capital of the world. You’ll spend the morning tracking a habituated troop of chimpanzees, watching them hunt, play, and communicate in the high branches. In the afternoon, a community walk through the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary offers a chance to see rare birds and up to eight other species of monkeys.
Travel through the scenic “Explosion Craters” en route to Queen Elizabeth National Park. In the afternoon, you will board a boat for a cruise on the Kazinga Channel. This natural waterway connects two lakes and hosts one of the world’s highest densities of hippos, as well as elephants and buffalo that come to the water’s edge to drink and bathe.
Drive to the remote Ishasha sector, famous for its unique population of lions that spend their afternoons lounging in ancient fig trees. After a morning game drive, you will begin the climb into the Kigezi Highlands. The air turns cool and the hills become steep and terraced as you reach the emerald-green wall of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
This is the heart of the trip. After a morning briefing, you will trek into the ancient Bwindi forest with expert trackers. The hike can be physically demanding, but the reward is a life-changing hour spent in the presence of a mountain gorilla family. Observing their human-like eyes and gentle social bonds is a profound experience that stays with you forever.
After the intensity of the trek, you will move to Lake Bunyonyi, the “Place of Many Little Birds.” Dotted with 29 islands and surrounded by terraced hills, it is one of the most beautiful spots in Africa. You can spend the afternoon canoeing, visiting the historic Punishment Island, or simply relaxing by the water’s edge.
Bid farewell to Uganda as you cross the border into Rwanda via the Cyanika or Gatuna post. The landscape shifts subtly as you enter the shadow of the Virunga Volcanoes. You will arrive in Volcanoes National Park, where the mist clings to the peaks and the atmosphere is thick with the legacy of Dian Fossey.
In the morning, you will track the rare and playful Golden Monkeys, which are endemic to the high-altitude bamboo forests of the Virungas. In the afternoon, visit the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village (The Gorilla Guardians). Here, former poachers have become protectors of the forest, and you can participate in traditional dances, see a king’s house, and learn about Rwandan herbal medicine.
Today offers flexibility. You may choose a second gorilla trek in Rwanda to compare the experience with Uganda, or hike to the Dian Fossey tomb site. Alternatively, you can take a scenic drive to the Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo, offering panoramic views of the volcanoes and a glimpse into the quiet lives of Rwanda’s highland farmers.
On your final day, you will descend from the mountains to the clean, vibrant capital of Kigali. You will visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a powerful and necessary tribute to the country’s resilience. After lunch and a stop at the local craft markets for last-minute souvenirs, you will be transferred to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight.
