8 Days Uganda Rwanda, Starting from Rwanda

This adventure-packed safari combines the best of Rwanda and Uganda, offering game drives, boat safaris, gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, and incredible cultural experiences.

✅ Trip Highlights

Big Five safari in Akagera
Boat safari on Lake Ihema
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi
Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale
Crater lakes and community visits
Kigali city tour

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali – Transfer to Akagera National Park

You will be welcomed by your safari guide upon arrival at Kigali International Airport or at your hotel. After a briefing, set off on a 2.5-hour drive to Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s top savannah park known for its “Big Five.” Check into your lodge, and if time allows, enjoy an afternoon game drive.

Overnight: Akagera Game Lodge / Ruzizi Tented Lodge
Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: Full-Day Game Drive in Akagera

After an early breakfast, embark on a full-day game drive in Akagera. Explore the park’s diverse landscapes — savannah, wetlands, and lakes — and look for lions, elephants, buffalos, giraffes, zebras, hippos, crocodiles, and numerous antelope species. Break for a picnic lunch inside the park.

In the afternoon, you can optionally take a sunset boat cruise on Lake Ihema, famous for hippos, crocodiles, and water birds.

Overnight: Akagera Game Lodge / Ruzizi Tented Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (Uganda)

After breakfast, depart Akagera and drive back through Kigali toward the Cyanika or Katuna border, crossing into Uganda. The journey to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest takes around 7–8 hours with scenic countryside views, tea plantations, and rolling hills.

Arrive at Bwindi in the late afternoon, check in at your lodge, and rest ahead of the next day’s trek.

Overnight: Buhoma Lodge / Gorilla Mist Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest

Today is the highlight of your safari — mountain gorilla trekking! After breakfast, report to the park headquarters for a briefing and assignment to a gorilla family group. The trek may last 2 to 6 hours depending on the gorillas’ location, but you are rewarded with a magical hour in their presence once found.

After the trek, return to the lodge to relax or take an optional visit to the Batwa pygmy community.

Overnight: Buhoma Lodge / Gorilla Mist Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Transfer to Kibale National Park

After breakfast, depart Bwindi for Kibale National Park, a journey of 6–7 hours through beautiful countryside and alongside crater lakes. Arrive in the afternoon, check into your lodge, and relax. Depending on arrival time, you can enjoy a guided walk in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, known for birds, monkeys, and swamp wildlife.

Overnight: Primate Lodge / Turaco Treetops
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest

After an early breakfast, head into Kibale Forest for chimpanzee tracking. Accompanied by expert guides, you’ll follow the trails to locate and observe these intelligent and playful primates in their natural habitat. You may also encounter red colobus, black-and-white colobus, and L’Hoest’s monkeys.

In the afternoon, visit nearby communities or relax at the lodge.

Overnight: Primate Lodge / Turaco Treetops
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Explore Crater Lakes – Transfer to Kigali

After breakfast, enjoy a scenic drive exploring the Ndali–Kasenda crater lakes region. You can take short walks to viewpoints or visit local farms. Later, begin your return journey to Kigali, crossing the Uganda-Rwanda border. Expect to arrive in Kigali in the evening.

Overnight: Hotel in Kigali (e.g., Heaven Boutique Hotel, Kigali Serena Hotel)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Kigali City Tour – Departure

Spend your final day exploring Kigali. You can visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, local markets, craft shops, and enjoy a city tour with panoramic views. Depending on your flight time, your guide will transfer you to Kigali International Airport for your departure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch