18-Day Best of Uganda and Rwanda Adventure
- Pickup : Entebbe Airport
- Drop-off : Entebbe Airport
Tour Overview
- Transportation (Car, Fuel, Driver Guide)
- Meals & Accommodation as mentioned
- Gorilla Trekking Permit
- Chimpanzee Trekking Permit
- Park Entrance Fees
- Game Drive and Boat Cruise
- Bottled Drinking Water
- Government Taxes
Cost Includes
- International Flights
- Accommodation Before and After your Trip
- Optional Batwa Cultural Experience
- Optional Bigodi Nature Walk
- Sourvenirs
- Tips & Bwindi Porter Hiring
Cost Excludes
Travel Plan
Day 1: Pickup from Entebbe International Airport and Drive to Sipi Falls
A driver guide from Iconic Africa Safaris will pick you up from Entebbe International Airport, or from your Entebbe hotel, early in the morning. You will settle into a 4×4 Land Cruiser with your luggage and set off northeast through scenic countryside toward the beautiful Sipi Falls area. The drive passes through green hills and farming communities before climbing the lower slopes of Mount Elgon. On arrival at Sipi, you check into your lodge and unwind after a long but rewarding first day of your Best of Uganda and Rwanda Adventure.
- Accommodation: Sipi Heritage Lodge (Mid Range)
- Meal Plan: Half Board
Day 2: Sipi Falls Activities
After breakfast, a knowledgeable local guide leads you on a morning of activities around the magnificent 3 tiered Sipi Falls. You can hike to each of the 3 waterfalls, swim in the natural pools below, or visit a local coffee farm to see Arabica coffee grown, harvested, and roasted by hand. For the more adventurous, rock climbing and abseiling offer an adrenaline packed way to experience the falls up close. The dramatic landscapes surrounding Sipi also make for exceptional photography, and the memories from this stop often become a highlight of the trip.
- Accommodation: Sipi Heritage Lodge (Mid Range)
- Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 3: Drive to Kidepo Valley National Park
After breakfast, you leave Sipi Falls and begin the long drive northeast to Kidepo Valley. Kidepo Valley National Park sits in Uganda’s most remote corner, close to the borders of South Sudan and Kenya. The scenery shifts dramatically along the way, from green hills to wide, flat, semi arid savannah as you approach the park. On arrival, you check into your lodge and take in the wild, untouched views that surround you, a fitting welcome to this remote chapter of your Best of Uganda and Rwanda Adventure.
- Accommodation: Kidepo Savannah Lodge (Mid Range)
- Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 4: Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Karamajong Cultural Experience
Rise early and join a game drive through Kidepo Valley, one of Africa’s most remote and rewarding safari destinations. You will look out for elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, zebras, cheetahs, and tall, graceful giraffes as your guide navigates the park’s open plains. You will also spot topis, kobs, impalas, and warthogs roaming freely across this breathtaking savannah landscape. After a relaxed lunch, you will drive to a nearby Karamajong community for an immersive cultural experience. Here, the Karamajong people share their ancient pastoral traditions, energetic dances, and unique way of life with visitors.
- Accommodation: Kidepo Savannah Lodge (Mid Range)
- Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 5: Drive to Murchison Falls National Park
After a filling breakfast, you leave Kidepo Valley and begin the long, scenic drive toward Murchison Falls. Murchison Falls National Park covers more than 3,840 square kilometres, making it Uganda’s largest protected area. The drive carries you through small towns and open countryside before reaching the park’s main entrance. On arrival, you check into your safari lodge and unwind with a refreshing drink as the sun sets over the Nile.
- Accommodation: Tilenga Safari Lodge (Mid Range)
- Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 6: Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Cruise in Murchison Falls National Park
Wake early and head out for a thrilling morning game drive through Murchison Falls National Park at dawn, when wildlife is most active. You will search for elephants, buffaloes, lions, and leopards, as well as giraffes, topis, kobs, and warthogs. After a relaxed lunch at the lodge, you head to the Nile River for an exciting afternoon boat cruise. The cruise brings you face to face with hippos, crocodiles, and countless bird species along the riverbanks, and it also carries you right up to the base of the thundering Murchison Falls waterfall itself.
- Accommodation: Tilenga Safari Lodge (Mid Range)
- Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 7: Optional Morning Hike to the Top of the Falls and Drive to Kibale Forest National Park
In the morning, you have the option to hike to the very top of Murchison Falls for stunning views over the Nile. Standing at the top, you witness the full force of the river squeezing through a narrow 7 metre gorge before plunging downward. Afterward, you return to the lodge to check out, then drive south toward Kibale Forest National Park. Kibale Forest ranks among Africa’s finest destinations for tracking habituated chimpanzee communities, and it marks the start of the primate focused stretch of your Best of Uganda and Rwanda Adventure.
- Accommodation: Turaco Treetops (Mid Range)
- Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 8: Chimpanzee Trekking and Optional an Evening Bigodi Nature Walk
An early breakfast sets you up for a morning of chimpanzee trekking inside Kibale Forest National Park. Expert trackers guide you through the dense forest in search of habituated chimpanzee communities that live deep within it. You will spend 1 hour with the chimpanzees, watching them feed, play, and call out loudly to one another. In the afternoon, an optional walk through the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary offers a good chance to spot more primates, including red colobus monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, grey cheeked mangabeys, and olive baboons, along with birds such as the great blue turaco, papyrus gonolek, hornbills, and kingfishers.
Accommodation: Turaco Treetops (Mid Range) Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 9: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park for Late Afternoon Game Drive
After breakfast, you leave Kibale Forest and drive south to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s most visited park. The park straddles the equator and borders both the Democratic Republic of Congo and Lake Edward. On arrival, you check into your safari lodge, then head straight out for a rewarding late afternoon game drive. You will search for elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, topis, kobs, and grazing waterbucks as the light softens over the plains.
- Accommodation: Buffalo Safari Lodge (Mid Range)
- Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 10: Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Cruise at Kazinga Channel
Rise early once more and head out for a second game drive through the vast plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This morning, you look for any animals you may have missed on the previous afternoon’s drive. After a relaxed lunch, you head to the famous Kazinga Channel for a spectacular afternoon boat cruise. The channel connects Lake George to Lake Edward and teems with hippos, crocodiles, and birds, while buffaloes, elephants, and various antelope species regularly gather along its lush, green banks.
- Accommodation: Buffalo Safari Lodge (Mid Range)
- Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 11: Morning Ishasha Sector Game Drive and Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
In the morning, you drive to Ishasha, the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, for a special game drive. Ishasha is famous for its tree climbing lions, which often rest along the branches of giant fig trees. After the Ishasha game drive, you continue south toward the ancient Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. On arrival at Bwindi, you check into your lodge and prepare for the most thrilling experience of your Best of Uganda and Rwanda Adventure so far.
- Accommodation: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge (Mid Range)
- Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 12: Gorilla Trekking Experience, the Highlight of the Best of Uganda and Rwanda Adventure
Wake up at 5:00 AM and enjoy a hearty breakfast before departing for the gorilla trekking headquarters nearby. At 7:30 AM, Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers hold a detailed briefing covering the rules and expectations for the gorilla encounter ahead. During the briefing, rangers divide trekkers into groups of up to 8, with each group assigned to 1 gorilla family. You may also hire a porter at the headquarters to carry your bag and help you navigate the terrain. After the briefing, your group enters the forest, and the trek itself can last anywhere from 1 to 6 hours depending on where the gorillas are that day. Once rangers locate the gorilla family, you get a full 1 hour to observe them at close range. You will watch the gorillas eat, play, and groom each other, and you may even see the powerful silverback beat his chest. Back at the trailhead, you receive a trekking certificate before returning to the lodge for lunch. In the evening, you may choose to visit the Batwa community for an optional cultural experience filled with traditional music, dance, storytelling, and demonstrations of hunting and forest survival skills.
- Accommodation: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge (Mid Range)
- Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 13: Drive to Lake Bunyonyi for Lake Activities
After breakfast, you leave Bwindi and drive to the beautiful Lake Bunyonyi, one of Uganda’s deepest lakes. Lake Bunyonyi is known for its 29 scenic islands and calm, sparkling waters, all framed by terraced green hills. On arrival, you can enjoy canoeing, swimming, and ziplining, or take a canoe ride out to explore the nearby islands at your own pace.
- Accommodation: Birdnest Resort (Mid Range)
- Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 14: Drive to Akagera National Park via Katuna Border and Kigali City
In the morning, you bid farewell to Uganda and drive toward the Katuna border crossing into Rwanda. The route passes through Kigali, Rwanda’s clean and vibrant capital, where you stop for a brief visit before continuing your journey. From there, you head east toward Akagera National Park, arriving in time to check into your lodge. Rangers at Akagera have worked hard over the years to restore the full Big 5 to the park, making it a fitting next stop on your Best of Uganda and Rwanda Adventure.
- Accommodation: Akagera Game Lodge (Mid Range)
- Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 15: Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Cruise on Lake Ihema
Rise early for a spectacular morning game drive through the rolling savannah of Akagera National Park in eastern Rwanda. Akagera is home to all Big 5 animals, rhinos, elephants, buffaloes, lions, and leopards, all within 1 park. You will also spot zebras, giraffes, impalas, waterbucks, warthogs, and many other savannah species. After a relaxed lunch, you head to Lake Ihema for a scenic, wildlife filled afternoon boat cruise. The lake teems with hippos and crocodiles, and countless bird species gather along its green banks.
- Accommodation: Akagera Game Lodge (Mid Range)
- Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 16: Drive to Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast, you leave Akagera and drive west across Rwanda toward the magnificent Volcanoes National Park. Volcanoes National Park lies deep within the Virunga Mountains and serves as a critical habitat for mountain gorillas. The park also forms part of the larger Virunga Conservation Area, shared between Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. On arrival, you check into your lodge and rest up ahead of a very exciting day.
- Accommodation: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge (Mid Range)
- Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 17: Golden Monkey Trekking, Dian Fossey Tomb Visit, and Iby'Iwacu Cultural Experience
Start the morning with a thrilling golden monkey trek inside the lush, volcanic Volcanoes National Park. Golden monkeys are a highly endangered species found only in the Virunga Volcanoes and a handful of other nearby areas. After the trek, you visit the Dian Fossey tomb, the resting place of the legendary gorilla conservationist herself. In the evening, the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village offers a vibrant display of traditional Rwandan music and dance, a memorable way to close the activities of your Best of Uganda and Rwanda Adventure.
Accommodation: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge (Mid Range)
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 18: Drive to Kigali for City Tour and Departure
On the final day of the adventure, you will drive from Volcanoes National Park to the capital, Kigali. In Kigali, you explore the Kigali Genocide Memorial, local craft markets, and several other fascinating city attractions. The Genocide Memorial offers a powerful and deeply moving tribute to the victims of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide. Finally, your driver drops you at Kigali International Airport in time for your departing flight home, bringing your 18 day Best of Uganda and Rwanda Adventure to a close.
- Accommodation: None, unless requested at extra fee
- Meal Plan: Half Board
Answered FAQs
How much does this safari cost?
The total cost of the Best of Uganda and Rwanda Adventure depends on your group size, the season you travel, and the level of accommodation you choose. Mandatory permit fees are included in your total trip cost and currently stand at approximately:
- Uganda Gorilla Trekking Permit: US$800 per person
- Uganda Chimpanzee Trekking Permit: US$250 per person
- Rwanda Golden Monkey Trekking Permit: US$100 per person
- National Park entry fees: approximately US$40 to US$100 per person per day, depending on the park
Let us know your group size and whether you would like to upgrade any of the lodges listed in the itinerary, and we will send you a full quote with the total cost per person.
How physically demanding is this safari?
What is the best time of year to go on this trip?
The best time to travel is during Uganda and Rwanda’s 2 dry seasons, from June to September and from December to February. Trails are drier and easier to navigate during these months, and wildlife is easier to spot around waterholes and rivers. That said, gorilla and chimpanzee trekking are possible year round, since both species live in rainforest habitats that receive rain throughout the year.
What should I pack for safari?
For the Best of Uganda and Rwanda Adventure, pack comfortable hiking boots with ankle support, lightweight long sleeved shirts and trousers in neutral colours, a warm fleece or jacket for cool mornings and higher altitudes, a rain jacket, gardening style gloves for gorilla trekking, insect repellent, sunscreen, a sun hat, a facemask, a good pair of binoculars, a camera with a zoom lens, and a small daypack. Bring your passport, yellow fever certificate, and any prescribed medication, along with cash in US dollars for tips and incidentals.
Can this itinerary be customized?
Yes. The Best of Uganda and Rwanda Adventure can be adjusted to fit your travel dates, budget, and interests. You can add extra nights, upgrade accommodation, swap activities, or extend the trip to include destinations such as Rwenzori Mountains National Park or Nyungwe Forest National Park. Simply let us know your preferences and we will tailor the itinerary accordingly.
Are the gorilla and chimpanzee permits guaranteed?
Permits are issued in limited numbers by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and the Rwanda Development Board to protect primate populations from overexposure. Before your booking is confirmed, we first check permit availability, and once permits are purchased on your behalf, your trekking spots are guaranteed. Because demand is high during peak months, you should book this itinerary 4 to 6 months in advance, especially if you plan to travel during peak season.
What type of vehicle is used for transportation?
You travel in a customized 4×4 safari Land Cruiser equipped with a pop up roof for wildlife viewing and photography. The vehicle features 4 wheel drive to handle rough park tracks and dirt roads in rural areas. It comes stocked with bottled drinking water and has an extended chassis so that every passenger gets a window seat.
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