Uganda & Rwanda · 18 days
18-Day Uganda & Rwanda Grand Safari
Every park we visit, in one unhurried loop: all six in Uganda and all three in Rwanda.
- Duration
- 18 days
- Starts
- Entebbe
- Ends
- Entebbe
- Country
- Uganda & Rwanda
Overview
The complete journey through both countries. A single loop from Entebbe takes in rhinos, the Nile at Murchison, chimpanzees in Kibale and Nyungwe, gorillas and golden monkeys, savanna game drives in Queen Elizabeth and Akagera, and a walking safari at Lake Mburo on the way home. It is long, but the drives are broken up so no day feels rushed.
- All 9 parks across Uganda and Rwanda
- Gorillas, chimpanzees and golden monkeys
- Big Five game drives in Queen Elizabeth and Akagera
- Rhino tracking on foot and a walking safari at Lake Mburo
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Entebbe
We meet you at Entebbe airport and take you to your hotel on the shores of Lake Victoria.
- Dinner
- Mid-range: Hotel in Entebbe, confirmed at booking
Luxury: Hotel No.5, Entebbe
Day 2
Ziwa rhino tracking & on to Murchison Falls
North to Ziwa to track white rhinos on foot, then on to the Nile and Murchison Falls.
- Approx. 6 hours in total
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 3
Game drive & boat cruise to the falls
A morning game drive on the Buligi circuit, then a cruise to the base of the falls.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4
Top of the falls & on to Kibale
A stop at the top of Murchison Falls, then south via Hoima and Fort Portal to Kibale.
- Approx. 6-7 hours
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Mid-range: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge
Luxury: Tabebuia Spa & Safari Resort
Day 5
Chimpanzee tracking & Bigodi Wetland
Chimpanzees in the morning and a wetland walk in the afternoon.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Mid-range: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge
Luxury: Tabebuia Spa & Safari Resort
Day 6
Kibale to Queen Elizabeth
Past the crater lakes to Queen Elizabeth for an afternoon game drive.
- Approx. 150km, 3 hours
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Mid-range: Buffalo Safari Lodge
Luxury: Elephant Plains Lodge
Day 7
Kasenyi plains & Kazinga Channel
A dawn game drive and an afternoon boat cruise.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Mid-range: Buffalo Safari Lodge
Luxury: Elephant Plains Lodge
Day 8
Queen Elizabeth to Bwindi via Ishasha
Through Ishasha looking for tree-climbing lions, then up into the gorilla forest.
- Approx. 200km, 4-5 hours
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Mid-range: Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge
Luxury: Gorilla Leisure Lodge
Day 9
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi
One hour with a habituated mountain gorilla family.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Mid-range: Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge
Luxury: Gorilla Leisure Lodge
Day 10
Bwindi to Volcanoes via Cyanika
Across the border into Rwanda and on to the foot of the Virunga volcanoes.
- Approx. 3 hours plus the border crossing
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Mid-range: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge
Luxury: Singita Kwitonda Lodge
Day 11
Golden monkeys
Golden monkey tracking in the bamboo forest. A second gorilla trek on the Rwandan side can be added on request.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Mid-range: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge
Luxury: Singita Kwitonda Lodge
Day 12
Lake Kivu road to Nyungwe
South along the shores of Lake Kivu to the rainforest of Nyungwe.
- Approx. 5-6 hours
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 13
Chimpanzee trekking & canopy walk
Chimpanzees at dawn, then the canopy walkway high over the forest.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 14
Nyungwe to Kigali
North to Kigali, with time for the Genocide Memorial and the city.
- Approx. 225km, 5-6 hours
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 15
Kigali to Akagera
East to Akagera for an afternoon game drive and a boat trip on Lake Ihema.
- Approx. 110km, 2.5 hours
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Mid-range: Akagera Rhino Lodge
Luxury: SALT of Akagera (formerly Akagera Game Lodge)
Day 16
Akagera to Lake Mburo via Mirama Hills
A morning game drive through Akagera's northern plains, then back into Uganda at the Mirama Hills border and on to Lake Mburo.
- Approx. 6-7 hours including the border crossing
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Lodge confirmed at booking
Day 17
Walking safari & boat cruise
A walking safari among zebra and eland, then an afternoon boat cruise on Lake Mburo.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Lodge confirmed at booking
Day 18
Lake Mburo to Entebbe
The final drive back to Entebbe for your flight home.
- Approx. 250km, 4-5 hours
- Breakfast and lunch
- End of safari
This is a sample route. Every trip is private, so we can add days, swap lodges, change the pace or fly instead of drive on the longest legs. Lodges are confirmed when we book, subject to availability.
What’s included
- Gorilla, chimpanzee, golden monkey and rhino tracking permits for the activities in your itinerary, booked in advance
- Park entrance fees
- All game drives
- Boat cruises
- Accommodation and meals as listed for each day
- Transportation in a 4x4 safari vehicle
- Full-time English-speaking driver-guide
- Airport or border pickup and drop-off
- Drinking water in the vehicle
- All government taxes
Not included
- Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
- Visa fees
- International flight tickets
- Personal and medical insurance
- Personal expenses such as drinks, tips and laundry
Good to know
- Gorilla trekkers must be 15 or older and reasonably fit. Gorilla trekking guide
- This trip crosses between Uganda and Rwanda, so the East Africa Tourist Visa is usually the simplest option, and you will need a yellow fever certificate. Visas and entry
- The dry seasons (June to September, December to February) are best for trekking and game drives, but this safari runs all year. When to go
- What to pack and frequently asked questions
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Ready to start planning?
Tell us your dates and what you would love to see, and Godwin will put together a route, lodges and a quote for you.