The great 10 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari is a fantastic ten days Uganda and Rwanda trip vacation tour featuring thrilling Gorilla Trekking, Chimpanzee tracking, Wildlife viewing, community village visits, and a Kigali City tour – all at an affordable price!
Your 10 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari takes you for mountain gorilla trekking in the great Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park of Uganda and Volcanoes National Park in the volcanic Virunga Mountains of Rwanda! You will have a great opportunity to spend time with these great apes in their natural habitat, experiencing one of the most captivating wildlife encounters on Earth – two times!
You will also trek the intelligent chimpanzees in Kibale Forest, track wild rhinos on foot in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, and enjoy great game viewing in two of Uganda’s leading game parks, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Park. Here, you enjoy relaxing safari boat cruises, thrilling wildlife game drives, and seeing the world’s most powerful waterfall.
On this 10 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari, you will also have a great opportunity to learn about the history and culture of Uganda and Rwanda as you tour the Bigodi Village, Iby’iwacu Cultural Village, Kigali city, and Kigali genocide memorial.
Please let me know should you have any questions, will be more than happy to assist. We are happy to make any changes to the itinerary according to their preferences, budget, and interests!
10 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari – SAFARI PRIME ACTIVITIES
10 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari – FEATURED SAFARI PARKS / DESTINATIONS
Day 1 & 2: Murchison Falls National Park & Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Day 3 & 4: Kibale National Park & Bigodi Village
Day 5 & 6: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 7: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 8 & 9: Volcanoes National Park & Iby’Iwacu Village
Day 10: Kigali city
10 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari – SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS
Day 1: Drive to Murchison Falls National Park. Visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary en route to track white rhinos on foot.
Day 2: Enjoy a morning game drive in the savannah plains & afternoon Nile boat cruise to the bottom of Murchison Falls.
Day 3: Visit the top of Murchison Falls. Transfer to Kibale National Park.
Day 4: Morning chimpanzee trekking & afternoon Bigodi Village walk
Day 5: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park, afternoon game drive
Day 6: Morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga channel.
Day 7: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with an en-route game drive in Ishasha Sector In Search Of Tree-Climbing Lions.
Day 8: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi. Travel to Rwanda & Volcanoes National Park.
Day 9: Golden Monkey Tracking in Volcanoes & Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village Visit. Optional Gorilla trekking, Diani Fossey Tomb hike, or Mount Bisoke hike.
Day 10: Transfer to Kigali for a city tour. Drop off at the Airport
10 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari – DETAILED SAFARI ITINERARY
Day 1: Drive to Murchison Falls National Park. Visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary En Route to Track White Rhinos on Foot.
Your fantastic 10 days Uganda and Rwanda safari begins today.
Your tour driver/guide shall pick you up from Kampala or Entebbe at 6.30 am and leave for Murchison Falls National Park, about 6 hours of drive northwest. You’ll pass through quite rural villages, exchanging waves with friendly locals, and admiring the impressive countryside landscape of Uganda, the Pearl of Africa.
En route, you’ll stop over at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a 1½ to 2½ hour guided Rhino tracking adventure on foot.
Ziwa is home to Uganda’s only wild Rhinos. The Rhino tracking tour gives you a chance to see all the famed “Big 5” on this safari. After seeing the Rhinos, you’ll have a good lunch at nearby Kabalega Dinners, and if you want to try some of the local Ugandan food, this is your first chance.
After lunch, continue to Murchison, where the other 4 members of the “big five” (Buffalo, Elephant, Leopard, and Lion) can be seen. Much of the park is lovely savannah grassland dotted with beautiful palms. And flowing dramatically through the middle of the park is the world’s longest River (Nile) with its complement of hippos, crocodiles, and teeming birdlife.
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Paraa Safari Lodge/Nile Safari Lodge/Bakers Lodge
Mid-range:- Pakuba Safari Lodge/Murchison River Lodge
Budget: – Hornbill Safari Lodge/ Fort Murchison Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive Distance & Time: – Approx. 311km or 6-7 hours
Activities & Services
Day 2: Enjoy A Morning Game Drive In The Savannah Plains & Afternoon Nile Boat Cruise To The Bottom Of Murchison Falls.
On day two of your 10 days Uganda Rwanda safari, wake up for an early breakfast before heading out for a 3-4 hour morning game drive in the beautiful savannah plains of the park’s northern section. Explore several tracks, looking out for animals and birds as you enjoy the beautiful savanna.
Expected to see the very rare Rothschild’s giraffe, Patas monkey, Cape Buffaloes, African Elephants, Common Warthogs, Spotted hyenas, Side-striped jackals, a huge number of Antelopes such as Oribi, Uganda Kob, Jackson’s Hartebeest, Topi, Deffasa Waterbuck, and Bushbuck. You have a good chance of seeing Lions, and leopards. After a game drive, return to the lodge for lunch and some relaxation.
In the afternoon, enjoy a leisurely boat ride on the Nile River, spotting big populations of Crocodiles, Hippos, and Waterbirds as well as other animals like giraffes, Buffalo and Elephant slaking their thirsts on the longest river on Earth. You may even be lucky enough to see the prehistoric-looking shoebill.
Your boat cruise will take you to the bottom of the iconic Murchison Falls. It’s the world’s most powerful waterfall. After this thrilling activity, return to the lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Paraa Safari Lodge/Nile Safari lodge Bakers Lodge
Mid-range:- Pakuba Safari Lodge/Murchison River Lodge
Budget: – Fort Murchison Safari Lodge/Hornbill Safari Lodge?
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive Distance & Time: – Approx. 311km or 6 hours
Activities & Services
Day 3: Visit the Top of the Falls. Transfer to Kibale National Park.
After a relaxed breakfast on 10 days Uganda Rwanda safari, visit the top of Murchison Falls to get a sense of its awesome power.
Marvel at the 50-meter wide Nile River as it is funneled through a 7-meter wide gorge at a rate of 300,000 liters per second and plunges 45m to what has been termed the “devil’s cauldron”, forming a plume of spray marked by a thunderous roar and permanent rainbow.
After seeing these awe-inspiring falls, embark on a scenic drive of about 6 hours south to Kibale National Park, which has the highest concentration and diversity of primates in all of Africa. Drive through numerous rural villages, arriving in Fort Portal town in time for lunch.
Fort Portal lies in the shadow of the legendary “Mountains of the Moon” and is known for its tea plantations. From this charming town, continue on an hour’s drive to Kibale Forest, checking into your lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Crater Safari Lodge/ Primate Lodge Kibale/Kyaninga Lodge
Mid-range:- Chimpanzee Forest Guest House- Cottages
Budget: – Chimpanzee Forest Guest House/Kibale Forest Camp- Tents
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive Distance & Time: – Approx. 366km or 6-7 hours
Activities & Services-
Day 4: Morning Chimpanzee Trekking & Afternoon Bigodi Village Walk
After breakfast, today, visit Kanyanchu Centre for your Chimpanzee trekking adventure which starts at 8 am. The activity begins with a briefing from expert ranger guides. You then enter the forest in search of wild chimpanzees on foot. The treks last about 2 to 6 hours and you have a chance to see plenty of birds (375 species).
You’ll also see a variety of other primates like Baboons, Mangabeys, L’Hoest, Blue, Red-tailed, Colobus, and Vervet monkeys. On encountering the chimps, you have 1 hour to enjoy these precious creatures. Kibale offers a 95% success rate in seeing some of its 1,500 chimpanzees. More closely related to humans than any other living creature, chimps are a delight to watch as they squabble and play in fruiting trees.
After your time with them, return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation.
In the afternoon, go for the Bigodi Village walk to gain an understanding of Uganda’s rural life. Join a guide from the village as you learn about their traditions and customs, visit their church, school, and homesteads, see how crops are grown and hear stories from a local mzee (village elder).
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Crater Safari Lodge/ Primate Lodge Kibale/Kyaninga Lodge
Mid-range:- Chimpanzee Forest Guest House- Cottages
Budget: – Chimpanzee Forest Guest House/Kibale Forest Camp- Tents
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services:-
Day 5: Travel to Queen Elizabeth Park, Afternoon Game Drive.
Your day five of the 10 days Uganda Rwanda safari starts with a leisurely breakfast at the lodge.
Next up is a visit to Uganda’s most popular game park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, an approximately 3-hour drive away. Set in the Great Rift Valley, in the shadow of the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains (5109m), Queen offers a fantastic variety of scenery: rainforest, grass savannah, freshwater lakes, rivers, dense papyrus swamps, and extinct volcanic crater cones with saline lakes.
Here, you’ll have a chance to see the handsome Ugandan kob, rare Tree-climbing lions, Giant forest hogs, Common warthogs, African bush elephants, Cape buffalos, Defassa waterbucks, Hippos, Nile Crocodiles, Spotted hyenas, etc…
And there are over 600 bird species!
On arrival, enjoy some lunch and relax before heading out on a game drive in search of the varied wildlife within the park, returning to your lodge at sunset.
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Mweya Safari Lodge/Kyambura Gorge Lodge/Katara Safari Lodge
Mid-range:- Enganzi Game Lodge! Marafiki Safari Lodge
Budget: – Pumba Safari Lodge/Bush Lodge
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive Distance & Time: – Approx. 157km or 3-4 hours
Activities & Services:-
Day 6: Morning Game Drive in Kasenyi Plains & Afternoon Boat Cruise on the Kazinga Channel.
After early breakfast, you shall go for the game drive in the Kasenyi plains, and some of the animals to see include: elephants, buffaloes, lions, hyenas, antelopes, etc. You’ll drive through the crater lakes and enjoy the breathtaking scenery.
You shall return to the lodge for lunch and some relaxation.
In the afternoon take a leisurely 2-hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, between George and Edward Lakes. The continent’s densest hippo population lives here, as well as many Elephants, Buffalos, crocs, and waterbirds like Pelicans and African fish eagles. After the boat excursion, enjoy a game drive along the channel track as you drive back to your lodge for dinner and an overnights stay.
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Mweya Safari Lodge /Kyambura Gorge Lodge/Katara Safari Lodge
Mid-range:- Enganzi Game Lodge! Marafiki Safari Lodge
Budget: – Pumba Safari Lodge / Bush Lodge
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services:-
Day 7: Drive To Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. En Route Game Drive In Ishasha Sector In Search Of Tree-Climbing Lions.
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast today and then head further south as you travel to your next park, the great Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (approximately 6 hours) – the journey is like a game drive in itself, with the chance to spot various antelopes, huge herds of buffalo, elephants, baboons troops, and monkeys out the window.
Before leaving Queen, you undertake a game drive in the southern Ishasha sector in search of the famous tree-climbing Lions, which tend to lie on fig tree branches scanning the plains for prey. Then exit and continue through scenic countryside to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – an island of biodiversity surrounded by rural Ugandan farmlands.
Bwindi is one of the richest ecosystems on Earth and is home to over 120 mammals, 350 species of birds, 200 species of butterflies, and 160 species of trees. The park contains half of the world’s population of the endangered Mountain Gorilla, making it an extremely valuable conservation site.
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Haven Lodge Buhoma/Gorilla Forest Camp/Buhoma Lodge
Mid-range:- Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
Budget: – Trekkers Tavern Ruhija
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive Distance & Time: – Approx. 130-220km or 4-7 hours
Activities & Services:-
Day 8: Gorilla Trekking In Bwindi. Travel to Rwanda & Volcanoes National Park.
After breakfast at 6 am, have your packed lunch and drive to the park offices for a briefing from local park ranger guides which starts at 8:00 am.
Then trek into the heart of this 25,000-year-old rainforest in search of rare Mountain gorillas. A quick lock of eyes with these creatures is a truly primal moment and visits are strictly controlled to minimize disturbance. Gorilla trekking takes 2-8 hours and is no walk in the park – it’s called Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for a reason.
It can be wet, muddy, and relatively strenuous, but the indescribable excitement of seeing a 220kg gentle Silverback gorilla breaking tree branches the width of your arm as if they are twigs or a baby gorilla play aimlessly, but under the watchful eye of its mother – there are no words. There’s just pure awe and worth the effort.
After 1 mesmerizing hour with the great apes, have a pleasant picnic lunch and return to the park offices where you get awarded a Gorilla tracking certificate.
You then embark on a 3-4 hour drive through the Little Switzerland of Africa along zigzagging mountain roads, and through rural villages, to the border of Rwanda. Crossing into Rwanda, and continue to your lodge in Ruhengeri on the foothills of the gorgeous Virunga Volcanos and the jungles of Volcanoes National Park.
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Bisate Lodge
Midrange: – Da Vinci Lodge
Budget: – Muhabura Hotel
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services:-
Day 9: Golden Monkey Tracking In Volcanoes & Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village Visit.
After breakfast at 7 am, transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing about golden monkeys. The Golden monkeys are endemic to Virunga Mountains. They have an endearing nature; they are playful and inquisitive and often spend their time leaping between bamboo branches or frolicking on the forest floor.
The habituated group that you’re most likely to encounter has around 100 members and resides at the foot of Mt Sabyinyo. It takes 3-4 hours to find them. Once you find them, you’re allowed to observe and photograph them for about an hour.
You then return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation. In the evening, in Iby’iwacu village, where the villagers have convinced a group of ex-poachers to turn their back on their former lifestyle and create a traditional dance group that performs for visitors on a cultural village tour.
Accommodation:-
Luxury: – Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Bisate Lodge
Midrange: – Da Vinci Lodge
Budget: – Muhabura Hotel
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Activities & Services:-
Optional Activities:-
Day 10: Transfer to Kigali for a City Tour. Drop Off At the Airport
On the final day of your 10 days Uganda Rwanda safari, you will have a relaxed breakfast at the hotel, before taking as scenic a 2-3 hour drive to Kigali, an incredible, vibrant, and beautiful city known as the Singapore of Africa.
On arrival, you visit some of the city’s main attractions. Depending on your departure time we could incorporate the following into your visit:
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Samuel
Robert
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