14 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari- Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Community, Wildlife Tour

14 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari – SAFARI OVERVIEW

The 14 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari Tour is a detailed gorilla trekking, Chimpanzee tracking, Golden monkey, wildlife, community, and scenery viewing Uganda and Rwanda expedition.

This remarkable 14 days Uganda and Rwanda safari vacation takes you across some of the most beautiful landscapes on the African continent, traveling through Uganda – the Pearl of Africa and amazing Rwanda. You have a great chance to encounter the three iconic primates – Gorilla, Chimpanzee, and Golden monkey – as well as the Big 5 animals of Africa – Rhino, Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, and Leopard.

Beginning in Entebbe Uganda, visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and explore Murchison Falls National Park, home to 4 of the Big 5 and the world’s strongest waterfall. Then track chimpanzees in Kibale Forest, walk in Bigodi Village, and tour Queen Elizabeth NP, home to tree-climbing lions and a huge variety of birds.

The highlight of the trip is undoubtedly gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. From Bwindi, take a break and relax on beautiful Lake Bunyonyi before crossing the border into Rwanda to do golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park, visit Iby’Iwacu Village, discover Akagera National Park and have a historical city tour of Kigali and the Genocide Memorial.

You can book or tailor this 14 Days Uganda Rwanda and Safari for memorable wildlife, primates, and amazing community African cultures in the magical Uganda and Rwanda at a great price.

14 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari – PRIME SAFARI ACTIVITIES

Track rhinos on foot in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest
Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest
Golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes NP
Game drives in Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls, & Akagera NP.
Track tree-climbing lions of Ishasha
Search for the “Big 5” in Akagera National Park
Boat cruises on River Nile, Kazinga Channel, & Lake Ihema
View the powerful Murchison Falls by boat and on foot.
Relax on the beautiful shores of Lake Bunyonyi
Community walk in Bigodi Village
Cultural tour of Ibyiwacu Village
Visit the local community at Lake Bunyonyi
Historical city tour of Kigali and the Genocide Memorial.
Optional Canoeing & Island Hopping at Lake Bunyonyi
Optional second gorilla trekking in Volcanoes NP

14 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari – FEATURED SAFARI DESTINATIONS/PARKS

Day 1 & 2: Murchison Falls National Park & Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Day 3 & 4: Kibale National Park & Bigodi Community

Day 5 & 6: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Day 7: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Day 8 & 9: Lake Bunyonyi

Day 10 & 11: Volcanoes National Park & Iby’Iwacu Village.

Day 12 & 13: Akagera National Park

Day 14: Kigali City & Genocide Museum

14 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari – SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS

Day 1: Visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary & Murchison Falls National Park

Day 2: Morning Savannah Game Drive & Afternoon Boat Cruise along the Nile River to the Bottom of Murchison Falls.

Day 3: Visit the Top of Murchison Falls. Drive to Kibale Forest National Park.

Day 4: Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest & Bigodi Community Village Walk.

Day 5: Travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Evening Game Drive.

Day 6: Morning Game Drive in Kasenyi Savannah Plains & Afternoon boat trip on Kazinga Channel.

Day 7: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, search for tree-climbing lions in Ishasha Sector of Queen en route.

Day 8: Gorilla trek in Bwindi, visit the nearby Lake Bunyonyi for Relaxation.

Day 9: Whole Day Relaxation at Lake Bunyonyi. Optional Activities: Canoeing, Boat Cruise, Island Hopping, Bird Watching, Hiking, & Community Tours.

Day 10: Cultural Hike at Lake Bunyonyi. Transfer to Rwanda and Volcanoes National Park.

Day 11: Golden Monkey Tracking & Visit Iby’Iwacu Village.

Day 12: Transfer to Akagera National Park & Game Drive

Day 13: Morning Game Drive & Afternoon Boat Cruise on Lake Ihema

Day 14: Transfer to Kigali, City Tour & Genocide Museum Visit. Airport Drop Off.

14 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari – DETAILED SAFARI ITINERARY

Day 1: Visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary & Murchison Falls National Park

Today your 14 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari begins! Your tour driver/guide shall pick you up from your place of stay in Entebbe at 6.30 am and drive you for around 6 hours to the oldest, largest, and best Game Park in Uganda, Murchison Falls National Park which is bisected by the longest river in the world, River Nile. Enjoy wonderful views of Africa’s biggest lake (Lake Victoria) as you leave Entebbe, bypassing Uganda’s bustling capital city of Kampala.

Travel northwest through lively roadside markets, towns, rural scenery, and colorful villages. En route, you visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – the only place to see wild rhinos in Uganda, where an expert local ranger will take you on an on-foot rhino track adventure and see this second-bulkiest member of the Big 5 at a very close range!

Murchison Falls once had both black and white rhinos, but rampant poaching during the Idi Amin regime led to the extinction of these marvelous creatures.

Founded in 1998 by Rhino Fund Uganda, Ziwa works to reintroduce rhinos into Uganda and runs a breeding program, as well as works to educate communities on endangered rhinos. After rhino-tracking, have a good lunch at the nearby Kabalega Dinner and continue to your overnight lodge in Murchison Falls NP.

Accommodation

Luxury: – Paraa Safari Lodge/Bakers Lodge/Nile Safari Lodge

Mid-range:- Pakuba Safari Lodge/Murchison River Lodge

Budget: – Hornbill Safari Lodge/Red Chilli Rest Camp

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Drive Distance & Time: – Approx. 311 km or 6-7 hours

Activities & Services:-

Rhino tracking
Drive to Murchison

Day 2: Morning Savannah Game Drive & Afternoon Boat Cruise along the Nile River to the Bottom of Murchison Falls

Wake up early on day two of your 14 days Uganda and Rwanda safari expedition. Animals are most active early in the morning hours, the sun is not yet so bright and temperatures are cooler. This is the best time to spot wild animals on game drives.

After an early breakfast, head out to explore the northern part of the park on a game drive. Come face-to-face with the African animal kingdom: Buffalos, Elephants, Lions, Leopards, Giraffes, Hyenas, Warthogs, Hippos, Patas monkeys, Baboons, different species of Antelope, Shoebills, and many tropical birds.

After a 3-4 hours game drive, head back to your lodge to rest and have lunch.

In the afternoon, take a relaxing boat trip along the Nile River to the bottom of Murchison Falls. On this thrilling three-hour boat tour, you spot huge Nile Crocodiles, vast pods of hippos, and countless waterbirds, as well as herds of elephants, buffalos, and giraffes quenching their thirsts in the world’s longest river.

You pause a little distance from the bottom of the falls and marvel at the mighty Nile powerfully forcing its way through an 8-cleft, exploding into the world’s strongest waterfall! Return to the lodge for dinner, and overnight.

Accommodation

Luxury: – Paraa Safari Lodge/Bakers Lodge/Nile Safari Lodge

Mid-range:- Pakuba Safari Lodge/Murchison River Lodge

Budget: – Hornbill Safari Lodge

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Activities & Services:-

Game drive
Boat cruise on the Nile River

Day 3: Visit The Top Of Murchison Falls. Drive to Kibale Forest National Park

Day 3 of your 14 days Uganda and Rwanda safari holiday begins with a relaxed breakfast at the lodge. You then visit the top of the powerful Murchison Falls, where you’ll have wonderful views and fantastic photo opportunities!

After that, proceed on a long scenic drive of about 6 hours south to Kibale Forest National Park. Pass through tea plantations, quiet rural villages, and over rolling hills of lush green countryside, typical of this region of Uganda.

You reach Fort Portal town in time for lunch. Fort Portal is another beautiful area of Uganda, situated close to the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains or Mountains of the Moon. After lunch, continue on a drive south to your lodge in Kibale for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Covering around 770 km², Kibale contains one of Uganda’s loveliest tropical rainforests and is home to the highest density and diversity of primates in all of Africa. The forest park is home to 13 species of primates, including over 1500 wild chimpanzees – our closest living relatives.

Accommodation:-

Luxury: – Crater Safari Lodge/Kyaninga Lodge/Primate Lodge Kibale

Midrange: – Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse – Cottages/Kibale Forest Camp

Budget: – Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse – Main house

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Drive Distance & Time: – Approx. 366km or 6 hours

Activities & Services:-

Drive to the top of Murchison Falls
Transfer to Kibale Forest

Day 4: Chimpanzee Trekking In Kibale Forest & Bigodi Community Village Walk

The main draw of Kibale Forest is trekking to see Chimpanzees. After breakfast, head to the park visitor center at Kanyanchu for a briefing which starts at 8.00 am. Then enter the forest with an expert local ranger and track wild chimpanzees on foot – a truly remarkable wildlife experience.

Whilst you’re 100% guaranteed to see wild chimpanzees, there is a 95% success rate of seeing them in Kibale, which is far higher than any other place which offers chimpanzee trekking in Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, or Congo.

You trek for about 2-6 hours through the lush rainforest filled with rare birds and colorful butterflies and there are good chances of seeing Red-tailed, Red-colobus, Black-and-white colobus, Vervet, L’Hoest’s, and Blue monkeys.

When you find yourself in the company of the chimps, you have a full hour to witness their human-like behavior and take as many photos as you wish!

After socializing with the chimps, return to your lodge for a good lunch. In the afternoon, take a walk in the nearby Bigodi Village. Spend time with the friendly local people and learn about their day-to-day lives. The income from the walk is used for community development projects such as schools and hospitals.

Accommodation:-

Luxury: – Crater Safari Lodge/Kyaninga Lodge/Primate Lodge Kibale

Midrange: – Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse – Cottage/Kibale Forest Camp

Budget: – Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse – Main house

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Activities & Services:-

Chimpanzee tracking
Bigodi village walk

Day 5: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth Park, Evening Game Drive

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast today and set off further south for Queen Elizabeth National Park, a journey of around 3 to 4 hours. Settle into your lodge, which overlooks the gorgeous park for delicious lunch, and in the afternoon set out on a game drive to explore the surrounding area.

Set against the backdrop of the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains, this is the most reliable park in Uganda for lions, which are particularly common on the grassy Kasenyi Plains, but is more famous for its tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector. Huge herds of buffalo and elephants are found in the savannah areas of the park, and an amazing number of hippos inhabit the Kazinga Channel.

This 1978km² park has the largest bird checklist of any protected area in East Africa with over 600 species recorded. This is mainly due to the wide variety of habitats: from savannah, forest, lakes, and rivers, to wetlands.

Accommodation:-

Luxury: – Mweya Safari Lodge/Kyambura Gorge Lodge

Mid-range:- Enganzi Game Lodge/Bush Lodge

Budget: – Pumba Safari Lodge

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Drive Distance & Time: – Approx. 157km or 3-4 hours

Activities & Services:-

Transfer to Queen
Evening game drive

Day 6: Morning Game Drive in Kasenyi Savannah Plains & Afternoon Boat Trip on Kazinga Channel

On day six of your 14 days Uganda Rwanda safari, you’ll wake early for breakfast and then head out on a 3 to 4-hour morning game drive in the savanna to watch animals before it gets too hot.

You will watch the sunrise as you search for the game in the Kasenyi plains, the main animal-watching sector of the park. Some of the animals you can see include lions, leopards, hyenas, elephants, buffaloes, Giant forest hogs, Warthogs, Waterbucks, Bushbucks, and Uganda kobs, as well as an exceptional variety of bird species.

After a game drive returns to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. In the afternoon you go for a leisurely boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. You will see lots of Hippos, as the channel contains some of their densest populations on the continent. You will also see some monstrous Nile Crocodiles and lots of waterbirds, as well as herds of elephants and buffaloes that come to drink and cool off during the hot hours of the day.

Accommodation:-

Luxury: – Mweya Safari Lodge/Kyambura Gorge Lodge

Mid-range:- Enganzi Game Lodge/Bush Lodge

Budget: – Pumba Safari Lodge

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Activities & Services:-

Morning game drive
Afternoon boat cruise

Day 7: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable Park, Search for Tree-Climbing Lions in the Ishasha Sector of the Queen Enroute

Start day seven of the 14 days Uganda Rwanda safari with a later, more relaxed breakfast today. You then pack your bags, check out and say you’re sad goodbyes to the wonderful staff at your lodge.

You then jump into the vehicle and further south towards the park’s Ishasha Section. Here, you’ll have game viewing on the way, exploring this savannah wilderness in your safari vehicle, looking for the huge herds of buffalo, elephant, Uganda kob, and course, the famous tree-climbing lions. Seeing these mighty predators fast asleep up a fig tree, with their bellies hanging over the branches is a glorious sight!

Then leave and drive through impressive countryside landscapes to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – a Unesco World Heritage Site, one of the most biologically diverse forests in Africa, and one of the oldest dating back to over 25,000 years ago.

Home to half of the world’s population of the endangered Mountain Gorilla, Bwindi is one of the three remaining protected sites where this subspecies of great ape exist in the wild, 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/6 hours

Activities & Services:-

Game drive in Ishasha
Drive to Bwindi

Day 8: Do Gorilla Trekking & Visit The Nearby Lake Bunyonyi For Relaxation

On day eight of your 14 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari Tour, you rise early for the tour’s main highlight – mountain gorilla trekking!

The gorilla trek starts at 8:00 am with a briefing by park ranger guides. Your ranger guides will lead you inside the jungle to see the family of the shy and gentle apes of the Bwindi Forest, as well as look for other forest residents – smaller primates, exotic birds, and flocks of butterflies.

Finding your assigned family group can take anywhere from 2 to 6 hours. Although trekking through the forest for hours can be relatively exhausting, on successfully tracking them down, however, you are generously rewarded with a once-in-a-lifetime sighting of these gentle creatures interacting, playing, eating, grooming, and going about their daily lives in their natural habitat.

You spend 1 hour (max) observing these beautiful and endangered creatures, a truly privileged experience. You then have a picnic lunch and return to the park offices to receive a Gorilla trekking certificate. Thereafter, go relax on the beautiful Lake Bunyonyi driving through fascinating Kigezi Highlands where locals apply terracing methods to cultivate their slopes deriving impressive scenic landscapes.

Accommodation:-

Luxury: – Birdnest @Bunyonyi Resort

Midrange: – Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Drive Distance & Time: – Approx. 52km or 90 minutes

Activities & Services:-

Gorilla trekking
Scenic drive Lake Bunyonyi

Day 9: Whole Day Relaxation at Lake Bunyonyi

Bunyonyi means a place of many little birds. This beautiful lake, surrounded by steep terraced hillsides, contains 29 islands, many of which are inhabited. It is a magical place to wake up in, especially with the early morning mist lingering on the lake.

At this time you will see school children paddling dugout canoes to school and farmers transporting their goods to the marketplace. Here you can fill your time swimming, zip lining, canoeing, hiking, bird watching, and taking boat rides to any of the islands on the lake (Island hopping).

Lake Bunyonyi is the perfect place for a bit of relaxation. The only chatter you will hear in this setting, is that coming from the numerous birds.

Accommodation:-

Luxury: – Birdnest @Bunyonyi Resort

Midrange: – Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 10: Cultural Hike at Lake Bunyonyi. Transfer to Rwanda and Volcanoes National Park

After a relaxed breakfast on day ten of your 14 days Uganda Rwanda safari trip, you will go on one of the cultural hikes in the area.

This is a great opportunity to learn about the legends, traditions, and customs of the people who make a home on the shores of Bunyonyi. On a 4-hour tour you can meet a traditional healer, a craft group, see beautiful views from one of the high points on the lake and you can try your hand at paddling one of the traditional dugout canoes.

After a cultural tour, you embark on the drive to Volcanoes National Park passing through the fascinating Kigezi Highlands and the scenic Kabale – Kisoro road. The journey is 120km about a 3-hour drive. Cross via the Chyanika border and settle at the lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Accommodation:-

Luxury: – Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Bisate Lodge

Midrange: – Da Vinci Lodge

Budget: – Muhabura Hotel

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Activities & Services:-

Cultural hike at Lake Bunyonyi
Transfer to Volcanoes

Day 11: Golden Monkey Tracking & Visit Iby’Iwacu Village

After your breakfast at 7;00 am, you will transfer to Volcanoes park headquarters to be briefed about golden monkeys. These Golden Monkeys are purely endemic to the Virunga Mountains. They are endearing, playful, inquisitive, and often spend much of their time frolicking on the forest ground and leaping between bamboo branches.

The habituated Golden Monkey group that you will most likely track, will have around 100 family members and resides at the foot of Mount Sabyinyo. The trek takes 3-4 hours to find them and once you do, you shall be given only 1 hour to observe and photograph them.

You will after return to your lodge to have lunch and relaxation.

In the evening, in Iby’iwacu village and Rwanda cultural life. At Iby’iwacu cultural village, talk to ex-poachers has rejected their former way of life. You will visit the traditional house of a local king, see a traditional medicine man preparing herbal mixtures, try out your hand at the traditional bow and arrow aiming and shooting or listen to soothing African Rwanda songs, dances, and drums.

Accommodation:-

Luxury: – Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Bisate Lodge

Midrange: – Da Vinci Lodge

Budget: – Muhabura Hotel

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Activities & Services:-

Golden monkey tracking
Iby’Iwacu Village Visit

Optional Activities:-

Gorilla trekking
Dian Fossey Tomb hike
Mount Bisoke Hike

Day 12: Transfer to Akagera National Park & Game Drive

Day twelve of the 14 days Uganda Rwanda safari vacation starts with a relaxed breakfast. You will stretch your legs by walking through the brightly colored shops of Musanze town before you drive ahead. You will start a leisurely 4.5-hour drive to Akagera National Park later this morning.

Akagera, Rwanda’s largest wildlife national park boasts a profusion of amazing wildlife including the Big 5 that you will only see in this park. It also has savannah plains dotted with beautiful swamps and lakes. This park also boasts almost 500 Rwandan bird species.

Upon arrival at Akagera, you will check-in at your lodge to have lunch and relaxation. Later this evening, you shall go for a remarkable 3 hours game viewing experience.

Accommodation:-

Luxury: – Ruzizi Tented Lodge/Magashi Camp

Midrange: – Akagera Game Lodge

Budget: – Dereva Hotel

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Drive distance & time: – Approx. 251km/4-5 hours

Activities & Services:-

Transfer to Akagera & game drive

Optional Activities:-

Night game drive
Sunset boat cruise

Day 13: Morning Savannah Game Drive & Afternoon Boat Cruise on Lake Ihema

Day 13 of your 14 days Uganda and Rwanda safari holiday starts at breakfast at 6 am.

After your breakfast, undertake a 3-4 hour morning game drive to see the Big 5 as the sun rises up. In addition, look out for Zebras, Warthogs, Giraffes, Hyenas, Topi, Baboons, Impalas, Waterbucks, Bushbucks, Elands, and the large open plains. After you shall return to your lodge to have lunch and relax. In the afternoon, you will enjoy a wonderful leisurely boat cruise on Lake Ihema.

You will view large Crocodiles, Hippos, Elephants, and Buffalos, as they get together at the shore of Lake Ihema to drink water. There, you will also see plenty of waterbirds to a tune of almost 500 bird species around this lake. Go back to your lodge for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.

Accommodation:-

Luxury: – Ruzizi Tented Lodge/Magashi Camp

Midrange: – Akagera Game Lodge

Budget: – Dereva Hotel

Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Activities & Services:-

Morning game drive
Afternoon boat cruise on Lake Ihema

Day 14: Transfer to Kigali, City Tour & Genocide Museum Visit. Airport Drop Off

After breakfast, head back to Kigali. On arrival, take a historical city tour of Kigali including the moving Memorial Centre (Genocide Museum) and craft centers. From there, connect to the airport for your return flight home to mark the end of this fantastic 14 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari.

End of the 14 Days Uganda And Rwanda Safari Tour

14 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari Tour – SAFARI INCLUSIONS

All park entrance fees
Gorilla Permit for Bwindi
Golden monkey tracking permit for Volcanoes
Chimpanzee Permit for Kibale
4X4 safari vehicle with English-speaking local driver/guide throughout. On request, any other foreign language speaking guide can be arranged.
Full Board Accommodation on Safari
Bottled water in a safari vehicle
All included activities fees
Fuel
Airport Transfer