10 Days Uganda & Rwanda Safari – Gorilla Trekking, Chimpanzees & Big Five Adventure

After breakfast at 6:00 AM, depart from Kampala for a scenic drive to Jinja, the adventure capital of Uganda. The journey passes through the lush Mabira Forest, the largest natural forest in Central Uganda, stretching along the Kampala–Jinja highway. Along the way you will pass Lugazi, known for its vast sugarcane plantations.

Upon arrival in Jinja, meet your rafting team for a safety briefing and instructions about the rafting activity. You will choose between Grade 3 or Grade 5 rapids, depending on your preferred level of adventure. After practicing safety drills in the water, begin your thrilling white-water rafting experience along the White Nile. The rafting adventure lasts 3–4 hours, taking you through a series of exciting rapids surrounded by beautiful river scenery. After the activity, enjoy lunch before visiting the historic Source of the Nile. Later, return to Kampala for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast at 8:00 AM, depart Kampala and begin your journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Along the way, stop at the famous Uganda Equator Line for photos and demonstrations of the Northern and Southern Hemisphere water experiment. Continue the drive through rural villages, farmland, and the scenic tea plantations near the park’s escarpment. Enjoy lunch en route or at the lodge depending on arrival time. Upon arrival, check in at your lodge and relax while enjoying views of the surrounding wilderness. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Begin the day with an early breakfast before heading out at 7:00 AM for a morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The park is home to a wide range of wildlife including elephants, buffaloes, lions, and other mammals such as giant forest hogs, Uganda kobs, bushbucks, hyenas, and waterbucks. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat safari along the famous Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake Edward and Lake George. The boat cruise offers incredible wildlife viewing opportunities with large numbers of hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and buffalo gathering along the water. The channel is also excellent for birdwatching. Later enjoy a short evening game drive before returning to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

After an early breakfast, depart around 6:00 AM for chimpanzee tracking in Kalinzu Forest Reserve. During the trek you will search for chimpanzees while observing them feeding, playing, and swinging through the forest canopy. After the experience, continue your journey south toward Kabale, often referred to as the highest town in Uganda. The scenic drive leads to the stunning Lake Bunyonyi, known as the “place of many little birds.” Enjoy dinner and overnight at a lakeside lodge.

After breakfast, take a cultural walk around the southwestern shores of Lake Bunyonyi, visiting local villages and learning about the lifestyle of communities in the region. Later enjoy a relaxing canoe or boat ride across the lake, offering spectacular views of its many islands and terraced hills. In the afternoon, drive to Kisoro, located near the volcanic landscapes of the Virunga region. Dinner and overnight in Kisoro.

After breakfast, depart at 7:00 AM for the park headquarters of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for briefing and registration before beginning your gorilla trekking adventure. Guided by experienced rangers, you will hike through dense forests on the slopes of the Virunga Mountains in search of a habituated gorilla family. The trek may take 2 to 6 hours, depending on the location of the gorillas. Once located, you will spend one unforgettable hour observing them in their natural habitat. After the trek, cross into Rwanda and transfer to Musanze for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, visit the renowned Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village in Kinigi to experience traditional Rwandan culture. Enjoy the famous Intore dance, historically performed by Rwanda’s royal warriors and known for its energetic jumps and rhythmic movements. Later drive to Gisenyi to visit the hot springs and enjoy views of Lake Kivu before continuing to Karongi (Kibuye). Dinner and overnight by the lake.

After breakfast, take a boat trip to Napoleon Island, locally known as Nyamunini Island. Rising more than 100 meters above Lake Kivu, the island offers breathtaking views of the surrounding waters and islands. It is home to many bird species including fish eagles and palm-nut vultures, as well as a colony of over 40,000 straw-colored fruit bats. After lunch, drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, head out for the famous Nyungwe canopy walk along the Igishigishi Trail. The adventure includes a 2.1 km forest hike leading to a 160-meter suspended bridge high above the rainforest canopy. From here, enjoy incredible views of the lush forest and its wildlife. After lunch, drive to Kigali. Dinner and overnight in Kigali.

After breakfast, visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a place of remembrance honoring the victims of the 1994 genocide. After the visit, enjoy a short city tour of Kigali, exploring its vibrant markets and scenic hills. Later, transfer to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight. End of the safari.