14 Days Rwanda and Uganda Safari Itinerary
Safari Overview
Experience the essence of East Africa on this remarkable 14 days Rwanda and Uganda safari itinerary. This trip blends gorilla trekking, wildlife game drives, chimpanzee tracking, and immersive cultural experiences. This all-inclusive itinerary takes you from the lively streets of Kigali to the fog-covered forests of Volcanoes and Bwindi, through the wildlife-abundant savannahs of Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Park, and deep into the verdant jungles of Kibale Forest.
During this two-week immersive journey, you’ll encounter mountain gorillas, track wild chimpanzees, observe the Big Five, enjoy a sunset Nile cruise, and engage with local communities in some of Africa’s most picturesque and biologically rich regions.
Whether you’re an experienced safari enthusiast or a first-time adventurer, this Rwanda to Uganda circuit presents the ultimate East African experience. Native Africa Tours is your local specialist in meticulously designed, guided, responsible, and customized safaris.
Highlights of the 14 Days Rwanda and Uganda safari
- Day 1: Arrival in Kigali and Welcome to Rwanda
- Day 2: We’ll transfer to Akagera National Park for an evening game drive.
- Day 3: Morning game drive followed by an afternoon boat cruise.
- Day 4: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park.
- Day 6: Gorilla Trekking and BWC Cultural Experience.
- Day 7: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
- Day 8: Exploring Lake Bunyonyi all day.
- Day 9: We’ll transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park for an evening game drive.
- Day 10: A morning game drive will be followed by an afternoon boat cruise.
- Day 11: Crater Drive and Afternoon Relaxation.
- Day 12: Transfer to Kibale National Park.
- Day 13: Chimpanzee Trekking and Community Walks
- Day 14: Drop off at Entebbe International Airport
Details of the Rwanda and Uganda Tour
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali and Welcome to Rwanda
Your safari guide/driver will pick you up upon your arrival at Kigali International Airport for your 14 days Rwanda and Uganda safari itinerary, and will brief you on accommodation, destinations, activities, and other necessary information. Later, you will transfer to the hotel where you will spend the night.
Day 2: Transfer to Akagera National Park with an Evening Game Drive
Enjoy a restful breakfast at the hotel, then drive to Akagera National Park in the eastern part of the country. Akagera National Park is Rwanda’s largest national park, covering about 1122 sq km and renowned for the Big 5, including white and black Rhinos, lions, elephants, leopards, giraffes, buffaloes, and other species. Arrive at the park and check into your lodge for lunch and relaxation.
In the evening, you will embark on an evening game drive in the southern park to catch some nocturnal sightings, including hyenas, leopards, lions, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, elephants, and other animal species. The night game drive lasts about 3 hours, then you’ll return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Cruise
Enjoy a restful breakfast at the lodge, meet your guide, and head out for a morning game drive. Expect to spot a variety of animal species, including the White and Black Rhinos, as well as different bird species such as the lilac-breasted roller, fork-tailed drongo, saddle-billed stork, white-browed coucal, white-faced whistling duck, long-crested eagle, African grey hornbill, palm nut vulture, cattle egret, woodland kingfisher and little bee-eater.
After lunch, you will enjoy a thrilling afternoon boat cruise on Lake Ihema, Rwanda’s largest freshwater lake, offering a tranquil setting for breathtaking views of the lush vegetation surrounding the park. You will also spot a variety of wildlife species, including hippos, elephants quenching their thirst, crocodiles, fish species, and birds. Return to the lodge for an evening of relaxation and overnight.
Day 4: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Rise a heavy breakfast, checkout, and drive to Volcanoes National Park, taking you about 5 hours via Kigali city for a break and later proceed to the park. Volcanoes National Park is Rwanda’s prime gorilla trekking destination, in the northwestern part of the country, renowned for gorilla trekking experiences that reward travelers with a chance to get up close with these species in their natural habitats. Arrive at the park and proceed to the lodge. Check in for dinner and overnight.
Day 6: Gorilla Trekking and Iby’Iwacu Cultural Experience Black
Rise early for a hearty breakfast, then gather at the park headquarters for a briefing on gorilla trekking, including the rules and regulations for observing the gorillas in their natural habitats. Later, embark on a gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park as you navigate through the bamboo forests in search of the gorillas in their natural habitats. Once you locate the gorillas, you may spend 1 hour with the gorillas as you learn more about their way of life. You will then return to the starting point.
After lunch, visit the BWC cultural village to experience the Rwandan traditional lifestyle and gain deeper insight into their culture, including traditional dances, cattle grazing, marriage ceremonies, local food, and other practices. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 7: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
Rise early for a mouth-watering breakfast, check out, and Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi in southwestern Uganda. The journey will involve exiting Rwanda and border crossing to Uganda through the Chanika Border point. Later, you will drive about 2 hours from Kisoro to Lake Bunyonyi in Kabale. Lake Bunyonyi, Africa’s third-deepest freshwater lake, has about 29 islands and is surrounded by lush green vegetation. The Islands at Lake Bunyonyi have a rich cultural history, offering deep insight into the local people and those around the lake. Arrive at the lodge and enjoy a relaxed afternoon and evening.
Day 8: Exploring Lake Bunyonyi all day.
Enjoy a restful breakfast at the lodge, then set out for a full-day Lake Bunyonyi experience. You’ll paddle your canoe past scenic islands like Kahugye and Punishment Island, where, historically, people left pregnant girls to starve. Later, you will return to the lodge and enjoy a peaceful evening and overnight.
Day 9: We’ll transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park and enjoy an evening game drive.
After breakfast, embark on an approximately 4-hour drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park in the western part of the country, with a scenic stopover at the Tea plantations in Bushenyi. Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most visited National Park, renowned for its diverse wildlife, volcanic crater lakes, and the rich cultural heritage of the Bakonjo and Banyaruguru people. The park is famous for tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector, making it a popular destination and a medley of wonders.
Arrive at your lodge and enjoy your lunch. After lunch, you will proceed for an evening game drive in the park to spot nocturnal animals such as lions, leopards, hyenas, elephants, hippos, and various birds. The evening game drive will take about 3 hours, then you will return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 10: Enjoy a morning game drive, followed by an afternoon boat cruise.
Enjoy a fulfilling breakfast at the lodge before taking a morning stroll in the park. Expect to see many active animals, such as lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards, hippos, Uganda kobs, and various birds. After the morning game drive, enjoy lunch and refreshments at the lodge.
After lunch, take a scenic boat cruise on Kazinga Channel, which divides the park into northern and southern parts and is rich in wildlife, including elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and various waterbirds. Enjoy the breathtaking views and sweeping, cool, fresh air, then head back to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 11: Enjoy a crater drive, followed by an afternoon of relaxation.
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at the lodge, then embark on a guided crater drive that introduces you to the twin crater lakes, Lake Nyamunuka, renowned as the animal clinic, Lake Katwe for salt mining, and other volcanic craters that offer a picturesque setting and breathtaking views. The drive takes about 3 hours, then you return to the lodge for lunch and afternoon relaxation.
Day 12: We transferred to Kibale National Park.
After a relaxed breakfast at the lodge, check out and drive to Kibale National Park, stopping at the Kikorongo Equator monument as you cross from the Southern to the Northern Hemisphere. En route to the park, check into your accommodation. Kibale National Park is Uganda’s primate capital, home to over 1500 chimpanzees and 13 other primate species, including 6 endemic species. Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale National Park offers a chance to get up close with the chimpanzees in their societies and natural environment, thus making it an adventure of a lifetime. Enjoy a relaxed evening and an overnight dinner.
Day 13: Chimpanzee Trekking and Community Walks
Rise early for a hearty breakfast, then drive to Kanyanchu Park headquarters for a briefing on chimpanzee trekking before heading to the forest. Later, a park ranger will lead your chimpanzee trekking experience. Once you find the chimpanzees, you will spend 1 hour with them, and then receive a chimpanzee trekking certificate.
After lunch, you will go for a community walk in Bigodi that will introduce you to the daily lifestyle of the local people, and you will take part in local activities such as traditional dances, traditional preparation of local brew, basket weaving, as well as visiting the craft shops in order to support the locals. Return to the lodge and enjoy a relaxed evening and overnight dinner as you reflect on the previous safari days.
Day 14: Drop-off at Entebbe International Airport
Enjoy a hearty breakfast at the lodge, then drive approximately 5 hours to Entebbe International Airport. Arrive at the Airport and check in for your departure as you conclude your 14 days Rwanda and Uganda safari.
This 14 days Rwanda and Uganda safari itinerary is a transformative journey through stunning East African landscapes teeming with wildlife. From trekking with endangered mountain gorillas in Volcanoes and Bwindi to cruising the Nile at Murchison Falls and spotting tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth, each experience will amaze you. Whether you want intimate primate encounters, exhilarating game drives, or enriching cultural exchanges, this tour includes it all, with smooth logistics, knowledgeable guides, and tailored service from Native Africa Tours.
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