The outstanding natural beauty and diversity of landscape in Uganda has long served as focal point of inspiration for travellers, and features prominently on our Uganda & Rwanda tour.
Towering mountains give way to fertile meadows and broad savannah, while the dry uplands contrast with the swamplands of the lakeshores.
We keep a lookout for Red Colobus monkeys and visit Uganda's most popular game reserve, Queen Elizabeth II National Park, where have the opportunity to take a boat ride amid Africa's largest hippo population.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, our last destination on the Uganda leg of our tour, is a designated World Heritage Park and is home to just over half the world's mountain gorilla population.
Heading into Rwanda, we make route for Dian Fossey's stunning Parc National des Volcans, where we embark on a trek to encounter the mighty mountain gorilla and follow one of five gorilla families.
This comfortable, fully-escorted and guided safari tour through Uganda and Rwanda features lands of rolling hills, tranquil lakes, the snow-capped 'Mountains of the Moon', rainforests and jungles, gorillas and chimps, and glorious butterflies outnumbered only by the plentiful birds.
Prices below are per person, twin-sharing costs in US Dollars (USD). Pricing does not include airfare to/from the tour and any applicable taxes. For single supplement rates and taxes (if any), please refer to below Prices & Dates table. For general information on flights to/from the tour, click here.
Your Travel and Accommodation Arranged For You
Tips Included for Driver, Restaurant Staff, Local Guides
Authentic Local Experiences With Lots Of Inclusions.
Select a date below to reserve your spot:
NOTE: Due to pre-paid park fees and gorilla permits which are non-refundable once issued, this tour requires a higher than usual deposit amount at time of booking. Your $3000 per person deposit is 100% non-transferable (in addition to non-refundable) once the tour becomes 'guaranteed.'
Optional Single Supplement: $1450 USD (number of singles limited).
This tour may require a mandatory single supplement charge of $730 if you join our share program and we are unable to pair you.
Download Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Entebbe, Uganda
Today we arrive at Entebbe International Airport (the airport serving the capital) and transfer to our lodge nearby.
Welcome to Uganda! Nestled on the northern shores of Lake Victoria, Entebbe offers a serene and picturesque introduction to your Ugandan adventure. As the gateway to the country, this charming town boasts lush botanical gardens, vibrant local markets, and rich history.
Overnight in Entebbe.
Included Meal(s): Dinner
Day 2 Entebbe - Murchison Falls National Park
Early this morning, we embark on a +/- 4 hour scenic drive northwards. Our first stop is the Ziwani Rhino Sanctuary, where we'll have the opportunity to track these magnificent creatures. After lunch here, we continue our journey towards Murchison Falls National Park.
Arriving in the mid-afternoon, we'll check into our lodge and freshen up before a scenic drive through the park. This afternoon's game drive will give us a glimpse of the park's diverse wildlife, including elephants, giraffes, and various antelope species. As the sun begins to set, we'll return to the lodge for a well-deserved rest before dinner.
Tomorrow, we'll witness the raw power of nature at Murchison Falls. The Nile River, on its journey from Lake Victoria, is dramatically forced through a narrow gorge, creating a breathtaking waterfall. This powerful display of nature's force is truly a sight to behold.
Overnight in Murchison Falls.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
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Day 3 Murchison Falls Park
We'll start our day bright and early with a game drive along the Buligi, Albert, or Queens tracks. These scenic routes offer incredible opportunities to spot iconic African wildlife such as lions, leopards, giraffes, elephants, and warthogs.
After lunch, we'll embark on a Nile River cruise. As we journey downstream, we'll witness the immense power of Murchison Falls, where the Nile River is dramatically squeezed into a narrow gorge and plunges 43 meters. Along the way, we'll encounter a variety of wildlife, including crocodiles, hippos, buffalo, elephants, and a diverse array of birdlife, such as herons, cormorants, and the elusive shoebill.
Returning to the lodge in the late afternoon, we'll enjoy a well-deserved dinner before retiring for the night.
Overnight at Murchison Falls.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4 Murchison Falls - Kibale Forest National Park
Early this morning, we'll make a final stop at the top of Murchison Falls, where we can marvel at the powerful cascade of water. After taking in this breathtaking sight, we'll continue our journey by road to Kibale Forest National Park.
This approximately six-hour drive will take us to a lush, tropical rainforest renowned for its diverse primate population. Kibale Forest is home to 12 different primate species, including the chimpanzee. Tomorrow, we'll have the opportunity to trek through the forest and encounter these fascinating creatures in their natural habitat.
We'll spend the night at a lodge within the park.
Overnight at Kibale.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 5 Kibale Chimpanzee Viewing - Queen Elizabeth II National Park
This morning we trek to see chimpanzees. Kibale National Forest has one of the highest diversity and concentration of primates in Africa, and is one of the best places not only in Uganda, but in the world, to see chimpanzees. Kibale Park is connected to Queen Elizabeth National Park in the South, hence allowing wildlife to freely move. This park has a total population of approximately 1,450.
Then we'll have a walk through the Bigodi Swamps. The Kibale Association manages the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for Rural and Environmental Organisation, formed in 1992 with the aim of achieving social and economic development for local communities. While on our guided walk around the swamps, we can distinguish many from the approximately 137 bird species found here, including the Snowy Headed Robin Chat, Black and White Casqued Hornbill, Emerald Cuckoo and a variety of weavers, warblers, greenbuls and sunbirds. There is also an abundance of butterflies, and rich in vegetation, such as wild palms, polita figs and the dominant papyrus.
We depart Kibale by road for the Mweya Peninsula in Queen Elizabeth II National Park, dominated on its northern border by the snowcapped peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains -- the famous 'Mountains of the Moon.' The varied ecosystems of this park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve for Humanity, support a wide variety of species including elephant, buffalo, lion and leopard. Driving through huge banana plantations, we'll cross the equator and arrive at the national park.
Overnight at Queen Elizabeth II National Park.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6 Queen Elizabeth II National Park
This morning we embark on a game drive in open savannah covered by acacia trees on the edge of the Albertine Rift Valley. We will search for the unique tree climbing lions (among other things), a population which is found only in this part of the country. It is impressive to see the animals while they are resting on top of the fig trees.
This afternoon we cruise up the Kazinga Channel, a narrow band of water connecting lakes Edward and George. This is one of the most memorable experiences of a visit to Uganda, offering an opportunity to cruise amid members of Africa's largest hippo population. In addition to these giant semi-aquatic mammals, the launch affords unique opportunities to view other mammals and birds as they come to the water's edge to drink and bathe. Birding is excellent, and we expect to see species ranging in size from the tiny, brilliant Malachite Kingfisher to the giant Goliath Heron.
Overnight at Queen Elizabeth II National Park.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7 Queen Elizabeth II National Park - Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Today, we'll embark on a scenic road trip through the Ishasha Plains and the East African Rift Valley. Our (+/- 6 hour) journey will take us through rolling hills, deep valleys, and lush forests, creating a picturesque landscape often compared to the beauty of Central Europe.
We'll enjoy a packed lunch along the way, taking in the stunning views. As the day progresses, we'll arrive at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This dense, tropical rainforest is home to a significant population of mountain gorillas. We'll spend the night at a comfortable lodge within the park.
Overnight at Bwindi.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8 Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park: Gorilla Trekking
Bwindi, a World Heritage Park, is home to just over half of the world's last surviving mountain gorilla population of 1,000 individuals. Today's trek* can take from one to six hours, sometimes more, at elevations in excess of 2270 m (7,500 ft) and over rough terrain. Although the hike can be physically demanding, the anticipation of the exciting experience ahead is invigorating, and the beauty of the forest and its inhabitants is fascinating. For more info, go to www.uwa.or.ug. Your gorilla permits are included in the tour price.
The area around Bwindi is an excellent place for watching primates and birds and you may catch a glimpse of the noisy but evasive Chimpanzees or the beatiful Hornbills and Turacos. The forest is home to 120 species of mammals, 346 species of birds, 202 species of butterflies, and 163 species of trees, making it one of the richest ecosystems in Africa.
Overnight at Bwindi.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 9 Bwindi, Uganda - Parc National des Volcans, Rwanda
Today we embark on a +/- 6-hour journey to Parc National des Volcans in Rwanda. Our route takes us through the picturesque terraced hillsides that are characteristic of the Rwandan landscape. After a 2-hour drive, we'll cross the border, which typically takes about an hour. We aim to arrive at our accommodation near the park in the early-mid afternoon.
Parc National des Volcans is a stunning mountain range, home to the endangered mountain gorilla. As Dian Fossey once wrote, "In the heart of Central Africa, so high up that you shiver more than you sweat, are great, old volcanoes towering up almost 15,000 feet, and nearly covered with rich, green rainforest." The park's diverse ecosystems, including evergreen and bamboo forests, grasslands, swamps, and heath, provide a unique habitat for a variety of wildlife.
This afternoon, we'll take a leisurely walk to the Ellen DeGeneres/Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, a fantastic opportunity to learn more about gorillas and the remarkable work of Dian Fossey. The center offers informative exhibits and educational programs whereby visitors can gain valuable insights into gorilla conservation efforts and the challenges these magnificent creatures face.
We'll spend the night at a lodge near the park, preparing for our gorilla trekking adventure tomorrow.
Overnight near Parc National des Volcans.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 10 Parc National des Volcans: Gorilla Trekking
Early this morning we drive to the park headquarters where we are briefed by the guides of the Parc des Volcans before we start our gorilla trek. This 13,000-hectare national park protects the Rwanda sector of the Virunga Mountains, a range of six extinct and three active volcanoes which straddle the border with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Bamboo forest is interspersed with alpine moorland, grassland and marsh.
Tracking the gorillas through the light mountain forest on the slopes of the Virungas is a magical experience. If you are lucky you will get to the gorillas, spend an hour with them, and be back at the base in time for a late lunch. Some gorilla families however are more elusive, and tracking can take a full day... especially when wet and muddy.
The Mountain Gorillas in the Parc National des Volcans are part of a worldwide population of just 740 individuals. The gorillas we are allowed to track belong to one of several habituated family groups. For up to five years each, these groups have undergone an extremely delicate process that has gradually brought them to tolerate the presence of humans for a brief period every day and allowed a few privileged visitors to interact with them in the wild.
The gorillas are by no means tame, and are completely wild animals. However, experienced guides will accompany us on our tracking, many of who have been involved in the habituation process themselves. The guides will use their knowledge of the gorillas' habits and information from the previous day to locate the group’s whereabouts. Because of this, the time taken to track the gorillas varies enormously, from as little as 1 hour to as much as 8 hours before one returns to base. Once the gorillas are located, our group will be allowed a maximum of one hour with them.
Please remember that the mountain gorillas are a wild animal and are not enclosed in any form and free to move as they please. For this reason actual sightings of the gorilla groups cannot be guaranteed. For more information on gorilla tracking in Rwanda, go to:
www.visitrwanda.com/interests/gorilla-tracking/
Overnight near Parc National des Volcans.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 11 Parc National des Volcans: Twin Lakes & Village
We'll start our day with a leisurely walk to the Ellen DeGeneres/Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, a fantastic opportunity to learn more about gorillas and the remarkable work of Dian Fossey. The center offers informative exhibits and educational programs whereby visitors can gain valuable insights into gorilla conservation efforts and the challenges these magnificent creatures face.
We then have a scenic drive to the picturesque Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo. Upon arrival at Virunga Lodge, we'll enjoy a short walk, taking in the stunning views of the surrounding mountains and the tranquil waters.
We'll then head to the bustling Musanze market. As we wander through the vibrant market, we'll immerse ourselves in the local culture, experiencing the sights, sounds, and smells of this bustling marketplace. We'll have the opportunity to interact with local vendors and learn about their products, from fresh produce to handcrafted souvenirs.
Overnight near Parc National des Volcans.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 12 Parc National des Volcans - Kigali
This morning we'll embark on a cultural immersion experience, visiting a nearby village. We'll witness firsthand the daily lives of the locals, observing their farming techniques, beekeeping practices, and traditional clothing-making processes. We'll also have the chance to explore their homes and gain a deeper understanding of their way of life.
Later today we travel back to Kigali arriving later in the afternoon.
Overnight in Kigali.
Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
Day 13 Departure
Departure from Kigali.
SAFARI NJEMA!!
Included Meal(s): Breakfast
Inclusions
Full-time Tour Leader services and local guide support in some locations.
Breakfast and dinner daily (hotels and restaurants), some lunches ( as per tour itinerary).
All transport, sightseeing and entrance fees for sites noted as 'visited' in the detailed itinerary (including 2 gorilla permits).
Gratuities for local guides, drivers, restaurant staff, porters.
Airport transfers for land & air customers and for early arriving / late departing land & air customers who book their extra hotel nights through us.
Exclusions
International airfare to/from the tour.
Tour Leader gratuity, some lunches, drinks, personal items (phone, laundry, etc), departure taxes, international air taxes (if applicable), visa fees.
Airport transfers for Land Only customers.
Optional trip cancellation insurance - click on the "Resources" tab for more information.
Seasonality and Weather
As most of the region is fairly flat with mountains only in the extreme east, the extreme west, and close to the Rwandan border, the bulk of the area enjoys the same tropical climate, with temperatures averaging about 25 C (79 F) during the day and 15 C (60 F) at night. The hottest months are from December to February when the daytime range is 26-28 C (81 to 84 F). The rainy seasons in the south are from April to May and late October through November, the wettest month being April. Humidity is generally low outside of the wet seasons.
Transport and Travel Conditions
We travel by touring mini-bus, with seating for approx six. Main roads are generally good but travel is much slower than on European or American roads. Secondary roads are of variable quality and often slow and bumpy especially around the gorilla parks.
Aside from our Gorilla treks, the trip is quite leisurely and not tremendously physical. We'll have some full days of travel, some early starts, and will be moving around a lot on an ambitious program.
MOUNTAIN GORILLAS
Mountain gorillas are a major attraction of this tour and the following is compiled to maximize your enjoyment and understanding of these animals. Gorillas are very special animals - rare, gentle, like us yet so different. Tracking gorillas is a unique experience - the trek will take you into a strange land to meet these unusual creatures on their own terms.
Gorilla tracking is an intense experience that can take all day. A trek can take from one to six hours, sometimes more, at elevations in excess of 2270m (7,500 ft) and over rough terrain. Local guides will have a very good idea where the gorillas are and how far away they may be on the morning of our excursion. If they have the luxury of doing so, and if there are muiltiple gorilla family groups to choose from, the guides may choose to divide the group into groups that are less/more capable physically and assign participants dependent on estimated distance. But, of course, this cannot be guaranteed.
Although the hike can be physically demanding, the anticipation of the exciting experience ahead is invigorating, and the beauty of the forest and its inhabitants is fascinating.
We must also stress that, while you have a very good chance of seeing gorillas, the parks that we visit clearly state that success is NOT guaranteed! They are wild creatures with no fixed routine, and finding them requires the skill and experience of your trackers and guides, as well as luck!
For more information, go to www.uwa.or.ug and www.ortpn.gov.rw
Am I suitable for this tour? Please refer to our self-assessment form.
Activity Level: 3
These tours are considerably more strenuous than our Level 1 & 2 "cultural" tours and feature walks/hikes on undulating and uneven pathways for 3-7 hours at a leisurely pace. We don't hike every day, but participants should be fit and active and accustomed to trail walking, possibly in remote locations, and be prepared to engage in a conditioning regimen prior to the trip. Altitude may also be a factor on some tours, though none of our hiking tours currently occur above 3000m/10,000 ft. These are hotel-based tours with no camping, and you are required to only carry what you need for the day.
To learn more about the Activity levels, please visit our tour styles page.
Accommodation
Uganda and Rwanda have only re-emerged as tourist destinations in the last few years and their lodges and camps are not as luxurious as in some African countries. Generally accommodation is three to four star hotels and lodges. The Gorilla's Nest in Rwanda is somewhat more basic.
Staff and Support
Groups of six or fewer participants (one vehicle), will be led / guided by one of our local driver-guides. Only multi-vehicle groups will be assigned an Adventures Abroad Tour Leader.
Group Size
Maximum 18 plus Tour Leader
Tour Extensions
This tour is part of a series that can be upgraded to make for a longer trip. For more options, please refer to tour code/s:
Tour Overview Countries Visited: 3 Acivity Level: 3 Tour Style: Cultural
No longer a country plagued by civil war and unrest, Uganda has recently come to enjoy a period of relative political, economic and social stability.
On our Uganda, Rwanda & Kenya Tour you'll see that, today, Uganda is a land visited for its incredible natural environment as opposed to being avoided for its man-made one.
In Kibale Forest National Park, we try to spot and identify some of the 12 species of primates that inhabit the area and when we enter Queen Elizabeth National Park, we can marvel at sterling views of the famous 'Mountains of the Moon' as we make our way through a diverse range of ecosystems.
Our expedition to catch sight of mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is continued on as we cross into Rwanda, where we visit the Parc National des Volcans, where the late Dian Fossey undertook her monumental conservation efforts.
Worthy of a stay of at least a couple of days in duration, Parc National des Volcans allows us to track one of five families of gorillas in their natural habitats - truly a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Heading into Kenya, we explore the savannah plains of Ol Pejeta Conservancy, keeping our eyes peeled for buffalo, cheetah, leopard and lion and embark on a game drive with almost guaranteed close-up contact with elephant, giraffe and gazelle.
Regions visited: East Africa
Countries visited: Uganda and Rwanda
*The red tour trail on the map does not represent the actual travel path.
The following is a list of sample hotels at some locations included on this tour. The hotels shown here are meant to provide a general sense of the standard of hotel we usually aim for; they are not necessarily confirmed for your chosen departure.
Paraa Safari Lodge offers a unique blend of comfort, relaxation and adventure. Each of the rooms is a haven of style and serenity, complete with balcony and private bathroom.
To the east, lie the guardians of the birthplace of mankind, the Great Rift Valley hills, separated from the Mountains of the Moon by the meandering Kazinga Channel. Here the water flows endlessly into two giant lakes – Lake George and Lake Edward.
Perched on top of the Munyanga River, overlooking Bwindi Impenetrable ... Park, Mahogany Springs consists of 12 Luxury Suites, surrounded by beautiful gardens and panoramic views of the verdant valley.
All the rooms are individual spacious cottages with a fireplace, sitting area ... en-suite bathroom. The lodge consists of thirty cottages nineteen with king-size beds, five cottages have twin beds and varnished flat stone floors.
