Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Morning:

Arrive at Kigali International Airport, Rwanda.

Meet and greet our Gorilla Safaris Uganda tour guide, followed by a half-day city tour of Kigali where you will visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, local markets, and a city viewpoint for panoramic views.

Afternoon:

Begin the drive towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda via either the Kyanika or Katuna border and enjoy scenic views of Rwanda’s rolling hills and landscapes as you travel into Uganda have your lunch either in Kabale town or Kisoro depending on the border post you have passed on and in the evening Check-in at your lodge in Bwindi.

Accommodations in Bwindi

Budget Accommodations: Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Broadbill Forest Camp, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge

Midrange Accommodations: Gorilla Valley Lodge, Silverback Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge

Luxury Accommodations: Buhoma Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Bwindi Lodge

Day 2: Gorilla Trekking and Batwa Community Tour

Morning:

Have early morning breakfast and transfer to the park headquarters for briefing on gorilla trekking.

Set out for a thrilling trek into the misty jungles of Bwindi Forest to encounter mountain gorillas. This trek could take between 2-6 hours depending on the gorillas’ location.

Spend an hour observing these incredible creatures in their natural habitat.

Afternoon:

After lunch, visit the Batwa community to experience the culture of the indigenous Batwa pygmies. Learn about their traditional hunting and gathering practices, medicinal plants, and dances.

Return to your lodge for dinner and relaxation.

Accommodations in Bwindi

Budget Accommodations: Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Broadbill Forest Camp, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge

Midrange Accommodations: Gorilla Valley Lodge, Silverback Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge

Luxury Accommodations: Buhoma Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Bwindi Lodge

Day 3: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park (Ishasha Sector)

Morning:

After breakfast, drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, passing through the Ishasha sector.

En-route, enjoy a safari in the Ishasha sector, famous for its tree-climbing lions. Spot lions resting in fig trees and keep an eye out for other wildlife like elephants, antelopes, and buffaloes.

Afternoon:

Continue the drive to your lodge inside or near Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure or with optional activities like nature walk.

Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight

Accommodation in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Budget Accommodations: Simba Safari Camp, Bush Lodge Campsite

Midrange Accommodations: Parkview Safari Lodge, Enganzi Lodge

Luxury Accommodations: Mweya Safari Lodge, Ishasha Wilderness Camp, Kyambura Gorge Lodge, Katara Lodge, Elephant Plains Lodge

Day 4: Game Drive and Boat Cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Morning:

Have an early morning game drive in Kasenyi plains, which are rich in wildlife and look out for lions, elephants, buffalos, leopards, Uganda kobs and hippopotamus. This is an excellent opportunity to see predators in action, particularly lions and leopards hunting.

Afternoon:

After lunch, embark on a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel and marvel at the incredible concentration of hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and various bird species along the shores as they come to drink and cool off, creating fantastic photo opportunities.

In the evening Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight

Accommodation in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Budget Accommodations: Simba Safari Camp, Bush Lodge Campsite

Midrange Accommodations: Parkview Safari Lodge, Enganzi Lodge

Luxury Accommodations: Mweya Safari Lodge, Ishasha Wilderness Camp, Kyambura Gorge Lodge, Katara Lodge, Elephant Plains Lodge

Day 5: Visit Crater Lakes in queen Elizabeth national Park and Transfer to Kibale National Park

Morning:

After breakfast, head out to explore the Crater Lakes region within Queen Elizabeth National Park like the salt mining activities at Lake Katwe, where locals extract salt using traditional methods.

Afternoon:

Proceed to Kibale National Park, home to a high concentration of primates, including chimpanzees.

Check in at your lodge near the park and enjoy the serene forest environment.

Accommodation in Kibale National Park

Budget Accommodations: Kibale Forest Camp, Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse

Midrange Accommodations: Primate Lodge Kibale, Kyaninga Lodge

Luxury Accommodations: Ndali Lodge, Papaya Lake Lodge, Kibale Forest Camp (Luxury Tents)

Day 6: Chimpanzee Trekking Kibale National Park and Bigodi Swamp Walk

Morning:

Have early morning breakfast and transfer to Kanyanchu Park headquarters for a briefing on chimpanzee trekking.

Set out for an exciting trek through Kibale’s dense forest to track chimpanzee troops and spend an hour observing the behaviour of these intelligent primates in their natural habitat. Have your lunch en-route.

Afternoon:

After lunch, take a guided walk through the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. The swamp is known for its birdlife, primates, and biodiversity, making it an excellent site for nature lovers and birdwatchers and later in the evening, you can visit the local community to learn more about their conservation efforts and way of life.

In the evening return to your lodge for dinner and overnight

Accommodation in Kibale National Park

Budget Accommodations: Kibale Forest Camp, Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse

Midrange Accommodations: Primate Lodge Kibale, Kyaninga Lodge

Luxury Accommodations: Ndali Lodge, Papaya Lake Lodge, Kibale Forest Camp (Luxury Tents)

Day 7: Drive to Murchison Falls National Park for wildlife game travel and boat on Nile River.

Morning:

Have breakfast and depart Kibale for Murchison Falls National Park via Fort Portal City. Enjoy the scenic views of tea plantations, the Rwenzori Mountains, and the Albertine Rift Valley along the way.

Afternoon:

Arrive at Murchison Falls National Park and check in at your lodge.

In the evening, visit the top of Murchison Falls and marvel at the dramatic Nile as it funnels through a narrow gorge, creating a powerful waterfall. Walk along the cliffs for close-up views and stunning photos.

Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight

Accommodation in Murchison Falls National Park

Luxury Accommodations: Paraa Safari Lodge, Baker’s Lodge, Chobe Safari Lodge

Midrange Accommodations: Murchison River Lodge, Pakuba Safari Lodge, Fort Murchison Lodge

Budget Accommodations: Red Chilli Rest Camp, Heritage Safari Lodge, Boomu Women’s Group Bandas

Day 8: Murchison Falls Game Drive and Nile Boat Cruise

Morning:

Have an early morning game drive across the savannah of Murchison Falls National Park and Look out for elephants, lions, giraffes, buffalos, leopards, and the Uganda kob as they hunt and graze early in the morning.

Afternoon:

After lunch, go on a boat cruise along the Nile River to the base of the falls where you will spot hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of water birds. As you approach the falls, the power of the rushing water becomes evident, making this a highlight of the trip.

Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight

Accommodation in Murchison Falls National Park

Luxury Accommodations: Paraa Safari Lodge, Baker’s Lodge, Chobe Safari Lodge

Midrange Accommodations: Murchison River Lodge, Pakuba Safari Lodge, Fort Murchison Lodge

Budget Accommodations: Red Chilli Rest Camp, Heritage Safari Lodge, Boomu Women’s Group Bandas

Day 9: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and Transfer to Entebbe

Morning:

After breakfast, drive to the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in Uganda where you can see rhinos in the wild and trek to see the rhinos up close and learn about the efforts to reintroduce them into Uganda’s national parks.

Afternoon:

After lunch, continue the drive to Entebbe.

Check-in at your hotel and enjoy the evening at your own leisure, relaxing after a busy day of travel and wildlife viewing.

Accommodation in Entebbe

Budget Accommodations: Airport Guesthouse, Victoria Inn, Anderita Beach Hotel

Midrange Accommodations: 2 Friends Beach Hotel, Boma Hotel Entebbe, Karibu Guesthouse

Luxury Accommodations: Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort & Spa, Protea Hotel by Marriott Entebbe, No. 5 Boutique Hotel

Day 10: Mabamba Swamp and Departure

Morning:

Go for an early morning drive to Mabamba Swamp for a bird-watching expedition, famous for the rare shoebill stork and take a canoe ride through the swamp to spot the shoebill, as well as other birds like kingfishers, herons, and egrets. Have your lunch at the restaurant.

Afternoon:

Spend the rest of the day relaxing by the beach, enjoying the peaceful surroundings of Lake Victoria and depending on the time of departure, Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

End of 10 days Uganda gorilla tour and Wildlife travel via Kigali Rwanda.

1 gorilla permit per person ($800), sightseeing as noted in the trip itinerary, park entry fees, Kigali airport transfers, ground transportation by a private 4×4 safari Vehicle, additional guides/porters where appropriate, bottled water, English speaking driver/Guide. contact us at Gorilla Safaris Uganda Travel for the updated prices and how to book this safari Travel Itinerary .

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What to Wear and Bring on Uganda gorilla tour via Kigali Rwanda?

• Hiking boots: Waterproof and comfortable for steep trails.
• Waterproof jacket: Bwindi has unpredictable rain.
• Long-sleeved shirts and trousers: To protect from insect bites.
• Gloves: For gripping vegetation during the trek.
• Camera and extra batteries: No flash photography allowed.
• Snacks & water: Carry snacks to stay energized on the trek.
• Energy Boosters: While trekking to visit the mountain gorillas isn’t insurmountable, it can be physically demanding. Bringing along energy snacks such as nuts, dried fruit, chocolate etc.