8 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari for Wildlife and Gorilla Trekking – Hail Tours
Why go for one when you can actually enjoy two? Try visiting both Uganda & Rwanda, and have the best of your time in Africa. Our 8 days Uganda Rwanda safari combines gorilla trekking, game viewing, City breaks, jaw-dropping landscapes and a touch of relaxation through boat cruises: The unmatched combination for a memorable Uganda-Rwanda safari!!!!
Starting in Kigali City and ending in Entebbe, be prepared to visit Volcanoes National Park and Lake Kivu area for Rwanda as well as Bwindi Impenetrable and Queen Elizabeth National Parks for Uganda.
Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is a stunning Protected Area in the North-western side of the country and boasts about 160 square kilometers to its name. It has about 35% of the World’s Mountain gorilla population and over 12 habituated gorilla families for trekking.
One of the things that most visitors don’t know about this safari destination is that it is also haven to golden monkeys, spotted hyenas, bushbucks, forest elephants, duikers, giant forest hogs and others. It is also a birding Paradise with over 200 bird species.
Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is about 321 square kilometers within the south-western side of the country. It boasts of 50% of the World’s mountain gorillas and 20 habituated gorilla families. It is also home to over 120 mammal species and over 350 bird species that include 23 Albertine Rift endemics.
When it comes to game safaris in Uganda, Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the must-visit places with about 95 mammal species and over 600 bird species.
It is popular for sheltering the majestic tree-climbing lions in addition to the African bush elephants, Hippos, Cape buffaloes, Olive baboons, bushbuck, leopards, Uganda Kobs, spotted hyenas, Defassa waterbucks, Topis and common warthogs among others.
Highlights of the 8 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari
- Watch beautiful sunset over the savannah and jungles.
- Boat ride on Kazinga Channel.
- Trek through the jungles of Volcanoes and Bwindi for the mountain gorillas.
- View lots of game species in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
8 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari Brief Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival at Kigali Airport: Drive to Volcanoes National Park.
- Day 2: Volcanoes National Park: Gorilla Trekking adventure and tour through Gorilla Guardian Village.
- Day 3: Thrilling drive to Lake Kivu for relaxation.
- Day 4: Drive to Kigali for a City break and continue to Bwindi Impenetrable Park.
- Day 5: Bwindi National Park Mountain gorilla encounter and visit to the Ride 4 a woman project.
- Day 6: Drive to the beautiful Queen Elizabeth National Park via its southern sector.
- Day 7: Queen Elizabeth Park: Game viewing and Launch Cruise through Kazinga Channel.
- Day 8: Departure: Drive back to Entebbe and International flight back home.
Detailed Itinerary for the 8 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari
Day 1: Day 1: Arrival at Kigali Airport: Drive to Volcanoes National Park.
Welcome to the beautiful land of a thousand hills! After getting picked by your private safari driver at Kigali International Airport, you will be taken to a Hotel to freshen-up and possibly lunch.
Head out to Volcanoes National Park in the north-western side of the country and settle-in at the Lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation options:
- Villa Gorilla or Hotel Muhabura (budget).
- Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge or Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge (midrange)
- Bisate Lodge or Singita Kwitonda Lodge (luxury).
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner.
Drive time: 2-3 hours.
Day 2: Volcanoes National Park: Gorilla Trekking adventure and tour through Gorilla Guardian Village.
After breakfast, drive a short distance to Kinigi Guesthouse for briefing on the first gorilla trekking adventure of this 8-day itinerary. At 8:00am be driven to the trailhead and start trekking for the gorilla family you have been allocated to.
Take 1-4 hours to search for these Giant Apes and have one hour of watching and photography. The most exciting thing about this trek is that lots of animals and birds will be spotted along the way hence spicing your experience and your lunch will be enjoyed at the Lodge.
In the afternoon, if you are up for more breathtaking experience, you will have a tour of Gorilla Guardian village with a local guide as you learn about the diverse history, traditions and lifestyle of the three ethnic groups of Rwanda. Dinner and overnight will be provided at the same Lodge.
Accommodation options:
- Villa Gorilla or Hotel Muhabura (budget).
- The secluded Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge or Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge (midrange)
- Bisate Lodge or Singita Kwitonda Lodge (luxury).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Activities of the day: Gorilla trekking and community walk.
Day 3: Thrilling drive to Lake Kivu for Relaxation.
Early in the morning you will take a scenic drive to Lake Kivu with stopover along the way for photography. Enjoy a boat ride on arrival and later Lunch at one of the Islands.
Accommodation options
- Paradis Malahide (basic).
- Palm Gardens Resort (moderate).
- Lake Kivu Serena Hotel (deluxe).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 4: Drive to Kigali for a City break and continue to Bwindi Impenetrable Park.
Hop aboard the safari land cruiser and drive further to Kigali City. Get the chance to have a City excursion with visits to the art and craft markets/centers, Kigali Genocide Memorial Center and possibly the local Kimironko market. Have Lunch and go on to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Accommodation options
- Bwindi View Bandas or Ride 4 a woman Bandas (basic).
- Lake Kitandara Bwindi Camp or Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge (moderate).
- Mahogany Springs Lodge or Buhoma Lodge (luxury).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 5: Bwindi National Park Mountain gorilla encounter and visit to the Ride 4 a woman project.
After breakfast, it is now time to meet at the Park Headquarters for briefing on the gorilla trekking adventure. Meet other visitors and Park Rangers while you go through the guidelines to be followed while trekking or spending time with these Giant Apes.
Prior to walking through the forest marked by steep, muddy and dense jungle to search for the mountain gorillas, make sure that you have the right gear.
Be prepared to walk 1-6 hours and have one hour to watch and take photos of the mountain gorillas once contact has been made. After receiving your trekking certificate at the Park Headquarters, have lunch at the Lodge.
In the afternoon, take a walk/ride to the ride 4 a woman project to see how local women make different handcrafts (like baskets, mats and others), get entertained in their local dances and learn about their journeys. Dinner will be served hot at the Lodge, followed by overnight.
Accommodation options
- Bwindi View Bandas or Ride 4 a woman Bandas (basic).
- Lake Kitandara Bwindi Camp or Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge (moderate).
- Mahogany Springs Lodge or Buhoma Lodge (luxury).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 6: Drive to the beautiful Queen Elizabeth National Park via its southern sector.
Leave Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and continue with the next leg of your safari by driving to Queen Elizabeth National Park via Ishasha sector. The majestic tree climbing lions are the highlight of this thrilling drive, then settle for Lunch at the Safari Lodge.
Accommodation options:
- Simba Safari Camp or Kazinga Channel View Resort (basic).
- Buffalo Safari Lodge or Bush Lodge (moderate).
- Mweya Safari Lodge or Elephant Plains Lodge (luxury).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 7: Discover Queen Elizabeth Park: Game viewing and Launch Cruise through Kazinga Channel.
Begin your second last day with breakfast and game drive, seeking to see the Uganda Kobs, bushbucks, leopards, giant forest hogs, Defassa waterbucks, Cape buffaloes, Topis, Olive baboons, elephants and lions among others.
After 3-4 hours of the game drive, be at the Lodge for siesta and lunch.
The afternoon is for a boat cruise through Kazinga Channel where lots of Hippos and Nile crocodiles will be sighted alongside numerous bird species.
Get back to the Lodge, shower and have dinner at the comfort of your Lodge.
Accommodation options:
- Simba Safari Camp or Kazinga Channel View Resort (basic).
- Buffalo Safari Lodge or Bush Lodge (moderate).
- Mweya Safari Lodge or Elephant Plains Lodge (luxury).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 8: Departure: Drive back to Entebbe and International flight back home.
Following breakfast, drive back to Entebbe via Fort Portal with packed lunch and arrive late afternoon.
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch.
The 8 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari Package includes
- 2 Gorilla Permits, for Uganda and Rwanda
- Driver allowances.
- Boat cruises.
- Park entry fees.
- City tours
- Relevant Government taxes.
- Border crossing.
- 7 nights’ accommodation.
- Bottled water.
- Safari vehicle for the entire trip.
- Wildlife viewing.
- Cultural tours at Ride 4 a woman project and Gorilla Guardian Village.
This 8 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari Package excludes;
- Laundry fees.
- Beverages and cigarettes.
- Telephone calls.
- Travel and medical insurance.
- Optional activities not on the itinerary.