15 Days Rwanda Uganda Safari Gorilla Tracking Tour in Bwindi & Volcanoes – Overview

The 15 Days Rwanda Uganda Safari Gorilla Tracking Tour in Bwindi & Volcanoes is one of the long safaris that are designed to suit your interests in Uganda and Rwanda.

This 15 days Rwanda Uganda Safari starts in Entebbe Uganda and ends in Kigali Rwanda. A lot of activities are included such as Chimpanzee trekking at Ngamba and Kibale National Park, Gorilla tracking in Volcanoes National Park, Game drives and boat cruise in Murchison and Queen Elizabeth National Parks, boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi, Canopy walk in Nyungwe forest, Adventure activities at source of the Nile, Jinja (bungee jumping & water rafting) plus other additional cultural encounters that are all designed to surpass your expectations in these two East African safari destinations.

15 Days Rwanda Uganda Safari Gorilla Trekking Tour in Bwindi & Volcanoes – Highlights

Day 1: Arrive in Uganda – Entebbe International Airport.

Day 2: Encounter Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary

Day 3: Encounter the source of the Nile – Jinja.

Day 4: Drive to Murchison falls National Park & Visit Ziwa rhino sanctuary en route.

Day 5: Do game drive & Nile boat cruise

Day 6: Drive to the primate capital of the world – Kibale Forest National Park.

Day 7: Do Chimpanzee trekking & drive to Queen Elizabeth national park

Day 8: Do game drive and Kazinga Channel boat cruise.

Day 9: Drive to Lake Bunyonyi & do boat cruise.

Day 10: Cross to Volcanoes National Park – Rwanda.

Day 11: Do gorilla trekking in Rwanda.

Day 12: Track golden monkeys or visit Dian Fossey grave & transfer to Lake Kivu – boat cruise.

Day 13: Drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park.

Day 14: Do canopy walk & evening tour of the tea factory.

Day 15: Drive to Kigali city & Visit Nyanza palace, Butare Museum and Murambi memorial en route.

15 Days Rwanda Uganda Safari Gorilla Trekking Tour in Bwindi & Volcanoes – Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Uganda – Entebbe International Airport.

Upon arrival at the Uganda’s main gateway- Entebbe International Airport, you will be welcomed by our friendly guide who will brief you about Uganda and the overall safari in general before transferring you to your respective lodge.

 Accommodation: The Lodge (Budget/Basic), Imperial Golf View (Luxury/upmarket) or Protea Hotel (Midrange/standard).

Day 2: Encounter Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary

After breakfast get to the shores of Lake Victoria to take a boat ride across Lake Victoria to the Chimpanzee Sanctuary of Ngamba.

Arrive early enough to take a look at the Chimp laboratory for some minutes before the Chimps draw closer for lunch.

You will be astonished by the Chimpanzees tactics as they gather fruits, their magical sounds and a lot of fun they make while having their Lunch.

Have lunch amidst fresh air on the island. In the afternoon, you can do some water activities like canoe paddling or sports like swinging, soccer before embarking on the return boat to the land side in Entebbe.

 Accommodation: You will spend a night at your previous hotel.

Day 3: Encounter The Source of The Nile – Jinja.

Wake up very early to transfer to Jinja the source of the longest River in the world – River Nile 117km about 2 hours’ drive.

Do some water rafting, bungee jumping and encounter the source of the Nile on a cozy boat ride. You will have lunch in Jinja and return to Kampala in the evening.

 Accommodation: You will have dinner and overnight at your previous lodge.

Day 4: Drive to Murchison Falls National Park & Visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary En-route.

Drive to Murchison Falls National Park 348km about 6 hours’ drive from Entebbe. You will branch off at Nakitoma to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary about 175km from Kampala.

Continue with the journey to Masindi for lunch and proceed to the park to visit the top of the falls.

 Accommodation: Murchison River lodge (Midrange/standard), Red Chili Rest Camp (Budget/basic) or Paraa Safari Lodge (Luxury/upmarket).

Day 5: Do Game Drive & Nile Boat Cruise.

Wake up early enough to catch up with the ferry crossing at 07:00am to the northern side where you will be able to do game drive.

You will be able to spot a range of game including; Giraffes, Jackson Hartebeest, Lions, Buffalo, elephant, Uganda Kobs, among other species.

Return from this activity at 11:00am and relax at the lodge till lunch time after which you draw closer to Paraa to catch up with the Nile boat cruise at 03:00pm.

On this boat ride, you will enjoy sights of Nile crocodiles, Hippos, water birds and other dwellers including the rare shoebill stork. Many animals are also seen drinking on the river side.

Accommodation: you will have your dinner and overnight at the previous lodge.

Day 6: Drive to The Primate Capital of The World – Kibale Forest National Park.

After breakfast, embark on the drive to Kibale national park 441km about 9 hours’ drive through the verdant country side and magical scenery of the western rift valley plus the Rwenzori Mountains before arriving in Fort Portal and Kibale in the evening.

 Accommodation: Primate Lodge (Luxury/upmarket), Chimps Nest (Midrange/standard) or CVK resort (Basic/budget).

Day 7: Do Chimpanzee Trekking & Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, gather at Kanyanchu tourism center for briefing about the Chimpanzee trekking activity at 08:00 am.

Set off to the forest of Kibale full of birds, 13 primate species of which chimpanzees is among and other remarkable fauna.

The activity takes over 2 – 5 hours and one hour is available for you to interact with Chimps and take photos.

Afternoon, proceed to traverse Bigodi wetland for birds, Sitatunga and a simple community encounter. Continue with the route up to Queen Elizabeth 157 km taking approximately 3-4 hours. Arrive late in the evening and settle for overnight.

 Accommodation: Enganzi lodge (Midrange/standard), Simba safari camp (basic/budget) or Mweya safari lodge (Luxury/upmarket).

Day 8: Do Game Drive And Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise.

Wake up as early as 6:30 to set off for an early game drive along the Kasenyi tracks. You will be able to spot a range of game including; lions, buffalo, elephant, a range of antelope species among other wildlife.

Return to the lodge for breakfast and relaxation till lunch time. Set off at 02:00 pm to catch up with the 2 hour boat cruise on Kazinga channel at 03:00pm where you will be able to see wildlife drinking on the channel side, birds on the shores and the aquatic species like Hippos and Nile crocodiles. After the boat, you will settle for overnight.

 Accommodation: You will have dinner and overnight at your previous lodge.

Day 9: Drive to Lake Bunyonyi & Do Boat Cruise.

Embark on 277km journey over 5 hours’ drive after breakfast to Lake Bunyonyi. You will pass through Ishasha to view tree climbing lions.

You will have Lunch en route and arrive at Bunyonyi in the afternoon. Upon arrival, you will embark on the boat cruise on this precious lake exploring its 26 islands in detail. Return to the shore line in the evening for overnight.

Accommodation: Byoona-Amagara (Budget/basic), Birdnest @Bunyonyi resort (Luxury/upmarket) or Arcadia Cottages (Midrange/standard).

Day 10: Cross to Volcanoes National Park – Rwanda.

After a late breakfast on the cool breath of Lake Bunyonyi, embark on transfer to Volcanoes National Park – Rwanda 134km about 5 hours’ drive excluding the border crossing procedural time. Arrive in Ruhengeri in the evening for overnight.

 Accommodation: Lapalme Hotel (Midrange/budget), Muhabura Hotel (Budget/basic) or Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Luxury/upmarket).

Day 11: Do Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda.

Gather at the Park headquarters at Kinigi after breakfast at your hotel. At 08:00am briefing will start to help you gain insight about the day’s activity by the park warden and then you will be divided and allocated gorilla families to track.

Set off to the jungle of Volcanoes in search of mountain gorillas which takes over 2 –8 hours. Encounter gorillas for one hour and you are free to take photos provided the flash is off and ask questions to the guide regarding these gorillas.

Return from this activity and you can opt to take a nature walk to the twin lakes or visit the Iby’ Iwachu Village to explore the Banyarwanda culture.

Accommodation: You will have dinner and overnight at your previous lodge.

Day 12: Track Golden Monkeys or Visit Dian Fossey Grave & Transfer to Lake Kivu – Boat Cruise.

After breakfast, you can opt between tracking golden monkeys in the Volcanoes National Park or hike the Dian Fossey grave at Karisoke research center.

Return for lunch at the hotel after which you will transfer to Lake Kivu 110km about 2 hours’ drive. Arrive in the afternoon and enjoy the beach offerings including a boat cruise.

Accommodation: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel (Luxury/upmarket), Palm Beach (Budget/basic) or Hotel Gorillas Lake Kivu (Midrange/standard).

Day 13: Drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park.

After your morning cozy breakfast amidst the thrilling fresh air from the Lake, embark on your journey to Nyungwe Forest National Park 220km taking approximately 5 hours’ drive. You will have lunch en route and arrive in Nyungwe in the afternoon.

 Accommodation: Nyungwe forest lodge (upmarket/luxury), Nyungwe top hill lodge (Midrange/standard) or Gisakura guesthouse (Budget/basic).

Day 14: Do Canopy Walk & Evening Tour of The Tea Factory.

After breakfast, embark on the famous Nyungwe Forest Canopy walk, the first of its Kind in East Africa. Be lucky to walk on top of fully grown trees vast with green lush and inhabited by rich biodiversity including primate species that always dwell in high tree branches.

Birds will be closer to you than ever before. Return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. In the afternoon, take a tour to the adjacent tea factory to see how the locally grown tea is processed to become one of the finest products Rwanda has ever had.

 Accommodation: Spend a night at your previous lodge.

Day 15: Drive to Kigali City & Visit Nyanza Palace, Butare Museum And Murambi Memorial En-route.

After an early breakfast, embark on the return journey to Kigali City. It is 268 km approximately 6 hours’ drive from Nyungwe forest National Park thus offering an opportunity to visit Butare museum, Murambi memorial and Nyanza palace en route.

End of The 15 Days Rwanda Uganda Safari Gorilla Tracking Tour in Bwindi & Volcanoes

Getting There