12 Days Uganda Rwanda Luxury Wildlife Safari

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your Verdant Safaris representative and transferred to your luxury hotel in Entebbe or Kampala. Depending on your arrival time, you can enjoy a relaxed introduction to Uganda, with views of Lake Victoria and the lively atmosphere of the capital. After checking in, take time to settle into your accommodation, enjoy the hotel’s facilities and recover from your international journey. If time permits, you may visit the Entebbe Botanical Gardens or take a guided city excursion to explore local markets and cultural landmarks. Your guide will brief you on the safari programme, wildlife encounters, travel arrangements and any preparations needed for gorilla trekking later in the trip. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner featuring international cuisine and Ugandan specialities before retiring for the night.

Accommodation options: Hotel No.5, Protea Hotel by Marriott Entebbe, Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort & Spa.

Meals: (Dinner)

Day 2: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

After breakfast, begin your journey north-west towards Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest national park and one of its most rewarding destinations for wildlife viewing. Along the way, enjoy changing landscapes, traditional villages and rural scenery as your guide introduces you to the country’s geography and cultural heritage. You may stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, subject to the route and schedule, for an optional guided rhino-tracking experience on foot. Continue towards Murchison Falls, where the River Nile forces its way through a narrow rocky gorge before plunging dramatically downstream. Depending on your arrival time, visit a designated viewpoint to admire the powerful waterfall and photograph the surrounding landscape. Check into your luxury lodge overlooking the savannah or Nile River, where you can relax, enjoy the scenery and prepare for the following day’s wildlife activities.

Accommodation options: Paraa Safari Lodge, Baker’s Lodge, Nile Safari Lodge.

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 3: Game Drive and Nile Boat Cruise in Murchison Falls

Rise early for a guided game drive across the northern savannah plains of Murchison Falls National Park, when wildlife is often active in the cooler morning hours. With your experienced guide, look for elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, Uganda kob, waterbucks and other antelope species, while keeping watch for lions and, with luck, leopards. The open grasslands and scattered woodland provide excellent opportunities for wildlife photography and observing animals in their natural habitat. Return to your lodge for lunch and a short period of relaxation before heading to the River Nile for a boat cruise towards the base of Murchison Falls. Along the riverbanks, you may see hippos, crocodiles, elephants and numerous waterbirds. The cruise offers a different perspective on the park’s ecosystems and dramatic scenery, making it a highlight of your Uganda wildlife safari. Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight relaxation.

Accommodation options: Paraa Safari Lodge, Baker’s Lodge, Nile Safari Lodge.

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 4: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

Enjoy breakfast before departing Murchison Falls National Park for Kibale Forest National Park in western Uganda, a renowned destination for primate tracking and rainforest biodiversity. The scenic drive passes through rural communities, cultivated hillsides and landscapes that gradually become greener as you approach the Albertine Rift region. Your guide will share information about Uganda’s wildlife conservation efforts, local livelihoods and the importance of tropical forests in protecting endangered species. Stop for lunch en route and enjoy opportunities to photograph the countryside during suitable breaks. On arrival near Kibale Forest, check into your luxury lodge surrounded by tropical vegetation and peaceful countryside. Depending on the time available, you can take a guided nature walk around the lodge or visit a nearby community to learn about local traditions and daily life. Your guide will brief you on the chimpanzee tracking experience planned for the following day.

Accommodation options: Primate Lodge Kibale, Turaco Treetops, Kyaninga Lodge.

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary

After an early breakfast, head to the Kibale Forest visitor centre for a briefing by trained park staff before entering the rainforest to search for wild chimpanzees. Accompanied by experienced guides and trackers, you will follow forest trails while listening for calls, movement in the canopy and other signs of primate activity. Once the chimpanzees are located, you will have a regulated period to observe their behaviour, including feeding, grooming, social interactions and movement through the trees. Sightings are not guaranteed because these are wild animals in their natural environment, but Kibale is one of Uganda’s leading destinations for chimpanzee tracking. After the trek, return for lunch before visiting Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-managed conservation area known for its birdlife, lush vegetation and primates. A guided walk introduces you to local conservation initiatives and the relationship between neighbouring communities and the forest. Return to your lodge for a relaxed evening.

Accommodation options: Primate Lodge Kibale, Turaco Treetops, Kyaninga Lodge.

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kazinga Channel Cruise

Following breakfast, travel south towards Queen Elizabeth National Park, passing the scenic foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains and the crater-lake region near Fort Portal. Along the way, enjoy views of fertile farmland, rolling hills and rural settlements that illustrate the diversity of western Uganda. Upon arrival, check into your luxury safari lodge and enjoy lunch while taking in the surrounding wilderness. In the afternoon, head out for a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway connecting Lake George and Lake Edward. The channel is well known for its large concentrations of hippos, Nile crocodiles, buffaloes and elephants that gather near the water. Birdwatchers can look for African fish eagles, kingfishers, herons and other wetland species along the banks. The cruise provides excellent photographic opportunities and an opportunity to appreciate the park’s aquatic habitats before returning to your lodge for dinner.

Accommodation options: Mweya Safari Lodge, Elephant Plains Lodge, Kyambura Gorge Lodge.

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 7: Queen Elizabeth Wildlife Safari and Transfer to Bwindi

Begin the day with an early game drive through one of Queen Elizabeth National Park’s wildlife-rich sectors, searching for elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kob, waterbucks and predators. Depending on the route and prevailing wildlife movements, your guide may arrange a visit to the Ishasha sector, famous for its occasional sightings of tree-climbing lions resting in large fig trees. These sightings are never guaranteed, but the open plains and woodland create excellent opportunities to observe other wildlife. After the game drive, enjoy breakfast or lunch according to the day’s schedule before continuing towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The journey takes you through the picturesque highlands of south-western Uganda, with terraced hills, small farms and villages along the route. On arrival, settle into your luxury forest lodge and enjoy the cool mountain air and peaceful surroundings. Your guide will explain the gorilla trekking procedures, fitness considerations and essential packing requirements for the next morning.

Accommodation options: Buhoma Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge.

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 8: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi and Transfer to Rwanda

After an early breakfast, proceed to the designated Bwindi gorilla trekking briefing point, where park rangers will explain the rules for observing endangered mountain gorillas in the wild. You will then enter the dense montane rainforest with your assigned ranger and trackers, following forest trails in search of a habituated gorilla family. Trekking duration and difficulty vary depending on the gorillas’ location, terrain and weather, so a reasonable level of fitness and suitable hiking footwear are important. Once you find the gorillas, you will have a strictly regulated period, usually one hour, to observe their family interactions, feeding behaviour and movement through the forest. This extraordinary encounter supports conservation and provides income for surrounding communities. After the trek, return to your lodge for refreshments and a meal, then travel towards Rwanda through the agreed border crossing, subject to permit schedules and immigration formalities. Depending on the border route and driving time, overnight arrangements may need to be adjusted to ensure a comfortable transfer.

Accommodation options for the Rwanda-bound overnight, subject to the selected border route: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Tiloreza Volcanoes Ecolodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge.

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 9: Volcanoes National Park and Golden Monkey Tracking

Enjoy breakfast at your lodge before heading to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters for a briefing on golden monkey tracking, one of Rwanda’s most rewarding primate experiences. Accompanied by professional park guides, you will enter the bamboo forests on the lower slopes of the Virunga volcanoes to look for these lively and distinctive monkeys. Golden monkeys are known for their golden-orange coats, energetic movements and social behaviour, and observing them in their natural habitat offers a different experience from mountain gorilla trekking. The forest setting provides excellent photographic opportunities, while the surrounding volcanic landscape adds to the scenery. After the trek, return to your lodge for lunch and some relaxation. Depending on your interests and the time available, you may arrange an optional visit to a nearby cultural village or enjoy views of the Virunga Mountains from the lodge. Spend the evening enjoying refined hospitality and preparing for your journey towards Akagera National Park.

Accommodation options: Bisate Lodge, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, One&Only Gorilla’s Nest.

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 10: Transfer to Akagera National Park

After breakfast, depart the volcanic highlands and travel east towards Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s principal savannah wildlife reserve. The journey reveals a changing landscape of rolling hills, cultivated fields, lakes and open countryside. On arrival, check into your luxury safari accommodation and enjoy lunch before setting out for an introductory game drive if time permits. Akagera’s varied habitats include grasslands, woodland, wetlands and lakes, supporting elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, antelopes and several predator species. With favourable conditions and luck, you may spot lions or leopards, while birdlife is especially rich around the park’s wetland habitats. Your guide will explain the park’s conservation and restoration achievements, including the recovery of important wildlife populations. Return to your lodge to relax, enjoy dinner and prepare for a full day of game viewing.

Accommodation options: Magashi Camp, Ruzizi Tented Lodge, Akagera Game Lodge.

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 11: Akagera Game Drive, Boat Safari and Transfer to Kigali

Begin the morning with a guided game drive through Akagera National Park, taking advantage of the cooler conditions to search for wildlife across its open plains and wooded areas. Your guide will help you look for elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes and antelope, while explaining the behaviours and habitats of the species you encounter. Akagera is home to the Big Five, although sightings of individual animals cannot be guaranteed during a single visit. If time and park operations allow, enjoy a boat excursion on Lake Ihema, where hippos, crocodiles and waterbirds can often be seen. After your wildlife activities, begin the journey to Kigali, Rwanda’s vibrant capital. Depending on arrival time, you may enjoy a short orientation drive through the city or visit a local craft centre. Check into your hotel and enjoy a final evening celebrating your Uganda and Rwanda luxury safari, with dinner and time to reflect on your wildlife encounters.

Accommodation options: Kigali Serena Hotel, The Retreat by Heaven, Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre, Kigali.

Meals: (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 12: Kigali City Tour and Departure

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, with the remainder of the morning arranged around your international flight schedule. If time permits, take a guided Kigali city tour to learn more about Rwanda’s history, culture and remarkable transformation. A visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial may be included for an educational and reflective understanding of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, subject to your preference and available time. Alternatively, explore a local craft market, browse Rwandan souvenirs or enjoy a relaxed coffee stop before departure. Your guide will ensure that you have adequate time to return to the hotel, collect your luggage and transfer to Kigali International Airport. You will then check in for your onward flight, concluding your 12-day luxury Uganda and Rwanda wildlife adventure with Verdant Safaris. We recommend allowing sufficient time for airport procedures and any international travel requirements.

Meals: (Breakfast)