9 Days Uganda Rwanda Big Five and Primate Tour

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali, Rwanda

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be welcomed by a representative from Verdant Safaris and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you can begin your adventure with a guided Kigali city tour, exploring the clean streets, lively neighbourhoods and attractive green spaces of Rwanda’s capital. You may visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial to learn about the country’s history, resilience and remarkable journey towards reconciliation. A stop at a local craft market will introduce you to Rwandan art, handmade souvenirs and traditional products. Later, return to your hotel for relaxation and a safari briefing covering the activities, transport arrangements and cross-border journey ahead. Enjoy your first dinner in Rwanda as you prepare for the wildlife adventure.

Accommodation options: Kigali Serena Hotel, Heaven Boutique Hotel, Hotel des Mille Collines.

Meals: Dinner.

Day 2: Big Five Safari in Akagera National Park

After breakfast, you will travel eastwards to Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s premier savannah wildlife destination and home to the Big Five. Upon arrival, embark on a game drive through open grasslands, acacia woodlands and beautiful lakeside habitats while your guide helps you search for elephants, buffaloes, lions and leopards. Akagera is also home to rhinoceroses, completing the Big Five collection, although sightings of every species cannot be guaranteed. You will have opportunities to photograph giraffes, zebras, antelopes, hippos and numerous bird species along the way. After lunch, continue exploring different sections of the park, observing animal behaviour and the changing scenery. In the late afternoon, proceed to your lodge for dinner, relaxation and an overnight stay surrounded by Rwanda’s wilderness.

Accommodation options: Ruzizi Tented Lodge, Akagera Game Lodge, Karenge Bush Camp.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 3: Transfer from Rwanda to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda

Enjoy breakfast before departing Akagera for southwestern Uganda, travelling through Rwanda’s rolling hills and picturesque countryside. Your guide will organise the journey towards the appropriate Uganda border crossing, where you will complete the necessary immigration formalities before continuing into Uganda. The drive provides an opportunity to appreciate terraced farmland, rural settlements and the dramatic highland scenery of the Great Lakes region. You will stop along the way for refreshments and lunch, depending on the route and travel time. As you approach Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the landscape becomes increasingly forested, with mist-covered hills signalling your arrival in one of Africa’s most important mountain gorilla habitats. Check into your lodge, relax after the journey and receive a briefing about gorilla trekking, including fitness expectations, appropriate clothing and conservation guidelines.

Accommodation options: Buhoma Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 4: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Rise early for breakfast before heading to the designated park headquarters for a briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers. You will learn about gorilla behaviour, forest conservation and the rules for approaching these endangered primates responsibly. Accompanied by experienced guides and trackers, you will enter the dense rainforest in search of an assigned habituated gorilla family. The trek may take several hours, depending on the location of the gorillas, the terrain and the pace of the group. Once you find them, you will spend a strictly regulated period, normally one hour, observing their interactions, feeding habits, grooming and family dynamics. This extraordinary encounter provides excellent opportunities for photography while maintaining a respectful distance from the animals. After the trek, return to your lodge for lunch or refreshments, followed by time to rest or enjoy an optional community visit.

Accommodation options: Buhoma Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 5: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Following breakfast, depart Bwindi and travel towards Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda’s leading destinations for savannah wildlife and birdwatching. Depending on the route and road conditions, you may pass through the Ishasha sector, famous for its tree-climbing lions. Your guide will keep watch for wildlife along suitable park roads, although sightings are never guaranteed. The journey also reveals changing landscapes, from forested mountain slopes to open grasslands, crater lakes and traditional rural communities. Enjoy a lunch stop en route before continuing towards your accommodation near the park. Upon arrival, check in and relax while taking in the surrounding wilderness. If time permits, you may enjoy a short evening game drive or simply unwind at the lodge in preparation for a full day of wildlife exploration.

Accommodation options: Mweya Safari Lodge, Elephant Plains Lodge, Ishasha Wilderness Camp.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 6: Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Begin the day with an early morning game drive across Queen Elizabeth National Park’s open savannah plains, when wildlife is often more active. Your guide will help you search for elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kob, waterbucks, warthogs and predators such as lions and leopards. You may also encounter hyenas and a wide variety of birds as you explore different habitats. Return to the lodge for breakfast or a relaxed midday break, depending on the day’s arrangements. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway connecting Lake Edward and Lake George. The cruise offers excellent opportunities to observe hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants gathering near the water and buffaloes grazing along the banks. Birdlife is especially rewarding, with opportunities to spot African fish eagles, herons, kingfishers and pelicans. Return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation options: Mweya Safari Lodge, Elephant Plains Lodge, Ishasha Wilderness Camp.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 7: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

After breakfast, leave Queen Elizabeth National Park and travel northwards towards Kibale Forest National Park, one of East Africa’s most renowned destinations for chimpanzee tracking. The scenic drive takes you through fertile countryside, tea plantations, crater lake landscapes and communities near Fort Portal. Your guide will share information about the region’s ecology, local livelihoods and the importance of protecting Uganda’s remaining tropical forests. You may stop for photographs and refreshments along the way, with lunch arranged en route or at your lodge. On arrival in the Kibale area, check in and enjoy the peaceful surroundings of the forest. Depending on your arrival time, you may take a guided walk in the nearby Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, known for its birdlife, monkeys and community conservation initiatives. Your guide will brief you on the following day’s chimpanzee tracking experience before dinner.

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

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 8: Chimpanzee Tracking and Transfer to Entebbe

Start the morning with breakfast before travelling to the Kibale Forest visitor centre for your chimpanzee tracking briefing. Accompanied by trained park guides, you will enter the forest in search of habituated chimpanzees, listening for their calls and observing signs of their movements. Once located, you can watch these intelligent primates feed, groom, communicate and move through the forest canopy, subject to park regulations and the conditions of the trek. You may also see red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys and a variety of forest birds. After the activity, enjoy lunch and begin the drive towards Entebbe, passing through Uganda’s scenic countryside and busy trading centres. The drive is substantial, so the departure time and lunch arrangements should be coordinated carefully with your guide. On arrival in Entebbe, check into your hotel and relax after a memorable day of primate encounters and travel.

Accommodation options: Best Western Premier Garden Hotel Entebbe, Protea Hotel by Marriott Entebbe, The Boma Hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 9: Departure from Entebbe, Uganda

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, allowing yourself time to reflect on the wildlife encounters and cultural experiences of your Uganda and Rwanda safari. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have time for a short walk around Entebbe, a visit to a local craft shop or a relaxing moment near Lake Victoria. Your guide will confirm your airport transfer arrangements and assist with your luggage before you depart for Entebbe International Airport. If your flight is scheduled early in the morning, breakfast and the transfer will be arranged according to the departure time. At the airport, complete the check-in procedures for your onward flight. This marks the end of your 9 Days Uganda Rwanda Big Five and Primate Tour with Verdant Safaris, leaving you with lasting memories of African wildlife, mountain gorillas, chimpanzees and the beautiful landscapes of East Africa.

Meals: Breakfast.