7 Days Rwanda Uganda safari
This 7 Days Rwanda Uganda safari includes visits Kibale Forest national Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park & Volcanoes National Park. The 7-day Rwanda Uganda Safari package is tailored for visitors keen on gorilla tracking in Volcanoes National Park, engaging in wildlife safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and participating in chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest National Park, recognized as the most dependable location for chimpanzee tracking in East Africa.
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This location offers an excellent opportunity to observe the chimpanzee habituation process, although it is not included in this package. This tour will include visits to Kibale Forest National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park, as well as the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda for an opportunity to engage in golden monkey trekking. During your time in the park, you will have the chance to explore the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village, offering a remarkable cultural experience. Let us engage in a discussion regarding each of the National Parks.
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To start with Kibale. Kibale National Park is regarded as one of the premier locations for primate observation in Africa. A total of 13 species can be observed. Kibale is home to approximately 1,500 chimpanzees, with four communities having undergone habituation. During their time in Kibale, visitors have the opportunity to observe a variety of mammals and birds. Certain wildlife in Queen Elizabeth, such as lions, migrate to Kibale Forest during specific times of the year. The Bigodi Wetlands Swamp is located at the park’s perimeter and offers outstanding opportunities for observing primates and birdwatching. The park features multiple crater lakes and offers stunning vistas of the Rwenzori mountains. Queen Elizabeth National Park features chimpanzees in the remarkable Kyambura Gorge. However, what truly distinguishes this park from others is its stunning scenery and diverse landscape, which hosts tree-climbing lions, elephants, buffaloes, and leopards, among other wildlife. Queen Elizabeth National Park maintains a lush appearance year-round, in contrast to the Masai Mara and Serengeti, offering stunning vistas for nature enthusiasts. All park animals can be observed during a standard game drive or while enjoying a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel.
The 7-day Uganda and Rwanda Safari Tour includes a visit to the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. The national park is the most frequented in the country, hosting a population of 370 mountain gorillas. The park features five volcanoes and is inhabited by golden monkeys, hyenas, forest buffaloes, elephants, smaller primates, and various bird species. During your visit to the park, you will have the opportunity to explore the Iby’iwacu Cultural Centre as well as the Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo. This tour package offers a variety of customizable options. It may commence from Uganda instead. Consider engaging in gorilla trekking in Uganda as a cost-effective option. A comprehensive tour in Rwanda may include the opportunity for chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest. If you find this tour brief, consider exploring our 10-day Rwanda-Uganda Safari or the 14-day Uganda-Rwanda wildlife safari package. If you consider the duration to be excessive, you may find our 5-day Rwanda-Uganda safari package to be more appealing
A Detailed 7 Days Rwanda Uganda Safari
Day 1: Transportation from Kigali to Kibale Forest National Park
Rise early and enjoy breakfast while you await your transportation from the hotel. Upon your arrival by plane, our company representative will be present to initiate your journey to Kibale National Park. The journey will require 5 to 6 hours, necessitating an early departure. Experience the stunning landscapes of Rwanda and Uganda throughout your journey. Please ensure that all your documents are prepared, as they will be required at the Uganda-Rwanda border crossing. A yellow fever card holds significant importance. Lunch will be arranged at a fitting spot during the journey. The driver will guarantee your timely arrival, allowing for ample rest in preparation for the chimpanzee tracking the following day.
Dinner and overnight stay at Kyaninga Lodge (Luxury), Primates Lodge (Midrange) and Chimpanzee Guest House (budget).
Day 2: Tracking chimpanzees in Kibale Forest – Queen Elizabeth National Park
Rise early following yesterday’s extended rest and enjoy your breakfast. The company Guide will provide transportation to the park offices for your briefing. The briefing is conducted by a park guide and encompasses topics related to chimpanzee trekking in the forest, expectations during the trek, the chimpanzee communities within the park, and appropriate behavior around them. Chimpanzee trekking typically lasts between 3 to 5 hours.
The experience differs from gorilla trekking due to the greater mobility of the chimpanzees. This suggests that you may need to continue pursuing them at a high speed even after locating them. A group of chimpanzees exhibits a high level of drama, with conflicts among members being a frequent occurrence. Gorilla groups exhibit a gentle nature, with the silverback gorilla holding ultimate authority, often without the need to assert it consistently. One notable aspect of chimpanzees is that their vocalizations facilitate easier identification in the wild. Their presence can be detected from a considerable distance, often preceding their visual arrival. As previously mentioned, chimpanzee groups exhibit more dramatic behaviors, which can provide an experience that is even more thrilling than that of gorillas.
Following an hour of observation of the group, you will proceed to your lodge for lunch and a period of rest. The guide will commence the 2-hour journey from Kibale National Park to Queen Elizabeth National Park in the afternoon. Following check-in, you may wish to explore your lodge before retiring for the evening at your earliest convenience.
Dinner and overnight will be at Mweya Safari Lodge (luxury), Park view lodge (Mid-range) and Simba safari camp (budget).
Day 3: Game Drive – Boat Cruise at the Kazinga Channel
You will rise early and be transported to the Kasenyi plains or Mweya area with your packed breakfast for the morning game drive. This morning game drive is structured to provide an opportunity for you to observe nocturnal animals returning to their dens after a night of hunting. Anticipate observing leopards, hippos, hartebeests, lions, small primates, birds, and other early morning wildlife. Upon concluding the game drive, you will return to the lodge for an early lunch, followed by a period of rest as you prepare for the next activity in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
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At 2:00 PM, the company representative will escort you to the Kazinga Channel for a boat cruise. The Kazinga Channel serves as a dividing waterway between Lake Edward and Lake George. This location serves as a central hub for the majority of wildlife in Queen Elizabeth National Park. This location is recognized as one of the premier destinations for bird watching in Africa. The sights and sounds of the channel will astound you as you sail along.
The accommodations for dinner and overnight stays will be at Mweya Safari Lodge (luxury), Park View Lodge (mid-range), and Simba Safari Camp (budget).
Day 4: Game drive in the Ishasa sector – Transfer to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda
Begin your day by waking up, enjoying breakfast, and preparing for your departure as you await the driver. The guide will meet you and escort you for an additional game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park en route to Rwanda. The primary objective of this game drive is to observe the renowned tree-climbing lions in the Ishasa section of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Lions can be observed resting atop fig and acacia trees following their nocturnal hunts. The lions position themselves atop the trees to avoid insect bites on the ground, while simultaneously gaining excellent vantage points for spotting their next meal. Visitors can anticipate observing elephants, buffaloes, and the Uganda Kob, along with a variety of other wildlife in the Ishasha sector. Having concluded the game drive in Ishasha, we are now set to commence our journey back to Rwanda and the Volcanoes National Park. We trust that you will appreciate the stunning landscapes and rural beauty throughout your return journey to Rwanda. Lunch will be provided during the return journey to Rwanda.
Accommodation options include dinner and overnight stays at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (luxury), Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge (mid-range), and Kinigi Guest House (budget).
Day 5: Engaging in mountain gorilla tracking in Rwanda – Exploring the Iby’iwacu cultural village
Rise early to enjoy breakfast, then await the driver who will transport you to the park office for your briefing. The briefing will take place at 7:00 am, conducted by the Rangers and park Guides. Following the briefing, you will be allocated a gorilla family that corresponds to your fitness level and age. Utilize the briefing period to engage a porter if you are carrying heavy luggage. Gorilla tracking may present challenges based on the family’s location; however, the experience ultimately justifies the effort invested. Seeing mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is the ultimate wildlife experience. Please adhere to the guidance provided by the park guides and wardens, particularly when interacting with the gorillas. You will have a one-hour session with the gorilla family. Allocate time to observe them and capture photos or videos. The driver will be present at the designated starting point to facilitate your transfer back to the lodge for lunch and a period of rest.
Following your rest in the room, the guide will meet you for a tour of the Gorilla Guardians Village in Musanze, conveniently located near the park. The Centre, previously referred to as the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village, unites the diverse tribe of Rwanda to showcase their rich cultural heritage. Anticipate a variety of musical performances, dance, and theatrical presentations. An opportunity to purchase souvenirs will also be available, should you desire. Travelers to the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village are expected to participate actively, not merely observe. Participants are encouraged to don traditional costumes and engage with the performers.
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Accommodation options include dinner and overnight stays at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (luxury), Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge (mid-range), and Kinigi Guest House (budget).
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Day 6: Engage in Golden Monkey Tracking – Explore the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo
Rise early once more, enjoy breakfast, and await the driver who will transport you to the park offices for the briefing on golden monkey tracking in Uganda and Rwanda. A Guide and armed Rangers will be assigned to escort you into the forest for the purpose of searching for the monkeys. Golden monkeys are classified as endangered primates and are exclusively located in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Their diet consists of bamboo shoots and various types of vegetation. The primary threat to them originates from humans, while Eagles serve as their natural adversaries. Golden monkeys exhibit a playful nature and are particularly fond of flash photography, in contrast to gorillas. Following a period of hiking through the forest, one may observe the golden monkeys perched in the trees or foraging on the ground. Upon completion, return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation. In the afternoon, the driver will escort you to explore the stunning twin lakes of Ruhondo and Burera.
Accommodation options include dinner and overnight stays at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (luxury), Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge (mid-range), and Kinigi Guest House (budget).
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Day 7: Transfer back to Kigali – Kigali City Tour – Departure
You will rise early, have breakfast, and proceed to Kigali. The journey lasts for 3 hours, during which you will once again experience the stunning rolling hills of Rwanda’s countryside and the expansive tea plantations. The lunch will take place in Kigali, followed by a city tour. The tour includes visits to the Gisozi Genocide Memorial Site, the Presidential Palace Museum, as well as local city markets and gift shops featuring a selection of local crafts and arts. The Kigali city tour lasts between one to two hours. Upon concluding this final tour of Rwanda, you will be taken to your hotel or transferred to the airport.
7 Days Rwanda Uganda Safari Inclusions
- Â Â Â A tour van with a pop-up roof for wildlife viewing
- Â Â Â An English speaking driver
- Â Â Â Fuel
- Â Â Â Gorilla Permits
- Â Â Â Chimpanzee Permits
- Â Â Â Golden Monkey Permits
- Â Â Â Park fees
- Â Â Â Water and meals while traveling
- Â Â Â Full board accommodation for 6 nights
- Â Â Â Pickup and drop-off in Kigali
- Â Â Â Visiting the Gorilla Guardians Village
- Â Â Â Visiting the twin lakes of Ruhondo and Burera
- Â Â Â Kigali city Tour
The tour excludes
- international flights
- visas
- wines
- Personal insurance