Book Amazing 15 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari
Tour Overview
A 15 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari is one of the most complete primate-and-wildlife journeys available in East Africa.
This carefully paced itinerary links Uganda’s “Pearl of Africa” with Rwanda’s “Land of a Thousand Hills,” delivering a mountain gorilla trek in Bwindi, golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park, chimpanzee tracking, classic savannah game drives, a rich cultural experience, and a boat cruise through some of the continent’s most productive wetlands.
The route typically begins at Entebbe International Airport in Uganda and ends in Kigali, Rwanda, or can be reversed.
Over two weeks you travel from the thundering Nile at Murchison Falls, through the primate-rich forests of Kibale, across the crater-dotted plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park, into the mist-covered Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, over the border into Volcanoes National Park for golden monkeys and culture, and finally east to Akagera National Park—the only place in Rwanda where the Big Five now roam freely again.
This is not a rushed checklist trip. Daily driving distances are managed, rest days are built around the physical demands of trekking, and every park visit is timed to maximise wildlife viewing while supporting the conservation programmes that have helped mountain gorilla numbers recover from fewer than 300 individuals in the 1980s to more than 1,000 today.
International travellers from the USA, UK, Europe, Canada, Asia and the Middle East find this itinerary ideal because it combines the relative accessibility of Uganda’s gorilla permits with Rwanda’s premium infrastructure, golden monkey tracking, and cultural immersion—all within a single seamless journey.
Highlights of 15 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari
- Mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Uganda)
- Golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda)
- Authentic cultural experience with local communities near the Virunga volcanoes
- Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest National Park, home to one of Africa’s highest densities of wild chimpanzees
- Game drives and a Kazinga Channel boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park, including the chance to see tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector
- Classic savannah safari in Murchison Falls National Park, Africa’s most powerful waterfall on the Nile
- Full Big Five game viewing in Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s remarkable conservation recovery story
- Optional rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
- Direct contribution to community revenue-sharing and anti-poaching programmes in both countries
Day-by-Day Outline
Day 1: Arrival Entebbe – transfer to Kampala/Entebbe hotel
Day 2: Drive to Murchison Falls National Park via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Day 3: Morning game drive and afternoon Nile boat cruise to the base of the Falls
Day 4: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
Day 5: Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi Wetland Walk
Day 6: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 7: Morning game drive and Kazinga Channel boat cruise
Day 8: Ishasha sector (tree-climbing lions) and continue to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 9: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi
Day 10: Cross into Rwanda and transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Day 11: Golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park
Day 12: Cultural experience – transfer to Akagera National Park
Day 13: Full-day game drives in Akagera
Day 14: Morning boat cruise on Lake Ihema and final game drive – transfer to Kigali
Day 15: Departure from Kigali International Airport
Detailed Itinerary of 15 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport
You are met on arrival by your safari driver-guide and transferred to your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala.
Depending on arrival time, an optional visit to the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre or a lakeside walk can be arranged. This first evening is deliberately relaxed so you can recover from long-haul flights and receive a full briefing on the journey ahead.
Accommodation options:
- Luxury: Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort or Protea Hotel Entebbe
- Mid-range: 2 Friends Beach Hotel or Airport Guest House
- Budget: Airport Guesthouse or Boma Hotel
Meal plan: Dinner
Day 2: Entebbe/Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
After an early breakfast you drive north, stopping at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a guided walk to track the southern white rhinos that form the foundation of Uganda’s rhino reintroduction programme.
Continue through farmlands and savannah to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest protected area. Arrive in time for a short evening game drive or simply settle into your lodge overlooking the Nile.
Accommodation options:
- Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge or Nile Safari Lodge
- Mid-range: Pakuba Safari Lodge or Murchison River Lodge
- Budget: Red Chilli Rest Camp or Fort Murchison
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Game Drive and Boat Cruise – Murchison Falls National Park
A full day exploring the park. The morning game drive on the northern bank offers excellent chances for lion, elephant, buffalo, Rothschild’s giraffe, Uganda kob and numerous antelope.
In the afternoon you board a launch for the classic boat cruise up the Victoria Nile to the base of Murchison Falls, where the entire Nile forces its way through a 7-metre gorge.
Hippos, crocodiles and hundreds of waterbirds line the banks. Optional hike to the top of the Falls can be added for those wanting a closer view of the cascading water.
Conservation note: Park fees and tourism revenue support anti-poaching units and community projects around the park boundaries.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
Leave Murchison and drive southwest through Hoima and Fort Portal, the gateway to the crater lakes region.
The landscape changes from open savannah to rolling hills and tea plantations. Arrive in Kibale in the late afternoon. An optional crater-lake viewpoint stop is usually included.
Accommodation options:
- Luxury: Primate Lodge Kibale or Kyaninga Lodge
- Mid-range: Ndali Lodge or Papaya Lake Lodge
- Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Guest House or Kibale Forest Camp
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Wetland Walk – Kibale Forest National Park
After an early breakfast you report to the park headquarters for a briefing before heading into the forest with experienced UWA trackers.
Kibale protects more than 1,500 chimpanzees and 12 other primate species. Once a habituated group is located you spend up to one hour observing their social behaviour, feeding and interactions.
In the afternoon a guided walk through Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary introduces you to more primates, birds and the work of a community-run conservation project.
Permit note: Chimpanzee tracking permits in Kibale currently cost approximately USD 250 for foreign non-residents (subject to UWA updates).
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Kibale to Queen Elizabeth National Park
A scenic drive of roughly two to three hours takes you into Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s most biodiverse savannah reserve. Afternoon game drive in the Kasenyi plains often produces lions, elephants, buffalo and large herds of Uganda kob.
Accommodation options:
- Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge, Kyambura Gorge Lodge or Katara Lodge
- Mid-range: Elephant Plains Lodge or Enganzi Game Lodge
- Budget: Simba Safari Camp or Bush Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise – Queen Elizabeth National Park
Morning game drive focusing on the open plains and crater areas. In the afternoon you take the signature boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway linking Lake Edward and Lake George.
This stretch supports one of the highest concentrations of hippos in Africa, large Nile crocodiles, elephants coming to drink, and an extraordinary density of waterbirds.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Ishasha Sector to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Drive south through the Ishasha sector, famous for its tree-climbing lions that often rest in the large fig trees during the heat of the day.
Continue into Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that protects roughly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Arrive at your lodge near the sector corresponding to your gorilla permit (Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga or Nkuringo).
Accommodation options:
- Luxury: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge or Bwindi Lodge
- Mid-range: Mahogany Springs, Buhoma Lodge or Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
- Budget: Buhoma Community Rest Camp or Rushaga Gorilla Camp
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
The highlight of the Ugandan portion. After an early breakfast you report to the park headquarters for a detailed briefing on rules and safety.
You are then allocated to a gorilla family and set off with rangers and trackers. The trek can last from one to six or more hours depending on the location of the group that day.
Once the family is located you spend a strictly regulated one hour observing them at a minimum distance of approximately 7–10 metres. The experience is profound: silverbacks, mothers with infants, juveniles playing. After the trek you return to the lodge for lunch and a well-earned rest.
Permit cost (foreign non-residents): USD 800 in high season; USD 600 in the designated low-season months of April, May and November (confirm current UWA rates at booking).
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Cross into Rwanda – Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast you drive to the Cyanika or Katuna border, complete formalities, and continue into Rwanda. The road climbs into the foothills of the Virunga volcanoes. Afternoon free to settle into your lodge with views of the volcanic peaks.
Accommodation options:
- Luxury: Bisate Lodge, Singita Kwitonda or One&Only Gorilla’s Nest
- Mid-range: Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge or Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
- Budget: Limited options; typically Kinigi-area guesthouses or Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Golden Monkey Tracking in Volcanoes National Park
After an early breakfast you report to the park headquarters for a briefing before heading into the bamboo forests of Volcanoes National Park to track the endangered golden monkeys (Cercopithecus kandti).
These brightly coloured, highly active primates live in groups and are found almost exclusively in the Virunga massif. The trek is generally shorter and less strenuous than gorilla trekking, typically lasting 1–3 hours, and allows close observation of their playful behaviour, feeding, and social interactions.
Golden monkey tracking offers a rewarding primate encounter that complements the mountain gorilla experience in Bwindi and supports conservation of another threatened species whose habitat overlaps with the gorillas.
Permit note: Golden monkey tracking permits are significantly more affordable than gorilla permits and are subject to availability and Rwanda Development Board rates.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12: Cultural Experience – Transfer to Akagera National Park
Spend the morning immersing yourself in local culture at a community village near Volcanoes National Park (commonly the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village / Gorilla Guardians Village).
Activities typically include traditional Intore dancing, storytelling, demonstration of local crafts, a visit to a traditional healer or blacksmith, and insights into the daily lives of communities that once lived alongside the gorillas.
This visit provides meaningful context to the conservation story and ensures tourism revenue reaches local families directly.
After lunch you drive east across Rwanda to Akagera National Park, the country’s only savannah reserve and a genuine Big Five destination following the successful reintroduction of lions and both black and white rhinos.
Accommodation options:
- Luxury: Magashi Camp or Ruzizi Tented Lodge
- Mid-range: Akagera Game Lodge
- Budget: More limited; often combined with mid-range properties
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13: Full-Day Game Drives in Akagera National Park
Explore the park’s open plains, lakes and woodland. Akagera now supports thriving populations of lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino, alongside giraffe, zebra, various antelope and more than 480 bird species.
The park’s recovery under joint management by African Parks and the Rwanda Development Board is one of Africa’s clearest conservation success stories—no high-value species has been lost to poaching for more than a decade.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14: Lake Ihema Boat Cruise and Final Game Drive – Transfer to Kigali
Morning boat cruise on Lake Ihema for close views of hippos, crocodiles and waterbirds, followed by a final game drive. In the afternoon transfer to Kigali (approximately 2–2.5 hours). Optional evening city orientation or simply relax at your hotel.
Accommodation options:
- Luxury: Kigali Serena Hotel or Heaven Restaurant & Boutique Hotel
- Mid-range: The Retreat or Hôtel des Mille Collines
- Budget: Step Town Motel or similar
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 15: Departure
Depending on flight times, a short Kigali city tour (Genocide Memorial, local markets or craft centres) can be arranged before transfer to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight.
Meal plan: Breakfast
End of The Tour
Includes & Excludes
Typically Included
- Bwindi mountain gorilla permit
- Golden monkey tracking permit
- Chimpanzee tracking permit
- Park entrance fees
- Accommodation on a full-board basis (or as stated)
- Private 4×4 vehicle with experienced English-speaking driver-guide
- All ground transfers and border formalities assistance
- Bottled drinking water in the vehicle
- Activities listed in the itinerary (game drives, boat cruises, guided walks, cultural experience)
Typically Excluded
- International flights
- Uganda and Rwanda visas
- Travel insurance (mandatory)
- Tips and gratuities
- Alcoholic beverages and premium soft drinks
- Optional activities not listed
- Personal expenses and laundry
Permit Rules, Restrictions and Trekking Limits
Uganda and Rwanda enforce strict, science-based regulations designed to protect primates from disease transmission and disturbance:
Mountain Gorilla Trekking (Bwindi)
- Minimum age: 15 years (passport required for verification).
- Group size: Maximum of 8 visitors per gorilla family per day.
- Time with gorillas: Strictly one hour.
- Distance: Maintain at least 7 metres (some guidance now emphasises up to 10 metres).
- Health screening: Anyone showing symptoms of cold, flu or other contagious illness will be denied access.
- Behaviour: No flash photography, no eating, drinking or smoking near the gorillas, keep voices low, and follow ranger instructions at all times.
Golden Monkey Tracking (Volcanoes)
- Similar health and behavioural guidelines apply.
- Treks are generally shorter and less physically demanding than gorilla treks.
- Group sizes are limited to minimise disturbance.
Uganda gorilla permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority; Rwanda golden monkey permits by the Rwanda Development Board. Both should be booked well in advance, especially for peak seasons (June–September and December–February).
Frequently Asked Questions
How physically demanding is the trekking on this itinerary?
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi requires a reasonable level of fitness for steep, muddy forest trails that can last 1–6+ hours. Golden monkey tracking is generally shorter and less strenuous. Porters are available and strongly recommended for the gorilla trek.
Can I still see mountain gorillas on this safari?
Yes. You will trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park on Day 9. Day 11 focuses on golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park for a complementary primate experience.
What does the cultural experience involve?
A guided visit to a community cultural village near Volcanoes National Park typically includes traditional dancing, storytelling, craft demonstrations, and insights into how local communities support and benefit from conservation.
Is malaria a concern?
Yes. Both countries are malaria zones. Consult a travel doctor for prophylaxis, use insect repellent, and sleep under treated nets (provided by lodges).
Do I need visas?
Most nationalities can obtain visas on arrival or apply online in advance for both Uganda and Rwanda. An East Africa Tourist Visa covering both countries is available for many passport holders.
Practical Tips and Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Book the Bwindi gorilla permit as early as possible—6 to 12 months ahead for peak dates.
- Choose lodges close to your allocated trekking sector in Bwindi to minimise pre-dawn travel.
- Pack broken-in hiking boots, long trousers, long-sleeved shirts, rain jacket, gardening gloves for vegetation, and a small daypack.
- Carry sufficient cash for tips (rangers, porters, lodge staff and cultural village performers) as ATMs are limited in remote areas.
- Do not underestimate the physical demands of the gorilla trek; train with hill walks before departure.
- Allow proper rest after the gorilla trek before the golden monkey activity.
- Confirm exact permit prices with your operator at the time of booking, as tariffs can be updated by the wildlife authorities.
Book Your Gorilla Permit and 15-Day Journey with Confidence
A 15 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari is more than a holiday—it is a direct contribution to the survival of mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, and the communities that share their habitat.
Every permit purchased funds anti-poaching patrols, veterinary care, and community revenue-sharing programmes that have transformed conservation outcomes in both countries.
GoSilverback Safaris specialises in securing limited gorilla permits and crafting seamless, high-quality itineraries across Uganda and Rwanda.
Whether you prefer luxury lodges with private plunge pools or comfortable mid-range properties that maximise time in the field, our team handles every detail—from permit allocation to border crossings, golden monkey tracking, cultural visits, and expert guiding.
Contact GoSilverback Safaris today to reserve your Bwindi gorilla permit and begin planning a journey that few travellers ever forget. Spaces on the best dates fill quickly; secure your place while permits remain available.
