18 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari and Holiday
18 Day Uganda Rwanda Safari Holiday, This 18-day Uganda-Rwanda safari offers an unforgettable journey through two of East Africa’s most captivating countries. You’ll have the opportunity to explore breathtaking landscapes, encounter unique wildlife, and immerse yourself in rich cultures. The adventure begins in Entebbe, Uganda, and concludes in Kigali, Rwanda, with incredible experiences every step of the way.
In Uganda, you’ll come face-to-face with one of nature’s most awe-inspiring creatures—the endangered mountain gorilla. Trek through the dense vegetation of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with a silverback gorilla and his family. The moment your eyes meet is one you’ll never forget. You’ll also have the opportunity to trek gorillas in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, giving you a deeper appreciation of these gentle giants in two distinct natural habitats.
Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest National Park is another highlight of this tour. Known as the primate capital of East Africa, Kibale offers an intimate look at the playful and intelligent chimpanzees in their natural environment.
For wildlife lovers, the safari includes thrilling game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Park, where you’ll have the chance to see elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, hippos, and a variety of bird species. In addition, enjoy scenic boat cruises along the Nile River in Murchison Falls and the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth, where you’ll witness animals congregating at the water’s edge.
Your journey continues with a visit to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary on Lake Victoria, home to rescued and orphaned chimpanzees. A peaceful boat ride brings you to the island, where you’ll observe these incredible animals up close and learn about conservation efforts.
In Lake Bunyonyi, one of Africa’s most beautiful and serene lakes, you’ll enjoy a peaceful boat ride amidst the misty hills and scattered islands—perfect for relaxation and cultural experiences.
Crossing into Rwanda, the adventure doesn’t slow down. At Nyungwe Forest National Park, you’ll experience the famous canopy walk, a thrilling stroll high above the forest floor, offering panoramic views of this rich biodiversity hotspot.
The safari also includes a visit to the source of the Nile in Jinja, Uganda, where you can engage in adrenaline-pumping activities like bungee jumping and white-water rafting on the mighty river.
To round off your journey, you’ll explore significant historical and cultural sites in Rwanda, including genocide memorials and monuments that tell the powerful story of Rwanda’s past and its remarkable journey of recovery and resilience.
This 18-day Uganda-Rwanda safari is more than just a wildlife tour—it’s a soul-stirring expedition that offers adventure, learning, and connection with nature and history.
Detailed Safari Itinerary for 18 Day Uganda Rwanda Safari Holiday
Day 1: Arrive at Entebbe international airport-Uganda
Upon your arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by a professional representative from our company. After a friendly meet and greet, you will receive a detailed briefing about your upcoming safari adventure, including important information about the itinerary, safety guidelines, and what to expect over the next several days.
Following the briefing, you will be transferred to your pre-booked accommodation, either in Kampala or Entebbe, depending on your preference or flight schedule. Here, you will enjoy a delicious dinner and settle in for an overnight stay. This first night offers a perfect opportunity to relax, unwind, and recover from your journey and any jet lag, as you prepare for the incredible experiences that lie ahead.
Location:Entebbe/ Kampala
Accommodation Option:
Budget: Gately Inn Entebbe/ Via Via Lodge
Midrange: Papyrus Guesthouse Entebbe/cassia lodge Kampala
Luxury: Anderita Beach Hotel
Meals Plan: Meal plan: half board
Drinking Water throughout
Day 2: Visit Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary
On the first day of the tour, after breakfast, our guide will drive you to the starting point on the shores of Lake Victoria. Get a boat and drive to island to visit the chimpanzee sanctuary. Your guide will brief you about the activity chimpanzee 
habituation. Which is regarded as one of the interesting safari activity in this Uganda Rwanda tour.
Chimps on the island live in a semi natural habitat so you will watch them feed and display their acrobatic antics. You will watch them as they gather fruits, open gates to access food and freely play with the humans who look after them. You will as well participate in the feeding process of the chimps it’s so memorable. In the afternoon, you can do some canoe paddling or participate in beach soccer. Before taking your boat ride back to the main land in Entebbe. Dinner and an overnight at
Location:Entebbe/
Accommodation Option:
Budget: Gately Inn Entebbe/ Via Via Lodge
Midrange: Papyrus Guesthouse Entebbe/cassia lodge Kampala
Luxury: Anderita Beach Hote
Meals Plan: Full board (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Drinking Water throughout
Day 3: Transfer to the Source of the Nile – Jinja
After an early breakfast, you will set off for an exciting day trip to Jinja, home to the source of the Nile River. The drive from Kampala takes approximately 2 hours, offering scenic views along the way. You will enjoy brief stopovers at notable tourist attractions such as the Mabira Forest—one of Uganda’s largest natural forests—as well as the lush tea and sugarcane plantations that line the route.18 Day Uganda Rwanda Safari Holiday
Upon arrival at the source of the Nile, you will embark on a relaxing boat ride along this iconic river. The ride provides an 
excellent opportunity to spot various species of birds and soak in the natural beauty of the area. After the boat ride, you’ll return to the riverside for a lunch break, enjoying a delicious meal while taking in the serene surroundings.
In the afternoon, for those seeking adventure, you may choose to take part in white-water rafting or experience the thrill of bungee jumping—both popular activities in Jinja and guaranteed to give you an adrenaline rush.
Later in the day, you will retire from the activities and begin your journey back to Kampala. Upon arrival, you will check into your accommodation for dinner and an overnight stay, resting up for the next leg of your safari adventure.
Location:Jinja
Accommodation Option:
Budget: Gately Inn Entebbe/ Via Via Lodge
Mid-range: Papyrus Guesthouse Entebbe/Cassia lodge Kampala
Luxury: Anderita Beach Hote
Meals Plan: Full board (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Drinking Water throughout
Day 4: Drive to Murchison Falls National Park via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
On this day of your 18-Day Uganda-Rwanda Safari, your professional guide will pick you up in the morning from the airport or your hotel after breakfast. You will begin your scenic drive towards Murchison Falls National Park, traveling through the historic Luwero Triangle, a region dotted with vibrant local homesteads and rich cultural heritage.
Before reaching the park, you will make a stop at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in Uganda where you can track 
both black and white rhinos in their natural habitat. Accompanied by a ranger, you’ll enjoy an up-close and safe walking experience with these majestic creatures. After the rhino tracking experience, you will stop for lunch, either at the sanctuary’s restaurant or in the nearby town of Masindi.
Following lunch, the journey continues to Murchison Falls National Park. Upon arrival, you will visit the top of the falls, where the mighty Victoria Nile forces its way through a narrow 7-meter gorge, creating a powerful and spectacular waterfall—one of the most breathtaking sights in Uganda.
After this incredible experience, you will proceed to your lodge for an evening of relaxation, followed by dinner and an overnight stay, as you prepare for more adventures the next day.
Location: Murchison Falls National Park
Meal plan: Half board
Accommodation options:
Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge | Chobe Safari Lodge
Mid-range: Pakuba Safari Lodge | Murchison River Lodge
Budget: Heritage Safari Lodge | Hornbill Safari Lodge
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Drinking Water and Fruits throughout
Day 5: Murchison Falls National Park – Game drives & Boat cruises
After an early breakfast at the lodge, you will head out for a morning game drive in Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest and most wildlife-rich park. The drive, lasting approximately two hours, offers excellent opportunities to spot a wide 
variety of wildlife in their natural habitat. Expect to encounter animals such as lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, warthogs, waterbucks, antelopes, and hippos, as well as a diverse range of bird species, including the chance to spot the rare shoebill stork if you’re lucky.
After this exciting safari experience, you will return to the lodge for some relaxation and lunch.
In the afternoon, embark on a two-hour boat cruise along the Victoria Nile. This scenic journey offers incredible views of animals gathering along the riverbanks, including elephants, hippos, crocodiles, antelopes, and various species of monkeys and birds. The boat will take you all the way to the base of the magnificent Murchison Falls, where the Nile violently explodes through a narrow 7-meter gorge.
From here, you’ll begin a guided hike to the top of the falls, a rewarding trek that lasts about 1 hour and 30 minutes, offering panoramic views and unforgettable photo opportunities.
After the hike, you’ll return to your lodge for a well-deserved supper and overnight stay, reflecting on the day’s incredible encounters in the heart of Uganda’s wilderness.
Location: Murchison Falls National Park
Meal plan: Half board
Accommodation options:
Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge | Chobe Safari Lodge
Mid-range: Pakuba Safari Lodge | Murchison River Lodge
Budget: Heritage Safari Lodge | Hornbill Safari Lodge
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Drinking Water and Fruits throughout
Day 6: Visit to the top of the falls and transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
After your breakfast at the lodge, take a visit to the “top of the roaring Murchison falls”, where you will observe the Nile River squeezing itself in a 7 meter gorge before tumbling 40 meters down in a thunderous explosion and then flows down into a very peaceful river whose water banks are swarmed with a profusion of water and land animals as well as birds. you drive to Kibale Forest national park via Fortportal.
While driving to this park you will have a great scenic views along the way. Kibale Forest national park is one of Africa’s beautiful rain forests hosting over 13 primate species most commonly known in the park is our closest relative the Chimpanzees, others primate species in the park include the colobus money, red-trailed monkey, black and white Colobus monkey, baboons just to mention but a few. The park is also a great place for birders since it harbors over 325 bird species. In the evening, you will have an evening walk in the park, dinner and an overnight at your booked accommodation.
Location: Kibale Forest National Park
Accommodation Option:
Budget: Lake Nkuruba Camp Site | Kibale Forest Camp|Rweteera Safari Park
Midrange: Chimpanzee Guest House | Kibale Forest Camp| Mountains of the moon
Luxury: Kyaninga Safari Lodge | Ndali Lodge|Papaya Lake Lodge
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drinking Water throughout
Day 7: Chimpanzee tracking kibale forest -Uganda safari
Early Breakfast at the lodge, after your guide will take you to the park head offices for briefing about the dos and don’ts while with chimps and after set out for Chimpanzee tracking through the forest. During the trek, you stand a big chance to spot more species of primates that live in the forest plus various species of birds.
Once the chimps are met, you are only allowed 1 hour with the chimpanzees, you may find them doing their daily activities like feeding, breast feeding, making nest for the following night, playing etc. On seeing chimpanzees, other primates can be 
spotted such as the Red Tailed Monkeys, LHoest’s Monkeys, Blue Monkeys, Black & White colobus Monkeys among others and also elephants, antelopes, buffaloes can be spotted in the forest. After this breathtaking experience, you will follow the guide back to the lodge for lunch.
In the evening of this 18 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari , go for a nature walk through the Bigodi wetland where you will see different species of birds, primate species like the baboons, bush babies among other wildlife species. Go back to the lodge for dinner and an Overnight stay at the lodge.
Location: Kibale Forest National Park
Accommodation Option:
Budget: Lake Nkuruba Camp Site | Kibale Forest Camp|Rweteera Safari Park
Midrange: Chimpanzee Guest House | Kibale Forest Camp| Mountains of the moon
Luxury: Kyaninga Safari Lodge | Ndali Lodge|Papaya Lake Lodge
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drinking Water throughout
Day 8: Transfer Queen Elizabeth National Park
mmediately after an early breakfast at the lodge, you will set off for Queen Elizabeth National Park, a journey that takes approximately 4 hours by road. This park is renowned as one of Uganda’s most outstanding wildlife destinations, offering an impressive diversity of flora and fauna. It is home to over 600 bird species and a wide range of mammals, including elephants, buffaloes, lions, antelopes, and more.
As you drive towards the park, enjoy scenic views along the way, including the majestic Rwenzori Mountain ranges, rolling hills, and picturesque rural landscapes.
Upon arrival, check in at your booked accommodation, where you will have time to relax and enjoy a delicious lunch. In the late afternoon, you will head out for an evening game drive through the park’s savannah plains. During the drive, you’ll have the opportunity to spot various animals in their natural habitat, taking advantage of the cooler hours when wildlife is most active.18 Day Uganda Rwanda Safari Holiday
After the game drive, return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay, as you prepare for more exploration the following day.
Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Meal plan: half board
Accommodation Option:
Budget: Pumba Safari Cottages | Bush Lodge
Mid-Range: Irungu Forest Safari Lodge | Elephant Hub Lodge
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge| katara Lodge
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Drinking Water and Fruits throughout
Day 9: Game drive & Boat Cruise – Queen Elizabeth Park
18 Day Uganda Rwanda Safari Holiday, After breakfast at the lodge go for an early morning game drive through the park for an opportunity to see the early risen species such as the hyenas, wildebeest and many other different wildlife species like waterbucks, lions, elephants, , giraffes, antelopes, buffaloes, leopards, warthogs, plus a variety of bird species. You will also view different crater lakes in the park.
After this 3 hours game drive, head back to the lodge for lunch and relaxation as you prepare for an afternoon 2 hour boat cruise along the Kazinga channel. The kazinga channel connects two lakes George and Edward and it’s a beautiful place to see more species of wildlife along the shores, it’s a home to over 560 hippos; also birds and other animals like crocodiles, elephants, antelopes among others will be seen. Return to the lodge and have dinner and overnight.
Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Meal plan: half board
Accommodation Option:
Budget: Pumba Safari Cottages | Bush Lodge
Mid-Range: Irungu Forest Safari Lodge | Elephant Hub Lodge
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge| katara Lodge
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Drinking Water and Fruits throughout
Day 10: Game drive in the Ishasha sector of QEP and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
On this day after a hearty breakfast we drive to the Ishasha sector an extension of Queen Elizabeth National Park. For another thrilling game drive. Ishasha Sector is well-known for its tree climbing lions and they are very interesting to watch 
when sited on fig trees or tree branches. As they scan for kobs in the neighboring mating grounds. Not only tree climbing lions, but you as well see many other species of animals as well as birds. Later take a Best of Uganda Rwanda Safari road drive to bwindi impenetrable national park a home to the endangered mountain gorillas.
Location: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Accommodation option:
Luxury: Buhoma Lodge | Gorilla Safari Lodge,
Midrange: Silverback Lodge | Gorilla Mist Camp
Budget: Bakiga Lodge | Buhoma community Bandas
Meal Plan: Breakfast and lunch as well as dinner.
Drinking Water throughout
Day 11: Mountain Gorilla trekking safari
On this day after a cup of tea or coffee, the guide will take you to the park headquarters for a short briefing about the dos and don’ts while with the gorillas and also gets you allocated to the gorilla group to trek. Bwindi national park host the highest number of these gentle giants in the world almost a half of the remaining mountain gorillas live in this park. Not only gorillas but also the park is a home to other species like butterflies, plants, primates, mammals, butterflies, frogs, among others.
Gorilla trekking experience last between 1-8 hours since meeting them depends on where they spent their last night from and once they are met you are strictly allowed only one hour with the gorillas. Just in case some of you are not interested in tracking gorillas, you can go for a short guided forest walk or Village walk to the Batwa community. Retire at the lodge.
Location: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Accommodation option:
Luxury: Buhoma Lodge | Gorilla Safari Lodge,
Midrange: Silverback Lodge | Gorilla Mist Camp
Budget: Bakiga Lodge | Buhoma community Bandas
Meal Plan: Breakfast and lunch as well as dinner.
Drinking Water throughout
Day 12: Drive to Lake Bunyonyi & do boat cruise
Wake up leisurely for a hearty breakfast while still in the mood of reminiscing about the previous day’s gorilla experiences. After you will be driven to Lake Bunyonyi, the second deepest lake and a birders spot in Africa. During your transfer to 
Bunyonyi, you will be Enjoying the eye-catching landscapes such as the locally terraced interlocking hills where most locals carryout their farming, you will also enjoy the terraced hills which named by the British grate diplomat Churchill as the Switzerland of Africa.
Upon arrival you could go for canoeing on the lake and have lunch. After lunch take a community walk where you will enjoy traditional dances from the Bakiga people, also buy yourself handicrafts from there. The evening will be reserved for relaxation. Dinner and an overnight at;
Location: Lake Bunyonyi
Accommodation option:
Luxury: Birdnest @ Bunyonyi Resort, bird Nest,
Midrange: Bunyonyi Overland Camp
Budget: Crater Bay cottages
Meal Plan: Breakfast and lunch as well as dinner.
Drinking Water throughout
Day 13: Cross to Volcanoes National Park – Rwanda
After breakfast, you will embark on a scenic transfer from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. This picturesque journey takes you through a stunning region often referred to as the “Switzerland of Africa” due to its cool, temperate climate and breathtaking landscapes, despite its proximity to the Equator.
You will arrive at the Gatuna border, where you will complete all necessary iimmigration and border crossing formalities. Once cleared, you will proceed into Rwanda—affectionately known as the “Land of a Thousand Hills” for its rolling green hills and beautiful countryside.
Continue the drive to Volcanoes National Park, located in the northern part of the country. Upon arrival, check in at the lodge of your booking, where you will have time to relax and prepare for the exciting gorilla trekking adventure that awaits you.
Location: Volcanoes national park
Accommodation Option:
Luxury: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel/Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Mid range: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge/La Palme Hotel
Budget:Garden Palace Hotel/Kinigi Guest House
Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner
Drinking Water and Fruits throughout
Day 14: Gorilla trekking and Batwa in Volcanoes National Park
Early morning breakfast and then after report to the park headquarters to receive short briefings about gorilla trekking and also gets you allocated to the gorilla family. At 8:00am you will start to hike into lead by the ranger guide hike deep into the forest to have a chance to meet the endangered gorillas in their natural habitat.
Gorilla trekking is unpredictable as meeting them depends on where they last spent their night from. After reaching the gorillas, u will spend an hour with and then descend back to the lodge for lunch. You will later in the afternoon be taken on a nature walk to the twin lakes or visit the Iby’ Iwachu Village to explore the Banyarwanda culture. You will return to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Location: Volcanoes national park
Accommodation Option:
Luxury: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel/Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Mid range: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge/La Palme Hotel
Budget:Garden Palace Hotel/Kinigi Guest House
Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner
Drinking Water and Fruits throughout
Day 15: Dian Fossey hike and transfer to Lake Kivu for boat cruise
After breakfast at the lodge, your guide will take you and have a hike up. To Karisoke research Centre established by Dian Fossey. Diane Fossy was an American primatologist who dedicated all her entire life conserving the endangered mountain 
gorillas that they become familiar to human. It’s because of her that gorillas can be met safely in their natural habitat without causing any harm to human.
She stayed with these few remaining apes for a period of over 18 years until when she was killed by the said poachers. After, return to your Hotel for lunch after which you will be driven to Lake Kivu 110km away for a boat cruise. This drive will be approximately 2 hours in duration. Dinner and an overnight at
Accommodation option: Gorillas Lake Kivu Hotel
Meal Plan: half board (Lunch, Dinner)
Day 16: Drive to Nyungwe Forest National Park
On this day after breakfast, you will make a transfer from Lake Kivu to Nyungwe forest national park. A home to over 13 species of primates. The drive will take approximately 5 hours scenic drive with lunch en-route arriving in the afternoon
Budget facility: I’Hoests Monkey House
- Meal plan: Lunch, Dinner
Day 17: Chimp trek & evening tour of the Tea factory
after breakfast, you will get briefed from the park wardens about the dos and don’ts while with the chimps. Later follow the ranger guide to venture deep into Nyungwe Forest National Park in search of the chimpanzees. During the search of 
Chimpanzee you have a chance to see other primates. And many forest dwellers that live into the forest.
Once the chimps are met are you are strictly allowed to stay with them for a period of one hour. Watching them interact with each other. And go about their daily routine of grooming, playing and foraging is an incredible experience. Chances of meeting the chimps are high. However it’s never 100% guaranteed since they are wild animals with wills and minds of their own! Retire back to the lodge for relaxation and lunch. In the afternoon, you will 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 for export. Return for dinner and an overnight at;
Location: Nyungwe national park
Accommodation Option:
Luxury: Nyungwe forest Lodge,
Mid range: Nyungwe Nziza Eco Lodge
Budget:I’Hoests Monkey House
Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch as well as Dinner
Drinking Water and Fruits throughout
Day 18: Kigali city excursion
On this final day of your Uganda-Rwanda safari, you will enjoy a relaxed morning before setting off for Kigali, the capital and largest city of Rwanda. The scenic drive from Nyungwe Forest National Park to Kigali takes approximately 6 hours, winding through Rwanda’s iconic rolling hills and offering stunning views of the countryside.
Along the way, you will have the opportunity to visit several significant cultural and historical sites. These include the Butare National Museum (Ethnographic Museum), the Murambi Genocide Memorial, and the King’s Palace in Nyanza, which provide deep insights into Rwanda’s rich heritage and history.
Upon arrival in Kigali, you can choose to spend an optional night in the city to explore more of its vibrant culture and hospitality. Alternatively, you may proceed directly to the airport for your departure flight back home. Depending on your travel plans, you also have the option to fly between Kigali and Uganda, or to cross the border by road, as per your convenience.
And with that, we come to the end of your unforgettable Uganda-Rwanda safari adventure—a journey filled with wildlife encounters, natural wonders, cultural experiences, and lasting memories.
Location: Kigali
Accommodation Option: no accommodation, end of tour
Meals Plan: Breakfast and Lunch
Drinking Water and Fruits throughout
Additional costs can be arranged for extra costs , you will be dropped at the airport
End of 18 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari
What needed for this 18 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari :
- Uganda & Rwanda Visas which can be got either from your home country or on arrival at the Airports
- Chimpanzee, Gorilla and Golden Monkey trekking permits (paid for in advance through our company mum and Dad Uganda Tours)
- Travel & Health insurance arranged for from your home country
- Yellow fever proof vaccination (certificate)
- Some levels of Physical fitness
Tour inclusions for 18 Day Uganda Rwanda Safari Holiday
Airport transfers
Transportation in a 4WD plus all fuel for the tour
Professional English-speaking driver/guide
Accommodations
Meals
Drinking water in the vehicle
Park entrance fees
Activities as listed
1 Gorilla tracking permit per person bwindi NP(USD800)
1 Gorilla Tracking permit per person (USD 1.500)
Excluded for 18 Day Uganda Rwanda Safari Holiday
International flights
Visa
Meals that are not part of your accommodation
Activities that are mentioned as optional in the program
A porter to carry your daypack during gorilla tracking (recommended)
Request a quote FOR this safari, we are at your disposal to serve you
