10-Day Uganda & Rwanda Luxury Gorilla & Chimp Safari
Overview
Tour Overview
You'll experience Africa on this 10-day luxury safari through Uganda and Rwanda. You'll stay in handpicked high-end lodges as you track wild chimpanzees in
Day by Day
Itinerary
Lake Victoria Adventure & Search for the Dinosaur
Day 1Lake Victoria Adventure & Search for the Dinosaur Lake Victoria Adventure & Search for the Dinosaur Your journey begins with a pickup from your hotel or the airport by your private guide. You'll head to the shores of Lake Victoria for a shoebill trek, where you’ll first board a motorboat, then switch to a local community canoe to reach the heart of the swamp. Here, you’ll search for the legendary shoebill — a rare, dinosaur-like bird found only in a few parts of Africa. After the trek, you'll continue your journey in a safari Land Cruiser, comfortably equipped for road travel and fitted with tablets offering movies for the drive. You'll arrive at Uganda’s only rhino sanctuary, check in to your lodge, and relax — rhinos often roam close to the accommodation, offering close encounters right from your doorstep. Main Destination: Mabamba Swamp (Uganda) Best Time To Go August to September and December to February (Best for spotting shoebill) High Season June to September (Peak time for Uganda) Best Weather Accommodation: Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch - Chalets Luxury lodge located in Ziwa Rhino Ranch (Uganda) +8 Photos +7 Photos Meals & Drinks: Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included) Non-alcoholic drinks
Rhino Trekking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Day 2Rhino Trekking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary Rhino Trekking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary You'll start your day with a rare and unforgettable experience — tracking rhinos on foot in the only place in Uganda where wild rhinos roam freely. This guided walking experience, led by expert rangers, allows you to approach these endangered giants safely and observe them at close range in their natural environment. After the trek, you'll continue your journey north to Murchison Falls, Uganda’s largest and oldest national park. As you drive through the savannah, keep your eyes open — wildlife like giraffes, elephants, and antelopes are often seen even before you reach the lodge. Main Destination: Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch (Uganda) Best Time To Go June to August and December to February (Dry seasons) High Season June to September (Peak time for Uganda) Best Weather Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge Luxury lodge located inside Murchison Falls NP (Uganda) +8 Photos +7 Photos Meals & Drinks: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Morning Game Drive and River Nile Safari
Day 3Morning Game Drive and River Nile Safari Morning Game Drive and River Nile Safari You'll start your day with a morning game drive as you search for the rest of the Big Five — lions, leopards, elephants, and buffalo. Wildlife is very diverse here, with good chances of spotting giraffes, Uganda kobs, Jackson’s hartebeest, bushbucks, hyenas, and warthogs. In the afternoon, you'll embark on a boat safari along the Nile, the longest river in the world, heading upstream to the base of Murchison Falls — the most powerful waterfall on the planet. You'll watch as the entire Nile squeezes through a narrow 7-meter-wide gorge before crashing 43 meters down with incredible force. Along the way, you'll enjoy excellent wildlife viewing, spotting hippos, Nile crocodiles, and elephants along the riverbanks. Main Destination: Murchison Falls National Park (Uganda) Best Time To Visit December to February (Easier to spot animals) High Season June to September (Peak time for Uganda) Best Weather June and July (Less rain and lower temperatures) Wildlife in Murchison Falls NP ChimpanzeeOccasional ElephantCommon GiraffeCommon LionCommon BuffaloCommon HippoAbundant Show more LeopardOccasional White RhinoNone Black RhinoNone CheetahNone ZebraNone WildebeestNone Wild DogNone Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge Luxury lodge located inside Murchison Falls NP (Uganda) Meals & Drinks: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Hyenas and the World's Most Powerful Waterfall
Day 4Hyenas and the World's Most Powerful Waterfall Hyenas and the World's Most Powerful Waterfall You'll start the day with a final drive through Murchison Falls National Park. Early morning offers great chances to spot hyenas and other wildlife, so keep your camera ready. Your last stop in the park is the top of Murchison Falls — where the entire Nile surges through a 7-meter gap in the rock. The sound, the spray, and the sheer force make this one of Africa’s most dramatic natural sights. From here, you'll head south toward Kibale. The landscape shifts quickly — from dry savannah to lush hills blanketed in tea plantations. You'll check in at the lodge and rest after the journey. Main Destination: Murchison Falls National Park (Uganda) Accommodation: Tabebuia Spa & Safari Resort Luxury lodge in Fort Portal (Town, Uganda) +4 Photos +3 Photos Meals & Drinks: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale National Park
Day 5Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale National Park Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale National Park This morning, you'll head into Kibale National Park for an unforgettable chimpanzee trekking experience (or habituation for $50 extra). With the guidance of expert trackers, you’ll follow signs through the forest until you find one of the habituated chimp families. Once located, you’ll spend one hour observing their interactions—grooming, feeding, or moving through the canopy. It’s an up-close and authentic encounter with one of our closest animal relatives. After the trek, you'll continue your journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park, arriving in time to relax and enjoy the views before tomorrow’s safari. Main Destination: Kibale National Park (Chimps) Best Time To Visit January to February and June to July (Chimp trekking is easiest) High Season June to September (Peak time for Uganda) Best Weather January to February and June to July (Least rain) Wildlife in Kibale NP ChimpanzeeCommon ElephantOccasional BuffaloOccasional LionVery Rare LeopardVery Rare HippoRare Show more GiraffeNone White RhinoNone Black RhinoNone CheetahNone ZebraNone WildebeestNone Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge Luxury lodge located inside Queen Elizabeth NP (Uganda) +5 Photos +4 Photos Meals & Drinks: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Morning Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Safari
Day 6Morning Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Safari Morning Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Safari You'll start your morning with a drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda’s top wildlife destinations. The park is known for its rich variety of animals, including lions, elephants, buffalo, and leopards. In the afternoon, you'll set off on a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel, home to one of the world’s largest hippo populations. You’ll glide past massive pods of hippos, crocodiles basking on the banks, and large herds of elephants and buffalo coming to drink. Few places in Africa offer such consistent and close-up encounters with wildlife. Main Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park (Uganda) Best Time To Visit January to February and June to July (Dry seasons) High Season June to September (Peak time for Uganda) Best Weather June to July and January to February (Less rainfall) Wildlife in Queen Elizabeth NP ChimpanzeeOccasional ElephantCommon LionCommon BuffaloCommon HippoAbundant LeopardOccasional Show more GiraffeNone White RhinoNone Black RhinoNone CheetahNone ZebraNone WildebeestNone Wild DogNone Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge Luxury lodge located inside Queen Elizabeth NP (Uganda) Meals & Drinks: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Tree-Climbing Lions and Bwindi Gorilla Land
Day 7Tree-Climbing Lions and Bwindi Gorilla Land Tree-Climbing Lions and Bwindi Gorilla Land Today, you’ll travel through the remote Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, best known as the place to see tree-climbing lions. This is one of the few areas in Africa where lions regularly rest in the branches of large fig trees — a rare and fascinating sight. You’ll explore the open savannah of Ishasha, looking out for tree-climbing lions, topis, and elephants before continuing the journey to Bwindi. As you drive south, the scenery shifts from flat plains to rolling, cultivated hills, and finally into the dense, mountainous jungle of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You'll arrive at your lodge in the late afternoon and enjoy a quiet evening in the heart of gorilla territory. Main Destination: Ishasha Sector (Queen Elizabeth NP, Uganda) Accommodation: Mahogany Springs Lodge Luxury lodge bordering Buhoma (Bwindi Impenetrable NP, Uganda) without fences +8 Photos +7 Photos Meals & Drinks: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Gorilla Trekking at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 8Gorilla Trekking at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Gorilla Trekking at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Today, you’ll trek in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. After a short briefing, you'll set off with your guide into the forest to track one of the habituated gorilla families. Once located, you’ll spend one unforgettable hour observing them up close — playing, moving through the trees, and interacting with each other in their natural environment. This is the highlight of any trip to Uganda and an experience that leaves a lasting impression. After the trek, you'll continue your adventure to Lake Bunyonyi. Main Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas) Best Time To Visit June to August and December to February (Gorilla trekking is easiest) High Season June to September (Gorilla permits are scarce) Best Weather June to July and December to February (Less rainfall) Wildlife in Bwindi Impenetrable NP GorillaCommon ChimpanzeeRare ElephantRare White RhinoNone Black RhinoNone LionNone Show more GiraffeNone LeopardNone CheetahNone BuffaloNone ZebraNone WildebeestNone HippoNone Accommodation: Birdnest @ Bunyonyi Resort Mid-range resort located at Lake Bunyonyi (Uganda) +5 Photos +4 Photos Meals & Drinks: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Lake Bunyonyi & Journey to Volcanoes NP, Rwanda
Day 9Lake Bunyonyi & Journey to Volcanoes NP, Rwanda Lake Bunyonyi & Journey to Volcanoes NP, Rwanda You'll start your day at Lake Bunyonyi, one of Uganda’s most tranquil and picturesque locations. Surrounded by terraced hills and dotted with 29 islands, it offers the perfect atmosphere for a peaceful morning. Afterward, you'll continue your journey to Volcanoes National Park, a scenic drive through Rwanda’s beautiful countryside. You'll arrive at your lodge near the park, where you can relax and settle in, preparing for the incredible gorilla trekking experience that awaits. Main Destination: Lake Bunyonyi (Uganda) Accommodation: Sambora Kinigi Lodge Luxury lodge less than 1hr drive from Volcanoes NP (Gorillas, Rwanda) +28 Photos +27 Photos Meals & Drinks: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Golden Monkey Trekking or Dian Fossey Hike
Day 10Golden Monkey Trekking or Dian Fossey Hike Golden Monkey Trekking or Dian Fossey Hike Today’s adventure offers two unforgettable experiences in Volcanoes National Park. You can choose to track the vibrant and energetic Golden Monkeys, known for their striking orange-gold coats and playful nature. Found only in a few places in the world, these rare primates leap through the lush greenery of the Virunga Mountains in large, lively troops—making for an incredible sight and a dream for photographers and wildlife lovers alike. Alternatively, you may opt for a hike to the Dian Fossey Tomb, a powerful and moving journey through the forest to the resting place of the legendary primatologist. Along the way, you'll learn about her tireless work to protect mountain gorillas and the legacy she left behind in these misty mountains. Afterwards, you'll begin your drive to Kigali, where your guide will drop you off at the airport or at your selected hotel, wrapping up your unforgettable adventure. Main Destination: Volcanoes National Park (Gorillas) Best Time To Visit June to August (It is drier and hiking is easier) High Season June to September (Permits are scarce) Best Weather June to October (Sunny, but not too hot) Wildlife in Volcanoes NP GorillaCommon ChimpanzeeNone ElephantRare BuffaloRare White RhinoNone Black RhinoNone Show more GiraffeNone LionNone LeopardNone CheetahNone ZebraNone WildebeestNone HippoNone Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour) Meals & Dr
What's covered
Included & Excluded
Included
- A transfer from and back to the airport is included
- What is included in this tour
Not Included
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost
What travellers say
Verified Reviews
I took my family on the 7 day safari, and I have to say it was a lot of fun. I am so grateful to have seen so many animals, and my family was very happy too! Our driver was very good, I wish him all the best and many more clients. I hope to...
We had one of the nicest travel experience ever with Wild Uganda, Basically a dream came true seeing the Gorillas, the Golden monkeys, the boat safari, the walking safari, the car safari! A very important reason why our trip was incredible...
This trip was incredibly special to me. I planned it to celebrate my birthday and fulfill my dream of visiting mountain gorillas. Wild Uganda was the company that best suited my needs in terms of time, energy, and budget. Communication was...
This was truly an unforgettable experience, all thanks to our wonderful host Chris, who tried very hard to be a true host to us. Uganda is truly the heart of Africa, and especially with such a host as Chris, it was a real pleasure for us to...
We spent 10 days with Wild Uganda. Our guide, Brian, was incredibly kind and attentive, always making sure we had everything we needed and ensuring our stay in Uganda was unforgettable. For example, we didn't see any chimpanzees on our...
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