13-Day Uganda & Rwanda Grand Safari: Primates & Big Game

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 – Entebbe to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Our 13-Day Uganda Rwanda safari begins at Entebbe International Airport, you will be welcomed by your safari guide and begin your journey northwards to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Enjoy the scenic drive through Uganda’s countryside, with opportunities for a stop along the way if needed.

On arrival at Ziwa, check in at your lodge and take time to relax after the journey. Dinner and overnight stay will be at a lodge at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, ready for the exciting rhino-tracking experience the following morning.

Day 2 – Rhino Tracking, Top of Murchison Falls and Transfer to the Lodge

After an early breakfast, enjoy a guided rhino-tracking experience at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Accompanied by an experienced sanctuary guide, you will venture into the reserve on foot to observe Uganda’s endangered white rhinos in their natural habitat and learn about the sanctuary’s conservation efforts.

After the rhino-tracking experience, continue your journey towards Murchison Falls National Park. En route to your lodge, over for lunch in Masindi, visit the Top of Murchison Falls, where you will witness the Nile River forcing its way through a narrow rocky gorge before plunging into the river below. Enjoy the spectacular views, take photographs and experience the power of the falls before proceeding to your lodge for check-in and relaxation. Dinner and overnight stay at your lodge.

Day 3 – Morning Game Drive, Nile Boat Cruise and Afternoon Game Drive

Start the day with an early breakfast before heading out for a morning game drive in Murchison Falls National Park. Explore the park’s northern savannah plains in search of elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, lions, antelopes and other wildlife. Your guide will help you discover the park’s diverse wildlife and beautiful landscapes.

At around 11:00 AM, enjoy a boat cruise along the River Nile towards the base of Murchison Falls. Look out for hippos, crocodiles, elephants and a variety of water birds along the riverbanks while enjoying the spectacular scenery.

After the boat cruise, return for lunch and a short break before heading out for another game drive in the afternoon. Continue exploring the park in search of more wildlife as the day draws to a close. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 4 – Transfer from Murchison Falls to Kibale Forest National Park

After breakfast, depart Murchison Falls National Park and begin your journey southwards to Kibale Forest National Park. Enjoy the scenic drive through Uganda’s countryside, passing rural communities, traditional homesteads and beautiful landscapes. There will be suitable stops for refreshments and lunch along the way.

Arrive in the Kibale area and check in at your lodge. Later in the afternoon, visit Bigodi Wetland for a guided nature walk, where you can discover diverse birdlife, butterflies and other wildlife while exploring this rich wetland ecosystem.

Continue with a community experience, offering an opportunity to interact with local people and learn about their culture and daily activities. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay near Kibale Forest National Park.

Day 5 – Chimpanzee Tracking and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After an early breakfast, head to Kibale Forest National Park for an exciting chimpanzee tracking experience. Following a briefing by the park rangers, enter the forest with your guide to search for chimpanzees in their natural habitat. Observe their behaviour, listen to their calls and learn about the forest’s rich biodiversity.

After the tracking experience, begin your journey towards Queen Elizabeth National Park. En route, make a stop at the Equator landmark in Kikorongo, where you can take photographs and enjoy a short break.

Continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park and arrive at your lodge for check-in and relaxation. Dinner and overnight stay at your lodge.

Day 6 – Queen Elizabeth National Park Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

After an early breakfast, set out for a morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Explore the Kasenyi Plains, renowned for their wildlife, and look out for elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, warthogs and, with some luck, lions and other predators.

Return to your lodge for lunch and some time to relax before heading out for an afternoon boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel. Enjoy close views of hippos, crocodiles, elephants and a variety of water birds along the channel, one of the park’s most rewarding wildlife experiences.

After the boat cruise, clients who wish to explore further can request an additional evening game drive, subject to timing, park regulations and arrangements. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 7 – Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via Ishasha

After breakfast, depart Queen Elizabeth National Park and drive southwards through the Ishasha sector towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This scenic route offers another opportunity to explore Uganda’s wildlife-rich landscapes.

As you pass through Ishasha, enjoy a game-viewing drive in search of the famous tree-climbing lions, often spotted resting in the branches of fig trees. You may also encounter elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs and other wildlife along the way.

Continue through the beautiful countryside towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Arrive at your lodge, check in and relax as you prepare for the following day’s mountain gorilla trekking experience. Dinner and overnight stay at your lodge in Bwindi.

Day 8 – Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing by the Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers. You will receive guidance on gorilla trekking rules, safety precautions and what to expect during your forest adventure.

Accompanied by experienced park rangers and guides, enter Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family. The trek can take several hours depending on the location and movement of the gorillas. Once the family is located, you will be allowed to spend one unforgettable hour observing these magnificent primates in their natural habitat and taking photographs.

After the trek, return to the park headquarters and receive your gorilla trekking certificate. Transfer back to your lodge for lunch and relaxation. Dinner and overnight stay at your lodge in Bwindi.

Day 9 – Transfer from Bwindi to Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

After breakfast, check out of your lodge in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and begin your journey towards Rwanda. Drive through the scenic southwestern Ugandan countryside towards the Uganda–Rwanda border.

Complete the immigration formalities and cross into Rwanda before continuing towards Volcanoes National Park in the Musanze area. Enjoy the beautiful views of Rwanda’s rolling hills and surrounding countryside along the way.

Arrive at your lodge near Volcanoes National Park, check in and spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing. Prepare for the following day’s golden monkey tracking experience. Dinner and overnight stay near Volcanoes National Park.

Day 10 – Golden Monkey Tracking and Iby’Iwacu Cultural Experience

After an early breakfast, head to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters for a briefing by the park rangers before beginning your golden monkey tracking experience. Accompanied by experienced guides, enter the bamboo forest in search of the golden monkeys, an endangered primate species native to the Virunga Mountains.

Enjoy the opportunity to observe these playful primates in their natural habitat, watch their social behaviour and take photographs. After the tracking experience, return to your lodge for lunch and some relaxation.

Later in the afternoon, visit Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village for an enriching cultural experience. Interact with local community members, learn about Rwanda’s traditions and heritage, and enjoy cultural performances and demonstrations. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay near Volcanoes National Park.

Day 11 – Transfer from Volcanoes National Park to Akagera National Park

After breakfast, check out of your lodge near Volcanoes National Park and begin your journey eastwards to Akagera National Park. Enjoy the scenic drive across Rwanda’s beautiful countryside, passing rolling hills, rural communities and picturesque landscapes.

Make suitable stops along the way for refreshments and lunch before continuing towards Akagera. Upon arrival, proceed to your lodge for check-in and relaxation. Spend the remainder of the afternoon enjoying the peaceful surroundings of the park as you prepare for the following day’s wildlife safari.

Dinner and overnight stay at your lodge near Akagera National Park.

Day 12 – Full-Day Wildlife Safari in Akagera National Park

After an early breakfast, set out for a full-day wildlife safari in Akagera National Park. Explore the park’s diverse landscapes, including open savannah plains, woodland, lakes and wetlands, while searching for its remarkable wildlife.

Look out for elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, antelopes and other wildlife. With some luck, you may also encounter lions, leopards and rhinos. Your experienced safari guide will help you explore different areas of the park and share insights into its wildlife and conservation efforts.

Enjoy a picnic lunch during the safari, allowing you to spend more time exploring the park without returning to the lodge. Continue with wildlife viewing in the afternoon before returning to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 13 – Akagera National Park to Kigali City Tour and Departure

After breakfast, check out of your lodge and depart Akagera National Park for Kigali, Rwanda’s vibrant capital city. Enjoy the scenic drive through the Rwandan countryside as you make your way towards the city.

Depending on your international flight departure time, enjoy a guided Kigali city tour with visits to selected attractions such as the Kigali Genocide Memorial, local craft markets and other points of interest. This offers a final opportunity to discover Rwanda’s history, culture and modern city life.

After the city tour, or directly upon arrival in Kigali if your flight schedule does not allow enough time for sightseeing, transfer to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight. This marks the end of your memorable 13-day Uganda and Rwanda safari.

Customize This Safari

Make this 13-day Uganda and Rwanda safari your own! Whether you are looking for a budget-friendly adventure, a comfortable midrange experience or a luxury safari, we can tailor the arrangements to suit your preferences and budget.

You can customize your safari by:

Accommodation: Choose from budget, midrange or luxury lodges and hotels.

Travel style: Adjust your preferred level of comfort, transport and overall safari experience.

Activities: Discuss additional experiences, wildlife viewing opportunities and cultural visits that interest you.

Safari duration: Extend your stay or adjust the itinerary where practical.

Travel arrangements: Discuss private transfers, flight connections and other arrangements to suit your schedule.

At Bush Shrike Adventures, we believe every traveller deserves an unforgettable safari. Contact us to customize this journey and let us create an experience that matches your interests, budget and travel expectations.