13-Day Uganda & Rwanda Golden Monkeys,Gorillas & Wildlife Safari

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 – Pick-up in Kigali City and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

Begin your 13-day Uganda Rwanda safari by meeting your Bush Shrike Adventures safari guide in Kigali city and starting the scenic drive to Volcanoes National Park in northwestern Rwanda. Travel through Rwanda’s beautiful countryside, passing rolling green hills, local communities and picturesque landscapes as you approach the Musanze region. Upon arrival, check in at your lodge near the park and spend the remainder of the day relaxing and enjoying the peaceful surroundings. Dinner and overnight stay at your selected lodge around Volcanoes National Park.

Day 2 – Golden Monkey Tracking in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

After an early breakfast, head to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters for a briefing before beginning your golden monkey tracking adventure. Accompanied by experienced park guides, enter the beautiful bamboo forest in search of the endangered golden monkeys. These lively primates are known for their striking golden-orange coats and playful behaviour.

Follow the forest trails as your guides help you locate a troop of golden monkeys. Once found, enjoy the permitted viewing time observing their natural behaviour, including feeding, jumping between bamboo branches and interacting with one another. This is also a wonderful opportunity to take photographs and appreciate the rich biodiversity of the Virunga landscape.

Day 3 – Transfer from Volcanoes National Park to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda

After breakfast, check out of your lodge and begin the journey from Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. Travel through the scenic countryside towards the Rwanda–Uganda border, where you will complete the immigration formalities before continuing into Uganda.

Proceed to Bwindi, passing through beautiful highland landscapes, rolling hills and local communities. Depending on your gorilla trekking sector, your guide will take you to the most suitable lodge near the designated tracking area.

Upon arrival, check in at your lodge and spend the rest of the day relaxing in preparation for the exciting mountain gorilla trekking experience the following day. Dinner and overnight stay at your lodge near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Day 4 – Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers before beginning your mountain gorilla trekking adventure. You will be assigned a gorilla family and guided into the dense rainforest by experienced park rangers and trackers.

Follow the forest trails through Bwindi’s beautiful vegetation in search of the mountain gorillas. The trek can take several hours depending on the location of the gorilla family, the terrain and the pace of the group.

Once the gorillas are located, enjoy one unforgettable hour observing them in their natural habitat. Watch as they feed, groom, play and interact with one another. This is a remarkable opportunity to take photographs and appreciate one of the world’s most extraordinary wildlife encounters.

After the trek, return to the park headquarters and meet your guide for the transfer back to your lodge. Spend the remainder of the day relaxing and reflecting on this memorable experience. Dinner and overnight stay at your lodge near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Day 5 – Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park via Ishasha Sector

After breakfast, check out of your lodge and begin the scenic drive from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Travel through the beautiful landscapes of southwestern Uganda, passing traditional homesteads, rolling hills and rural communities.

As you drive through the Ishasha sector in the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park, enjoy a game-viewing experience as you search for the famous tree-climbing lions. Keep an eye out for other wildlife that may be spotted along the way, including elephants, buffaloes, antelopes and various bird species.

Continue to your lodge in the Queen Elizabeth area. Upon arrival, check in and spend the remainder of the day relaxing and enjoying the surroundings. Dinner and overnight stay at your lodge near Queen Elizabeth National Park.

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

Wake up early and enjoy breakfast before heading out for a morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Explore the park’s open savannah plains, woodland and wildlife-rich landscapes as you search for elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kob, waterbucks, warthogs and other wildlife. You may also encounter lions, leopards and a variety of bird species.

After the morning game drive, return to your lodge for some relaxation and lunch before proceeding to the Kazinga Channel for an exciting boat cruise.

Enjoy a memorable boat ride along the Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake Edward and Lake George. The channel is famous for its large concentrations of hippos, crocodiles and elephants that gather along the shores to drink and bathe. You will also have opportunities to spot buffaloes and numerous water birds while enjoying the beautiful scenery.

Additional evening game drive: After the boat cruise, guests who wish to explore more of the park can enjoy an additional game drive, offering another opportunity to search for wildlife and capture memorable photographs.

Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight stay near Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Day 7 – Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park with an Equator Stopover

After breakfast, check out of your lodge and begin the journey from Queen Elizabeth National Park to Kibale Forest National Park. Travel through the beautiful countryside of western Uganda, enjoying scenic views of rolling hills, traditional homesteads and rural communities along the way.

Make a memorable stop at the Equator crossing in Uganda, where you can take photographs, enjoy the experience of standing in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

After the stopover, continue towards Kibale Forest, passing through the scenic crater lake region near Fort Portal. Enjoy the beautiful landscapes as you approach one of Uganda’s most important primate destinations.

Upon arrival, check in at your lodge near Kibale Forest National Park and spend the remainder of the day relaxing in preparation for the chimpanzee tracking experience the following day. Dinner and overnight stay at your lodge.

Day 8 – Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Wetland & Community Walk in Kibale

After an early breakfast, head to the Kibale Forest National Park headquarters for a briefing by experienced park guides before beginning your chimpanzee tracking adventure. Enter the tropical rainforest in search of wild chimpanzees, following the trails as your guides help you locate them.

Once the chimpanzees are found, spend the permitted viewing time observing their fascinating behaviour in the forest. Watch them feed, communicate, groom and move through the trees. Kibale is also home to several other primate species and a rich variety of forest birds, making this a rewarding nature experience.

After completing the chimpanzee tracking experience, return to your lodge for lunch and some relaxation before proceeding to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a guided swamp walk.

Explore the wetland along its nature trails with a local guide, looking out for colourful birds, monkeys and other wildlife. Bigodi is particularly known for its rich birdlife, including the Great Blue Turaco.

Continue with a community walk to experience local life around the wetland. Learn about the area’s culture, traditions and community-led conservation efforts while interacting with local residents.

After the activities, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay near Kibale Forest National Park.

Day 9 – Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

After breakfast, check out of your lodge and begin the journey from Kibale Forest National Park to Murchison Falls National Park. Travel through the beautiful countryside of western and central Uganda, enjoying views of rural communities, farmlands and changing landscapes along the way.

Depending on the route and time available, enjoy a few short comfort stops along the journey before continuing towards Murchison Falls National Park.

Upon arrival, proceed to your lodge, check in and relax after the long drive. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at your lodge near Murchison Falls National Park.

Day 10 – Morning & Sunset Game Drives and Victoria Nile Boat Cruise in Murchison Falls National Park

At around 11:00 AM, proceed to the Victoria Nile for an exciting boat cruise towards the base of the spectacular Murchison Falls. Enjoy close views of hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants and numerous water birds along the riverbanks. As you approach the falls, admire the powerful flow of the Nile as it squeezes through a narrow gorge before plunging into the river below.

After the boat cruise, return to your lodge for lunch and some relaxation.

Later in the afternoon, head out for a sunset game drive across the savannah plains. This is another opportunity to explore the park, spot wildlife and enjoy the beautiful African sunset as animals become more active towards the evening.

Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay near Murchison Falls National Park.

Day 11 – Top of Murchison Falls, Transfer to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary & Rhino Tracking

After breakfast, check out of your lodge and visit the spectacular Top of Murchison Falls. Enjoy the breathtaking views as the mighty River Nile forces its way through a narrow rocky gorge before plunging downstream. Take time to appreciate the power of the falls and capture memorable photographs.

After the visit, begin your journey to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola. Enjoy the scenic drive through the countryside as you leave Murchison Falls National Park.

Upon arrival at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, check in at your accommodation and enjoy lunch. Later in the afternoon, prepare for an exciting guided rhino tracking experience on foot. Accompanied by an experienced sanctuary ranger, walk through the natural habitat in search of the southern white rhinos. Observe these magnificent animals at a safe distance and learn about their behaviour and the conservation efforts protecting them.

After the experience, return to your accommodation for dinner and overnight stay at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.

Day 12 – Relaxed Breakfast and Transfer to Entebbe

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at your accommodation at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary before checking out and beginning the journey to Entebbe. Travel through the Ugandan countryside, passing local communities, farmlands and scenic landscapes along the way.

Enjoy a comfortable drive with suitable stopovers for refreshments and lunch along the route. Upon arrival in Entebbe, transfer to your hotel and check in.

Spend the remainder of the day at leisure, relaxing at your hotel or enjoying the peaceful surroundings of Entebbe. Dinner and overnight stay at your hotel in Entebbe.

Day 13 – Mabamba Shoebill Excursion, Check-Out and Transfer to Entebbe International Airport

After an early breakfast, check out of your hotel and meet your safari guide for a transfer to Mabamba Wetland, located along the shores of Lake Victoria. Here, enjoy an exciting Shoebill excursion by traditional motorised canoe, accompanied by a knowledgeable local guide.

Explore the wetland channels in search of the famous Shoebill, one of Africa’s most fascinating and sought-after bird species. Keep an eye out for other wetland birds as you enjoy the peaceful surroundings and take photographs of the beautiful birdlife.

After the excursion, return to the landing site and transfer to Entebbe International Airport for your onward flight, marking the end of your unforgettable Uganda and Rwanda safari.

Customize This Safari

This 13-day Uganda Rwanda safari can be tailored to suit your travel preferences, budget and schedule. Whether you prefer budget-friendly accommodation, comfortable midrange lodges or a more luxurious experience, Bush Shrike Adventures can help you create the right safari.

You can also adjust the number of nights, include domestic flights, allow more time for wildlife viewing and photography, or customise selected activities along the route. If you wish to explore more of Uganda or Rwanda, we can discuss additional destinations and experiences to make your journey even more memorable.

Contact Bush Shrike Adventures to customise this safari and receive a personalised quotation.