Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe

Karibu! On arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be welcomed by your Kaara Adventures guide and transferred to your lodge on the shores of Lake Victoria. Depending on your arrival time, take a relaxed evening stroll around the botanical gardens or simply unwind after your flight, dinner and overnight at your lodge, ready for the adventure that lies ahead.

Day 2: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

After breakfast, set off north for the scenic drive to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest protected area, where the mighty Nile River is forced through a narrow 7-metre gorge before plunging dramatically over the falls. Break the journey at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for an optional rhino tracking walk before continuing to your lodge overlooking the Nile for dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Game Drive and Nile Boat Cruise

Rise early for a thrilling game drive across Murchison’s open savanna, home to elephants, giraffes, buffalo, and lions, plus over 450 recorded bird species. In the afternoon, board a boat cruise along the Nile to the base of the falls, spotting hippos, crocodiles, and elephants drinking at the water’s edge, with a chance to hike to the top of the falls for a spectacular view of the Nile squeezing through the rock. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 4: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park

After breakfast, drive south through the Rift Valley escarpment and rolling tea plantations towards Kibale Forest National Park, renowned as the primate capital of East Africa. Check into your lodge in the afternoon and relax ahead of tomorrow’s forest adventure.

Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Wetland Walk

After an early breakfast, head into Kibale Forest for chimpanzee tracking, following experienced trackers through the rainforest canopy to observe chimpanzee families as they feed, play, and call to one another. In the afternoon, take a guided nature walk through the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-run conservation area alive with birdlife, monkeys, and butterflies. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.

Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, continue south to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s most biodiverse savanna reserve, stretching between the Rwenzori Mountains and Lake Edward. Check into your lodge with sweeping views over the plains and enjoy an evening at leisure.

Day 7: Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Cruise

Start with an early morning game drive across the Kasenyi plains in search of lions, elephants, buffalo, hyenas, and Uganda kob. In the afternoon, take a scenic boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, one of Africa’s best wildlife-viewing waterways, where hippos, crocodiles, and hundreds of bird species gather along the banks. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.

Day 8: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

After breakfast, depart for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. The drive climbs through southwestern Uganda’s spectacular terraced hills, with an optional stop at Lake Bunyonyi, one of Africa’s most beautiful lakes. On arrival, check into your lodge and attend a briefing on gorilla trekking rules and expectations.

Day 9: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi

Today is one of the true highlights of the safari. After an early breakfast, head into the forest with your ranger guide to track a habituated mountain gorilla family. Trekking time varies from one to several hours depending on the family’s location, but once found, you will spend a magical hour observing the gorillas in their natural habitat. Return to your lodge for a well-earned rest and overnight stay.

Day 10: Transfer to Rwanda – Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, cross the border into Rwanda and continue to Volcanoes National Park, home to five of the eight Virunga volcanoes and Dian Fossey’s famous gorilla research. Enjoy the scenic drive through Rwanda’s terraced hills, arriving in time to settle into your lodge and prepare for tomorrow’s trek.

Day 11: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Set off early for your second mountain gorilla encounter, this time on the slopes of the Virunga volcanoes. Ranger guides lead the way through bamboo forest and volcanic terrain to locate a habituated gorilla family, offering another unforgettable hour observing these gentle giants in a very different landscape from Bwindi. Return to your lodge for lunch and a relaxed afternoon.

Day 12: Golden Monkey Tracking and Cultural Experience

After breakfast, head back into Volcanoes National Park for golden monkey tracking through the bamboo zones, where troops of these lively, endangered primates can be seen leaping between branches. In the afternoon, visit a local cultural village for traditional dance, storytelling, and insight into Rwandan daily life. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.

Day 13: Transfer to Lake Kivu

After breakfast, drive to Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s Great Lakes, bordered by terraced hillsides and volcanic scenery. Spend the afternoon relaxing at your lakeside lodge, with time for a swim, a boat trip, or simply taking in the views over the water. Dinner and overnight on the shores of Lake Kivu.

Day 14: Lake Kivu to Kigali

Enjoy a leisurely morning at Lake Kivu before driving to Kigali, Rwanda’s clean and hilly capital. In the afternoon, visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial for a moving and important insight into Rwanda’s history and its remarkable story of reconciliation, followed by a stop at a local craft market for last-minute souvenirs. Dinner and overnight in Kigali.

Day 15: Kigali City Tour and Departure

Depending on your flight schedule, enjoy a final morning exploring Kigali’s markets, cafés, and viewpoints before transferring to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight, bringing your 15-day Uganda and Rwanda adventure to a close.

Plan Your 15-Day Uganda Rwanda Safari

Ready to experience gorillas, chimpanzees, and the best of East Africa’s wildlife and culture in one seamless journey? Get in touch with our safari consultants to customize this itinerary, or browse more of our primate safaris and combined tours to find the perfect fit for your travel dates, budget, and interests. For trekking preparation tips, see our gorilla trekking checklist before you travel.