8 Days Rwanda & Uganda Magical Safari
8 Days Rwanda & Uganda Magical Safari invites you to discover two of East Africa’s most captivating destinations, where exceptional wildlife, ancient rainforests, breathtaking mountain scenery, and unforgettable primate encounters come together in one extraordinary journey. Carefully designed for nature lovers and adventure seekers, this safari blends Rwanda’s remarkable conservation success with Uganda’s world-famous mountain gorilla experience, creating an itinerary filled with unforgettable moments from beginning to end.
The adventure starts in Kigali, Rwanda’s vibrant capital, before leading you to the wildlife-rich plains of Akagera National Park, the country’s only savannah park and home to the Big Five. From the open grasslands, the journey continues to the ancient rainforest of Nyungwe National Park, where playful chimpanzees, colorful birds, and towering trees create an exciting forest experience. The safari then takes you to Volcanoes National Park, to participate in endangered golden monkeys trekking and spectacular volcanic scenery, before crossing into Uganda for the ultimate wildlife encounter in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Throughout the journey, experienced guides, comfortable accommodation, breathtaking landscapes, and carefully planned activities ensure every destination offers something unique. From thrilling game drives and scenic mountain roads to unforgettable primate trekking adventures, each day presents new opportunities to connect with nature while learning about the remarkable conservation efforts protecting some of Africa’s rarest wildlife. This safari is more than a holiday; it is an opportunity to experience the beauty, diversity, and warm hospitality that make Rwanda and Uganda among Africa’s finest safari destinations.
Trip over view of 8 Days Rwanda & Uganda Magical Safari
- Day 1: Arrival in Kigali and Transfer to Akagera National Park
- Day 2: Full-Day Game Drive in Akagera National Park
- Day 3: Scenic Transfer from Akagera National Park to Nyungwe National Park
- Day 4: Chimpanzee Trekking Experience in Nyungwe National Park
- Day 5: Transfer from Nyungwe National Park to Volcanoes National Park
- Day 6: Golden Monkey Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
- Day 7: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda
- Day 8: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest and Transfer to Kigali International Airport.
Detailed Itinerary of 8 Days Rwanda & Uganda Magical Safari
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali and Transfer to Akagera National Park
Your 8 Days Rwanda & Uganda Magical Safari begins the moment you arrive at Kigali International Airport, where our friendly professional English-speaking driver-guide welcomes you and provides a detailed briefing about the exciting journey ahead. After meeting your guide, leave Rwanda’s clean and vibrant capital behind and travel east toward Akagera National Park, a scenic drive of approximately two to three hours through the country’s famous rolling hills. Along the route, enjoy beautiful views of green valleys, neatly cultivated farms, and traditional villages that offer a glimpse into everyday Rwandan life.
As you travel, your guide shares fascinating stories about Rwanda’s impressive wildlife conservation efforts, cultural heritage, and remarkable transformation over the years. Several viewpoints along the way provide perfect opportunities to stop for photographs while appreciating the country’s breathtaking landscapes.
Upon arriving at Akagera National Park, check into your selected lodge and enjoy a delicious lunch prepared with fresh ingredients. The afternoon is reserved for relaxation after your journey. Depending on your lodge location, you may spot zebras, impalas, warthogs, or even elephants wandering nearby. As evening approaches, admire a spectacular African sunset while listening to the sounds of the surrounding wilderness. End the day with a delightful dinner before settling into your comfortable room, ready for tomorrow’s exciting wildlife safari.
Accommodation Options
- Luxury: Wilderness Magashi Camp
- Mid-range: Mantis Akagera Game Lodge
- Budget: Akagera Rhino Lodge
- Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 2: Early Morning Game Drive & Boat Cruise on Lake Ihema
Rise early to the sounds of the African wilderness and enjoy breakfast before setting off on an exciting morning game drive through Akagera National Park, Rwanda’s only savannah national park and home to the renowned Big Five. As the park comes alive with the first rays of sunlight, explore its diverse landscapes of open plains, rolling hills, acacia woodlands, wetlands, and lakes while searching for a remarkable variety of wildlife.
Accompanied by your experienced driver-guide, look out for elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, topis, impalas, waterbucks, and other antelope species grazing across the savannah. With a bit of luck, you may also encounter lions resting beneath acacia trees, elusive leopards, or the park’s successfully reintroduced black and white rhinos. Along the way, enjoy breathtaking scenery and excellent birdwatching opportunities as numerous colorful species thrive within the park’s rich ecosystems.
Later in the morning, transfer to Lake Ihema, Akagera’s second-largest lake in Rwanda, for a relaxing guided boat cruise. This peaceful excursion offers a different perspective of the park as you glide across the calm waters surrounded by spectacular scenery. Watch for large pods of hippos, Nile crocodiles basking along the shoreline, and elephants or buffaloes visiting the water’s edge to drink. Bird lovers will also enjoy spotting African fish eagles, kingfishers, herons, cormorants, and many other waterbirds that inhabit the lake.
After the boat cruise, return to your lodge for lunch (or you might decide to carry packed lunch during your activity of the day) and spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing while enjoying the tranquil surroundings. Later, savor a delicious dinner and unwind beneath the beautiful African sky as you prepare for the adventures ahead.
Accommodation Options
- Luxury: Wilderness Magashi Camp
- Mid-range: Mantis Akagera Game Lodge
- Budget: Akagera Rhino Lodge
- Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 3: Scenic Transfer from Akagera National Park to Nyungwe National Park
After enjoying an early breakfast, check out of your lodge and begin a scenic journey across Rwanda toward the magnificent Nyungwe National Park, one of Africa’s oldest and most biologically rich tropical rainforests. The drive takes approximately five to six hours, offering an excellent opportunity to admire the country’s spectacular landscapes. Along the way, pass through vibrant towns, rolling hills, fertile valleys, and picturesque villages where daily life unfolds against a backdrop of endless green scenery. Rwanda’s well-maintained roads and breathtaking countryside make this drive one of the highlights of the safari.
As you travel southwest, your driver-guide shares fascinating information about Rwanda’s history, culture, agriculture, and conservation achievements. You will also pass vast tea plantations covering the hillsides, creating beautiful green carpets that stretch as far as the eye can see. Depending on your travel schedule, enjoy a stop at one of the scenic viewpoints to stretch your legs, capture memorable photographs, and appreciate the peaceful atmosphere that makes Rwanda one of Africa’s most beautiful destinations. You shall also have a lunch stop over on the way.
Arrive at Nyungwe National Park and check into your selected lodge, surrounded by the cool mountain air and lush rainforest. Spend the rest of the day relaxing while listening to the sounds of birds and forest wildlife. The tranquil environment provides the perfect setting to unwind before tomorrow’s exciting chimpanzee trekking adventure. Enjoy dinner at the lodge before retiring for a restful night in the heart of Rwanda’s ancient rainforest.
- Accommodation Options
- Luxury: One&Only Nyungwe House
- Mid-range: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
- Budget: Chimpanzee Lodge
- Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 4: Chimpanzee Trekking Experience in Nyungwe National Park
Begin the day with an early breakfast before transferring to the park headquarters for a briefing by experienced park rangers by 5:00 am. During the briefing, you will learn about chimpanzee behavior, trekking guidelines, and the importance of conserving one of Africa’s oldest rainforests. After the briefing, set off into Nyungwe National Park with your ranger guide in search of one of the park’s habituated chimpanzee communities.
The trek leads through dense rainforest filled with towering trees, colorful butterflies, flowing streams, and an incredible variety of plant life. As you hike along forest trails, listen carefully for the distant calls of chimpanzees echoing through the canopy. The duration of the trek varies depending on the location of the chimpanzees, making every experience unique and rewarding.
Once the chimpanzees are located, spend one unforgettable hour observing their fascinating behavior. Watch them leap effortlessly between branches, groom one another, search for food, and communicate using expressive calls and gestures. Along the trek, you may also encounter black-and-white colobus monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, blue monkeys, and numerous bird species that make Nyungwe a paradise for wildlife lovers.
After this remarkable experience, return to the lodge for a well-deserved lunch. Spend the afternoon relaxing while enjoying panoramic views of the surrounding rainforest or simply appreciating the peaceful mountain atmosphere. As evening falls, enjoy a delicious dinner before preparing for the next stage of your unforgettable safari adventure.
Accommodation Options
- Luxury: One&Only Nyungwe House
- Mid-range: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
- Budget: Chimpanzee Lodge
- Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 5: Transfer from Nyungwe National Park to Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast, begin an exciting journey from the ancient forests of Nyungwe National Park toward the magnificent landscapes of Volcanoes National Park in northern Rwanda. This scenic drive takes approximately five to six hours and offers another opportunity to experience the incredible beauty of Rwanda’s countryside. As you travel through the famous Land of a Thousand Hills, enjoy breathtaking views of terraced farms, green valleys, winding roads, and peaceful communities surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery.
During the journey, your professional driver-guide shares interesting information about Rwanda’s culture, traditions, and rural lifestyle. You will have opportunities to stop at selected viewpoints to capture memorable photographs of the stunning landscapes. The changing scenery from rainforest-covered mountains to volcanic highlands makes this transfer an enjoyable part of the safari experience rather than just a journey between destinations. You shall have lunch along the way.
As you approach Volcanoes National Park, the dramatic Virunga Mountains begin to dominate the horizon. These ancient volcanic peaks create one of Africa’s most spectacular natural settings and are home to some of the world’s last remaining mountain gorillas and the rare golden monkeys. Upon arrival, check into your lodge and enjoy lunch while surrounded by breathtaking views of the volcanic landscape.
After check in, the rest of the day is reserved for relaxation and preparation for your upcoming primate experience. You may choose to take a gentle walk around the lodge, enjoy the beautiful gardens, or simply relax while appreciating the peaceful atmosphere of the region. End the day with dinner and a comfortable overnight stay near the famous Volcanoes National Park.
Accommodation Options
- Luxury: One&Only Gorilla’s Nest
- Mid-range: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
- Budget: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge
- Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 6: Golden Monkey Trekking & Iby’Icawu Cultural Experience
Start your day with an early breakfast before transferring to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters for registration and a briefing by park rangers. By 7:30 am, set off on an exciting golden monkey trekking adventure through the bamboo forests and lower slopes of the Virunga Mountains. Golden monkeys are among the rarest primates in Africa and are only found within the Albertine Rift, making this a truly unique wildlife experience.
Accompanied by experienced guides, follow forest trails in search of a habituated troop. The trek is generally less demanding than gorilla trekking, although the duration varies depending on the monkeys’ location. Along the way, enjoy the peaceful mountain scenery, lush bamboo vegetation, colorful birdlife, and breathtaking views of the volcanic peaks surrounding the park.
Once the golden monkeys are located, spend a memorable hour observing their playful nature. Watch them leap effortlessly through the bamboo, feed on tender shoots, groom one another, and interact within their family groups. Their striking golden-orange coats provide outstanding opportunities for photography in the soft forest light.
After the trek, return to your lodge for a well-deserved lunch before heading out for the Iby’Icawu Cultural Experience at the Gorilla Guardians Village. This immersive cultural visit introduces you to Rwanda’s rich heritage through traditional dance performances, drumming, storytelling, local crafts, and demonstrations of ancient hunting and farming practices. You will also have the opportunity to interact with community members and learn how tourism has transformed former poachers into passionate conservation ambassadors dedicated to protecting the mountain gorillas and improving local livelihoods.
Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and an overnight stay beneath the spectacular Virunga Volcanoes.
Accommodation Options
Luxury: One&Only Gorilla’s Nest
Mid-range: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
Budget: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board
Top of Form
Day 7: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda
After breakfast, leave the beautiful volcanic landscapes of Rwanda and begin your journey across the border into Uganda, continuing toward the famous Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This scenic transfer takes approximately three to four hours, depending on border procedures, and provides another opportunity to enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the East African highlands. Along the way, you will pass through charming villages, cultivated hillsides, and local communities where you can observe the daily lifestyle of people living around the Virunga region.
Your professional driver-guide will assist you throughout the border crossing process and share interesting information about the connection between Rwanda and Uganda, including their shared ecosystems, cultures, and conservation efforts. The journey to Bwindi is filled with beautiful views of mist-covered hills, green valleys, and winding roads surrounded by tropical vegetation.
Upon arrival at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, check into your selected lodge located near your preferred gorilla trekking sector. Bwindi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most biologically diverse forests in Africa, protecting almost half of the world’s remaining mountain gorilla population. The ancient rainforest is also home to numerous bird species, butterflies, forest elephants, and other rare wildlife.
After lunch, spend the afternoon relaxing and preparing for the following day’s unforgettable mountain gorilla trekking experience. Enjoy the peaceful sounds of the rainforest before having dinner and resting at your lodge.
Accommodation Options
Luxury: Gorilla Heights Lodge
Mid-range: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
Budget: Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 8: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest and Transfer to Kigali
Today marks the most memorable highlight of your safari as you prepare for an extraordinary mountain gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. After an early breakfast, carry your packed lunch and proceed to the park headquarters for registration and a briefing by 7:30 am from Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers. During the briefing, you will learn about gorilla conservation, trekking rules, and how to safely interact with these incredible endangered primates.
Afterward, begin your trek through the ancient Bwindi rainforest in search of the gorilla family assigned to your group. The forest landscape is breathtaking, with towering trees, thick vegetation, flowing streams, and beautiful sounds of nature surrounding you throughout the journey. Trekking time varies depending on the location of the mountain gorillas, but the adventure itself is part of the unforgettable experience.
Once the mountain gorillas are located, spend one magical hour observing them in their natural habitat. Watch family members feed, play, rest, groom each other, and care for their young ones. Being close to these gentle giants creates a powerful connection with nature and provides memories that remain with travelers forever.
After completing the trek, return to the starting point, receive your trekking certificate, and enjoy your packed lunch. Later, begin the transfer back to Kigali, Rwanda, with lunch. Upon arrival in Kigali, your driver guide will drop you off at Kigali International Airport or your preferred location in Kigali, marking the end of your incredible 8 Days Rwanda & Uganda Magical Safari.
Safari Highlight: End of Safari
The Price Includes
- Ground transportation in a comfortable 4×4 safari vehicle
- Services of a professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Accommodation, meals and water as specified in the itinerary
- Bwindi mountain gorilla trekking permits
- Nyungwe chimpanzee trekking permits
- Golden monkey trekking permit in Volcanoes National Park
- All national park entrance fees
- Game drive
- Boat cruise on Ihema lake
- All activities mentioned in the itinerary
The Price Excludes
- International and domestic flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Laundry services though some might be included in luxury lodges.
- Tips and gratuities for guides, driver guides, and lodge staff
- Alcoholic and soft drinks unless specified
- Personal expenses
- Souvenirs and items of personal nature
- Donations and optional activities not included in the itinerary
- Any other services not mentioned under the inclusions section