This 7-day journey is a carefully designed cross-border experience combining the wild beauty of Uganda with the elegance and scenic landscapes of Rwanda. The safari begins in Uganda’s vast savannahs at Murchison Falls National Park, home to elephants, lions, giraffes, and the powerful Nile River. From there, the journey moves into the ancient rainforest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where travelers encounter the endangered mountain gorillas in one of the most emotional wildlife experiences on Earth.
Trip Info
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Guided
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Adventure
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Moderate
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Covered
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Covered
Overview
Discover the ultimate East African safari with this 7 Days Uganda & Rwanda Wildlife Safari, a premium cross-border adventure combining Big Five game drives, mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and a cultural experience in Kigali, Rwanda. This carefully curated itinerary is designed for travelers seeking a once-in-a-lifetime African safari experience that blends wildlife, landscapes, and authentic cultural encounters.
Itinerary
The safari begins in Uganda’s vast savannahs at Murchison Falls National Park, home to elephants, lions, giraffes, and the powerful Nile River. From there, the journey moves into the ancient rainforest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where travelers encounter the endangered mountain gorillas in one of the most emotional wildlife experiences on Earth. The adventure then continues across the border into Rwanda, ending in the clean, modern capital of Kigali — creating a seamless blend of wilderness, culture, and comfort. This is not just a safari — it is a complete East Africa experience in one journey.
Arrival at Entebbe International Airport and meet your safari guide. Transfer to Kampala for overnight rest. This first evening allows you to recover from your flight and prepare for the adventure ahead.
Accommodation
Mid-range:
🟢Cassia Lodge
🟢 Hilton Garden Inn Kampala
Luxury:
🟢Kampala Serena Hotel
Meal Plan: Dinner
Drive north with a stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for guided walking rhino tracking — the only place in Uganda where rhinos can be seen on foot. Continue to Murchison Falls National Park, visiting the spectacular Top of the Falls where the Nile
explodes through a narrow gorge. Evening arrival at your lodge inside the park.
Accommodation (Murchison Falls)
Mid-range:
🟢Pakuba Safari Lodge
🟢 Murchison River Lodge
Luxury
🟢Paraa Safari Lodge
Full Board
Morning game drive across the savannah plains in search of lions, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, and
other wildlife. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise along the Nile River to the base of Murchison Falls — a powerful and scenic wildlife experience filled with hippos, crocodiles, and birds. Return to lodge for relaxation.
Accommodation (Murchison Falls)
Mid-range:
🟢Pakuba Safari Lodge
🟢Murchison River Lodge
Luxury:
🟢Paraa Safari Lodge
Full Board
After breakfast, begin a long but scenic journey south through Uganda’s changing landscapes toward Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Arrive in the evening and settle into your forest lodge surrounded by misty hills and dense rainforest.
Accommodation (Bwindi Night 1)
Mid-range:
🟢 Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
🟢 Rushaga Gorilla Camp
Luxury
🟢Mahogany Springs Lodge
Full Board
After early breakfast, report for briefing and enter the dense rainforest of Bwindi. Trekking lasts 2–6 hours depending on gorilla movement, guided by expert trackers. Once the gorillas are located, you spend one powerful hour observing them in their natural habitat — an emotional and unforgettable wildlife encounter. Return to lodge for rest and reflection.
Accommodation (Bwindi Night 2)
Mid-range
🟢Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
🟢Rushaga Gorilla Camp
Luxury
🟢Mahogany Springs Lodge
Full Board
After breakfast, begin your journey through southwestern Uganda into Rwanda.
Cross the border and continue to Kigali, arriving in the afternoon.
Depending on time, you may enjoy a short city introduction or relax at your hotel.
Accommodation (Kigali)
Mid-range:
🟢 M Hotel Kigali
🟢 Des Mille Collines Hotel
Luxury
🟢Kigali Serena Hotel
Breakfast & Lunch
After breakfast, enjoy a short Kigali city experience (depending on flight time), including optional visits to cultural sites or local markets.
Then transfer to Kigali International Airport for your outbound flight.
Important information
Cost Includes
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof for game viewing and transfers
- Professional English-speaking driver/guide throughout the safari
- Accommodation for 6 nights as per itinerary (Uganda + Rwanda)
- Meals as per itinerary (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner where indicated)
- Guided rhino trekking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
- Full game drives in Murchison Falls National Park
- Nile River boat cruise to the base of Murchison Falls
- Gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- All park entrance fees (Uganda safari parks included in itinerary)
- Bottled drinking water during safari activities
- All fuel, driver allowances, and ground transportation
- Border crossing assistance between Uganda and Rwanda
- Kigali city transfer and drop-off at Kigali International Airport
Cost Excludes
- International flights (arrival and departure)
- East African Tourist Visa – $100 per person (covers Uganda & Rwanda for seamless cross-border
- travel)
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Alcoholic drinks and soft beverages at lodges
- Tips and gratuities for driver, guide, and lodge staff
- Personal expenses (laundry, souvenirs, phone calls, etc.)
- Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Medical expenses or emergency evacuation
HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS SAFARI
🟢Rhino trekking at Ziwa Sanctuary
🟢 Big Five safari in Murchison Falls
🟢 Nile River boat cruise to the base of the falls
🟢Gorilla trekking in Bwindi rainforest
🟢 Cross-border Uganda → Rwanda journey
🟢 Kigali city experience
🟢 Diverse landscapes from savannah to rainforest to modern city
Why This is Our Flagship Safari
This 7-day Uganda & Rwanda journey is our most complete and carefully designed East Africa
experience, combining wildlife, primates, landscapes, and culture into one seamless itinerary.
It is created for travelers who want more than a safari — they want a meaningful journey that
connects two countries, two ecosystems, and two world-famous wildlife experiences.
✔ Two countries in one seamless safari experience (Uganda & Rwanda)
✔ A rare combination of Big Five game viewing and mountain gorilla trekking
✔ High emotional value through close wildlife encounters and diverse scenery
✔ Strong appeal for international travelers seeking premium East Africa experiences
✔ Thoughtfully designed route ending in Kigali for easier international flight connections and reduced
travel time
✔ The East African Tourist Visa ($100) is recommended for this itinerary as it allows smooth travel
between Uganda and Rwanda without applying for separate visas
✔ Balanced experience combining adventure, comfort, and cultural discovery
This is our most recommended itinerary for first-time visitors to East Africa who want to experience
both Uganda’s wildlife richness and Rwanda’s modern elegance in a single journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
This all-inclusive Uganda and Rwanda safari package covers accommodation, meals as per itinerary, private 4×4 safari vehicle with a professional guide, gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi, rhino trekking at Ziwa Sanctuary, game drives in Murchison Falls National Park, Nile River boat cruise, park entrance fees, and airport transfers. It is designed as a seamless East Africa safari experience combining wildlife, primates, and cultural highlights.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is one of the top wildlife experiences in Africa, and the permit (worth hundreds of dollars) is included in this safari package. This ensures guaranteed access to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for a guided gorilla trekking experience with expert rangers.
Yes, this 7-day Uganda & Rwanda safari is ideal for first-time travelers to East Africa. It combines Big Five game viewing, gorilla trekking, and cultural experiences in a well-planned itinerary, offering a complete introduction to African safaris in a safe and comfortable way.
Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest and most popular safari destination, where you can spot lions, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, antelopes, hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of bird species. The Nile River boat cruise adds a unique perspective for wildlife viewing.
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi can take between 2 to 6 hours depending on the location of the gorilla family. The terrain is forested and sometimes steep, but the experience is manageable for most travelers with moderate fitness. The reward is a once-in-a-lifetime close encounter with mountain gorillas in the wild.
Yes, travelers are advised to obtain the East African Tourist Visa, which costs $100 and allows multiple entries between Uganda and Rwanda. This makes the cross-border safari smooth and hassle-free without needing separate visas.
The best time for a Uganda and Rwanda safari is during the dry seasons from June to September and December to February. These months offer better wildlife viewing conditions and easier trekking in Bwindi, although gorilla trekking is available year-round.
This Uganda and Rwanda safari is available in both mid-range and luxury options, allowing travelers to choose accommodation based on their budget and comfort level. Lodges range from high-quality mid-range camps to premium luxury safari lodges.
For a successful East Africa safari, pack lightweight clothing, hiking boots for gorilla trekking, rain gear, insect repellent, sunscreen, a camera, and binoculars. Neutral-colored clothing is recommended for game drives and wildlife viewing.
This 7-day Uganda and Rwanda wildlife safari starts from $3450 per person (mid-range) and can be customized based on travel dates, group size, and accommodation preferences. Booking is typically done through a tour operator, and early reservations are recommended due to limited gorilla trekking permits.
