12 Day Gorilla-Wildlife Rwanda Uganda
12 Day Gorilla-Wildlife Rwanda Uganda (Overland Safari Adventure). This 12-day overland journey takes you deep into the heart of Rwanda and Uganda, revealing the very best of East Africa’s primates, big game, scenic landscapes, and cultural treasures—all without flying. From Rwanda’s misty volcanoes and rolling hills to Uganda’s remote jungles, savannahs, and rivers, this safari offers a deeply immersive and adventurous way to experience the continent’s extraordinary biodiversity.
Whether you’re tracking mountain gorillas, golden Monkey, and chimpanzees on foot or spotting elephants, lions, and hippos from the comfort of a 4×4, every moment on this trip brings you closer to the wild.
12 Day Gorilla-Wildlife Rwanda Uganda Trip Highlights:
Two unforgettable golden Monkey and gorilla trekking experiences in Rwanda and Uganda
Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest
Classic game drives in Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks
A scenic boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel and the Nile River
Tree-climbing lions, elephants, hippos, giraffes, and countless bird species
Stunning overland scenery from volcanoes and forests to savannahs and rivers
Comfortable stays in eco-lodges and safari camps that support conservation and communities
12 Day Gorilla-Wildlife Rwanda Uganda Trip Itinerary
Days 1–3: Rwanda – Volcanoes & Culture
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali & City Exploration
Arrive in Kigali, Rwanda’s bustling and modern capital, where your safari begins. After a warm welcome by your guide depending on arrival time, you will enjoy a peaceful, relaxing time as you get ready for your adventure. brief city tour. Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a powerful and moving tribute to Rwanda’s history and resilience. Later, explore local art galleries or craft markets before dinner at a local restaurant offering traditional Rwandan cuisine. Overnight at a comfortable hotel in Kigali.
Day 2: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park & Cultural Visit
After breakfast, brief city tour. Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a powerful and moving tribute to Rwanda’s history and resilience embark on a scenic drive north to Volcanoes National Park, the gateway to Rwanda’s mountain gorillas. The route winds through rolling hills and vibrant countryside. Upon arrival, check into your lodge at the foot of the Virunga Mountains. In the afternoon, visit the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village, where local communities share traditions, music, and stories, and demonstrate how tourism and conservation work hand in hand.
Day 3: Golden Monkey Trek. Cross into Uganda
This morning, after breakfast. set off for a unique experiences, golden monkey trek through the bamboo forests, observing these rare and lively primates up close. After your morning activity, return to the lodge, enjoy lunch, and then proceed to the Cyanika border. Cross into Uganda and head toward Kisoro, near Bwindi Gorilla National Park, where you’ll spend the night at reserve lodge
Day 4: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Today is the highlight of your trip: mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to nearly half the world’s remaining gorillas. After an early breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for a briefing, then hike through dense rainforest in search of a habituated gorilla family. The trek can range from 2 to 6 hours depending on their location, but the experience of sitting silently in their presence is unforgettable. Overnight at a lodge near Bwindi.
Day 5: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Ishasha Sector
After breakfast, drive through the scenic highlands to Queen Elizabeth National Park, entering via the southern Ishasha sector, known for its rare tree-climbing lions. Keep your eyes on the fig trees as you search for these unique predators. Along the way, look out for elephants, antelopes, and buffaloes. Spend the night at a safari lodge within the park.
Day 6: Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Safari
Start your day with a game drive in the northern plains of the park, especially around Kasenyi, where lions and other predators hunt in the open savannah. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, one of Africa’s best wildlife experiences. You’ll see massive pods of hippos, crocodiles, and countless waterbirds, all against the backdrop of the Rwenzori Mountains. Return to your lodge for the evening.
Day 7: Transfer to Kibale Forest – Primate Capital of East Africa
Drive to Kibale Forest National Park, a dense tropical rainforest home to 13 primate species. Along the way, enjoy views of crater lakes and tea plantations. In the afternoon, visit the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-run conservation area where you can spot colobus monkeys, birds, and more. Overnight at a lodge near Kibale.
Day 8: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest
Join park rangers for a chimpanzee tracking expedition deep in the forest. Listen for the calls of chimps before locating them and observing their social behaviors. You may also see red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus, and forest birds. After lunch, take an optional nature walk or relax at the lodge.
Day 9: Drive to Murchison Falls National Park
After breakfast, set off for Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest protected area and home to the mighty Nile River. The drive is long but scenic, with changing landscapes from forests to savannah. Arrive in time to settle into your lodge on the southern banks of the Nile.
Day 10: Game Drive & Boat Cruise to Murchison Falls
Rise early for a game drive on the northern side of the park, where you can spot giraffes, lions, elephants, leopards, and hartebeest. In the afternoon, take a boat cruise on the Nile to the base of the spectacular Murchison Falls, where the river squeezes through a 7-meter gorge and plunges over 40 meters in a thunderous cascade. Return by boat or hike to the top of the falls for panoramic views.
12 Day Gorilla-Wildlife Rwanda Uganda
Day 11: Rhino Tracking at Ziwa – Transfer to Entebbe
Depart Murchison and stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in Uganda where you can see white rhinos in the wild. Enjoy a walking safari with experienced rangers, getting close to these majestic creatures. Continue to Entebbe, where you’ll spend your final night near Lake Victoria.
Day 12: Departure from Entebbe
Depending on your flight schedule, enjoy a relaxed morning. You may explore the Entebbe Botanical Gardens or local craft markets before your transfer to the airport. Fly home with lasting memories of gorilla encounters, roaring waterfalls, and Africa’s