Eco-tourism is a way to protect the animals of Africa — tourism provides jobs and income for communities living on the edge of nature reserves and national parks, who in turn support conservation. This journey lets you experience African wildlife in national parks every bit as spectacular as those in Kenya and South Africa, yet far less crowded.
A two-country adventure combining exclusive access to Uganda's game parks with primate tracking in Kibale, Bwindi and Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park, plus scenic boat safaris on the Nile and the Kazinga Channel — beginning with your stay at Lake Victoria Suites, Entebbe.
14 days across Uganda and Rwanda — tap a day to read the full plan
Arrive at Entebbe International Airport, where our representatives will pick you up for a short transfer to the hotel in Entebbe for check-in and dinner.
Breakfast at the hotel, then choose to relax or join one of two excursions: a boat trip to Ngamba Island on Lake Victoria — a chimpanzee sanctuary run by the Chimpanzee Sanctuary & Wildlife Education Trust, home to around 50 orphaned chimpanzees, with a chance to watch the afternoon feeding — or birding at Mabamba Swamp, probably the best place in Africa to see the pre-historic Shoebill stork, explored by motorized traditional canoe through the papyrus.
Return to Entebbe for a hot lunch at the hotel, with a free afternoon or a birding walk through the Botanical Gardens, home to over 300 plant species and excellent birdlife including the African fish eagle and African grey parrot.
Drive north through Uganda's green countryside to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a guided rhino tracking trek on foot — home to rhinos bred for eventual reintroduction to national parks where poaching wiped them out in the 1970s-80s. Continue to Murchison Falls National Park with a stop at the Top of the Falls viewpoint, where the Nile is forced through an 8-metre gap before crashing 45 metres down.
An early morning game drive along the northern bank of the Nile in search of buffalo, elephants, spotted hyenas, Rothschild giraffes, Uganda kob, hartebeest and, with luck, lions and leopard. After lunch, a shared boat ride upstream to the foot of the falls, where wildlife gathers along the calm riverbanks to drink and cool off.
Drive to Lake Albert through the stunning Albertine Western Rift Valley, birding along the escarpment en route. After lunch and a rest, an evening game drive and more birdwatching in Kabwoya Game Reserve, concluding with a bush dinner.
Drive to Fort Portal through verdant countryside and farmland, with stops to stretch and take in the scenery. Lunch in Fort Portal town before continuing to a lodge near Kibale Forest for dinner and overnight.
An early trek into the jungle to find chimpanzees in their natural habitat in Kibale Forest. In the afternoon, an optional 3-hour walk into Bigodi Swamp — one of the best places to see the great blue Turaco — or a community visit to learn traditional cooking, brewing and craft-weaving, with singing and dancing from a local women's group.
Drive along the mystical Rwenzori Mountains to Queen Elizabeth National Park, arriving at Mweya Safari Lodge for lunch before a shared 2-hour cruise on the Kazinga Channel to Lake Edward — excellent for big game and birdwatching.
An early morning game drive through this diverse ecosystem of savannah, forest, rivers and volcanic craters, home to lions, leopards, giant forest hogs, elephants, buffalo and over 550 bird species. A free afternoon for relaxation — animals often come to feed around the lodge in the evening.
Drive to the southern sector of the famous Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, with lunch en route, arriving at the lodge in the late afternoon.
The highlight of the trip: after a morning briefing, trek through rainforest and bamboo-covered slopes with a guide and trackers in search of a mountain gorilla family. Once sighted, spend a full hour within 6 metres of the gorillas, watching them in their natural habitat.
Cross into Rwanda and visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus near Volcanoes National Park — a research and education centre honouring Dian Fossey's legacy, with exhibits on nearly 60 years of gorilla conservation, a gift shop, the Gorilla Café and nature trails. Continue to the Tiloreza Volcanoes Eco Lodge for check-in and lunch, with a free afternoon and evening.
A moderate half-day hike through the montane forests of Volcanoes National Park to Dian Fossey's grave at the Karisoke Research Center — a meaningful pilgrimage honouring the primatologist who dedicated her life to protecting mountain gorillas. In the afternoon, relax at the lodge or visit the Iby'iwacu Cultural Village to see traditional banana beer brewing, coffee preparation, craft-weaving and dance.
Transfer to Kigali for your departure flight. Time allowing, enjoy a city tour and lunch at Hotel Mille Collines — the refuge for the Tutsi minority during the 1994 genocide, later famous as the setting for "Hotel Rwanda" — before an optional visit to the Genocide Memorial, then transfer to the airport.
All rates are per person sharing a double/twin/triple room, plus $1,100 pp for the gorilla ($800) and chimpanzee ($300) tracking permits.
Single Room Supplement: $1,469 USD pp (for 2–6 pax bookings).
Visas (not included): Ugandan single-entry visa $50, Rwandan single-entry visa $50.
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