10 Day Two Nations Gorilla Trail: Uganda and Rwanda
Uganda's wildlife parks and a Bwindi gorilla trek, then across the border to Rwanda's volcanoes and a day in Kigali.
Go beyond the expected.
Start in Entebbe and finish in Kigali, so there is no backtracking. You see Murchison Falls, track chimpanzees in Kibale, cruise the Kazinga Channel, trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi, then cross into Rwanda for golden monkeys at Volcanoes National Park and a half day in Kigali.
- Murchison Falls game drive and Nile boat cruise
- Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park
- Kazinga Channel cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Mountain gorilla trek in Bwindi
- Golden monkey tracking at Volcanoes National Park
- Kigali Genocide Memorial and city tour
What's included
Included
- All accommodation as specified
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with driver-guide
- Park and reserve entrance fees for the activities listed
- Guided activities as listed in the day-by-day itinerary
- Meals as specified in the day-by-day itinerary
- Bottled water in the vehicle
- Airport transfers
Not included
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal expenses
- Alcoholic beverages
Confirm current park fees, permit availability, accommodation and pricing before booking, since these can change with season and demand. Access to remote areas should be confirmed before travel.
Day by day
Day 1 Arrival in Entebbe
Entebbe
Arrive at Entebbe International Airport and transfer to your hotel. Your guide meets you for a briefing.
Day 2 To Murchison Falls
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and Murchison Falls National Park
Drive north, with a stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to track white rhinos on foot, and arrive at Murchison Falls National Park in the afternoon.
Day 3 Game drive and Nile cruise
Murchison Falls National Park
A morning game drive, then a launch cruise to the base of the falls in the afternoon.
Day 4 Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale
Fort Portal and Kibale National Park
Drive to Fort Portal and Kibale. If time allows, track chimpanzees in the afternoon; otherwise the trek is the next morning.
Day 5 Queen Elizabeth National Park
Kibale National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park
Track chimpanzees in the morning, then drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park for a Kazinga Channel cruise in the late afternoon.
Day 6 Ishasha to Bwindi
Ishasha Sector and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Drive south via Ishasha, looking for tree-climbing lions, then on to Bwindi and a trekking briefing.
Day 7 Mountain gorilla trek
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Trek with rangers to a habituated gorilla family and spend an hour with them. The rest of the day is for rest.
Day 8 Cross into Rwanda
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Cyanika Border and Musanze
Drive through Kisoro to the Cyanika border, complete formalities with your guide's help, and continue to Musanze, below the Virunga volcanoes. We recommend carrying your Rwanda visa or East Africa Tourist Visa.
Day 9 Golden monkey tracking at Volcanoes
Volcanoes National Park
Track golden monkeys among the bamboo of the Virunga slopes, a lighter trek than gorillas and ideal for photography. Afternoon at leisure or a visit to a community cultural experience.
Day 10 Kigali and departure
Musanze, Kigali and Kigali Genocide Memorial
Drive to Kigali, visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial and the city's craft markets, then transfer to Kigali International Airport for your flight.
On this safari
Places you will visit
EntebbeExplore place →
Murchison FallsExplore place →
Murchison Falls National ParkExplore place →
Kibale National ParkExplore place →
Queen Elizabeth National ParkExplore place →
Bwindi Impenetrable National ParkExplore place →
Volcanoes National ParkExplore place →
KigaliExplore place →
Ziwa Rhino SanctuaryExplore place →
Fort PortalExplore place →
Ishasha SectorExplore place →
MusanzeExplore place →
Kigali Genocide MemorialExplore place →Travel Guide
Knowledge connected to this page
Read planning and destination stories connected to this Offmap entity.
East Africa Gorilla Trekking Planning a Safari
Gorilla and Beach Safari: Combine Gorillas with Zanzibar
Pair a forest trek with a few days on the coast.
East Africa Conservation Culture
Batwa Cultural Experience in Uganda: What It Is and How to Choose
A forest walk with Batwa hosts, and how to do it respectfully.
Uganda Chimpanzees Communities
Cultural Safari Uganda: Batwa, Buganda and Karamoja
Forest people, kingdoms, markets and cattle herders, linked to the parks.
East Africa Gorilla Trekking Luxury & Private Safaris
Luxury Gorilla Safari: Lodges, Flights and Private Guiding
Where the best lodges are, how flights save days and how to spend longer with the gorillas.
Wellness Safari Uganda: Lake Bunyonyi, Forest and Gorillas
Lake canoes, forest walks and one gorilla trek at a slow pace.
East Africa Birding Planning a Safari
Best Time for Birding in East Africa, Month by Month
Match your dates to the birds, not just the weather.
Ready to plan this Safari?
Start with the places and experiences that matter to you. We will shape the Safari around them.
Plan This Safari →Need to know?
Questions about 10 Day Two Nations Gorilla Trail: Uganda and Rwanda
Can I combine Rwanda and Uganda in one safari?
Yes, this is a popular combination. Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda sits close to Uganda’s southwest, so gorilla trekking in one country and chimpanzee tracking or savannah game drives in the other can be combined without excessive travel time.
Can I combine Rwanda and Uganda in one trip?
Yes, this is a popular combination. Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda sits close to Uganda’s southwest, so gorilla trekking in one country and chimpanzee tracking or savannah game drives in the other can be combined without excessive travel time.
Do I need a visa to visit Uganda?
Most nationalities need a visa for Uganda, commonly available as an e-visa applied for online before travel. Requirements vary by nationality, so check the current official guidance for your passport well ahead of your safari.
How many days do I need in Uganda?
A focused gorilla trekking safari can work in as few as 4–5 days, but 8–12 days lets you combine gorilla trekking with chimpanzee tracking, a savannah park such as Queen Elizabeth or Murchison Falls, and some rest time. We shape the exact length around what you want to include.
How many national parks does Rwanda have?
Rwanda protects its landscapes across four national parks: Volcanoes National Park (mountain gorillas and golden monkeys), Nyungwe (one of Africa’s oldest rainforests, chimpanzees and a canopy walkway), Akagera (Rwanda’s savanna park, restored to hold the full Big Five) and the smaller Gishwati-Mukura.
How many national parks does Uganda have?
Uganda protects its landscapes and wildlife across ten national parks, ranging from the rainforest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (home to mountain gorillas) to the savanna of Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls, Uganda’s largest park.
How much does a gorilla trekking permit cost in Rwanda?
Rwanda gorilla trekking permits, issued by the Rwanda Development Board, are priced separately from Uganda’s and are generally higher. We confirm the current official rate when planning your safari and can advise on combining Rwanda with Uganda if you want to compare or reduce overall permit costs.
How much does a gorilla trekking permit cost in Uganda?
Uganda gorilla trekking permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and priced separately from your safari cost. Permit prices and availability change periodically, so we confirm the current official rate and secure your permit as part of planning your safari: book several months ahead where possible, since permits for popular dates sell out.