14 Day Great Lakes Gorillas and Wildlife: Uganda and Rwanda
Gorillas in two countries, chimpanzees, Murchison Falls and Akagera's savannah, in a relaxed fortnight.
Go beyond the expected.
Fourteen days from Entebbe to Kigali. Murchison Falls and Kibale, then Queen Elizabeth, a Bwindi gorilla trek and a rest day at Lake Bunyonyi, followed by a second gorilla family in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park and a final safari in Akagera.
- Two mountain gorilla treks, one in Uganda and one in Rwanda
- Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park
- Murchison Falls game drive and Nile cruise
- Rest day on Lake Bunyonyi by canoe
- Big game and boating in Akagera National Park
- Kigali Genocide Memorial
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 Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to Murchison Falls
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and Murchison Falls National Park
Drive north, tracking rhinos on foot at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary on the way to Murchison Falls.
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.
Day 4 To Fort Portal
Fort Portal
A long drive southwest to Fort Portal, the gateway to the crater lakes and Kibale.
Day 5 Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale
Kibale National Park
Track a habituated chimpanzee community in the morning, with free time in the afternoon for a nature walk through the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.
Day 6 To Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Drive south through the Rwenzori foothills to Queen Elizabeth National Park, arriving in time for an evening game drive.
Day 7 Kazinga Channel cruise
Queen Elizabeth National Park
A morning game drive on the Kasenyi plains, then an afternoon launch cruise on the Kazinga Channel.
Day 8 Ishasha to Bwindi
Ishasha Sector and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Drive south via Ishasha, looking for tree-climbing lions, and on to Bwindi.
Day 9 Mountain gorilla trek in Bwindi
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Trek with rangers to a habituated gorilla family and spend an hour with them.
Day 10 Lake Bunyonyi rest day
Lake Bunyonyi and Kabale
Drive to Lake Bunyonyi, one of Africa's deepest lakes. Canoe among the islands, walk the terraced hills or simply rest after the trek.
Day 11 Cross into Rwanda
Lake Bunyonyi, Katuna Border and Musanze
Drive to the Katuna border and on to Musanze, below the Virunga volcanoes. We recommend carrying your Rwanda visa or East Africa Tourist Visa.
Day 12 Gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park
Trek with rangers through bamboo and montane forest to a habituated gorilla family and spend an hour with them. Rwanda's trailheads are close to the lodges, so you are back by afternoon.
Day 13 To Akagera National Park
Kigali and Akagera National Park
Drive through Kigali to Akagera National Park in the east. An afternoon game drive for zebra, giraffe, buffalo and elephant, with lion and rhino also present.
Day 14 Akagera and departure
Akagera National Park and Kigali Genocide Memorial
A morning game drive or boat trip on Lake Ihema, then return to Kigali for the Kigali Genocide Memorial and a transfer to the airport.
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 →
Lake BunyonyiExplore place →
Volcanoes National ParkExplore place →
Akagera National ParkExplore place →
KigaliExplore place →
Ziwa Rhino SanctuaryExplore place →
Fort PortalExplore place →
Kazinga ChannelExplore place →
Ishasha SectorExplore place →
KabaleExplore 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 Birding Planning a Safari
Best Time for Birding in East Africa, Month by Month
Match your dates to the birds, not just the weather.
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 Gorilla Trekking Honeymoon & Couples
Rwanda Gorilla and Zanzibar Beach Safari: Route Guide
Trek to the gorillas, then rest by the Indian Ocean.
Uganda Chimpanzees Communities
Cultural Safari Uganda: Batwa, Buganda and Karamoja
Forest people, kingdoms, markets and cattle herders, linked to the parks.
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.
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.
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 14 Day Great Lakes Gorillas and Wildlife: 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.