8-Day Best Rwanda Safari with Gorillas, Big Five Safari and Uganda Trips

Begin your Rwanda safari with a warm welcome at Kigali International Airport, followed by a scenic transfer to Akagera National Park. Nestled along Rwanda’s eastern border, Akagera offers a tranquil introduction to your adventure. Unwind with a relaxing boat safari on Lake Ihema, where hippos, crocodiles, and vibrant birdlife set the tone for the days ahead. This peaceful cruise marks the start of your Rwanda safari, blending nature and serenity. As the sun sets over the water, the anticipation builds for the thrilling Uganda trips to follow. With lush landscapes and gentle wildlife encounters, day one offers a perfect balance of relaxation and immersion, setting the stage for a trip that spans two of East Africa’s most iconic safari destinations

Rise early for a full-day game drive across Akagera’s savanna plains, where your Rwanda safari delivers classic Big Five sightings lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhino. With expert guides, you’ll explore diverse habitats and track rhinos on foot, an exhilarating and intimate wildlife experience. This hands-on adventure adds depth to your Rwanda safari, offering rare encounters and unforgettable photo opportunities. The park’s conservation success story is a highlight, showcasing Rwanda’s commitment to protecting its natural heritage. As you reflect on the day’s sightings, the excitement for your upcoming Uganda trips grows, promising even more primate encounters and scenic diversity. It’s a thrilling day of exploration and connection with Africa’s wild heart

Leave Akagera behind and travel northwest to Volcanoes National Park, the next chapter in your Rwanda safari. Upon arrival, embark on a hike to the Dian Fossey tomb, nestled deep in the forest where she conducted groundbreaking gorilla research. This trek offers a blend of history, conservation, and nature, enriching your Rwanda safari with powerful storytelling and scenic beauty. Along the trail, you may spot golden monkeys and forest birds, adding to the experience. The hike honors Fossey’s legacy and Rwanda’s ongoing efforts in gorilla protection. As you prepare for gorilla trekking and cross-border Uganda trips, this day offers reflection and anticipation, bridging past and present in the heart of the Virunga Mountains

 Today’s gorilla trekking is the crown jewel of your Rwanda safari, offering an hour with endangered mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. Guided by expert trackers, you’ll hike through misty forests to observe these majestic primates in their natural habitat a humbling and unforgettable experience. This intimate wildlife encounter defines the essence of a Rwanda safari, blending adventure with conservation. After the trek, cross into Uganda and head to Kibale National Park, renowned for its chimpanzee population and lush rainforest. The transition marks the beginning of your Uganda trips, adding primate diversity and ecological richness to your journey. From gorillas to chimps, today bridges two nations and two extraordinary wildlife experiences

Start your Uganda trips with chimpanzee trek in Kibale Forest, where you’ll observe these intelligent primates as they forage, communicate, and swing through the canopy. This encounter complements your Rwanda safari’s gorilla experience, offering deeper insight into primate behavior. After lunch, transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park for a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel, teeming with hippos, elephants, and birds. As dusk falls, embark on a night game drive to spot nocturnal wildlife like hyenas and leopards. This action-packed day blends the best of Uganda trips with the immersive spirit of a Rwanda safari, delivering diverse landscapes, rich biodiversity, and unforgettable moments from dawn to dusk

Begin with an early morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park, where lions, elephants, and antelopes roam freely across the savanna. Continue south to the Ishasha sector, famed for its rare tree-climbing lions a unique highlight of your Uganda trips. After lunch, journey to Lake Mburo National Park, a compact gem known for its rolling hills and acacia woodlands. This transition from Queen Elizabeth to Lake Mburo adds scenic variety to your Uganda trips while maintaining the wildlife focus of your Rwanda safari. Arrive at your lodge in time for sunset views over the lake, reflecting on the day’s discoveries and preparing for the final chapters of your East African adventure

Lake Mburo offers a refreshing change of pace with a guided walking safari, allowing you to explore the park’s terrain on foot and observe zebras, impalas, and elands up close. This intimate experience adds a new dimension to your Uganda trips, emphasizing connection and quiet observation. Later, enjoy a boat safari on Lake Mburo, where hippos, crocodiles, and water birds create a lively aquatic scene. The combination of walking and boating enriches your Uganda trips and complements the earlier game drives of your Rwanda safari. It’s a day of gentle exploration and scenic beauty, showcasing the diversity of East Africa’s landscapes and the thoughtful pacing of your itinerary

Conclude your Uganda trips with a final morning game drive in Lake Mburo, capturing last glimpses of wildlife and soaking in the peaceful ambiance. After breakfast, begin your journey to Entebbe, stopping at the Equator for photos and local crafts a symbolic midpoint between hemispheres. This farewell leg of your Uganda trips offers reflection and celebration, marking the end of a transformative journey. As you arrive in Entebbe for your departure, the memories of your Rwanda safari and Uganda trips come full circle from gorillas and chimps to lions and lakes. It’s a fitting finale to an adventure that blended culture, conservation, and wild beauty across two remarkable nations