Experience Overview

This 14-day Grand Uganda and Rwanda Expedition is designed to showcase the very best of the two countries, combining primate encounters, spectacular landscapes, savannah wildlife, cultural experiences and the legendary mountain gorillas.

The journey begins in Uganda and takes you through Kibale Forest National Park for chimpanzee trekking, Queen Elizabeth National Park for wildlife and a Kazinga Channel boat cruise, followed by Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla trekking and the scenic Lake Bunyonyi.

The expedition then crosses into Rwanda, continuing to Volcanoes National Park for another remarkable primate experience before concluding in Kigali with a city and cultural experience.

Safari at a Glance

Itinerary

Day 1: Kampala or Entebbe – Kibale Forest National Park

Begin your expedition early in the morning from Kampala or Entebbe with your Afriquest Travels professional driver-guide.

Travel westwards through Uganda’s scenic countryside, passing through rural communities, plantations, rolling hills and traditional villages.

Enjoy lunch en route before continuing to Kibale Forest National Park, one of Uganda’s premier primate destinations.

Arrive at your lodge in the afternoon and check in.

Relax and prepare for the following day’s chimpanzee trekking experience.

Overnight: Kibale Forest Lodge
Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Day 2: Chimpanzee Trekking – Kibale Forest National Park

After an early breakfast, proceed to the chimpanzee trekking headquarters for registration and briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers.

Begin your trek into Kibale’s tropical rainforest in search of a habituated chimpanzee community.

During the trek, you may also encounter other primates, including red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys and blue monkeys.

Once the chimpanzees are located, spend the designated viewing time observing their behaviour and photographing these remarkable primates.

Return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation.

Afternoon Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary and community experience.

Overnight: Kibale Forest Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3: Kibale Forest – Queen Elizabeth National Park

Enjoy breakfast before checking out and driving towards Queen Elizabeth National Park.

The journey passes through beautiful countryside and tea-growing areas.

Arrive at the park and check into your lodge.

After lunch, embark on an afternoon game drive across the savannah plains.

Look out for elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kob, warthogs, antelopes and, with luck, lions.

Return to your lodge in the evening.

Overnight: Pumba Safari Cottages
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4: Queen Elizabeth – Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Wake up early for a morning game drive when wildlife is most active.

Explore the Kasenyi plains in search of elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kob, lions and other wildlife.

Return to the lodge for breakfast and relaxation.

After lunch, proceed to the Kazinga Channel for an afternoon boat cruise.

The cruise provides excellent opportunities to see hippos, crocodiles, elephants and buffaloes along the shoreline, together with numerous bird species.

Return to the lodge for dinner.

Overnight: Pumba Safari Cottages
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5: Queen Elizabeth – Ishasha Sector – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After breakfast, depart for the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Enjoy a game drive through this remote section of the park, famous for its tree-climbing lions.

Continue towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, travelling through the spectacular landscapes of southwestern Uganda.

Arrive at your lodge in the afternoon or evening.

Your guide will provide a briefing about the following day’s gorilla trekking experience.

Overnight: Bweza Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 6: Gorilla Trekking – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After an early breakfast, proceed to the gorilla trekking headquarters for registration and briefing.

Begin your trek into the ancient Bwindi forest in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family.

The trek may take several hours depending on the location of the gorillas and terrain.

Once the gorillas are located, spend the designated viewing time observing their behaviour and taking photographs.

After the trek, return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation.

Later in the afternoon embark on a Batwa cultural or community experience.

Overnight: Bweza Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7: Bwindi – Lake Bunyonyi

Enjoy breakfast before departing Bwindi for Lake Bunyonyi.

Drive through the beautiful terraced hills and highland scenery of southwestern Uganda.

Arrive around midday and check into your accommodation.

After lunch, enjoy a boat excursion on Lake Bunyonyi, exploring some of its islands and learning about the local communities and history.

Spend the evening relaxing beside the lake.

Overnight: Bunyonyi Overland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 8: Lake Bunyonyi – Rwanda Kigali

After breakfast, depart Lake Bunyonyi and cross the Uganda–Rwanda border.

Continue towards Kigali, enjoying the scenic Rwandan countryside along the way.

Upon arrival in Kigali, check into your hotel and have lunch.

In the afternoon, enjoy a relaxed Kigali city experience.

Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial

Somber but essential, the Kigali Genocide Memorial is one of Rwanda’s most visited sites. It commemorates the victims of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, housing remains of over 250,000 people. The exhibits tell powerful stories through photographs, survivor testimonies, and personal belongings. Walking through its gardens provides a space for quiet reflection.

While it’s a difficult experience, it’s necessary for understanding Rwanda’s past and resilience. The memorial also focuses on education and peacebuilding, ensuring “Never Again” becomes a reality. Every visitor to Rwanda should make time to visit, paying respect while also learning about the country’s remarkable recovery.

Return to your hotel for dinner.

Overnight: Heaven Resort and Boutique Kigali
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 9: Kigali – Volcanoes National Park

Enjoy breakfast before departing Kigali for Volcanoes National Park in northern Rwanda.

The journey takes you through Rwanda’s picturesque rolling hills and countryside.

Arrive in the Musanze or Volcanoes area and check into your lodge.

After lunch, relax or take an optional community experience around the area.

Your guide will brief you about the following day’s primate activity.

Overnight: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 10: Golden Monkey Trekking – Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, proceed to the park headquarters for registration and briefing.

Begin your trek through the bamboo and montane forest in search of the endangered golden monkeys.

Spend time observing these active and fascinating primates in their natural habitat.

Return to your lodge after the trek for lunch and relaxation.

Later in the afternoon embark on Iby’Iwacu cultural experience a local community visit.

Overnight: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 11: Volcanoes National Park – Lake Kivu

After breakfast, depart for Lake Kivu, one of the Great Lakes of Africa.

Enjoy the scenic drive through Rwanda’s rolling hills and countryside.

Arrive at Lake Kivu around midday and check into your accommodation.

After lunch, enjoy a relaxing Boat excursion on Lake Kivu and lakeside walk.

Overnight: Kivu Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 12: Lake Kivu – Kigali

Enjoy breakfast overlooking Lake Kivu before beginning your journey back towards Kigali.

Travel through Rwanda’s beautiful countryside, with opportunities for scenic photography and community interaction along the way.

Arrive in Kigali in the afternoon.

Check into your hotel and enjoy a relaxed evening.

Overnight: Heaven Resort and Boutique Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 13: Kigali City Tour and Cultural Experience

After breakfast, enjoy a full-day exploration of Kigali.

Visit selected city attractions and experience the city’s culture, history and modern development.

Kigali, Rwanda’s vibrant capital city, offers a captivating blend of history, culture and modern development. A Kigali city tour allows you to delve into this dynamic city, exploring its historical sites, bustling markets and scenic beauty.

What to expect:

Rich History: Explore memorials and museums that pay tribute to Rwanda’s past, including the harrowing period of the genocide and the nation’s remarkable strides towards reconciliation.

Cultural Gems: Immerse yourself in Rwandan culture by visiting traditional art galleries, craft markets, and vibrant neighbourhoods like Nyamirambo, the oldest Kigali district.

Panoramic Vistas: Ascend Mount Kigali for breathtaking views of the sprawling cityscape or unwind at picturesque spots like Lake Kivu.

Kigali City Centre

 

Explore the heart of Kigali, known for its clean streets, modern architecture, cafés, shops and vibrant urban atmosphere. Enjoy a short walk and capture photographs of the city.

 

Kimironko Market

 

Visit one of Kigali’s busiest local markets and experience everyday Rwandan life. Browse colourful fabrics, fresh produce, handicrafts, clothing and locally made products.

 

Local craft experience

Discover Rwanda’s rich artistic traditions through locally made crafts, traditional baskets, wood carvings, fabrics and other handmade products while supporting local artisans.

Traditional Rwandan lunch

 

Enjoy a delicious lunch featuring a selection of local Rwandan dishes, offering an authentic taste of the country’s culinary culture.

 

Inema Arts Center

 

Discover contemporary Rwandan creativity through paintings, sculptures and other artworks created by local and African artists. It is an excellent place to appreciate Rwanda’s modern art scene.

 

Kigali Convention Centre

 

Drive through one of Kigali’s modern business and diplomatic areas and admire the impressive Kigali Convention Centre and surrounding cityscape.

 

Nyamirambo neighbourhood

 

Experience one of Kigali’s most vibrant neighbourhoods, known for its lively streets, local businesses, restaurants and authentic community atmosphere.

 

Kigali scenic viewpoint

 

End the tour with panoramic views across Kigali’s beautiful rolling hills. Take photographs and enjoy a relaxing perspective of Rwanda’s capital.

Enjoy lunch in Kigali before continuing with your city exploration.

Return to your hotel in the evening.

Overnight: Heaven Resort and Boutique Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 14: Kigali – Departure

Enjoy your final breakfast in Rwanda.

Depending on your departure flight schedule, you may have time for last-minute shopping, photography or relaxation.

Your Afriquest Travels driver-guide will transfer you to Kigali International Airport for your onward journey.

This marks the end of your 14 Days Grand Uganda and Rwanda Expedition.

Meals: Breakfast

Package Includes

  • Private safari vehicle
  • Professional English-speaking driver-guide
  • Fuel
  • 13 nights’ accommodation
  • Meals as indicated
  • Chimpanzee trekking permit
  • Gorilla trekking permit
  • Golden monkey trekking permit
  • Uganda national park entry fees
  • Rwanda national park entry fees
  • Ranger-guided chimpanzee trekking
  • Ranger-guided gorilla trekking
  • Golden monkey trekking
  • Queen Elizabeth game drives
  • Kazinga Channel boat cruise
  • Lake Bunyonyi boat excursion
  • Bottled drinking water
  • Uganda–Rwanda border transfer
  • Kigali city tour
  • Activities specifically mentioned in the itinerary

Package Excludes

  • International flights
  • Uganda visa
  • Rwanda visa, where applicable
  • Travel insurance
  • Porter fees
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Personal expenses
  • Laundry
  • Souvenirs
  • Optional activities
  • Additional accommodation
  • Items not specifically mentioned under Package Includes

Destination Map

  • Money Back Guarentee.
  • Your Safety is Our Top Priority.
Bonus Activity Included – Limited Time!