7 Days Uganda Primates and Wildlife Rwanda Discovery Safari
Safari Overview
Discover the very best of Uganda and Rwanda on this unforgettable seven-day private safari. Begin your adventure in Kibale National Park, where you’ll track wild chimpanzees, explore the beautiful Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, and visit the scenic Crater Lakes region. Continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park for an exciting game drive and a memorable boat cruise along the wildlife-rich Kazinga Channel before searching for the famous tree-climbing lions in the remote Ishasha Sector.
Your journey then leads to the ancient Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for the ultimate wildlife experience—mountain gorilla trekking. You’ll also meet the indigenous Batwa community and learn about their unique forest heritage. From Bwindi, travel through the spectacular Ruhija Highlands to the breathtaking shores of Lake Bunyonyi before crossing into Rwanda. End your safari with a guided tour of Kigali, including the Kigali Genocide Memorial, before your departure.
This carefully designed itinerary combines exceptional wildlife encounters, stunning landscapes, cultural experiences, and comfortable luxury accommodation while travelling in a private 4×4 safari vehicle with your dedicated professional guide.
Detailed Itinerary-7 Days Uganda Primates, Wildlife & Rwanda Discovery Safari
Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe – Scenic Drive to Kibale National Park & Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
Driving Time: Approximately 5–6 Hours
Your safari begins with a warm welcome from your professional Frena Adventures guide at Entebbe International Airport. After a short briefing, set off on a scenic journey west through Uganda’s beautiful countryside. Along the way, pass vibrant roadside markets, lush tea plantations, fertile farmlands, and traditional villages that offer a wonderful introduction to the Pearl of Africa.
Arrive in Kibale National Park in the afternoon and, if time permits, enjoy a guided walk through the renowned Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. This award-winning community conservation area is one of Uganda’s finest birding destinations and is home to an incredible variety of wildlife, including black-and-white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, colourful butterflies, and more than 200 bird species. The leisurely walk offers an excellent first taste of Uganda’s rich biodiversity while supporting local conservation initiatives.
After the walk, continue to Turaco Treetops, where you’ll settle into your forest lodge surrounded by the sights and sounds of Kibale’s tropical rainforest.
Accommodation: Turaco Treetops
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Chimpanzee Trekking – Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Driving Time: Approximately 2½ Hours
Wake to the sounds of the rainforest before heading to Kibale National Park headquarters for a briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers.
Kibale Forest protects one of Africa’s largest populations of wild chimpanzees together with twelve other primate species. As you walk beneath the ancient forest canopy, your experienced ranger will help you locate these fascinating primates. Watching them communicate, groom one another, and swing effortlessly through the trees is one of Africa’s most unforgettable wildlife encounters.
After your trek, enjoy lunch before visiting the nearby Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. This community-managed reserve is famous for its exceptional birdlife, colourful butterflies, and several monkey species, offering an excellent complement to your morning forest experience.
Rather than spending another night in Kibale, you’ll continue south to Queen Elizabeth National Park, arriving in time to relax at your lodge while enjoying spectacular views over the surrounding savannah.
Recommended Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge or Buffalo Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Game Drive – Kazinga Channel Boat Safari – Transfer to Ishasha Sector
Driving Time to Ishasha: Approximately 2½–3 Hours
Today introduces you to Uganda’s finest savannah wildlife.
Begin with an early morning game drive across the Kasenyi Plains, where the cool morning temperatures provide excellent opportunities to encounter lions, elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kob, hyenas and, with a little luck, the elusive leopard.
Return to the lodge for breakfast before enjoying the renowned Kazinga Channel boat cruise. This natural waterway links Lake Edward and Lake George and supports one of Africa’s highest concentrations of hippos. Crocodiles bask along the shoreline while elephants and buffaloes frequently gather to drink, creating remarkable photographic opportunities.
During the afternoon, continue south through Queen Elizabeth National Park towards the remote Ishasha Sector. Spending the night here places you in the ideal position to search for the park’s famous tree-climbing lions the following morning.
Recommended Accommodation: Ishasha Jungle Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Tree-Climbing Lions – Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast, head out for an early morning game drive through the Ishasha Sector.
Unlike lions found elsewhere in Africa, Ishasha’s famous lions often spend hours resting high in giant fig trees, an extraordinary behaviour seen in only a handful of places worldwide. Although wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, the early morning offers the best opportunity to find them before continuing your journey.
After this unique experience, travel through Uganda’s spectacular highlands toward Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The scenery changes dramatically as open savannah gives way to lush mountains, terraced farms, and ancient rainforest.
Arrive at your lodge during the afternoon and spend the remainder of the day relaxing while preparing for tomorrow’s unforgettable gorilla trekking experience.
Recommended Accommodation: Buhoma Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Gorilla Trekking – Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
Today is undoubtedly the highlight of your safari.
After an early breakfast, you’ll report to the park headquarters for a briefing before entering Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in search of one of the world’s last remaining populations of endangered mountain gorillas.
Your trek may take anywhere from one to several hours depending on the gorillas’ location, but every step becomes worthwhile the moment you encounter the family. Spending one magical hour quietly observing these gentle giants in their natural habitat is an experience few people ever forget.
Following your trek, enjoy lunch before departing for Lake Bunyonyi.
After the physical challenge of gorilla trekking, Lake Bunyonyi provides the perfect place to relax. Often called the “Switzerland of Africa,” the lake is surrounded by terraced hills and dotted with twenty-nine beautiful islands, creating one of East Africa’s most breathtaking landscapes.
Spend the evening enjoying the peaceful atmosphere from your lakeside lodge.
Recommended Accommodation: BirdNest Resort, Arcadia Cottages
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Lake Bunyonyi – Kigali
Driving Time: Approximately 4–5 Hours
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast overlooking the calm waters of Lake Bunyonyi before taking an optional boat excursion to explore some of the lake’s scenic islands and learn about their fascinating history.
Later, begin your scenic drive toward Rwanda, crossing the border before continuing through the spectacular rolling hills that have earned Rwanda the nickname “Land of a Thousand Hills.”
Arrive in Kigali during the afternoon with time to relax at your hotel or enjoy the city’s welcoming atmosphere.
Recommended Accommodation: Kigali Serena Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Day 7: Kigali City Tour – Departure
After breakfast, discover one of Africa’s cleanest and most progressive capitals during a guided Kigali City Tour.
Visit the moving Kigali Genocide Memorial, where you’ll gain a deeper understanding of Rwanda’s remarkable journey of healing and reconciliation. Depending on your departure time, your guide can also introduce you to vibrant craft markets, local art galleries, and bustling neighbourhoods that showcase modern Kigali’s energy and creativity.
At the appropriate time, you’ll be transferred to Kigali International Airport for your onward flight, bringing your unforgettable East African adventure to a close.
Meal Plan: Breakfast
The Safari Price Includes
- Airport pick-up in Entebbe
- Airport drop-off in Kigali
- Private 4×4 Safari Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Fuel throughout the safari
- Accommodation as specified
- Meals as indicated
- Chimpanzee trekking permit
- Gorilla trekking permit
- Bigodi Wetland guided walk
- Crater Lakes excursion
- Queen Elizabeth National Park entrance fees
- Game drives
- Kazinga Channel boat cruise
- Batwa cultural experience
- Kigali City Tour
- Kigali Genocide Memorial entrance
- Bottled drinking water during the safari
- Government taxes
Exclusions
- International flights
- Rwanda visa (if applicable)
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Alcoholic and premium beverages
- Optional activities not listed
- Tips and gratuities