7 Days Rwanda and Uganda Safari Experience
This 7 Days Rwanda and Uganda Safari experience is a combined safari tour taking through Rwanda and Uganda. Starting and ending in Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, you will visit Kigali city, track mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. During this 7 days Rwanda and Uganda safari experience, you will also visit Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park for golden monkey trekking, an optional hike to Dian Fossey’s gravesite or Bisoke Mountain and then explore Akagera National Park for classic game drives and wildlife viewing.
Highlights for 7 Days Rwanda and Uganda Safari Experience.
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali, Rwanda
Day 2: Kigali City Tour and Transfer to Bwindi-Rushaga Sector
Day 3: Gorilla Habituation in Bwindi and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
Day 4: Golden Monkey Trek and Ibyi’wacu Village Tour
Day 5: Optional Hike to Dian Fossey Gravesite or Hike Mount Bisoke.
Day 6: Transfer to Akagera National Park- Game Drive and Sunset Boat Cruise
Day 7: Morning Game Drive (Northern Circuit) and Transfer Back to Kigali
Detailed Itinerary for 7 Days Rwanda and Uganda Safari Experience.
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali, Rwanda
You will be picked up from Kigali International Airport upon your arrival. (Please let us know which flight you will be arriving on.) Your driver will then transfer you to your hotel in Kigali for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2: Kigali City Tour and Transfer to Bwindi-Rushaga Sector (about 6 hours’ drive including border crossing)
You will be picked from your hotel in Kigali and go for a tour of the remarkable Kigali city, visiting Kimironko local market where you will interact with the locals and try a bargain on the local produce and the genocide memorial site where you will learn more about the tragic 1994 genocide. Have lunch and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park through Cyanika border and arriving Bwindi – the home of Uganda gorillas in the evening. Dinner and overnight at
Day 3: Gorilla Habituation in Bwindi and Transfer to Volcanoes NP (app. 3 hours’ drive)
You will enjoy early morning breakfast and transfer to the park headquarters with your packed lunch and bottled drinking water for briefing by the park ranger guides at 7:00 am. After the briefing, you will start your gorilla habituation experience accompanied by the ranger guides in search of the mountain gorillas. The search for your gorilla family may take 2 to 8 hours, depending on the location and movement of the gorillas. Once you have located your gorilla family, you will get to spend 4 hours with them. Get your cameras ready to capture the priceless moments you will be spending with these majestic creatures.
Later, you will be given time to have your packed lunch that you carried from your lodge. After you will head back to base where you will find your driver guide waiting for you. Upon receiving your gorilla habituation certificate, you will transfer to your lodge in Volcanoes National Park, arriving in the evening. Dinner and overnight stay at your accommodation.
Day 4: Golden Monkey Trek and Ibyi’wacu Village Tour
After breakfast, set out to the park’s briefing point where you will be briefed and placed in trekking groups. You will then comment your hike in the forest in search for golden monkeys, and this can take between 2-4 hours depending on their location. Once you have located a group of golden monkeys, you will be given an hour to spend with these amazing creatures.
After having your packed lunch, head back to base and meet up with your driver guide. Later, you will proceed for a cultural tour at Iby’iwacu village for a cultural experience with a resident local guide. Visit the King’s palace and learn more about the Rwandan culture through dance and singing performances from the local intore dance troupe. Return to your accommodation for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 5: Optional Hike to Dian Fossey Gravesite or Hike Mount Bisoke.
On day 5 of your safari, breakfast will be served early in the morning by your lodge. You will then head to the park for a briefing, depending on which activity you choose to do.
Hiking to Dian Fossey Gravesite
Hiking to Dian Fossey’s burial site is a popular excursion in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, allowing visitors to learn about her legacy and enjoy the nearby Virunga Mountains. The walk to the Karisoke Research Center, where she researched gorillas, is relatively difficult and can last 3-4 hours. It is essential that you be in good physical condition and book permits in advance, especially during high season.
Hiking Mount Bisoke
Because of its enormous crater lake at the top, which is the largest crater lake in the Virungas and measures 400 meters in diameter by around 100 meters in depth, Mount Bisoke is the most visited volcano in Rwanda for hiking and trekking excursions. About 11 km from the summit of the Mount Bisoke volcano lies another crater lake called Ngezi. Given the lakes, it is not surprising that the inhabitants gave the volcano the name “Bisoke,” which means “soaked with water.”
Hiking Mount Bisoke takes only one day, but it demands a certain degree of athleticism to really enjoy the experience. Well, it will take you three hours to climb! However, if you are new to mountain climbing and are not physically strong, reaching the peak might take up to 6 hours. This is because you would have to rest multiple times. Do not go trekking if you are in poor physical condition. There is a lot to contend with, including muddy pathways that worsen when it rains heavily. You may also encounter stinging insects and prickly bushes.
The best thing you can have when trekking mountains is mental readiness. Being resilient, resolute, and downright obstinate can assist, but mental preparation is essential.
It is true that Mount Bisoke is steep, and oxygen and temperature levels can drop dramatically throughout the ascent. High altitude is nothing if you are physically healthy and psychologically prepared. If you are not a seasoned mountain climber, it is advised that you begin by practicing long-distance climbing.
Day 6: Transfer to Akagera National Park- Game Drive and Sunset Boat Cruise
After having breakfast, checkout of the lodge. You will then embark on about a 5 hour’s drive to Akagera national park. Upon your arrival in the park, you will embark on a game drive in the park where you will see a number of wildlife including zebras, elephants, topi, buffaloes and so many more.
Have lunch at your lodge and later in the evening you will embark on a sunset boat cruise on Lake Ihema where you will see hippos, crocodiles and a variety of birdlife around the lake area.
Dinner and overnight stay at your lodge.
Day 7: Morning Game Drive (Northern Circuit) and Transfer Back to Kigali
After breakfast, meet your driver guide and head out to enjoy the drive in the several trails of the park. You will meet the early raisers and hunters looking for their day’s meal. Game drives in the northern sector of the park are truly rewarding; with a wide range of wildlife to see including; lions, leopard, elephants, rhinos, giraffes, zebras and so many more. Exit the park and drive back to Kigali with lunch enroute.
Upon your arrival in Kigali, your driver/guide will drop you off at a hotel of your choice or Kigali International Airport where you will you will board your flight back home. If a city tour was not possible on your first day, then you can opt for a short tour of Kigali city.
End of your 7 Days Rwanda and Uganda Safari Experience!
