Safari Overview
This 9-day Wildlife & Trekking Holiday is a premier cross-border odyssey designed for those who want to experience the absolute highlights of East Africa. From the adrenaline-pumping white-water rafting at the Source of the Nile to double gorilla trekking in both Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (Uganda) and Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda), this journey is a masterclass in biodiversity and adventure.
Traverse the rolling Switzerland of Africa highlands, cruise the wildlife-rich Kazinga Channel, and pay your respects at the Kigali Genocide Memorial. This intricately crafted itinerary balances high-octane adventure with deep cultural encounters and the world’s most intimate wildlife experiences.
Safari Highlights
- Double Gorilla Trekking: Encounter the endangered mountain gorillas in two different countries.
- Nile River Rafting: Feel the pulse of the world’s longest river in Jinja.
- Queen Elizabeth National Park: Big Game drives and boat safaris against the Rwenzori backdrop.
- Lake Bunyonyi: Relax at Uganda’s deepest and most beautiful lake.
- Cultural Immersion: Engage with the Batwa pygmy communities and explore Kigali’s history.
Detailed Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in the Green City in the Sun
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport (EBB), your professional safari guide will meet you and transfer you to Kampala, Uganda’s vibrant capital.
- Accommodation: Serena Hotel (Luxury) / Cassia Lodge (Comfort)
- Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner
Day 2: Adrenaline in Jinja – Source of the Nile
Transfer to Jinja for a legendary white-water rafting experience on the Nile (Grade 3 or Grade 5). Visit the geographic Source of the Nile and explore Jinja’s colonial architecture before returning to Kampala.
- Accommodation: Serena Hotel / Cassia Lodge
- Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Kampala to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Set off for a 5-hour scenic drive to the west.
Travel Note: We stop in Fort Portal town for a cozy lunch. As you enter the park, enjoy your first game drive with the Rwenzori Mountains (Mountains of the Moon) providing a spectacular skyline.
- Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge (Luxury) / Kasenyi Safari Camp (Comfort)
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Savannah Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
A 6:30 AM sunrise game drive offers the best chance to spot Lions, Leopards, and Elephants. In the afternoon, embark on a launch trip (boat cruise) on the Kazinga Channel, home to one of the world’s highest concentrations of hippos and crocodiles.
- Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge / Kasenyi Safari Camp
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: The Kigezi Highlands to Bwindi Forest
Drive south through the breathtaking Kigezi Highlands.
Travel Note: This 5–6 hour journey takes you through steep, terraced hillsides and bamboo forests. The views over the Virunga Volcanoes are unmatched, marking your arrival in the gorilla highlands.
- Accommodation: Silverback Lodge (Luxury) / Rushaga Gorilla Camp (Comfort) / Bunyonyi Overland (Standard)
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi & Lake Bunyonyi
The moment of truth: enter the ancient Bwindi forest for your first Gorilla Trekking encounter. Spend one hour with a wild gorilla family before heading to the tranquil shores of Lake Bunyonyi for a well-deserved rest.
- Accommodation: Birdnest @Bunyonyi (Luxury) / Bunyonyi Overland (Standard)
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7: Canoeing & Transfer to Ruhengeri, Rwanda
Spend the morning enjoying a traditional dugout canoe ride or visiting the Batwa community on the islands of Lake Bunyonyi. In the early evening, cross the border into Rwanda, heading to the base of the Volcanoes.
- Accommodation: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge (Comfort)
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8: Second Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Experience gorilla trekking from a different perspective in Volcanoes National Park. The open bamboo forests here offer different photographic opportunities compared to the dense jungle of Bwindi.
- Accommodation: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge
- Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 9: Kigali Genocide Memorial & Departure
Depart for Kigali, Rwanda’s clean and modern capital. Visit the Genocide Memorial, a profoundly moving place of remembrance, before transferring to Kigali International Airport for your flight home.
- Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
Tour Inclusions & Exclusions
| Category | Inclusions (What is Included) | Exclusions (What is NOT Included) |
| Permits | 2 Gorilla Permits (1 Uganda, 1 Rwanda) | International Airfares |
| Activities | Nile Rafting, Game Drives, Kazinga Boat Trip | Tips for Rangers, Porters, and Guides |
| Transport | 4×4 Safari Vehicle & All Tour Fuel | Uganda & Rwanda Entry Visas |
| Staff | Professional English-speaking Driver/Guide | Porter fees for trekking |
| Accommodation | Full Board (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) | Personal Travel/Medical Insurance |
| Entrance Fees | All National Park entrance fees | Items of a personal nature (Laundry, Drinks) |
| Transfers | Airport pick-up and drop-off | Optional activities not in the itinerary |
Quick Facts
- Destinations: Jinja, Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi (Uganda) & Volcanoes NP (Rwanda).
- Key Wildlife: Mountain Gorillas, Hippos, Nile Crocodiles, Lions, Elephants.
- Adventure Level: High (Includes Grade 5 Rafting and High-altitude Trekking).
- Tip: According to our guides, Double Tracking allows travelers to compare the two distinct habitats of the endangered mountain gorilla for a complete primate perspective.
- Travel Note: Ensure you have the East African Tourist Visa for seamless crossing between Uganda and Rwanda.
