8 Days Rwanda – Uganda Gorilla Odyssey

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8 Days Rwanda – Uganda Gorilla Odyssey Chronos June 7, 2025

8 Days Rwanda – Uganda Gorilla Odyssey

  • Uganda, Rwanda
  • 12 Reviews
$4,513
Per Person
  • 08 Days
  • Boat / Canoe Safaris
  • Cultural Encounters
  • Game Drives
  • Gorilla Trekking
  • Nature Walks
  • Photography Safaris
Safari Overview

Book this customized 8-day Uganda and Rwanda safari for the ultimate primates and wildlife experience with Gentle Giants Safaris. The 8-day safari combines the best of Rwanda and Uganda in the same itinerary. You will engage in various travel activities such as mountain gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking, cultural tours, and a Kigali city tour. The top places to visit on this 8-Day Uganda Rwanda combined safari include Queen Elizabeth National park,  Bwindi Forest Park, Lake Bunyonyi, and Volcanoes National Park . The activities to do include game viewing, boat cruising mountain gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking and cultural tours among others. The 8 Days safari starts in Entebbe Uganda ending in Kigali Rwanda

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Safari Highlights
  • Arrival and transfer to the hotel
  • Day 1: Kampala to Queen Elizabeth National Park
  • Day 2: Game Viewing & boat cruise
  • Day 3: Transfer to Bwindi Forest
  • Day 4: Gorilla Trekking & transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
  • Day 5: Explore Lake Bunyonyi
  • Day 6: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park Rwanda
  • Day 7: Golden monkey trekking & Ibyiwacu cultural tour
  • Day 8: Departure
Included / exclude
  • Arrival and Departure Airport Transfers
  • Gorilla Permits
  • Park Entrance Fees
  • All Activities Included in the Itinerary
  • Ground Transportation
  • Drinking Water in the Vehicle
  • Domestic Flights as per the Itinerary
  • Qualified English-Speaking Driver Guide
  • Accommodation as Shown in the Itinerary
  • Government Taxes and Levies
  • Meals as Shown in the Itinerary
  • International Flights
  • Visa Fees
  • Tips and Gratuities
  • Personal Travel Insurance
  • Optional Activities
  • Souvenirs and Personal Expenses
  • Laundry Services
  • Alcoholic Beverages and Soft Drinks
Photo gallery
Detailed Itinerary
ARRIVAL IN ENTEBBE< UGANDA

On arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will find our representative waiting for you to help you go through your itinerary and then transfer to your hotel in Entebbe for relaxation after your journey. Optional activities visit the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre also known as the Entebbe Zoo or take a walk along the shores of Lake Victoria enjoying the fresh breeze.

Lodge/Hotel: 
Meal plan: Bed & Breakfast

Have morning breakfast and start the drive headed to Queen Elizabeth National Park located in western Uganda.  The 6-7 hours from Kampala to Queen Elizabeth national park takes you through different districts, trading centers, arms, and local communities giving you a chance to meet and interact with local people. Arrive in the afternoon, check-in, and refresh. You can do an optional evening game drive to see animals feeding before retiring for the night. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.

Lodge/Hotel: 
Meal plan: Full Board

Very early today head out to Kasenyi plans for a game viewing experience. Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to numerous wild animals such as Elephants. Lion Leopards, hyenas, Uganda kobs, Elands, Topis, waterbucks, and Warthogs among others you will see feeding and socializing. Return to the lodge for a late breakfast and early lunch. In the afternoon embark on a boat cruise at Kazinga channel, a 40-kilometer stream that connects Lake Edward and Lake Goerge. The cruise offers you great views of wild water animals and birds seen on the river banks. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.

Lodge/Hotel: 
Meal plan: Full Board

Have a relaxed morning breakfast, check out, and embark on a drive to Bwindi impenetrable Forest National Park. The drive through the Ishasha sector offers you an opportunity to see the rare tree-climbing lions seen resting lazily in the acacia trees.  You will have lunch en route and proceed on a drive to Bawindi Forest, home to the highest number of mountain gorillas in the world. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.

Lodge/Hotel: 
Meal plan: Full Board

After an early breakfast at the lodge, you will set off driving toward the park offices for a briefing on the rules for gorilla tracking. Hit the jungle trekking through the thick undergrowth in search of habituated gorilla groups. The guides will help you follow the path of the Gorillas and depending on factors like the speed of the gorillas’ movement and the tourists, this may take you half a day. On meeting the gorillas, you will be allowed to spend one full hour in their presence learning about their behavior in their natural habitat and taking photos. Meet your guide at the starting point and drive to Lake Bunyonyi for dinner and overnight.

Lodge/Hotel: 
Meal plan: Full Board

Have a full-day excursion at Lake Bunyonyi, the second-deepest lake in Africa. Take part in different activities near and on Lake Bunyonyi . Some of the top activities at Lake Bunyonyi include an island tour on a boat, ziplining, and community visits. The other optional experiences at Lake Bunyonyi include nature walks, picnics to the top of the falls, mountain biking, visiting the Iron Smith, and swimming among others. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.

Lodge/Hotel: 
Meal plan: Full Board

After morning breakfast, check out and depart from Lake Bunyonyi headed to Volcanoes National Park located in northwestern Rwanda. Katuna is the easiest land border to cross to Rwanda. The drive through the rolling hills and local communities of Rwanda offers you a more rewarding experience. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.

Lodge/Hotel: 
Meal plan: Full Board

Breakfast is served early and then head to the park for a briefing with other guests on the rules for Golden Monkey tracking. This experience is a unique one allowing you to meet the tinny monkeys with golden-like fur. The allowed time with golden monkeys is strictly an hour. Return to the lodge for refreshment. Later in the day, go for a community visit to the Iby’iwacu cultural village. There you will learn and experience the traditions, norms, customs, and beliefs of Rwanda’s local people. Engage in different traditional practices such as peeling matoke, preparing local food, brewing local beer and grinding sorghum. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Lodge/Hotel: 
Meal plan: Full Board

Depending on your flight schedule, enjoy your last moments in Rwanda and then transfer to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight.

Lodge/Hotel (Day Room):
Meal plan: Half Board

Why choose This Journey

01
What to To Think About On This Tour

Gorilla & Chimpanzee tracking is subject to the availability of permits, which are limited to 8 per gorilla group per day and 6 per chimpanzee track per ½ day.

Any Gorilla and Chimpanzee permits required need to be paid for upfront when booking. As soon as funds clear in our account, we will go ahead and purchase.  

Gorilla and Chimpanzee permits are always 100% non-transferable and non-refundable

The RATES are subject to change and are based on Availability with effect from July upon release of the new tariffs from Uganda Wildlife Authority and Rwanda Development Board.

On flights and land-based tours within East Africa, each passenger is limited to a maximum baggage weight of 33 pounds (15 kilograms). This includes the weight of purses and camera equipment in addition to regular luggage. Luggage restrictions are adhered to very strictly and passengers should pack their bags accordingly. Soft-sided luggage or duffels are preferable to hard luggage for storage on safari vehicles and also on aircraft used throughout East Africa. Dimensions should not exceed 23 inches (58 centimetres) long x 13 inches (33 centimetres) high x 10 inches (25 centimetres) wide.

Read About Our Booking Terms Here

 

Before you depart for a trip it’s better to be well-versed with the situation and protocols that are in place and that’s why we are to help so that your trip becomes more exciting and memorable.

Read More about on What to Pack for your Safari here

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Your journey should be as unique as you are. At Gentle Giants Safaris, we craft true African safari experiences designed around your dreams—whether it’s witnessing elephants roaming freely or spotting elusive leopards in the heart of the wild.

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