7 Days Uganda Safari Adventure from Kigali (Double Gorilla Trekking & White Water Rafting)

This 7-day Uganda Safari Adventure from Kigali by Deks Safaris & Tours Africa is a masterfully crafted journey that merges the cultural heart of Rwanda with the wild, untamed beauty of Uganda. It’s a thrilling cross-border safari that invites you to experience East Africa’s rarest wildlife encounters, breathtaking landscapes, and adrenaline-pumping adventures all in one seamless itinerary.

Your Uganda Safari Adventure from Kigali begins in the charming city of Kigali, Rwanda’s capital often celebrated as one of Africa’s cleanest and most vibrant cities. Here, you’ll visit the deeply moving Kigali Genocide Memorial, a powerful reminder of the resilience of the Rwandan people. From Kigali, you’ll journey through rolling hills and verdant farmlands, crossing into Uganda’s mist-shrouded mountains home to the endangered mountain gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

In Bwindi, two consecutive days of gorilla trekking offer once-in-a-lifetime moments with these majestic primates. You’ll also connect with the Batwa pygmy community, an ancient forest people whose culture and traditions offer rare insights into life in harmony with nature. From the highlands, your trail leads to Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, famed for its mysterious tree-climbing lions, herds of elephants, and sweeping savannahs.

White-Water Rafting Safari Experience

The Uganda Safari Adventure from Kigali journey then shifts from wildlife encounters to aquatic adventure as you travel to Jinja, the adrenaline capital of East Africa and the historical source of the River Nile. Here, you’ll experience white-water rafting, boat cruises, and the thrill of bungee jumping over the legendary Nile. The expedition concludes in Entebbe, where you’ll unwind before boarding your evening flight to South Africa, carrying memories of both heart-pounding excitement and soul-stirring serenity.

This Uganda Safari Adventure from Kigali is more than a tour it’s a journey through life’s purest encounters: wildlife, water, and wonder. Guided by Deks Safaris & Tours Africa, every detail from luxury lodges to expert guiding is designed to provide comfort, discovery, and a deep connection with Africa’s wild essence.

7 Days Uganda Safari Adventure from Kigali Highlights

 

Detailed 7 Days Uganda Safari Adventure from Kigali

Day 0: Arrival in Kigali – The Heartbeat of Rwanda

Welcome to Kigali, Rwanda’s gleaming capital and your gateway to an unforgettable Ugandan adventure. Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, a friendly representative from Deks Safaris & Tours Africa will meet and transfer you to your hotel for check-in. The city’s fresh air, rolling green hills, and orderly streets immediately set the tone for an immersive experience that balances serenity and sophistication.

Depending on your arrival time, you may explore Kigali’s vibrant neighborhoods or simply relax at your hotel after your flight. The city, often called the “Singapore of Africa,” exudes calm confidence clean boulevards, modern architecture, and warm hospitality define its charm. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at one of Kigali’s fine restaurants, where local Rwandan dishes blend with international flavors in perfect harmony.

Your Uganda Safari Adventure from Kigali guide will brief you on the itinerary ahead, ensuring you’re well-prepared for the following day’s journey across borders. Take this evening to rest and rejuvenate; tomorrow, your cross-country adventure into Uganda begins a journey through rolling hills, mountain mists, and the heart of Africa’s wilderness.

  • Accommodation: Hotel Des Mille Collins Rwanda
  • Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast

 

Day 1: Kigali City Tour – The Genocide Memorial & Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Your morning begins with a hearty breakfast followed by an enlightening Kigali city tour, led by your expert Deks Safaris guide. The highlight of this morning is a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre, a profoundly moving site that commemorates the victims of the 1994 genocide. The memorial’s exhibits and personal stories narrate Rwanda’s tragic past and its remarkable path toward peace, unity, and renewal. It’s a place of deep reflection and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

After the city tour, you begin your scenic road transfer toward Uganda, traversing the emerald-green landscapes that link the “Land of a Thousand Hills” to the “Pearl of Africa.” The journey winds through terraced farmlands and mountain valleys, crossing into Uganda via the Cyanika or Gatuna border post. The transition between countries is striking as you leave Rwanda’s manicured hills, Uganda’s lush wilderness welcomes you with raw natural beauty.

Arriving in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park by late afternoon, you’ll check into your lodge nestled deep in the forested slopes. Bwindi’s thick vegetation, mist-shrouded canopy, and symphony of bird calls create an almost mythical atmosphere. Enjoy a delicious dinner as your guide briefs you on the next day’s gorilla trekking adventure one of the most anticipated wildlife experiences on Earth. Retire early to the soothing sounds of the jungle.

  • Accommodation: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
  • Meal Plan: Full Board

 

Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi & Batwa Cultural Encounter

This day marks the beginning of one of Africa’s most profound wildlife encounters mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi. After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for registration and a detailed briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers. You’ll learn about gorilla behavior, conservation efforts, and trekking etiquette before setting off into the dense forest.

Accompanied by expert trackers, you’ll navigate through tangled vines, steep ridges, and mossy undergrowth in search of a specific gorilla family. The trek can take anywhere from one to six hours, but the reward is beyond imagination. When you finally encounter them a mother nursing her baby, a silverback observing from the shadows, juveniles tumbling playfully the world seems to pause. Spending an hour in their presence is a soul-stirring experience, one that transcends words and remains etched in your memory forever.

Afternoon Batwa Cultural Experience

After returning from the forest, enjoy a well-deserved lunch and some rest before embarking on an afternoon Batwa cultural experience. The Batwa, also known as the “forest keepers,” are an indigenous pygmy tribe who lived for centuries in harmony with the Bwindi Forest. Through storytelling, traditional dances, and demonstrations of ancient hunting and gathering skills, the Batwa share their unique heritage with warmth and pride. This cultural immersion deepens your understanding of the forest’s human history and the interconnectedness of conservation and culture.

As dusk descends, return to your lodge for dinner and relaxation. The night sounds of the forest chirping insects, croaking frogs, and the distant hoot of an owl serenade you to sleep.

  • Accommodation: Elephant Hub Lodge
  • Meal Plan: Full Board

Day 3: Second Gorilla Trekking Experience & Transfer to Ishasha Sector, Queen Elizabeth National Park

After an early breakfast, embark on your second gorilla trekking adventure in a different region of Bwindi. Each gorilla family has its own distinct behaviors and dynamics, so every trek offers a unique experience. You might observe a different silverback, new infants, or more playful juveniles. The second trek also allows you to appreciate the forest from another perspective its mist-laden slopes, dense bamboo thickets, and lush valleys reveal new mysteries each time.

After this extraordinary encounter, enjoy a relaxed lunch before beginning your drive toward Queen Elizabeth National Park, specifically the Ishasha sector, located in Uganda’s western rift valley. The drive unfolds across scenic landscapes winding roads, village markets, banana plantations, and distant mountain ranges painting a perfect safari tableau. Ishasha is famous for its tree-climbing lions, a phenomenon found in only two places in the world.

Arrive at your lodge in the late afternoon, where the vast savannah stretches endlessly before you. Enjoy a sunset drink as you take in the tranquil beauty of the plains. Dinner is served under the starlit sky, and the distant roar of lions may serenade you as you drift into a peaceful night.

  • Accommodation: Elephant Hub Lodge
  • Meal Plan: Full Board

 

Day 4: Morning and Afternoon Tree-Climbing Lion Trekking in Ishasha

Wake up early for an exhilarating game drive in search of Ishasha’s legendary tree-climbing lions. These remarkable predators are known for their unusual habit of resting in giant fig trees, especially during the heat of the day. Your experienced Deks Safaris guide skillfully tracks their movements, leading you to incredible sightings as lions lounge gracefully on branches, their golden fur blending with the foliage.

The Ishasha plains are also home to large herds of elephants, Uganda kobs, buffaloes, and topis, creating a vibrant mosaic of life across the grasslands. The early morning light paints the savannah in warm hues, perfect for photography. Return to the lodge for a mid-morning breakfast and relaxation by the riverside or in the comfort of your veranda overlooking the plains.

In the afternoon, embark on another game drive, this time following the riverbanks where hippos wallow and antelope’s graze. The changing light of the day brings out new wildlife behavior predators become active as dusk approaches. The beauty of Ishasha lies in its quietness; fewer tourists mean your encounters are intimate and unhurried.

As night falls, enjoy dinner at your lodge, recounting the day’s encounters under a blanket of stars. Ishasha’s wilderness offers an authentic, raw safari atmosphere pure, untamed Africa at its finest.

  • Accommodation: Elephant Hub Lodge
  • Meal Plan: Full Board

 

Day 5: Scenic Transfer from Ishasha to Jinja – The Source of the Nile

After breakfast, begin your scenic drive northeast toward Jinja, Uganda’s adventure capital. This long but rewarding Uganda Safari Adventure from Kigali journey offers a visual feast of Uganda’s landscapes rolling hills, tea plantations, bustling roadside towns, and the Great Rift Valley escarpments. You’ll break for lunch en route and make stops at cultural landmarks and scenic viewpoints along the way.

As you approach Jinja, the atmosphere shifts the air grows more humid, and the mighty River Nile begins to weave through the land. Jinja holds historical and geographical significance as the source of the river Nile, the world’s longest river that flows northward through several countries before reaching Egypt.

Upon arrival, check into your lodge or riverside hotel. The rest of the evening is for relaxation you may choose to stroll along the riverbank, watch the sunset over the Nile, or simply unwind to the rhythm of nature. Dinner is served overlooking the flowing waters, a prelude to the thrilling adventures awaiting you tomorrow.

  • Accommodation: Signature Hotel Jinja
  • Meal Plan: Full Board

 

White Water Rafting Uganda

White Water Rafting Uganda

Day 6: White-Water Rafting and Boat Cruise on the Nile

Prepare for an adrenaline-filled day as you dive into the heart of adventure with white-water rafting on the Nile. After breakfast, you’ll join professional rafting instructors for a comprehensive safety briefing before heading to the starting point. Equipped with life jackets and helmets, you’ll embark on a half-day rafting experience that takes you through some of the world’s most exciting rapids from calm stretches to roaring white waters that challenge your courage and teamwork.

The experience is both exhilarating and scenic surrounded by lush riverbanks, local fishermen, and cheering children who wave from the shores. The laughter, splashes, and rush of adrenaline create memories that last forever. For those seeking a milder version, there are options for grade 3 rapids or river tubing.

After the adventure, enjoy a hearty lunch and some relaxation before your afternoon boat cruise on the Nile. The boat glides gently along the calm waters, revealing a different side of the river’s charm fishermen casting nets, kingfishers darting above the surface, and hippos basking near the banks. The cruise often reaches the point traditionally marked as the Source of the Nile, where the river begins its legendary Uganda Safari Adventure from Kigali journey northward.

As the sun sets, the river turns golden, and the tranquility of the scene contrasts beautifully with the morning’s thrill. Dinner and overnight in Jinja, surrounded by the sounds of flowing water and the night’s symphony.

  • Accommodation: Signature Hotel Jinja
  • Meal Plan: Full Board

 

Day 7: Bungee Jumping Over the Nile & Transfer to Entebbe for Departure

Your final day begins with yet another burst of adventure bungee jumping over the river Nile. This heart-pounding experience allows you to leap from a towering platform, diving toward the river below, tethered securely by professional instructors. The feeling of freefalling over one of the world’s greatest rivers is indescribable pure adrenaline, pure freedom, pure Africa.

After this thrilling morning, enjoy a late breakfast and prepare for your scenic transfer to Entebbe, passing through lush landscapes, small towns, and plantations. Along the way, you’ll stop for lunch and brief breaks at roadside craft markets, where you can pick up handmade souvenirs wood carvings, jewelry, or traditional fabrics as mementos of your Uganda Safari Adventure from Kigali journey.

Upon arrival in Entebbe, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your evening flight to South Africa, marking the end of your 7-day Uganda Safari Adventure from Kigali. As you take off, you’ll carry not just photographs but profound memories of mountain gorillas in the mist, lions resting in trees, and the roar of the Nile beneath your feet.

This cross-border odyssey, guided by Deks Safaris & Tours Africa, has shown you the essence of East Africa a world of wonder where adventure meets authenticity, and every moment tells a story.

 

7-Day Uganda Safari Adventure from Kigali Inclusions and Exclusions

Safari Inclusions

  • Airport pick-up and drop-off in Kigali and Entebbe
  • Ground transportation in a 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
  • Professional English-speaking safari guide-driver
  • Accommodation as per itinerary (based on preferred comfort level)
  • All meals as specified (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
  • Gorilla trekking permits for two days (Bwindi Impenetrable Forest)
  • Batwa cultural visit and performance
  • Kigali city tour and Genocide Memorial entrance
  • Tree-climbing lion tracking in Ishasha
  • All park entry fees and government taxes
  • White-water rafting, bungee jumping, and Nile boat cruise
  • Bottled drinking water during transfers and excursions
  • Emergency medical evacuation insurance (AMREF Flying Doctors)

 

Safari Exclusions

  • International flights and entry visas for Rwanda and Uganda
  • Travel insurance and personal medical coverage
  • Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
  • Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks at lodges
  • Laundry, phone calls, and personal items
  • Tips and gratuities for guides, porters, and hotel staff
  • Porterage during gorilla trekking (available at an extra fee)
  • Costs arising from delays or unforeseen circumstances

 

Final Note by Deks Safaris & Tours Africa

At Deks Safaris & Tours Africa, we craft experiences that go beyond sightseeing we create journeys that touch the soul. This 7-day Uganda Safari Adventure from Kigali is a testament to our passion for authentic travel, expert guiding, and personalized service. From the emotional depth of Kigali’s history to the mystical gorilla forests of Bwindi, from the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha to the roaring rapids of the Nile every moment is designed to awaken your spirit of adventure.

Travel with Deks Safaris & Tours Africa, and discover not just destinations, but the heartbeat of Africa itself.

 

Tour Quotation Based on Mid-Range Safari

  • Rate for Solo Traveler: US$6,170
  • Rate for Two People Sharing: US$4,790 Per Person