13-Day Explore Uganda & Rwanda Safari

The 13-Day Explore Uganda & Rwanda Safari is a transformative journey through two of Africa’s most captivating countries Uganda, “The Pearl of Africa,” and Rwanda, “The Land of a Thousand Hills.” This safari takes you on an extraordinary adventure that blends savannah wildlife encounters, breath-taking landscapes, and intimate moments with the world’s most endangered primates. From trekking rhinos at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to the thunderous roar of Murchison Falls, from gazing at tree-climbing lions in Ishasha to drifting along the Kazinga Channel among hippos and crocodiles, every day promises an awe-inspiring moment.

Primates play a central role in this 13-Day Explore Uganda & Rwanda Safari adventure. You’ll track chimpanzees in the lush Kibale Forest, trek golden monkeys in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, and live the ultimate wildlife dream of meeting mountain gorillas face-to-face in Uganda’s Mgahinga National Park. Alongside these highlights, you’ll experience authentic cultural encounters, peaceful lake shores at Lake Kivu, and Rwanda’s poignant history during a Kigali city tour.

Why Explore with Deks Safaris & Tours Ltd?

Every detail of this safari has been carefully designed by Deks Safaris & Tours Ltd to balance adventure and relaxation, ensuring travelers enjoy both thrilling wildlife action and serene landscapes. Expect seamless transfers, knowledgeable guides, and hand-picked accommodations that range from comfortable guesthouses to mid-range safari lodges, all ensuring the perfect mix of comfort and authenticity.

This 13-Day Explore Uganda & Rwanda Safari itinerary is not just a holiday it’s a journey into the heart of East Africa, where every sunrise brings a new adventure, every trek reveals a hidden gem, and every day leaves you with memories to last a lifetime.

Detailed 13-Day Explore Uganda & Rwanda Safari

Day 1: Arrival in Uganda – Welcome to the Pearl of Africa

Arrive at Entebbe International Airport where you’ll be warmly welcomed by a Deks Safaris & Tours representative. From the moment you set foot on Ugandan soil, you’ll feel the vibrant energy of this lush, green country. Your first transfer takes you to Kampala, Uganda’s bustling capital city, where the mixture of modern and traditional culture begins to unfold before your eyes. On the way, you’ll catch glimpses of Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest freshwater lake, and the lively roadside markets filled with fruits, vegetables, and the ever-smiling Ugandan people.

This day is designed as a gentle introduction to your 13-Day Explore Uganda & Rwanda Safari, giving you time to rest after your flight and prepare for the adventure ahead. At Mamaland Guesthome, a cozy and welcoming lodge, you’ll settle in and enjoy your first taste of Ugandan hospitality. Dinner will be served, offering local and international dishes to suit every palate. As the evening winds down, you’ll have time to relax, reflect, and anticipate the wonders that await.

Main Destination: Kampala (Uganda)
Accommodation: Mamaland Guesthome (Budget Guesthouse)
Meals: Dinner included

Day 2: Transfer to Murchison Falls via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary & Top of the Falls

This morning, your 13-Day Explore Uganda & Rwanda Safari adventure kicks off in earnest. After breakfast, you’ll drive northward, passing through rural landscapes dotted with banana plantations and roadside vendors selling roasted maize and sugarcane. Midway, you’ll stop at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in Uganda where you can trek on foot to see white rhinos. Accompanied by a ranger, you’ll walk safely within meters of these magnificent animals a rare and humbling experience.

From Ziwa, continue toward Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest and most dramatic park. Before reaching your lodge, you’ll stop at the top of the falls, where the mighty Nile River is squeezed through a narrow 7-meter gorge and plunges 45 meters below in a thunderous roar. Standing here, you’ll feel the spray of the water and the raw power of nature at its finest.

Later, settle in at Twiga Tales Lodge, located just outside the park, where you’ll enjoy your first evening in Uganda’s wilderness.

Main Destination: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary / Murchison Falls National Park
Accommodation: Twiga Tales Lodge (Mid-range)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

Day 3: Game Drive & Nile Boat Safari in Murchison Falls NP

Rise early for a morning game drive in Murchison Falls National Park, where the golden savannah glows under the first light of day. This is prime time for spotting predators, and you may catch sight of lions or even leopards on the hunt. Herds of elephants, graceful giraffes, buffaloes, and hartebeests roam freely, while the air fills with bird calls Murchison is a paradise for bird lovers, with over 450 recorded species.

After lunch, embark on a boat cruise along the Nile River. This three-hour journey to the base of Murchison Falls offers an entirely different perspective of the park. Pods of hippos laze in the water, Nile crocodiles bask on the riverbanks, and elephants wade in for a refreshing drink. The cruise ends at the base of the falls, where the sight of the churning waters above promises 13-Day Explore Uganda & Rwanda Safari adventure yet to come.

Return to your lodge for dinner and a restful night.

Main Destination: Murchison Falls National Park
Accommodation: Twiga Tales Lodge (Mid-range)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

Chimpanzee Habituation Experience

Day 4: Scenic Transfer to Kibale Forest

After breakfast, embark on a long but scenic transfer southward toward Kibale Forest National Park, known as the “primate capital of the world.” The journey takes you through Uganda’s countryside, where you’ll see traditional villages, children waving along the roads, and endless tea plantations stretching across rolling hills.

Along the way, the landscape shifts from savannah plains to lush forests. If the day is clear, you may glimpse the distant Rwenzori Mountains, also known as the “Mountains of the Moon.” By late afternoon, you’ll arrive at Isunga Lodge, nestled on the edge of Kibale Forest. The symphony of nocturnal frogs and primates in the canopy creates an enchanting atmosphere as you settle in for the evening.

Main Destination: Kibale Forest National Park
Accommodation: Isunga Lodge (Mid-range)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

Day 5: Crater Lakes & Kazinga Channel Boat Safari – Queen Elizabeth NP

After breakfast, enjoy a scenic drive through the crater lakes region, a spectacular area of volcanic landscapes, sparkling lakes, and lush vegetation. Continue toward Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda’s most diverse ecosystems.

In the afternoon, embark on a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway connecting Lake George and Lake Edward. This channel is famous for its high concentration of hippos, crocodiles, and birdlife. Elephants often line the shores, and the sight of buffaloes cooling off in the water provides endless photographic opportunities. The cruise is not just relaxing but also a premier way to experience the park’s wildlife up close.

End the day at Pumba Safari Cottages, where you’ll enjoy dinner with views of the surrounding savannah.

Main Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation: Pumba Safari Cottages (Budget)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

Day 6: Tree-Climbing Lions in Ishasha & Transfer to Kisoro

Today’s adventure takes you to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth NP, world-renowned for its tree-climbing lions. Unlike lions elsewhere, the Ishasha pride is often found lounging on the sturdy branches of fig trees, making for an extraordinary 13-Day Explore Uganda & Rwanda Safari sighting. Along the way, you’ll also spot topis, buffaloes, and other savannah wildlife.

In the afternoon, continue southward to Kisoro, near Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The scenic drive winds through bamboo forests and highland landscapes, with breathtaking views of the Virunga Volcanoes looming on the horizon. Arrive at Mucha Hotel, where you’ll spend the night preparing for the next day’s gorilla trek.

Main Destination: Ishasha / Kisoro
Accommodation: Mucha Hotel (Budget)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

Day 7: Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla NP & Transfer to Rwanda

This is the day many travelers dream of gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. After a briefing from park rangers, you’ll set out into the forest with a 13-Day Explore Uganda & Rwanda Safari guide, hiking through dense vegetation in search of a gorilla family. The trek can be challenging, but the reward is incomparable: one hour in the company of these gentle giants, observing their behaviors, interactions, and soulful eyes. It is a life-changing moment that words can scarcely capture.

After your trek, cross the nearby border into Rwanda. The landscape changes as you drive through rolling hills and lush fields, arriving in Ruhengeri, the gateway to Volcanoes National Park. Overnight at Muhabura Hotel, where you’ll enjoy warm hospitality and rest after an unforgettable day.

Main Destination: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (Uganda) / Ruhengeri (Rwanda)
Accommodation: Muhabura Hotel (Budget)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

Day 8: Golden Monkey Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Begin your day with another primate adventure golden monkey trekking in Rwanda’s Volcanoes NP. These playful and brightly colored monkeys are endemic to the Virunga Mountains, and trekking them offers a completely different but equally rewarding experience compared to gorillas. You’ll hike through bamboo forests, watch them leap gracefully through the trees, and enjoy the vibrant biodiversity of the park.

After the trek, return to your lodge for a relaxed afternoon, giving you time to reflect on two extraordinary days of primate encounters.

Main Destination: Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda)
Accommodation: Muhabura Hotel (Budget)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

Day 9: Transfer to Lake Kivu – A Relaxed Afternoon by the Shore

After breakfast, set out for Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s great lakes and a serene retreat after days of trekking. The drive takes just a few hours, and by lunchtime, you’ll be enjoying the tranquil shores of the lake. Spend the afternoon at leisure whether by taking a boat ride across the calm waters, walking along the shore, or simply unwinding with a book as fishermen paddle by in dugout canoes.

Your stay at Paradise Malahide offers stunning lake views and the perfect place to relax and recharge before the journey continues.

Main Destination: Lake Kivu (Rwanda)
Accommodation: Paradise Malahide (Mid-range)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

Day 10: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park

Today, your 13-Day Explore Uganda & Rwanda Safari continues as you transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park, a vast and ancient rainforest that is one of Africa’s most biodiverse regions. The scenic journey showcases Rwanda’s rolling hills, tea plantations, and picturesque rural life.

In the afternoon, arrive at Gisakura Guest House, located near the forest. Here, the air is cool and fresh, and the sounds of the forest create an immersive natural atmosphere as you prepare for chimpanzee trekking the next morning.

Main Destination: Nyungwe Forest National Park
Accommodation: Gisakura Guest House (Budget)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

Day 11: Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe Forest NP

Wake up early for a thrilling trek to track chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest. Guided by experienced rangers, you’ll hike through dense vegetation while listening for the calls of these energetic primates. Once located, you’ll observe their fascinating behaviors watching them swing through trees, groom one another, and forage for food.

Chimp trekking offers a deeper appreciation of our closest relatives in the animal kingdom and adds another primate highlight to your 13-Day Explore Uganda & Rwanda Safari. Return to your guesthouse in the afternoon for a relaxed evening.

Main Destination: Nyungwe Forest National Park (Rwanda)
Accommodation: Gisakura Guest House (Budget)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

Short Rwanda Chimpanzee Safaris

Day 12: Transfer to Kigali

After breakfast, begin your journey back to Rwanda’s vibrant capital, Kigali. The drive offers more chances to appreciate Rwanda’s breathtaking landscapes, dotted with banana groves, tea plantations, and the ever-present rolling hills that give the country its nickname.

In the afternoon, check in at Step Town Motel, located near the city center. This evening, you can enjoy Kigali’s bustling nightlife or relax in preparation for your final day.

Main Destination: Kigali (Rwanda)
Accommodation: Step Town Motel (Budget)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

Day 13: Kigali City Tour & Departure

On your final day, embark on a Kigali City Tour (depending on flight time). Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a moving and educational tribute to Rwanda’s past, as well as local craft villages where you can purchase souvenirs. The city tour highlights Kigali’s transformation into one of Africa’s cleanest and fastest-developing cities.

Your 13-Day Explore Uganda & Rwanda Safari concludes with a transfer to Kigali International Airport for your flight home. As you leave East Africa behind, you’ll carry unforgettable memories of Uganda’s raw wilderness and Rwanda’s serene beauty, woven together into one seamless journey by Deks Safaris & Tours Ltd.

Main Destination: Kigali (Rwanda)
Accommodation: None
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch included