This 7 Days Rwanda Uganda safari involves taking park in several interesting activities. The package is designed for visitors who are interested in going for gorilla tracking in either the Volcanoes national park in Rwanda or Bwindi impenetrable forest in Uganda and also taking part in a real wildlife safari in one of the best tourism destinations in Uganda – Queen Elizabeth national park. We have chosen Kibale Forest in Uganda because it is the most reliable place to track chimpanzee in East Africa.
It is also the perfect place to go and experience the chimpanzee habituation process which is not part of this package. Apart from Kibale and Queen Elizabeth National Park, this tour will also take you to the 
Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda for golden monkey trekking. While in the park, you will have an opportunity to visit the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village for a truly amazing cultural experience. Let’s discuss a little bit about each of the National Parks.
To begin with Kibale. Kibale National Park is one of the best places to view primates in Africa. About 13 species can be spotted. Kibale is home to about 1500 chimpanzee and four communities are habituated. While in Kibale, tourists can also spot other mammals and birds. Some of the wildlife in Queen Elizabeth (like lions) visit Kibale forest during certain periods of the year. The Bigodi Wetlands Swamp is found at the edge of the park and is excellent for primates viewing and birdwatching. The park also has several crater lakes and beautiful views of the Rwenzori mountains. Queen Elizabeth National Park also has chimps at the amazing Kyambura Gorge but what really separates it from others is the beautiful scenery and landscape which are home to tree climbing lions, elephants, buffaloes and leopards to mention but a few. Queen Elizabeth remains relatively green throughout the year compared to the Masai Mara and Serengeti providing amazing views for nature lovers. You can spot all of the park animals on a standard game drive or while on a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel.
The 7 days Uganda Rwanda tour also takes you to the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. It is the most visited national park in the country because of the 370 mountain gorillas found there. The park is also home to 5 volcanoes, golden monkeys, hyenas, forest buffaloes, elephants, smaller primates and birds. While visiting the park, you will also get an opportunity to visit the Iby’iwacu Cultural Centre and the Twin Lakes of Burera and Ruhondo. This tour package can be changed in many ways. It can start from Uganda instead. You can also choose to do gorilla trekking in Uganda to cut down on costs. There is even a possibility of doing the whole tour in Rwanda and going for chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest. If you think this tour is short, then check out our 10 days Rwanda Uganda tour or the 14 days Uganda Rwanda wildlife safari package. If you find the number of days too long, then you see that our 5 days Rwanda Uganda safari package is more interesting.
Main Activities
The main activities are:
- Tour of Kigali city (The genocide memorial site, city markets, artisan shops and presidential palace museum)
- Gorilla Trekking in the Volcanoes National Park
- Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale national park Uganda
- 2 Game Dives in Queen Elizabeth National park
- Launch Cruise at the Kazinga Channel
- Golden Monkey Tracking
- Visiting the beautiful twin lakes of Ruhondo and Burera
- Visiting the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village
Full Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer from Kigali to Kibale Forest national park
Wake up early and take breakfast as you wait to be picked up from the hotel. If you are arriving by plane, our company Guide will be waiting for you to start the journey to Kibale National Park. The journey will take between 5 to 6 hours and this requires that you set of early. Along the way, enjoy the beautiful countryside of Rwanda and Uganda. Do not forget to have all your documents ready as you will be asked for them at the Uganda Rwanda border crossing. A yellow fever card is very important. Lunch will be taken at a suitable place along the way. The driver will ensure that you reach early enough so that you have a long rest in preparation for Chimpanzee tracking the next day.
Dinner and overnight stay at Kyaninga Lodge (Luxury), Primates Lodge (Midrange) and Chimpanzee Guest House (budget).
Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest – Queen Elizabeth National park
Wake up early after the long rest yesterday and take your breakfast. The company Guide will pick you up and take you to the park offices for briefing. The briefing is led by a park Guide and covers topics about 
the forest, what to expect, the chimpanzee communities in the park and how to act around them. Chimpanzee trekking usually take between 3 to 5 hours. It is a different experience from gorilla trekking because the chimps are more mobile. This implies that you might have to keep following them at high speed even after finding them. A chimpanzee group is more dramatic with conflicts among members a constant occurrence. Gorilla groups are very gentile and the silverback gorilla has ultimate authority without always having to show it every time. The great thing about chimps is that finding them is easier because they are very vocal. You can hear them from miles away even before seeing them. Like I said, chimp groups are more dramatic and this can be even more exciting than what you will experience with gorillas.
After observing the group for one hour, you will return to your lodge for lunch and rest. Our Guide will start the 2-hour journey from Kibale National Park to Queen Elizabeth national park in the afternoon. After check in, you can take a walk around your lodge before going to bed as early as possible.
Dinner and overnight will be at Mweya Safari Lodge (luxury), Park view lodge (Mid-range) and Simba safari camp (budget).
Day 3: Game drive – Boat cruise at the Kazinga Channel
You will wake up early and be driven to the Kasenyi plains or Mweya area with your packed breakfast for the early morning game drive. This morning game drive is designed to allow you spot the nocturnal 
animals going back to their dens after hunting in the night. Expect to see Leopard, hippos, hartebeests, lions, small primates, birds and other early morning risers. On completing the game drive, you will be taken back to the lodge to have early lunch then go rest as you wait for the next activity in Queen Elizabeth National Park. At 2.00 pm, the company guide will transfer you to the Kazinga Channel for a boat cruise. The Kazinga Channel Separates Lake Edward from Lake George. It is a collection point for most of the wildlife in Queen Elizabeth. It is also one of the best spots for bird watching in Africa. While on the boat cruise, you will be very impressed with what the channel has to offer.
Dinner and overnight will be at Mweya Safari Lodge (luxury), Park view lodge (Mid-range) and Simba safari camp (budget).
Day 4: Game drive at Ishasa sector – Transfer to the Volcanoes national park in Rwanda
Wake up to a new day, take your breakfast and check out as you wait for the driver. The guide will come pick you and take you for another game drive in Queen Elizabeth national park on your way to Rwanda. 
The main purpose of this game drive is to see the famous tree climbing lions at the Ishasa section of Queen Elizabeth National park. The lions can be sighted resting on top of fig and acacia trees after hunting in the night. The lions stay on top pf the trees to escape insect bites on the ground while also giving them great views of their next meal. Expect to see elephants, buffaloes and the Uganda Kob among other wildlife in the Ishasha sector. After having enough of the game drive in Ishasha, it’s time to begin the journey back to Rwanda and to the Volcanoes National park. We hope you will enjoy the beautiful scenery and countryside during your journey back to Rwanda. Lunch will be taken during the journey back to Rwanda.
Dinner and overnight at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Luxury), Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge (Mid-range) and Kinigi Guest House (budget).
Day 5: Mountain gorilla tracking in Rwanda – Touring the Iby’iwacu cultural village
Wake up early to take breakfast and then wait for the driver to pick you up and take you to the park office for briefing. Briefing is at 7:00 am and is led by the Rangers and park Guides. After the briefing, you will be assigned a gorilla family based on your fitness and age. Use the briefing time to hire a porter if you have heavy luggage. Gorilla tracking can be challenging depending on the location of the family but at the end of the day, it’s worth every effort. The chance to see mountain gorillas in the wild is the ultimate wildlife experience. Follow instructions from the park guides and wardens especially when you encounter the primates. You will have one hour with the gorilla family. Take time to observe them and take photos/videos. The driver will be waiting for you at the starting point for a transfer back to the lodge for lunch and rest.
After resting in your room, you will be picked up by the guide to go for a tour of the Gorilla Guardians Village in Musanze – just near the park. Formerly known as the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village, the Centre brings together all the different tribes of Rwanda to show case their cultural heritage. Expect musical performances, dance and drama. You will also have an opportunity to buy souvenir if you wish. The Iby’iwacu Cultural Village is built to high standards and tourists are not just onlookers. You can also put on the traditional costumes and join the performers.
Dinner and overnight at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Luxury), Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge (Mid-range) and Kinigi Guest House (budget).
Day 6: Golden Monkey Tracking – Visit the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo
Wake up early once again, take breakfast and wait for the driver to take you to the park offices for the 
briefing on golden monkey tracking. You will be assigned a Guide and armed Rangers to escort into the forest to search for the cute monkeys. Golden monkeys are endangered primates and can only be found in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. They live off bamboo shoots and other vegetation. Their greatest threat comes from man but Eagles are their natural enemies. Golden monkeys are very playful and love flash photos unlike gorillas. After some time hiking in the forest, you will see the golden monkeys on top of trees or feeding on the ground. Once done, head back to your lodge for lunch and rest. Later in the Afternoon, the drier will take you to visit the beautiful twin lakes of Ruhondo and Burera.
Dinner and overnight at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Luxury), Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge (Mid-range) and Kinigi Guest House (budget).
Day 7: Transfer to back Kigali – Kigali City Tour – departure
You will wake up early, take breakfast and hit the road to Kigali. The journey is 3 hours but you will once again be treated to the beautiful rolling hills of Rwanda’s countryside and the vast tea plantations. Lunch will be in Kigali after which you will go for a tour of the city. The tour involves visiting the Gisozi Genocide memorial site, the presidential palace museum, city markets and gift shops where you can buy local crafts/arts. The Kigali city tour take between one to two hours. After this final tour of Rwanda, you dropped at your hotel or transferred to the airport.
End of Tour
Inclusions and Exclusions
The Safari cost includes: –
- A tour van with a pop-up roof for wildlife viewing
- An English speaking driver
- Fuel
- Gorilla Permits
- Chimpanzee Permits
- Golden Monkey Permits
- Park fees
- Water and meals while traveling
- Full board accommodation for 6 nights
- Pickup and drop-off in Kigali
- Visiting the Gorilla Guardians Village
- Visiting the twin lakes of Ruhondo and Burera
- Kigali city Tour
The tour excludes international flights, visas, wines and insurance
Practical Guide
The gear, things to pack and consider for mountain gorilla trekking include: –
- Good hiking boots with traction
- Thick cotton gloves
- A light raincoat
- Drinking water and light snack
- Porters to help with extra equipment and luggage.
It is important to note that: –
- The package hotels and meals a day before and after the safari. This can be included on request.
- You need to be at least 15 years to be allowed to take part in gorilla trekking. For Chimpanzee trekking, one needs to be 13 years of age.
- Ensure the you are vaccinated against yellow fever before arriving for the safari.
- Visas can be got online or on arrival at the airport
Accommodation in Rwanda
Kinigi Guesthouse: This budget facility is built on the foot of one of the Virunga volcanoes – Sabyinyo to be specific. Because of that, it has amazing views of the Virunga range of mountains and allows tourists reach the park offices in time to start activities. The Guesthouse can accommodate over forty guests. Each of the rooms is self-contained and has warm water, power, a shower, a bathroom and sofas. They now have four VIP suites for those who want extra comfort and luxury. Kinigi Guesthouse started as an income generating project with the purpose of supporting orphaned children widows, local artists and the wider community. They have also helped set up schools, wells and roads. By booking with this lodge, you are supporting a Non-profit establishment and indirectly contributing to the welfare of the less privileged.
Mountain Gorilla View Lodge: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge is an affordable luxury lodge built on the slopes of one the mountains in the park. It is very close to the park entrance and is an excellent 
choice for those planning to do gorilla trekking or golden monkey tracking. The lodge has 30 self-contained cottages. Each cottage has a bathroom, flush toilets, a hair dryer, toiletries, a fireplace and a balcony with great views of the forested mountains. You can see birds and small primates playing around the lodge premises. Traditional dance groups are invited to perform for guests every evening after gorilla trekking or hiking one of the mountains. The lodge also has a lounge area with a fireplace, a bar, a restaurant, a swimming pool, parking space and free Wi-Fi. Staff are very friendly and will help you clean your mud-filled boots at no cost.
Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge: This is one of the best mid-range lodges in the area. The Lodge was built using bamboo and other local materials but with a modern feel. There are 3 categories of rooms offered by Le Bambou Lodge – Double, twin and single rooms. Each room has a fireplace, a bathroom, flush toilets, warm shower, a hair dryer a safe, coffee/tea station and a refrigerator. Each room is decorated in a unique way and the beds are very comfortable. The other amenities in the lodge include free Wi-Fi, cultural entertainment, a dining hall serving both local and international cuisines.
What are the fees per person for this trip?