17-Day Uganda Safari & Rwanda Gorilla/Golden Monkey Adventure

Entebbe → Murchison Falls → Kibale → Queen Elizabeth NP → Bwindi → Volcanoes NP → Kigali

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe

Arrive at Entebbe International Airport and transfer to a lodge on the shores of Lake Victoria. Relax, adjust to the time zone, and enjoy dinner overlooking the lake.

Midrange lodge options: Boma Guest House, Karibu Guest House, The Precious Guest House, or Protea Hotel Entebbe.

Day 2: Entebbe – Murchison Falls National Park

Depart early for the 5–6 hour drive north to Murchison Falls, Uganda’s largest national park. Break the journey at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for an optional guided rhino tracking walk (Uganda’s only place to see southern white rhinos in the wild). Continue to your lodge in the late afternoon.

Midrange lodge options: Pakuba Safari Lodge, Bwana Tembo Safari Lodge, Fort Murchison, or Heritage Safari Lodge.

Day 3: Murchison Falls – Game Drive & Boat Cruise

Full day in the park. Early morning game drive across the savannah of the Buligi Peninsula, watching for elephant, giraffe, buffalo, lion, and Uganda kob. In the afternoon, take a boat cruise on the Nile to the base of the falls, spotting hippos, crocodiles, and abundant birdlife including the shoebill stork.

Day 4: Top of the Falls & Transfer to Kibale

Morning hike to the top of Murchison Falls, where the entire Nile is forced through a 7-meter gorge — a dramatic and photogenic finale to your stay. Afterward, begin the long transfer south toward Kibale Forest (approx. 6–7 hours), passing through rural Uganda and the Rift Valley escarpment. Arrive in the evening.

Midrange lodge options: Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse, Kibale Forest Camp, Isunga Lodge, or Primate Lodge Kibale.

Day 5: Kibale Forest – Chimpanzee Trekking

Morning trek into Kibale Forest, home to Uganda’s highest concentration of primates, in search of habituated chimpanzee communities. Kibale offers some of the best chimp-tracking odds in Africa. In the afternoon, relax at the lodge or take an optional visit to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for birdlife and monkeys.

Day 6: Bigodi Wetland Walk – Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Morning nature walk through the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary (if not done the day before), then transfer approximately 2–3 hours to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Afternoon game drive en route to your lodge.

Midrange lodge options: Enganzi Game Lodge, Marafiki Safari Lodge, Simba Safari Camp, or Buffalo Safari Lodge.

Day 7: Queen Elizabeth NP – Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Cruise

Early morning game drive through the Kasenyi Plains in search of lion, elephant, buffalo, and hyena. In the afternoon, take a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, one of Africa’s best wildlife-viewing waterways, with dense concentrations of hippo, buffalo, and waterbirds along the banks.

Day 8: Ishasha Sector – Tree-Climbing Lions – Transfer Toward Bwindi

Head south to the remote Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth NP, famous for its tree-climbing lions that lounge in the branches of fig trees. Continue the drive to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest area (roughly 3–4 hours from Ishasha), arriving in time for dinner.

Midrange lodge options: Buhoma Lodge, Engagi Lodge, Bwindi View Bandas, Nkuringo Gorilla Camp, or Silverback Lodge (choose a lodge near the trekking sector assigned to you — Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, or Nkuringo).

Day 9: Bwindi – Community Walk & Rest Day

A lighter day to settle in ahead of gorilla trekking. Options include a Batwa Pygmy cultural encounter, a village walk, a visit to a local school or coffee farm, or simply relaxing and enjoying the forest scenery from your lodge.

Day 10: Bwindi – Gorilla Trekking

The highlight of the trip. After an early briefing, set out with armed rangers and guides into the forest to track one of Bwindi’s habituated mountain gorilla families. Treks can last anywhere from 1 to 6 hours depending on where the gorillas are that day, followed by a magical hour in their presence. Afternoon free to rest.

Day 11: Bwindi – Second Trek or Batwa Experience – Transfer South

Optional second gorilla trek with a different family group (recommended if your permits and budget allow, as no two encounters are the same), or a Batwa cultural trail experience. Afterward, transfer south toward the Uganda–Rwanda border, staying near Rushaga or continuing directly toward the border area.

Day 12: Bwindi to Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

Cross the border into Rwanda at the Cyanika or Katuna post (a straightforward process; your guide will assist with formalities) and continue to the Volcanoes National Park area near Musanze/Kinigi, in the shadow of the Virunga volcanoes. Afternoon at leisure.

Midrange lodge options: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, Kinigi Guesthouse, Amahoro Guest House, or Fatima Hotel.

Day 13: Golden Monkey Trekking

Trek through bamboo forest on the lower slopes of the Virunga volcanoes to find a troop of endangered golden monkeys, playful and acrobatic primates found only in this region. The trek is generally shorter and less strenuous than gorilla trekking. Afternoon free, or add an optional visit to the Dian Fossey exhibit at Kinigi.

Day 14: Volcanoes NP – Optional Activities

A flexible day to add an extra activity: a second gorilla trek in Rwanda (permits are more expensive here but sightings are excellent), the moderately strenuous hike to the Dian Fossey tomb site at Karisoke, or a cultural visit to the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village to learn about traditional Rwandan life, dance, and music.

Day 15: Volcanoes NP – Twin Lakes & Local Life

Visit Lake Burera and Lake Ruhondo (the “twin lakes”) for scenic canoe rides or lakeside walks, or take a guided community walk through the surrounding farmland and villages. A relaxed day to enjoy the cool volcanic highlands before heading to the capital.

Day 16: Transfer to Kigali – City Tour

Drive approximately 2–3 hours to Kigali. In the afternoon, take a city tour including the Kigali Genocide Memorial (a moving and important stop for understanding Rwanda’s history and remarkable recovery), local craft markets, and viewpoints over the city’s rolling hills.

Midrange lodge options: Ubumwe Grande Hotel, Discover Rwanda Boutique Hotel, The Retreat Kigali, or Villa Portofino.

Day 17: Departure from Kigali

Depending on flight time, enjoy a final breakfast, perhaps a visit to Kigali’s Inema Arts Center or a coffee shop, before transferring to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight.

What to Pack for Gorilla & Golden Monkey Trekking

Clothing

• Long-sleeved shirts and long trousers in neutral, earthy colors (khaki, olive, brown, gray) — avoid bright colors and camouflage (illegal for civilians in Uganda and Rwanda)
• A light fleece or warm mid-layer — mornings at altitude can be chilly
• A waterproof rain jacket (rain is possible year-round in the forest)
• Sturdy, broken-in waterproof hiking boots with good ankle support
• Thick hiking socks (gaiters are useful for keeping safari ants and debris out)
• A wide-brimmed hat or cap
• Thin gardening or hiking gloves (helpful for pushing through nettles and vegetation)

Gear

• A daypack to carry water, snacks, and rain gear
• 1–2 liters of drinking water
• Energy snacks or light packed lunch (for longer treks)
• Binoculars for spotting primates in the canopy
• A camera with a fully charged battery and spare memory card (flash photography of gorillas is prohibited)
• Insect repellent
• A walking stick (usually provided free at the trailhead)
• Personal first-aid kit with basic medications, blister plasters, and rehydration salts

Other Essentials

• Valid passport, gorilla/golden monkey trekking permits, and any required travel documents
• Cash (small denominations) for porter tips — hiring a local porter is highly recommended and directly supports the community
• Hand sanitizer and a face mask (mask may be recommended or required when near gorillas due to their susceptibility to human respiratory illnesses)
• Sunscreen and sunglasses
• A dry bag or plastic bags to protect electronics and documents from rain and humidity

Practical Tips

• Gorilla and golden monkey permits should be booked well in advance (gorilla permits especially — often 4–6 months ahead in peak season)
• Fitness level matters more for gorilla trekking than golden monkey trekking, as gorilla families can range widely and treks may involve steep, muddy terrain
• Porters are inexpensive, extremely helpful on slippery slopes, and a meaningful way to support the local Bwindi and Volcanoes communities
• Keep a respectful distance from the animals as instructed by your ranger guide at all times

Lodge suggestions above represent solid midrange options in each area; availability and exact category (some properties straddle midrange/upscale) can shift, so it’s worth confirming current rates and availability with a local ground operator or agent before booking, especially for the gorilla and golden monkey permits, which are limited and non-refundable once purchased.