Skip to content Embark on the ultimate Rwanda and Uganda safari adventure with Freundlich Safaris Uganda, a journey that captures the raw beauty, vibrant cultures, and remarkable wildlife of East Africa. Over 14 extraordinary days, you will traverse lush rainforests, mist-covered volcanoes, golden savannas, and tranquil lakes, all while coming face-to-face with iconic wildlife such as mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, tree-climbing lions, and much more.
Whether you are a wildlife photographer, nature lover, or adventure seeker, this itinerary is designed to offer unforgettable encounters and meaningful connections with nature. Every moment, from gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park to the thundering cascades of Murchison Falls, will leave a lasting impression.
Your adventure begins in Kigali, Rwanda’s clean, vibrant capital city. Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you’ll be warmly greeted by a friendly Freundlich Safaris Uganda representative who will brief you about your upcoming safari. You’ll then be transferred to your hotel where you can unwind after your flight and adjust to the pleasant tropical climate.
Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy a short evening stroll through Kigali’s safe, well organized neighborhoods or relax at your hotel terrace as you admire the city lights twinkling over the surrounding hills.
Accommodation Options:
Budget: Quite Haven Hotel
Mid-Range: Hotel Miles De ’Collin
Luxury: Kigali Serena Hotel
Meal Plan: Dinner
After breakfast, begin your morning with a guided Kigali city tour, an excellent introduction to Rwanda’s rich history and cultural resilience. Your first stop is the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a powerful site honoring the victims of the 1994 genocide. Though deeply moving, the visit offers an inspiring story of Rwanda’s unity and rebirth.
Next, you may explore local craft markets, visit the presidential museum, or enjoy a taste of Rwandan coffee at a local café before beginning your scenic journey to Nyungwe Forest National Park in the southwest. The drive takes you through lush tea plantations, terraced hillsides, and picturesque villages, revealing Rwanda’s natural beauty at every turn.
Upon arrival in Nyungwe, check in at your lodge overlooking the forest canopy and enjoy dinner surrounded by the tranquil sounds of nature.
Accommodation Options:
Budget: Gisakura Guest House
Mid-Range: Nyungwe Top Hill View Hotel
Luxury: One & Only Nyungwe House
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Wake up to the cool mist of Nyungwe and enjoy a hearty breakfast before setting off on an exhilarating canopy walk, one of the most thrilling experiences in Rwanda. Suspended more than 50 meters above the ground, this walkway allows you to gaze across a sea of treetops, spot butterflies, and perhaps glimpse black and white colobus monkeys or L’Hoest’s monkeys leaping gracefully between branches.
The two hour experience offers not only incredible photo opportunities but also a sense of peace as you immerse yourself in this ancient tropical ecosystem.
After lunch, embark on a scenic drive north to Volcanoes National Park, passing through breathtaking countryside landscapes, rolling hills, and small villages. This park forms part of the Virunga Conservation Area, famous as the home of the endangered mountain gorillas and the setting for the late Dian Fossey’s research.
Arrive in the evening, check into your lodge, and prepare for one of Africa’s most iconic wildlife encounters the next morning.
Accommodation Options:
Budget: Muhabura Hotel
Mid-Range: Gorilla Solution Lodge
Luxury: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today marks one of the most anticipated experiences of your safari, mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters in Kinigi for a pre-trek briefing conducted by experienced rangers. You’ll learn about gorilla behavior, tracking etiquette, and safety before being assigned to a specific gorilla family group.
The trek can take anywhere between 1 to 6 hours depending on the gorillas’ movements. As you ascend through thick bamboo forests and dense vegetation, listen to the forest symphony of birds and insects. Then, suddenly, you’ll find yourself standing just meters away from a gorilla family, a breathtaking moment of connection. Watching a silverback gently watch over his family or a playful infant tumbling in the grass is a privilege few on earth experience.
You’ll have one full hour to observe and photograph the gorillas before descending back to the base. Later, return to your lodge to relax, reflect, and perhaps share stories around the fireplace.
Accommodation: The Bishop’s House (Luxury)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, head out again into the bamboo forest for golden monkey trekking, another unique primate adventure. Unlike gorillas, golden monkeys are active and energetic, often darting between branches and chattering cheerfully. Their bright golden orange coats make them stand out vividly against the green forest backdrop, offering wonderful photo opportunities.
Spend about an hour observing their playful behavior before returning to your lodge for lunch. The rest of the afternoon is yours to relax or explore the nearby Musanze town, visit a local cultural village, or enjoy a scenic walk around the foothills of the Virunga volcanoes.
Accommodation: The Bishop’s House
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After a leisurely breakfast, say goodbye to Rwanda as you cross the Cyanika border into Uganda, the “Pearl of Africa.” Your journey continues through the scenic highlands of southwestern Uganda, known for their terraced hills and friendly people.
By midday, you’ll arrive at Lake Bunyonyi, one of Africa’s most beautiful and tranquil lakes. The name “Bunyonyi” means place of little birds, and indeed, the lake is a birdwatcher’s paradise. Its 29 islands, surrounded by misty hills, create an atmosphere of serenity and natural splendor.
Check into your lakeside lodge and enjoy the peaceful views as you sip a drink on your balcony. In the evening, you can take a short canoe ride or simply relax as you listen to the gentle rippling of the lake.
Accommodation: Birdnest @ Lake Bunyonyi (Mid-Range)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today is all about relaxation and exploration at your own pace. After breakfast, choose from several optional activities such as boat rides to explore the islands, birdwatching, or swimming in the bilharzia free waters.
You can also visit Punishment Island, a small isle with a haunting history, or take a guided community walk to meet local residents and learn about traditional Bakiga culture. For the adventurous, activities such as quad biking, canoeing, and nature hikes around the lake can be arranged.
In the evening, enjoy a delicious dinner by candlelight as the sun sets behind the hills, painting the lake in shades of orange and gold, a truly magical African moment.
Accommodation: Birdnest @ Lake Bunyonyi
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, bid farewell to Lake Bunyonyi and drive north toward Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda’s most diverse wildlife reserves. The scenic route passes through rural villages and tea plantations before arriving in the Ishasha sector, renowned for its tree-climbing lions.
After lunch, relax at your lodge or enjoy a short evening game drive to spot elephants, buffaloes, and antelopes grazing across the plains. As dusk falls, listen to the sounds of the African wilderness as you dine under a canopy of stars.
Accommodation: Ishasha Jungle Lodge (Mid-Range)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Wake up early for an exciting game drive in the Ishasha plains, home to the famous tree-climbing lions. With luck, you’ll spot these majestic cats lounging in giant fig trees, a behavior unique to this area. You may also encounter herds of elephants, topis, and buffaloes grazing in the savanna.
After the morning adventure, drive to the northern section of Queen Elizabeth National Park (Kyambura sector). Along the way, you’ll pass through stunning landscapes dotted with crater lakes and sweeping views of the Rwenzori Mountains.
Check into your lodge overlooking the park and spend the evening at leisure.
Accommodation: Elephant Hab Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After an early breakfast, embark on a morning game drive through the Kasenyi plains. This area is famous for its high concentration of wildlife, including lions, leopards, elephants, warthogs, kobs, and many bird species. The sunrise over the savanna provides a perfect backdrop for photography.
After lunch, enjoy a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway connecting Lakes Edward and George. This two-hour cruise offers close encounters with hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and a variety of water birds such as African fish eagles and kingfishers. The experience perfectly combines relaxation with wildlife viewing.
Return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Elephant Hab Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning, depart for Kibale Forest National Park, often called the Primate Capital of the World. The journey takes you through beautiful countryside, tea plantations, and small trading centers before arriving in Fort Portal, a charming town at the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains.
After lunch, visit the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-run conservation area rich in biodiversity. During your guided nature walk, you may spot red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, and a variety of birds, including the Great Blue Turaco. The walk also provides insight into local culture as you interact with community members who protect this wetland.
Accommodation: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Start your day with an early breakfast before heading into Kibale Forest for chimpanzee trekking. Led by expert rangers, you’ll follow the calls of these intelligent primates through the dense forest until you meet them up close. Watch as they groom, play, and communicate in fascinating social groups, an experience that reveals just how closely related they are to humans.
After your trek, enjoy lunch and begin your long but scenic drive north to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest protected area. Along the way, you’ll pass through lively towns and changing landscapes until you reach your lodge near the Nile River.
Accommodation: Fort Murchison Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Rise early for a sunrise game drive on the northern bank of the Nile, where you may encounter Rothschild’s giraffes, lions, elephants, leopards, buffaloes, and various antelope species. The early hours are perfect for photography as golden light sweeps across the savanna.
After lunch, embark on an unforgettable boat cruise along the Nile to the base of Murchison Falls. As you glide along the river, watch hippos wallowing, crocodiles sunbathing, and elephants drinking at the shore. The boat ride ends at the thunderous base of the falls, where the mighty Nile squeezes through a 7 meter gorge before plunging into the depths below.
For a more adventurous finish, take a guided hike to the top of the falls, where you can feel the power of the water roaring beneath your feet and enjoy spectacular panoramic views.
Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight rest.
Accommodation: Fort Murchison Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, begin your drive toward Entebbe, stopping en route at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in Uganda where you can track white rhinos on foot. With the guidance of experienced rangers, you’ll approach these gentle giants at a safe distance, a thrilling and humbling experience that completes your Big Five safari checklist.
Continue your journey to Entebbe International Airport, where you’ll arrive in time for your departure flight. As you reflect on your two-week journey through Rwanda and Uganda, you’ll carry home unforgettable memories of Africa’s beauty, kindness, and wild spirit.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch
Safari Price (Mid-Range Option)
Price Per Person (Sharing a Double/Twin Room): Available on Request
Note: Bookings are confirmed upon receipt of a deposit. This itinerary is customizable to fit your personal interests and convertible for fulfill one’s expectations
All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Accomodation throughout the safari
Ground transportation in a 4×4 safari vehicle
Professional driver/guide
Park entry fees and activity permits
Ranger and guide fees
Bottled water during transfers and activities
International flights
Visa fees
Alcoholic beverages
Personal expenses (laundry, souvenirs, etc.)
Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
At Freundlich Safaris Uganda, we believe that true adventure lies in friendliness, respect, and harmony with nature. The word Freundlich means friendly in German, a reflection of our company’s spirit. We value every creature, from the tiniest bird to the mightiest elephant, and design safaris that celebrate their beauty and vulnerability.
When you travel with us, you’re not just booking a safari; you’re joining a family of passionate explorers who care deeply about wildlife conservation, community empowerment, and sustainable tourism. Our guides are experienced, knowledgeable, and dedicated to ensuring that every moment of your journey is safe, comfortable, and extraordinary.
So, whether you dream of tracking gorillas in misty mountains, watching lions on golden plains, or sailing along the Nile, we’ll make it happen, with warmth, professionalism, and an unwavering love for Africa.
Book your 14 Day Rwanda & Uganda Safari Adventure today and let Freundlich Safaris Uganda take you on an unforgettable expedition through the beating heart of East Africa.
Freundlich Safaris Uganda is a premier tour operator dedicated to providing exceptional safari experiences in the heart of Uganda.
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