Uganda & Rwanda — by air
7-day luxury gorilla safari, Uganda and Rwanda
Two treks, two countries, four of the finest lodges in Africa, and no transfer longer than ninety minutes.
7 daysfrom US$11,900 pp
Across Uganda · 10 days · from US$4,380 pp
10-day Uganda wildlife and gorilla safari
the trip that justifies the flight
- Duration
- 10 days, 9 nights
- Starts
- Entebbe
- Ends
- Entebbe or Kigali
- Parks
- Ziwa, Murchison, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi
- Permits
- Gorilla US$800 and chimpanzee US$250, included
- Travel
- Private 4x4; internal flights on request
Most people fly eight thousand miles, spend one hour with gorillas and go home. This itinerary uses the same flights to see rhino on foot at Ziwa, the Nile at Murchison, chimpanzees in Kibale, the Kazinga Channel, the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha and then Bwindi.
It runs as a loop from Entebbe, or one-way finishing in Kigali, which saves a day of driving. Ten days is right; twelve is better if you can find them.
Day by day
The 10 days
- Day 1
Entebbe to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
North to Ziwa, the only place in Uganda with wild southern white rhino. Afternoon rhino tracking on foot.
- Day 2
On to Murchison Falls
Through Masindi to the top of the falls, where the entire Nile is squeezed through a gap you could throw a stone across.
- Day 3
Murchison game drive and Nile boat
A morning drive on the northern bank for lion, elephant, giraffe and hartebeest, then the afternoon boat to the base of the falls.
- Day 4
Murchison to Kibale Forest
A long, scenic drive south past the Rwenzori foothills into tea country.
- Day 5
Chimpanzee tracking and Bigodi
Morning at Kanyanchu with a habituated chimpanzee community, afternoon on the Bigodi Wetland boardwalk.
- Day 6
Queen Elizabeth National Park
South through the crater lakes, with the afternoon boat safari on the Kazinga Channel.
- Day 7
Kasenyi plains and Ishasha
An early game drive, then south through Ishasha to look for lions in the fig trees.
- Day 8
Ishasha to Bwindi
A short morning drive into the forest. Afternoon community walk at Buhoma and an early night.
- Day 9
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi
The morning everything has been building towards, and the rest of the day to sit still and think about it.
- Day 10
Bwindi to Entebbe or Kigali
The long drive east via Lake Mburo, a light-aircraft transfer from Kihihi, or the shorter run south to Kigali.
US$4,380per person sharing, from
US$4,380 per person sharing in mid-range lodges. US$3,300 budget, US$9,600 luxury. Adding the Pakuba–Kasese flight to remove day four's drive costs about US$400 per person.
What's included
- Gorilla permit (US$800) and chimpanzee permit (US$250)
- Rhino tracking at Ziwa
- All park fees and two boat safaris
- Private 4x4 and driver-guide for ten days
- Nine nights' accommodation, full board
- Airport transfers, water and taxes
Not included
- International flights
- Visas
- Travel insurance
- Internal flights if selected
- Porters and tips
- Drinks
Who it suits. First-time visitors to East Africa who want the whole country, not a highlight reel.
Questions about this trip
How long should a Uganda safari be?
Ten days is the sweet spot. Under seven and you are choosing between gorillas and the savannah parks; over twelve and Kidepo Valley in the far north-east comes into range.
Can we shorten the long drives?
Yes. Day four is around seven hours and a light-aircraft leg removes it. On a ten-day trip that is usually money well spent.
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Enquire
Request the 10-day uganda wildlife & gorillas
Send your dates and we will confirm what permits exist, then come back with a costed, dated version of this itinerary.
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