10-Day Rwanda – Uganda Safari: UGorilla Trekking & Chimp Habituation Tour

Experience the ultimate 10-day Rwanda-Uganda safari, blending Kigali’s culture with iconic wildlife. Trek mountain gorillas, enjoy chimpanzee habituation in Kibale, and explore Murchison Falls.

From Kazinga Channel boat cruises to Nile rafting in Jinja, this cross-border adventure offers East Africa’s most diverse primate and savannah encounters.

Itinerary Overview: The Best of Rwanda and Uganda in 10 Days

Your adventure begins with a warm welcome in Kigali, followed by a journey to Mgahinga National Park, home of the majestic Mountain Gorillas.

Crossing into Uganda, you will explore Queen Elizabeth National Park, where the plains teem with elephants, lions, and hippos.

Continue to Kibale Forest, known as the “Primate Capital of the World,” for an exhilarating chimpanzee tracking experience.

The adventure deepens at Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest and oldest park. Finally, unwind in Jinja, the adventure capital of East Africa, at the source of the Nile.

Tourist Activities

Kigali City Tour: Visit the Genocide Memorial and Ellen DeGeneres Campus.
Gorilla Trekking: Life-changing encounter in Mgahinga/Kisoro region.
Cultural Batwa Encounter: Traditional forest-dwelling tribe experience.
Game Drives: Multi-park drives in Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls.
Kazinga Channel Boat Safari: View hippos, crocodiles, and elephants from the water.
Bigodi Wetland Nature Walk: Bird watching and primate spotting.
Chimpanzee Habituation: An immersive half-day with wild chimps in Kibale.
Murchison Falls Hike: Feel the power of the Nile at the “Top of the Falls.”
Rhino Tracking: On-foot tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
White Water Rafting: Adrenaline-filled adventure on the River Nile.
Source of the Nile Tour: Boat trip to the historic start of the world’s longest river.

Cost Breakdown: 10-Day East Africa Safari Cost & Booking Details

Item Category	Details & Estimated Cost (USD)
Gorilla Permit	$800 — Uganda Permit (standard rate)
Gorilla Habituation Permit	$1500 — Uganda Permit (standard rate)
Chimp Habituation	$300 — Half-day experience in Kibale
Chimp Trekking	$250 — Half-day experience in Kibale
Park Entries & Activities	$450 — QENP, Murchison, Ziwa, Boat cruises, Rafting
Accommodation & Meals	$1,800 — 9 Nights in Mid-range lodges (Full Board)
Transport & Guide	$1,200 — 4x4 Safari Landcruiser, Fuel, Driver fees
Total Estimated Price	$4,500 - $4,850 — Per person (based on 2 pax)

10-Day Rwanda-Uganda Safari Detailed Day-by-Day Route

Day 1: Kigali City Tour & Scenic Transfer to Kisoro, Uganda

Day 1 of the 10 Days Ultimate Rwanda and Uganda Safari will start with a pick up from Kigali International Airport by our professional driver guide who will brief you about the 10 Ultimate Days Rwanda and Uganda Safari.

From there, you will be transferred to your hotel. Kigali is one of Africa’s cleanest, safest, and most welcoming capitals perfect for solo travelers.

Upon arrival, check-in, you can take a short city walk or relax at your lodge.

Then, after you visit Ellen degenerous, visit Kigali Genocide Memorial, a touching historical site that tells Rwanda’s story of resilience, Nyamirambo Women’s Center and Kimironko Market – great for experiencing local life and buying crafts.

Accommodation Options: Ichumbi Kisoro or Similar

Meals Plan: Half Board

Day 2: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga & Batwa Tribe Cultural Experience

On this day after having your heavy breakfast, here you will go for Gorilla Trekking. You then you will prepare yourself in appropriate clothing and get ready for Gorilla Trekking.

You will be transferred to the Parks center for briefing about the DO’s and DON’T’S by a ranger guide.

After briefing, join your group and trek through bamboo forests in search of one of the habituated Gorilla families.

When you finally meet them, you’ll spend a magical hour watching their behavior, playful juveniles, nurturing mothers, and calm silverbacks.

This life-changing encounter offers deep emotional connection and appreciation for conservation efforts.

Return to your lodge to rest and enjoy a relaxing moment. Later in the evening, you will visit the Batwa people for a cultural encounter.

Accommodation Options: Ichumbi Kisoro or Similar

Meals Plan: Full Board

Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park for an Evening Savannah Safari

After breakfast, drive north through scenic landscapes to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s most diverse savannah park.

The drive is about 5–6 hours passes through beautiful farmlands and the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains.

Arrive in the park for a game drive in the Kasenyi plains, look out for elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, and, if lucky, lions lounging in the sun.

Accommodation Options: Enganzi Game Lodge or Similar

Meals Plan: Full Board

Day 4: Kasenyi Plains Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Day 4 of the Safari will begin with a mouth-watering breakfast, and thereafter you head out for a morning game drive that will expose you to diverse animals including the Big five (African elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, and rhino), Warthogs, Hyenas, and many more species that are resident to this park.

There is rich birdlife diversity such as Martial Eagles, African fin foot, African skimmer, and Lesser Flamingos, among others. You will go back to the Lodge for lunch and relaxation.

Later in the Afternoon, you head out for a boat cruise on the famous Kazinga Channel a natural waterway connecting Lake Edward and Lake George.

Here you’ll see land and water adapted hippos, Elephants, Nile crocodile, Warthog etc. Birds like pelicans, kingfishers, and African fish eagles among others. Dinner and Overnight Stay.

Accommodation Options: Enganzi Game Lodge or Similar

Meals Plan: Full Board

Day 5: Drive to Kibale Primate Capital & Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary Walk

On this day, you will have a delicious breakfast, pack your bags and prepare to exit the park. The scenic journey takes about 3-4 hours.

Upon arrival, check into the lodge for lunch and relaxation from at the lodge facilities.

Later in the evening, you will embark on a nature walk in Bigodi Wetland. Bigodi has a thriving population of bird species like the green-breasted pitta and great blue turaco. The swamp is also a haven for other mammals such as sitatungas, bushbucks and otters.

Local guides will take you on a tour in the lush vegetation. This is the perfect opportunity to view the wildlife from the forest pathways, boardwalks and atop a tree house tucked high in the canopy.

Return back to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation Options: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge or Similar

Meals Plan: Full Board

Day 6: Chimpanzee Habituation Experience (CHEX) in Kibale National Park

After an early breakfast, you will head to the Kanyanchu Visitor Centre for a briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers and researchers.

Unlike standard chimp tracking, which allows only one hour with the chimps, the Habituation Experience gives you a half day in the forest, accompanying researchers and trackers as they follow a semi-habituated chimpanzee group through their daily routines.

You will set out just after dawn, when the chimps are still in their nests, and spend the day observing them as they wake, feed, play, and interact.

This hands-on conservation activity offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the process of habituating wild chimps to human presence, which can take years. Return the lodge for relaxation as you prepare for the next encounter. Dinner and Overnight Stay.

Accommodation Options: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge or Similar

Meals Plan: Full Board

Day 7: Travel to Murchison Falls & Hike to the World’s Most Powerful Waterfall

In the early morning, you have an early morning breakfast, and your driver guide will pick you up to go for a morning delta drive where you will be able to see animals like warthogs, buffaloes, giraffes, Uganda kobs, zebras, Patas monkeys, baboons, elephants, among others grazing in the open savannah plains.

If you are lucky, you will see predators like lions, hyenas and leopards before they go back to their hiding areas. After the game drive you will head back to the lodge for lunch.

Later in the Afternoon, you will head out for an exciting boat cruise to the bottom of the falls.

During the boat ride which takes about 2 hours you will have spectacular views of the beautiful scenery, hippos, and Nile crocodiles in water, elephants, buffaloes, warthogs, antelopes, along the shores.

Also, you will see water birds like the kingfishers, bee-eaters, cormorants, and fish eagles, among others. After the boat cruise, you will meet up with your driver guide and return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation Options: Twiga Safari Lodge or Similar

Meals Plan: Full Board

Day 8: Murchison Falls Delta Game Drive & Nile River Launch Trip

After breakfast on day 8 of the 10 days, your driver guide will pick you up from the hotel and transfer you to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. You will have a stopover at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary for Rhino tracking.

The only place in Uganda where you can see wild rhinos in their natural habitat. Upon arrival, you will meet a local ranger for a short briefing, then set out on foot for a rhino tracking experience.

Walking quietly through the savannah bush, you will approach the rhinos from a safe distance and have the rare chance to observe these magnificent animals up close.

After the tracking session and a relaxed lunch at the sanctuary’s café, continue your journey toward Jinja, passing through Uganda’s lush countryside and small towns.

As you approach Jinja, enjoy the change in scenery from rolling hills to the calm waters of the Nile.

Accommodation Options: 2 Friends Guest House-Jinja or Similar

Meals Plan: Full Board

Day 9: White Rhino Tracking at Ziwa Sanctuary & Transfer to Jinja City

Day 9 of Jinja City Adventure begins with breakfast, then you will embark on a thrilling adventure known as water rafting for half day.

Discover all the different levels of rafting we offer from mild to wild. Rafting with Adrift you get so much more safety, fun, enjoyment and service. Later, you will have lunch.

You will explore the source of the Nile. While here, you to witness the stunning natural beauty of the region, including vegetation, diverse wildlife and local villages along the riverbanks.

You might also have the opportunity to see the point where the Nile starts its journey.

Accommodation Options: 2 Friends Guest House-Jinja or Similar

Meals Plan: Full Board

Day 10: White Water Rafting on the Nile & Source of the Nile Boat Tour

Head to Entebbe International Airport to catch your flight home after enjoying a leisurely breakfast.

Take with your priceless memories of your safari adventure in Uganda with primates and wildlife.

End Of Tour.

The Safari Package Includes

Airport pickups and drop-offs
Accommodation based on Mid-Range
Meals as per the itinerary
Park entry fees
All activities and All Permits
Professional English-speaking driver/guide
Ground Transport in a safari vehicle

The Safari Package Excludes

International flights
Visa fees
Tips and personal expenses
Drinks not mentioned in the itinerary

Plan Your Dream Trip!

Craft your ultimate African odyssey with the help of our local specialists. With decades of collective expertise in Uganda’s wild heart, we transform your vision of the perfect gorilla trek or wild life adventure into a seamless, life-changing reality. Whatever your quest, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.