7 Days Rwanda Gorillas & Uganda Savannah Safari

Overview—7 Days Rwanda Gorillas & Uganda Savannah Safari

The 7 Days Rwanda Gorillas & Uganda Savannah Safari is a cross-border adventure that combines the thrill of gorilla trekking in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park with classic big game safaris in Uganda. It is designed for travelers who want the best of both worlds—intimate encounters with mountain gorillas in the misty Virunga volcanoes and sweeping savannah game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park. This itinerary offers a seamless journey between two countries, with cultural experiences, boat cruises, and breathtaking landscapes woven in.

Over seven days, you will hike into Rwanda’s volcanic slopes to spend an unforgettable hour with a gorilla family, cross into Uganda for game drives on the Kasenyi plains, enjoy a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, and search for tree-climbing lions in Ishasha. It is a safari that balances adventure and comfort, primates and savannah wildlife, making it the perfect introduction to East Africa’s diversity.

Explore More

Start Your Tailored Trip Now.

Let us plan every detail of your journey so you can travel in comfort and ease

Get Trip Quote.

Imvelo Means Nature

To Truly Experience Africa, One Must Walk With Imvelo, Respecting The Rhythm Of Nature In Every Step.

#NatureSafaris

Detailed Itinerary —7 Days Rwanda Gorillas & Uganda Savannah Safari

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali – Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

Your safari begins with arrival at Kigali International Airport, where you are welcomed by your driver-guide. After a briefing, you set off on a scenic drive through Rwanda’s rolling hills toward Volcanoes National Park. By late afternoon, you arrive at your lodge with stunning views of the Virunga volcanoes. Dinner and overnight are at the lodge.

Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

After breakfast, you head to the park headquarters for a ranger briefing before setting off on your gorilla trek. The hike takes you through bamboo forests and volcanic terrain until you meet your assigned gorilla family. Spending an hour with these gentle giants is an awe-inspiring experience, as you observe their behaviors and interactions. After the trek, you return to your lodge for lunch and relaxation. Dinner and overnight in Volcanoes.

Day 3: Cross to Uganda – Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park

This morning, you leave Rwanda and cross into Uganda via the Cyanika or Katuna border. The drive takes you through terraced hills and scenic countryside as you head toward Queen Elizabeth National Park. By evening, you arrive at your lodge in the park. Dinner and overnight are in Queen Elizabeth.

Day 4: Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Your day begins with a sunrise game drive across the Kasenyi plains, where lions often hunt among herds of Uganda kob, while elephants and buffaloes roam the savannah. After lunch, you embark on a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway rich in hippos, crocodiles, and water birds. Dinner and overnight are once again in the park.

Day 5: Ishasha Sector – Tree-Climbing Lions – Continue to Bwindi

After breakfast, you drive through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth, famous for its tree-climbing lions lounging in fig trees. With luck, you will spot them before continuing to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. By afternoon, you arrive at your lodge on the forest edge, with dinner and overnight in Bwindi.

Day 6: Relaxation in Bwindi or Optional Nature Walk

After the intensity of your gorilla trek in Rwanda and game drives in Uganda, this day is kept light for relaxation. You may enjoy the lodge facilities, take a guided walk to nearby villages, or follow short nature trails in Bwindi. It is an opportunity to absorb the beauty of Uganda’s highlands. Dinner and overnight in Bwindi.

Day 7: Return to Kigali – Departure

After breakfast, you begin the journey back to Kigali, crossing the border and driving through Rwanda’s scenic hillsides. Depending on your flight schedule, you may enjoy a short Kigali city tour, including a visit to the Genocide Memorial or craft markets, before being transferred to the airport for your departure.