5 Days Rwanda & Uganda Safari

Tour overview

Two of the world’s best primate and savannah destinations in five days: Rwanda’s Volcanoes for gorillas, then cross into Uganda for Queen Elizabeth National Park tree-climbing lions and the Kazinga Channel hippo cruise. The Cyanika or Katuna border links the circuits — your guide manages both immigration posts.

This itinerary uses one gorilla permit (Rwanda USD 1,500 or Uganda USD 800 depending on which side you trek — we default to Rwanda Day 2 for shorter drives from Kigali, with Uganda savannah on Days 3–4). East Africa Tourist Visa covers both countries for eligible nationalities.

Places you visit

Key stops along this itinerary — customise dates and lodges when you enquire.

Kigali, Rwanda (Start)
Volcanoes National Park
Cyanika / Katuna Border
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Lake Bunyonyi (optional)
Kigali or Entebbe (End)

Day-by-day itinerary

Arrive Kigali — city introduction & safari briefing

Meet at Kigali International Airport. Transfer to hotel; optional Kigali Genocide Memorial and Kimironko craft market visit if arrival is before 15:00.

Safari briefing over dinner: gorilla-trek gear, border crossing at Cyanika or Katuna on Day 3, and Queen Elizabeth savannah programme. Your guide confirms tomorrow's early departure to Volcanoes.

Day 1 | Accommodation

Meal plan: Dinner

Kigali hotel

Options based on your package

Luxury: Kigali Serena Hotel, The Retreat
Mid-range: Heaven Boutique Hotel, Hotel des Mille Collines
Budget: Step Town Hotel, Discover Rwanda Youth Hostel

Gorilla trekking — Volcanoes National Park

Early drive to Kinigi (approx. 2.5 hours). 07:00 RDB briefing and gorilla trek on the Virunga slopes through bamboo and hagenia forest.

Safari activity | Rwanda mountain gorilla trekking

One hour with habituated mountain gorillas on the Virunga slopes — RDB rangers lead the trek and present your certificate at Kinigi headquarters.

One hour with gorillas on contact; return to lodge for lunch. Afternoon at leisure or optional golden monkey trek (separate RDB permit, approx. USD 100).

Trek duration1–4 hours round trip

Day 2 | Accommodation

Meal plan: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner

Volcanoes / Musanze lodge

Options based on your package

Luxury: Bisate Lodge, Virunga Lodge
Mid-range: Five Volcanoes, Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge
Budget: Muhabura Hotel

Cross to Uganda — Queen Elizabeth National Park

Drive south through Cyanika border (or Katuna via Kabale depending on lodge location) into Uganda. Your guide manages both immigration posts. Continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park (6–7 hours total with border).

Safari activity | Kazinga Channel boat cruise

Afternoon two-hour boat cruise on the channel linking Lakes George and Edward — dense hippo pods, buffalo, elephant and outstanding birding including pied kingfishers.

Afternoon Kazinga Channel boat cruise — one of Africa's densest hippo and buffalo concentrations, plus elephant, waterbirds and occasional leopard drinking at the shore.

Drive time6–7 hours including border formalities

Day 3 | Accommodation

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Queen Elizabeth lodge (Mweya or Kyambura sector)

Options based on your package

Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge, Kyambura Gorge Lodge
Mid-range: Enganzi Lodge, Bush Lodge, Elephant Plains
Budget: Pumba Safari Cottages, Simba Safari Camp

Ishasha tree-climbing lions & Kasenyi game drive

Morning drive to the Ishasha sector (southern QENP, approx. 2 hours from Mweya) searching for famous tree-climbing lions in fig trees — a behaviour seen in only two places in Africa.

Safari activity | Queen Elizabeth game drives

Morning Ishasha lion tracking and afternoon Kasenyi Plains drive for Uganda kob leks, buffalo, elephant and warthog — classic East African savannah in a compact park.

Afternoon game drive on the Kasenyi plains for Uganda kob, buffalo, elephant and warthog. Optional Kyambura Gorge chimp trek if permits available (supplement).

Drive time2 hr each way Ishasha from Mweya
Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Queen Elizabeth or Lake Bunyonyi

Return to Kigali or Entebbe & depart

Breakfast and scenic drive — either north to Kigali via Katuna border (approx. 5 hours) for Rwanda departures, or continue to Entebbe (8 hours) for Uganda flights.

Optional stop at Lake Bunyonyi for lunch and canoe photos among the 29 islands. Airport drop-off for onward travel.

Drive time5 hours to Kigali; 8 hours to Entebbe

Day 5 | Accommodation

Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch