15-Day Rwanda Uganda Kenya Gorillas and Wildlife Safari

Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival in Kigali Rwanda

   Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be welcomed by your professional safari guide and transferred to your hotel in Kigali. Rwanda’s capital is renowned for its cleanliness, safety, organized streets and welcoming atmosphere, making it an excellent introduction to your East African adventure. After check-in, the remainder of the day is free to relax after your international flight, enjoy the hotel facilities, or take an optional short walk around the neighborhood depending on your arrival time. Overnight: Hotel des Mille Collines or similar

2. Day 2: Kigali Genocide Memorial and Transfer to Uganda

   After breakfast, visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial for a guided experience offering important insight into Rwanda’s history, resilience and reconciliation journey. Afterwards, begin your scenic drive toward southwestern Uganda and the gorilla region. The journey takes you through Rwanda’s beautiful rolling hills, terraced farmland and rural communities before crossing the border into Uganda. Continue toward the Lake Mulehe area, enjoying spectacular countryside views along the way. Overnight: Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge or similar

3. Day 3: Golden Monkey Trekking in Mgahinga National Park

   After an early breakfast, drive to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for your golden monkey trekking adventure. Following a briefing by the park rangers, enter the bamboo and montane forest in search of the endangered golden monkeys. The trek provides an exciting opportunity to observe these lively primates feeding, climbing and moving through the forest. After the trek, return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. The afternoon is free for rest or an optional community experience. Overnight: Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge or similar

4. Day 4: Gorilla Trekking and Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

   After an early breakfast, proceed to the park headquarters for a briefing before beginning your gorilla trekking adventure in Bwindi/Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Accompanied by experienced guides and trackers, hike through the dense forest in search of a habituated gorilla family. Once located, spend up to one magical hour observing these remarkable primates in their natural habitat. After trekking, drive to Lake Bunyonyi, surrounded by terraced hills and picturesque islands. Overnight: Arcadia Cottages or similar

5. Day 5: Lake Bunyonyi to Queen Elizabeth National Park

   After breakfast, depart Lake Bunyonyi and travel north toward Queen Elizabeth National Park. The scenic journey passes through rolling hills, crater lakes, farmlands and rural communities. Upon arrival, enjoy a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake Edward and Lake George. The cruise provides excellent opportunities to see hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes and abundant birdlife along the shoreline. Overnight: Mweya Safari Lodge or similar

6. Day 6: Queen Elizabeth Game Drive and Transfer to Kibale

   Begin with an early morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park when wildlife is most active. Explore the savannah plains in search of lions, elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, warthogs and numerous bird species. After the game drive, continue towards Kibale Forest National Park through scenic countryside and tea-growing areas. Kibale is famous for its remarkable primate diversity and is one of Africa’s premier destinations for chimpanzee trekking. Overnight: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge or similar

7. Day 7: Chimpanzee Trekking and Bigodi Wetland Walk

   After breakfast, head to the Kibale Forest briefing point for your chimpanzee trekking experience. Following a ranger briefing, enter the rainforest with experienced guides and trackers to search for habituated chimpanzee communities. Along the trail, you may encounter other primates, colorful birds, butterflies and other forest species. In the afternoon, visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a guided nature and community walk, learning about local livelihoods, traditional practices and community conservation. Overnight: Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse or similar

8. Day 8: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

   Enjoy an early breakfast before beginning the long but rewarding journey to Murchison Falls National Park. Travel through Uganda’s changing landscapes, rural communities and agricultural areas while heading north. Upon reaching the Murchison Falls area, visit the Top of the Falls, where the mighty Nile River is forced through a narrow gorge before plunging downstream. Enjoy the spectacular scenery before proceeding to your lodge for dinner and relaxation. Overnight: Paraa Safari Lodge or similar

9. Day 9: Game Drives and Boat Cruise in Murchison Falls

   Spend a full day exploring Murchison Falls National Park with game drives and a boat cruise. Begin with an early morning game drive across the northern savannah plains, searching for elephants, giraffes, lions, buffaloes, hartebeests and other wildlife. Later, take a boat cruise along the Victoria Nile toward the base of Murchison Falls. The riverbanks offer excellent opportunities to see hippos, crocodiles, elephants and numerous bird species before returning to the lodge. Overnight: Paraa Safari Lodge or similar

10. Day 10: Murchison Falls to Sipi Falls

    After breakfast, depart Murchison Falls National Park with packed lunch and travel east towards the Mount Elgon region. As you approach the Sipi Falls area, the journey becomes increasingly scenic, with spectacular views of the waterfalls cascading down the slopes of Mount Elgon, surrounding valleys, rolling hills and coffee-growing landscapes. Upon arrival, check in at your lodge and enjoy the peaceful highland atmosphere. The remainder of the day is free to relax and enjoy the surroundings. Overnight at Sipi Heritage Lodge or similar 

11. Day 11: Sipi Falls to Lake Nakuru Kenya

    Enjoy a very early breakfast and depart Sipi Falls with a packed lunch for the journey into Kenya. Complete the necessary border formalities before continuing toward Lake Nakuru National Park. The park is renowned for its diverse wildlife and birdlife, including white and black rhinoceros, Rothschild’s giraffes, buffaloes, lions and flamingos when conditions are favorable. Overnight: Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge or similar

12. Day 12: Lake Nakuru to Masai Mara National Reserve

    After breakfast, enjoy a morning game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park, taking advantage of the cooler hours when wildlife is generally active. Afterwards, depart for the legendary Masai Mara National Reserve, traveling through the scenic Great Rift Valley and rural Kenyan landscapes. Upon arrival, check in at your lodge and relax. Overnight: Masai Mara Sopa Lodge or similar

13. Day 13: Full Day Safari in Masai Mara

    After an early breakfast, depart with packed lunches for a full-day safari in the Masai Mara National Reserve. Explore the vast savannah plains, riverine areas and wildlife-rich habitats in search of lions, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest and many other species. Depending on the season, you may also witness the Great Migration. Enjoy a picnic lunch at a designated location before continuing your wildlife exploration and returning to the lodge in the evening. Overnight: Masai Mara Sopa Lodge or similar

14. Day 14: Masai Mara Balloon Safari and Transfer to Nairobi

    Rise early for an unforgettable hot-air balloon safari over the Masai Mara. Floating above the reserve at sunrise provides a unique perspective of the landscape and wildlife, followed by a traditional bush breakfast after landing. Afterwards, begin the journey to Nairobi. Enjoy scenic views of the Kenyan countryside and sections of the Great Rift Valley before arriving in Nairobi for check-in and relaxation. Overnight: Radisson Blu Hotel & Residence Nairobi Arboretum or similar

15. Day 15: Departure from Nairobi

    Depending on your international flight schedule, enjoy a leisurely breakfast and some free time at the hotel. Later, meet your safari guide and transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in time for your outbound flight. Your 15-day Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya adventure comes to an end after an extraordinary journey featuring cultural experiences, gorilla and primate trekking, scenic landscapes and unforgettable African wildlife encounters. End of Safari