Duration
12-Day
Accra, Botswana
12-Day Rwanda & Uganda Wildlife Safari
Overview
A complete East Africa safari combining the very best of Rwanda and Uganda in one seamless journey. Trek with mountain gorillas in Bwindi, track golden monkeys and hike a volcano crater lake in the Virungas, cruise the Kazinga Channel for the shoebill stork, explore Lake Bunyonyi's islands, and enjoy Big Five game drives across two national parks. Outstanding birding is woven throughout every single day of this unforgettable adventure.
Plan snapshot
Quick Facts
Route
Kigali to Entebbe
Via Ruhengeri (City), Volcanoes NP (Gorillas), Rushaga (Bwindi Impenetrable NP)
Country & park
Botswana
Style
Safari
Group size
1-12 travelers
Starts
Any day if available
Minimum age
18 years
Activities
game drives, gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking & nature hikes/walks
Accommodation
Five to Five Hotel - Budget hotel in Kigali (Rwanda) – All Meals Included
Meals
All Meals Included; Breakfast & Lunch Included
Pickup
Airport transfer included
Booking
Request quote
Currency
USD
Rates
Rates Per Person
USD
Start datesSingle2+ people
Jan 1, 2026 - Dec 31, 2026
$5,829 USD
$5,059 USD
Jan 1, 2027 - Dec 31, 2027
$6,049 USD
$5,279 USD
Before booking
Important To Know
Rates are per person and exclude the international flight from/to your home country.
This tour is offered in US dollars (USD).
This tour is unavailable for children.
Quote flow
Request Guidance
We advise requesting quotes from 3 operators ()
Requests are sent directly to the tour operator
If preferred, you can contact the tour operator directly
Route
country
Rwanda
Start
Kigali (Day 1)
Day 2
Ruhengeri (City)
Day 3-4
Volcanoes NP (Gorillas)
country
Uganda
Day 5
Rushaga (Bwindi Impenetrable NP)
Day 6
Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas)
Day 7
Lake Bunyonyi
Day 8-10
Queen Elizabeth NP
Day 11-12
Lake Mburo NP
End
Entebbe (Day 12)
Tour Features
Budget tour
This budget tour uses lodges and hotels.
Private tour
This tour will be organized exclusively for you and won't be shared with others.
Can start any day
If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
Can be customized
You can request changes to this tour.
Suitable for solo travelers
Solo travelers can book this private tour.
18
Minimum age of 18 years
The minimum age for this tour is 18 years.
Activities & Transportation
Activities: game drives, gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking & nature hikes/walks
Game drives: normal 4x4 vehicle
Getting around: normal 4x4 vehicle
Book your own international flights when using this operator
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Accommodation & Meals
Day 1
Five to Five Hotel
Budget hotel in Kigali (Rwanda) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 2
Isange Paradise Resort
Budget hotel in Ruhengeri (City, Rwanda) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 3-4
Isange Paradise Resort
Budget hotel less than 1hr drive from Volcanoes NP (Gorillas, Rwanda) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 5-6
Rushaga Gorilla Lodge
Mid-range lodge just outside Rushaga (Bwindi Impenetrable NP, Uganda) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 7
Itambira Island Resort
Mid-range hotel at Lake Bunyonyi (Uganda) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 8-10
Enshama Game Lodge
Mid-range lodge just outside Queen Elizabeth NP (Uganda) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 11
Hyena Hill Lodge
Budget lodge just outside Lake Mburo NP (Uganda) – All Meals Included
All Meals Included
Day 12
End of tour
(No accommodation)
Breakfast & Lunch Included
Day By Day
Tour step
Arrival
You'll be collected from the airport. Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.
Day 1
Arrive Kigali + Nyandungu Eco-Park birding
Your safari begins the moment you land. Our guide meets you at Kigali International Airport and transfers you to your hotel for check-in. In the afternoon we head to Nyandungu Eco-Park, Kigali's rewarding urban wetland home to over 200 bird species including papyrus endemics and great blue turacos. This is a wonderful first experience for the birder in your group and a gentle, exciting introduction to the remarkable wildlife that awaits across the coming days. Budget hotel located in Kigali (Rwanda) All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Destination: Kigali (Rwanda) Stay: Five to Five Hotel Budget hotel located in Kigali (Rwanda) Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 2
Volcanoes NP, Ellen DeGeneres Campus + Ibyiwacu Cultural Village
We drive to Musanze in the Volcanoes National Park region, about two and a half hours through beautiful Rwandan countryside. Our first stop is the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, one of the world's most important gorilla research and conservation centres. You will learn about the science behind gorilla protection and the extraordinary legacy of Dian Fossey. In the afternoon we visit Ibyiwacu Cultural Village for traditional dance, a guided village walk, and a fascinating museum. Budget hotel in Ruhengeri (City, Rwanda) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Ruhengeri (City, Rwanda) Stay: Isange Paradise Resort Budget hotel in Ruhengeri (City, Rwanda) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 3
Golden Monkey Tracking + Twin Lakes Scenic Drive
Morning golden monkey tracking in the bamboo forests of Volcanoes National Park. These wonderfully playful and endemic primates are found only in the Virunga mountains, and their vivid golden and black colouring makes for exceptional photographs and memories. After tracking we enjoy a scenic afternoon drive past the breathtaking Twin Lakes, Burera and Ruhondo, two stunning crater lakes framed by the Virunga volcanoes on the horizon. A perfect and varied day in the mountains. Budget hotelless than 1hr drive from Volcanoes NP (Gorillas, Rwanda) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Volcanoes National Park (Gorillas) Stay: Isange Paradise Resort Budget hotelless than 1hr drive from Volcanoes NP (Gorillas, Rwanda) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 4
Mount Bisoke Hike Volcano and Crater Lake
One of the most rewarding days of the entire trip. We hike Mount Bisoke (3,711m), an active volcano in the Virunga chain. The four to six hour ascent takes you through rich montane forest teeming with birdlife before opening up to panoramic views of the Virunga range and a breathtaking crater lake at the summit. Standing on the rim of an active volcano looking down into a perfect mountain lake is an experience that stays with you forever. Porters are available and highly recommended. Budget hotelless than 1hr drive from Volcanoes NP (Gorillas, Rwanda) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Volcanoes National Park (Gorillas) Stay: Isange Paradise Resort Budget hotelless than 1hr drive from Volcanoes NP (Gorillas, Rwanda) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 5
Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda
We cross the border into Uganda and drive south to the legendary Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The journey rolls through terraced hillsides, lush valleys, and vibrant rural communities, offering a fascinating glimpse into everyday Ugandan life. As you approach Bwindi the ancient forest rises dramatically around you, dense and alive with sound. By the time you arrive and settle in for your evening briefing with the ranger guide, the anticipation for tomorrow is almost unbearable. Mid-range lodge just outside Rushaga (Bwindi Impenetrable NP, Uganda) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Rushaga Sector (Bwindi Impenetrable NP, Uganda) Stay: Rushaga Gorilla Lodge Mid-range lodge just outside Rushaga (Bwindi Impenetrable NP, Uganda) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 6
Mountain Gorilla Trekking, Bwindi
The centrepiece of the safari and one of the greatest wildlife encounters on earth. After a morning briefing at park headquarters, you trek into the forest with a ranger escort in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family. The trek can take one to five hours, and when you find them you are rewarded with one full, unhurried hour in their extraordinary presence. With fewer than 1,100 remaining in the world, every encounter is a privilege. Bwindi also holds over 350 bird species including rare Albertine Rift endemics. Mid-range lodge just outside Rushaga (Bwindi Impenetrable NP, Uganda) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas) Stay: Rushaga Gorilla Lodge Mid-range lodge just outside Rushaga (Bwindi Impenetrable NP, Uganda) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 7
Lake Bunyonyi Island Boat Excursion
Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi, one of the most beautiful lakes in all of East Africa. Set among steep emerald terraced hills with 29 islands each carrying its own fascinating history and character, the lake is a place of extraordinary peace and beauty. We spend the full day on a boat excursion visiting Punishment Island and Bwama Island, birding along the lush shores, and soaking in one of Uganda's most breathtaking natural settings. Please note that the boat departs at a set time and punctuality is essential, so we kindly ask all guests to be ready at the agreed meeting point on time to make the most of every moment on the water. Mid-range hotel located at Lake Bunyonyi (Uganda) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Lake Bunyonyi (Uganda) Stay: Itambira Island Resort Mid-range hotel located at Lake Bunyonyi (Uganda) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 8
Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
We drive north through the dramatic Rift Valley escarpment to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda's most celebrated and diverse wildlife destination. The landscape transforms beautifully as you descend from the highlands onto the open savannah. On arrival we check in and head straight out for a brief evening game drive across the golden plains, where elephant, buffalo, Uganda kob, warthog, and a spectacular array of birds are commonly encountered within minutes of leaving the lodge.. Mid-range lodge located just outside Queen Elizabeth NP (Uganda) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park (Uganda) Stay: Enshama Game Lodge Mid-range lodge located just outside Queen Elizabeth NP (Uganda) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 9
Chimpanzee Trekking + Kazinga Channel Cruise
A packed and unforgettable day. The morning is spent chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge, a dramatic forest gorge that cuts deep through the open savannah and is home to a habituated chimp community. In the afternoon we join a launch cruise on the Kazinga Channel, one of Africa's greatest wildlife spectacles. Massive herds of hippo and buffalo line the banks alongside Nile crocodiles, and the birdlife is extraordinary. The shoebill stork, one of the world's most sought-after birds, is a real possibility here. Mid-range lodge located just outside Queen Elizabeth NP (Uganda) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park (Uganda) Stay: Enshama Game Lodge Mid-range lodge located just outside Queen Elizabeth NP (Uganda) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 10
Full Game drive inside Queen Elizabeth
A dedicated full day immersed in Queen Elizabeth National Park's remarkable savannah ecosystem. We explore the Kasenyi plains in the morning, prime territory for lion and elephant, before heading south to the Ishasha sector, famous for its tree-climbing lions, a behaviour unique to this park. Leopard, waterbuck, topi, and a staggering variety of birdlife complete the day. With over 600 species recorded, Queen Elizabeth is one of Africa's finest birding destinations and your birder companion will be thoroughly in their element. Mid-range lodge located just outside Queen Elizabeth NP (Uganda) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park (Uganda) Stay: Enshama Game Lodge Mid-range lodge located just outside Queen Elizabeth NP (Uganda) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 11
Transfer to Lake Mburo NP + Nocturnal Game Drive
We drive east to Lake Mburo National Park, the only park in Uganda where you can see Burchell's zebra. An afternoon game drive introduces the park's wonderful cast of characters including zebra, giraffe, eland, impala, topi, and buffalo against a scenic backdrop of lakes and acacia woodland. After dinner we head out on a nocturnal game drive, one of the most atmospheric experiences of the entire safari, in search of leopard, spotted hyena, civet, genet cat, and serval. Budget lodge located just outside Lake Mburo NP (Uganda) All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Destination: Lake Mburo National Park (Uganda) Stay: Hyena Hill Lodge Budget lodge located just outside Lake Mburo NP (Uganda) Meals: All meals included Non-alcoholic drinks
Day 12
Lake Mburo to Entebbe
A final sunrise game drive or nature walk in Lake Mburo, one of Uganda's best kept birding secrets with over 350 recorded species. After a leisurely breakfast we begin the drive to Entebbe, arriving in good time for your departure flight from Entebbe International Airport. If time allows before your flight we can arrange a visit to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary on Lake Victoria, a wonderful final experience before you fly home. It has been a true privilege to journey with you. Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Destination: Lake Mburo National Park (Uganda) Stay: No accommodation (End of tour) Meals: Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Tour step
End of tour
Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost. You'll be dropped off at the airport.
Included
Park fees (For non-residents)
Gorilla permits(One per person, non-resident)
Chimp permits(One per person, non-resident)
All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
A professional driver/guide
All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
All Taxes/VAT
Roundtrip airport transfer
Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Drinks (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Excluded
International flights (From/to home)
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Getting There
This tour starts in Kigali, Rwanda and ends in Entebbe, Uganda
Book your own international flights when using this operator
Fly to Kigali Airport (KGL - Check price)
Fly back from Entebbe Airport (EBB - Check price)
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost
Offered by
Iriza Tours and Safaris
5.0 operator rating
14 reviews
Iriza Tours & Safaris is a locally owned tour company based in Rwanda. We create personalized tours and safaris across East Africa, designed to be meaningful, memorable, and full of real connections. Our team is small but passionate, with friendly local guides who love sharing their knowledge and culture.
Office In
Rwanda
Size
5-10 employees (Founded in 2019)
Member Of
RTTA, RDB, VISIT RWANDA & Chamber of Tourism Rwanda
Tour Types
Custom budget & mid-range tours that can start every day
Destinations
Rwanda, Uganda
Practical answers
Tour FAQs
Are rates charged per person?
Rates are per person and exclude the international flight from/to your home country.
Which currency is this tour priced in?
This tour is offered in US dollars (USD).
Can children join this tour?
This tour is unavailable for children.
Can this tour start on my preferred date?
If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
Can the itinerary be customized?
You can request changes to this tour.
Where do travelers stay during this tour?
Five to Five Hotel - Budget hotel in Kigali (Rwanda) – All Meals Included. Meals: All Meals Included
Are airport transfers included?
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
How does the quote request work?
We advise requesting quotes from 3 operators () Requests are sent directly to the tour operator If preferred, you can contact the tour operator directly
Operator policy
Terms and Conditions
Disclaimer
This tour is offered by Iriza Tours and Safaris, not SafariBookings.
This operator reserves the right to change rates advertised on SafariBookings.
If you request changes to this tour, the advertised rates will likely change.
The exact order, contents and rates of this tour are subject to availability.
If an accommodation is fully booked, the operator will suggest a comparable alternative.
Gorilla tracking permits are subject to availability.
This tour is subject to the terms & conditions of Iriza Tours and Safaris.
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