★ Tailor-Made Safari Expedition
15 Days Rwanda & Uganda Trekking Safari – On the Trail of the Gentle Giants
15+Years guiding
4×4Private vehicle
100%Tailor-made
★4.9TripAdvisor
01
Overview
On the trail of the gentle giants – this 15-day trekking adventure from Kigali to Entebbe takes you deep into the "Land of a Thousand Hills" and on into Uganda's wildest corners, on foot and off the beaten track. You climb through the lush rainforests of Nyungwe, hike sections of the Congo-Nile Trail along Lake Kivu, canoe across mist-shrouded Lake Mutanda beneath the Virunga volcanoes, and cross the ancient Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – home to the last mountain gorillas on Earth. With optional gorilla tracking in both Volcanoes and Bwindi, chimpanzee encounters, tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth and up-close wildlife on foot in Lake Mburo, this is one of the most immersive treks in East Africa.
Trip highlights: a 4-day trek from Kisoro to Buhoma; a 2-day mini-trek on the Congo-Nile Trail at Lake Kivu; canopy walk in Nyungwe; canoeing on Lake Mutanda; chimpanzees in Kalinzu Forest; tree-climbing lions and a Kazinga Channel boat safari in Queen Elizabeth; and optional face-to-face gorilla tracking in Rwanda and Uganda.
Duration: 15 days | Group size: 5–12 people | Route: Kigali (Rwanda) to Entebbe (Uganda)
02
Day-by-Day Itinerary
1
Arrival
Scheduled flight from your home city to Kigali. Overnight in Kigali.
2
Kigali to Huyé (Butare)
Morning briefing, a short city tour and a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, then a scenic drive south through the "land of a thousand hills" to Huyé. (Approx. 3.5 hrs / 140 km. B,L,D)
3
Canopy Walk in Nyungwe Forest
Drive to the Uwinka Visitor Center and take the famous 60-metre-high treetop canopy walk, watching for chimpanzees and colobus monkeys. Overnight in tented camp within the rainforest. (B,L,D)
4
Imbaraga Trail, Nyungwe Forest
A rewarding 10 km forest hike (approx. 6 hours) through pristine rainforest rich in primates and birdlife. (B,L,D)
5
Lake Kivu boat trip & the Congo-Nile Trail
A local boat trip on beautiful Lake Kivu, followed by the start of a two-day mini-trek along the scenic Congo-Nile Trail. (B,L,D)
6
Congo-Nile Trail to Musanze
Continue along the trail through villages and terraced hills before driving to Musanze, gateway to the Virunga volcanoes. (B,L,D)
7
Volcanoes National Park – gorillas, golden monkeys or Bisoke
Choose optional gorilla tracking, golden monkey tracking or a hike up Mount Bisoke to its crater lake. (B,L,D)
8
Canoeing on Lake Mutanda to Rushaga
Cross into Uganda and canoe across Lake Mutanda beneath the Virungas, then hike a panoramic trail to Rushaga on the edge of Bwindi. (B,L,D)
9
Trek from Rushaga to Nkuringo
A memorable ridge hike between the pristine Bwindi primary forest and the cultivated Kigezi highlands. (B,L,D)
10
Gorilla tracking in Bwindi
The highlight of the trip – an unforgettable encounter, face to face with a silverback and his family in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. (B,L,D)
11
Hike in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Explore deeper into this ancient rainforest on foot, one of the most biodiverse habitats in Africa. (B,L,D)
12
Ishasha & the Kazinga Channel
Morning game drive in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, famous for tree-climbing lions, then a boat safari on the Kazinga Channel. (B,L,D)
13
Queen Elizabeth National Park
A full day of game drives and a visit to the Katwe salt works in this diverse reserve. (B,L,D)
14
Lake Mburo & drive to Entebbe
An early game drive – encountering zebra and impala on foot – before the drive to Entebbe. (B,L,D)
15
Departure
Early transfer to Entebbe airport for your return flight home. (B)
03
What's Included
✓ Included
- ✓ <ul><li>Tour guide from Kigali to Entebbe (for 5–6 participants)</li><li>All accommodation as listed (hotels, lodges and tented camps)</li><li>All transfers and transport in the itinerary</li><li>Meals as indicated (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner)</li><li>Guided treks, hikes and activities as described</li><li>Lake Kivu and Kazinga Channel boat trips; Lake Mutanda canoeing</li></ul>
✗ Excluded
- ✗ <ul><li>International flights</li><li>Visas for Rwanda (approx. USD 50) and Uganda (approx. USD 50)</li><li>Gorilla tracking permits (optional; must be booked well in advance)</li><li>Porters for hiking sections (approx. USD 15–20 per day)</li><li>Travel insurance, drinks, tips and personal expenses</li></ul>
04
Gallery
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