7-Day Uganda via Rwanda: Golden Monkeys, Gorillas and Big Game
Fly into Kigali and cross into Uganda, the Pearl of Africa: golden monkeys in Mgahinga, gorillas in Bwindi, tree-climbing lions at Ishasha, a boat on the Kazinga Channel and a walking safari at Lake Mburo.
- Length
- 7 days
- Countries
- Rwanda & Uganda
- Starts
- Kigali, Rwanda
- Ends
- Entebbe, Uganda
- Dates
- Private trip, any start date
- Minimum age
- 15
- Guides speak
- English, French and German
- Price
- From $2,533 per person sharing
Highlights
- Golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga
- Gorilla trekking in Bwindi
- Looking for tree-climbing lions at Ishasha
- Boat trip on the Kazinga Channel
- Game drives in Queen Elizabeth and Lake Mburo
- Walking safari at Lake Mburo
Day by day
Day 1: Kigali to Uganda over the Cyanika border
We pick you up at your Kigali hotel or the airport (land before noon) and drive to the Cyanika border, about five hours in all. A Uganda-based driver-guide meets you on the other side, and you spend the night close to Mgahinga, ready for tomorrow’s trek.
- Stay Ikaze Cottages (budget level)
- Meals Dinner
Day 2: Golden monkeys in Mgahinga, on to Bwindi
Trek with golden monkeys in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, then transfer to Bwindi’s Ruhija sector.
Day 3: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi
Go into the forest to find a habituated gorilla family, then return and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 4: Ishasha, then north into Queen Elizabeth
Game viewing in the Ishasha sector, known for its tree-climbing lions, before connecting north to the main part of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Day 5: Game drive and Kazinga Channel
A morning game drive, then an afternoon boat trip along the Kazinga Channel.
Day 6: To Lake Mburo
Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park for an afternoon and evening game drive.
Day 7: Walking safari and back to Entebbe
A morning walking safari in the park, then the drive to Entebbe for your flight.
Route
Parks visited, in order. Starts at Kigali, Rwanda and ends at Entebbe, Uganda.
What's included
Included
- Meals as listed and en-suite accommodation
- Transport in a safari land cruiser
- Park entrance and activity fees
- A professional driver-guide
- One gorilla trekking permit per person
- Bottled water on safari
- Airport or hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Activities as listed, except any marked optional
Not included
- Flights
- Visas
- Personal and travel insurance
- Tips for your driver-guide (recommended)
- Extra meals and all drinks
- Phone calls, bar bills, laundry and souvenirs
- Activities not in the itinerary, or marked optional
- Any government increase in taxes or park fees
Getting around
A well-maintained safari land cruiser. Uganda’s main highways are in excellent condition and the mountain passes in the southwest are dramatic, but parts of this route use rural dirt roads and park tracks that can be bumpy.
Where you stay
Priced at budget level, with en-suite rooms. Mid-range upgrades are available on request and may raise the price: Mutanda Lake Resort, Ruzogo Lodge, Elephant Hab Lodge and Kigarama Wilderness Lodge. No lodges or permits are reserved until you book, and we may adjust them if needed.
Price and payment
From $2,533 per person sharing
The headline price is per person for two travellers. The price per person depends on your group size.
Budget lodges
| Travellers | Per person |
|---|---|
| 1 | $3,591 |
| 2 | $2,533 |
| 3 | $2,331 |
| 4 | $2,175 |
| 5 | $2,115 |
| 6 | $2,021 |
| 8 | $2,175 |
| 10 | $2,115 |
| 12 | $2,021 |
To confirm: permit fees (gorilla, chimpanzee, golden monkey) paid 100% up front, plus 30% of the remaining cost. Bookings made less than a month before the start date are paid 100% up front. Any balance is due at least 2 weeks before the start date. If you cancel: 90 or more days before the tour, 10% fee. 45 to 90 days, 30%. 22 to 44 days, 50%. 8 to 21 days, 80%. 7 days or less, or a no-show, 100%.
A booking is confirmed when you accept the quote and pay a 30% deposit. See the booking and cancellation policy.
Pay with PayPal
Scan the code with your phone, or use this link:
Please wait until we have confirmed your dates, then send the amount on your quote and put your booking reference in the note.
Dates and availability
This is a private trip: you choose the start date. We need at least 14 days' notice to arrange permits and lodges, so the earliest start date available now is Thu, Nov 19, 2026.
Times are local: EAT (UTC+3, Kampala).
Permits and preparation
Permits
The Uganda Wildlife Authority releases a limited number of gorilla permits per day and per sector, first come, first served. Slow decisions can mean missing out. We always work to secure yours; sometimes that means moving a trekking date within the trip or changing sector, without changing the length of your tour.
Age
This itinerary is planned for travelers aged 15 and over.
Along the way
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