What You Need to Know: This 10-day private safari starts and ends in Kigali, with chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe, gorilla trekking in both Volcanoes (Rwanda) and Bwindi (Uganda), and Queen Elizabeth National Park. It costs from US$7,270 per person for 2 travelers at mid-range lodges, including all three permits.
Is the 10-Day Rwanda and Uganda Safari Right for You?
It suits primate lovers who want two gorilla treks in two different forests, from a single airport.
| This trip suits you if… | Consider another trip if… |
|---|---|
| You want two gorilla treks and chimps | You want one trek: see the 6-day Rwanda safari |
| You fly in and out of Kigali | You want shorter drives: day 3 and day 9 are long |
| You'd like savannah too, in Queen Elizabeth | You start in Entebbe: see the 9-day Uganda and Rwanda safari |
The 10-Day Rwanda and Uganda Safari Route at a Glance
Four nights in Rwanda, four in Uganda, and a last night in Kigali.
| Day | Route | Travel | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival in Kigali | Airport transfer, 20–30 minutes | Kigali |
| 2 | Kigali to Nyungwe Forest | Drive 5–6 hours | Nyungwe Forest |
| 3 | Chimpanzees, then on to Volcanoes | Chimp trek 2–5 hours, drive 6–7 hours | Volcanoes National Park (Musanze/Kinigi) |
| 4 | Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes | Gorilla trek 2–6 hours | Volcanoes National Park (Musanze/Kinigi) |
| 5 | Volcanoes to Bwindi, Uganda | Drive 3–4 hours, border crossing | Bwindi |
| 6 | Gorilla trekking in Bwindi | Gorilla trek 2–6 hours | Bwindi |
| 7 | Bwindi to Queen Elizabeth | Drive 4–5 hours with game viewing | Queen Elizabeth National Park |
| 8 | Game drive and Kazinga Channel cruise | Game drive and boat cruise | Queen Elizabeth National Park |
| 9 | Queen Elizabeth to Kigali | Drive 7–8 hours, border crossing | Kigali |
| 10 | Departure from Kigali | Airport transfer, 20–30 minutes | — |
10-Day Rwanda and Uganda Safari Itinerary, Day by Day
Nyungwe and Volcanoes first, then across the Cyanika border to Bwindi and Queen Elizabeth, returning through Katuna.
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Day 1: Arrival in Kigali
Your driver-guide meets you at Kigali International Airport and takes you to your hotel. If you land early, visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a moving introduction to the country's recent history, or walk the clean, hilly streets of the capital.
Airport transfer, 20–30 minutesKigaliDinner -
Day 2: Kigali to Nyungwe Forest
Drive south-west through Rwanda's hills, past terraced farms and the King's Palace Museum at Nyanza, to Nyungwe Forest National Park, one of the oldest montane rainforests in Africa.
Drive 5–6 hoursNyungwe ForestBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 3: Chimpanzees, then on to Volcanoes
A pre-dawn chimpanzee trek in Nyungwe, then a long drive north along the Congo-Nile road to Musanze. It is a big day, so we pack lunch for the road.
Chimp trek 2–5 hours, drive 6–7 hoursVolcanoes National Park (Musanze/Kinigi)Breakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 4: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes
Meet the rangers at Kinigi at 7:00 for the briefing, then climb through farmland into the bamboo zone to find your gorilla family. You spend one hour with them, then walk back down for a late lunch.
Gorilla trek 2–6 hoursVolcanoes National Park (Musanze/Kinigi)Breakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 5: Volcanoes to Bwindi, Uganda
Cross the border at Cyanika and drive through Kisoro to the southern sectors of Bwindi.
Drive 3–4 hours, border crossingBwindiBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 6: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi
Meet the rangers at about 7:00 for the briefing, then walk into the forest with your group of up to eight to find your assigned gorilla family, and spend one hour with them.
Gorilla trek 2–6 hoursBwindiBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 7: Bwindi to Queen Elizabeth
Drive north through Ishasha, home of the tree-climbing lions, to the Kazinga Channel area.
Drive 4–5 hours with game viewingQueen Elizabeth National ParkBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 8: Game drive and Kazinga Channel cruise
An early game drive for lions, elephants and Uganda kob, then an afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel among hippos, buffaloes, crocodiles and water birds.
Game drive and boat cruiseQueen Elizabeth National ParkBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 9: Queen Elizabeth to Kigali
A long drive south through Mbarara and Kabale to the Katuna (Gatuna) border, then on to Kigali.
Drive 7–8 hours, border crossingKigaliBreakfast, lunch, dinner -
Day 10: Departure from Kigali
A last morning in Kigali, then the transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Airport transfer, 20–30 minutesDepartureBreakfast
What You Can See on the 10-Day Rwanda and Uganda Safari
- Nyungwe: chimpanzees and colobus monkeys
- Volcanoes and Bwindi: mountain gorillas in two contrasting forests
- Queen Elizabeth: tree-climbing lions, elephants and the Kazinga Channel
Your Vehicle, Guides and Who Runs the Trip
In Rwanda and Uganda you travel in a private 4x4 safari vehicle suited to the mountain roads, with your own English-speaking driver-guide. The vehicle and driver-guide are for your group only, so you set the pace at sightings and photo stops.
In Rwanda and Uganda the trip is run on the ground by trusted local partner operators we work with. This is how it works: you tell us your dates, group and interests; our partners in Rwanda and Uganda prepare the costing for the country, and we send you one written quotation and itinerary. We stay your contact before and during the trip, and we handle the permits, flights and border connections between the countries.
Where You Stay on the 10-Day Rwanda and Uganda Safari
| Nights | Area | Country | Example lodges (or similar) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kigali | Rwanda | Named in your quotation |
| 1 | Nyungwe Forest | Rwanda | Named in your quotation |
| 2 | Volcanoes National Park (Musanze/Kinigi) | Rwanda | Named in your quotation |
| 2 | Bwindi | Uganda | Named in your quotation |
| 2 | Queen Elizabeth National Park | Uganda | Named in your quotation |
| 1 | Kigali | Rwanda | Named in your quotation |
How Much Does the 10-Day Rwanda and Uganda Safari Cost?
From US$7,270 per person, for 2 travelers sharing at mid-range lodges, with the private vehicle and driver-guide, accommodation and meals as listed, park fees and permits included. This is a starting price: your final price is the one in your written quotation, worked out for your dates, group size and lodge level.
| Permit | Price per person (2026) |
|---|---|
| Nyungwe chimpanzee trek | US$150 |
| Rwanda gorilla permit | US$1,500 |
| Uganda gorilla permit | US$800 |
What changes the price
- Group size: the vehicle and guide are shared, so the price per person falls as your group grows
- Lodge level: budget lodges lower it, and luxury lodges and tented camps raise it
- Season: lodges charge more from June to October and at Christmas; Uganda's gorilla permit falls to US$600 in April, May and November
- Flights: the route is by road, so there are no regional flights to add
Park fees and permits on this route
| Park, permit or fee | 2026 rate |
|---|---|
| Nyungwe chimpanzee trek (RDB) | About US$150 per person, plus Nyungwe park entry |
| Nyungwe Forest National Park entry and canopy walk (RDB) | Official RDB rate, shown in your quotation |
| Volcanoes gorilla permit (Rwanda Development Board) | US$1,500 per person, including park entry |
| Bwindi gorilla permit (Uganda Wildlife Authority) | US$800 per person, US$600 in April, May and November; includes park entry |
| Queen Elizabeth National Park (UWA) | About US$40 per adult per 24 hours |
What the 10-Day Rwanda and Uganda Safari Price Includes
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle and English-speaking driver-guide in each country
- 9 nights' accommodation at the level you choose, with meals as listed in the itinerary
- All park entry and conservation fees, and government taxes
- Nyungwe chimpanzee trek, Rwanda gorilla permit, Uganda gorilla permit (one each per person)
- Airport pickup and drop-off
- Drinking water in the vehicle
Not included
- International flights
- Optional flights, such as a fly-in instead of a long drive
- Visas
- Travel insurance with medical evacuation
- Tips for your guides, rangers and porters
- Drinks, laundry and personal items
- Porters on the trek (hired at the trailhead)
Borders, Flights and Visas on the 10-Day Rwanda and Uganda Safari
You cross the border twice by road, at Cyanika on day 5 and Katuna (Gatuna) on day 9. You need a Rwanda visa and a Uganda e-visa, or one East Africa Tourist Visa (US$100) for both, and a yellow fever certificate for Uganda.
When Is the Best Time for the 10-Day Rwanda and Uganda Safari?
June to September and December to February are the driest months, with easier trails. Rwanda's permit price stays at US$1,500 all year, and the rainier months (March–May, October–November) are quieter. Uganda's permit drops to US$600 in April, May and November.
How the 10-Day Rwanda and Uganda Safari Compares with Our Other Trips
Our Rwanda trips compared:
| Trip | Days | From (per person) | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volcanoes gorillas | 3 | US$2,946 | Gorilla trek only |
| Akagera, Nyungwe, Kivu | 5 | US$2,410 | No gorillas: savannah, forest, lake |
| Nyungwe and Volcanoes | 6 | US$4,542 | Chimps and gorillas |
| Rwanda in full | 9 | US$5,988 | Akagera, chimps, gorillas |
| Rwanda and Uganda | 10 | US$7,270 | Two gorilla treks and chimps |
| Rwanda and Tanzania | 14 | US$8,348 | Gorillas, then the Serengeti |
Starting in Entebbe instead? See the 9-day Uganda and Rwanda safari.
How to Book the 10-Day Rwanda and Uganda Safari
| When you cancel | Refund |
|---|---|
| 60 days or more before arrival | 100% |
| 30–59 days | 90% |
| 15–29 days | 60% |
| 10–14 days | 25% |
| Less than 10 days, or a no-show | No refund |
What Else to Read Before You Book
This page covers what is particular to the 10-Day Rwanda and Uganda Safari. The parts that work the same way on our other trips are explained once, in these guides:
- Rwanda safaris: permits, the trekking day, fitness and the rules.
- Uganda safaris: permits, the trekking day, fitness and the rules.
- Tipping on safari: how much to give your driver-guide and lodge staff.
- Booking and cancellation terms: deposit, payment and refunds.
Common Questions About the 10-Day Rwanda and Uganda Safari
How fit do I need to be for gorilla trekking?
Reasonably fit. Treks last from under an hour to six hours on steep, often muddy slopes at altitude. Porters and walking sticks make a big difference, and rangers try to match groups to fitness. The minimum age is 15.
Do we need two visas?
Yes, or one East Africa Tourist Visa, which covers Rwanda and Uganda for 90 days with multiple entries. Apply through Rwanda, where you arrive.
How much does the 10-Day Rwanda and Uganda Safari cost?
From US$7,270 per person for 2 travelers at mid-range lodges, with park fees and permits included. Your written quotation gives the final price for your dates, group and lodge level.
The Bottom Line
Ten days, two gorilla treks and chimpanzees, all from Kigali. Reserve the three permits as soon as your dates are set.
Send us your dates, the number of travelers and your lodge level through the booking form, on WhatsApp +255 678 992 599 or by email to jaynevytours@gmail.com, and we will reply with a written quotation.