20 Days Uganda Rwanda Burundi Combo Safari
DESCRIPTION
This grand three-country adventure is one of the most complete safari circuits in East Africa’s Great Lakes region — gorilla and chimpanzee trekking, Big Five wildlife, crater lakes, the source of the Nile, and the shores of Lake Tanganyika, all in one expertly paced journey. The trip starts in Uganda, crosses into Rwanda, continues into Burundi, then returns to Kigali for your outbound flight. It combines elements of our 10 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari and 15 Days Rwanda Uganda Safari with a deep extension into Burundi, a destination we know well as specialists in safaris across Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Congo. If three countries feels like a lot, our 7 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari Adventure covers gorillas and chimps in a shorter two-country format.
Tour Overview
- Start: Entebbe International Airport, Uganda
- End: Kigali International Airport, Rwanda
- Countries: Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi
- Destinations: Murchison Falls NP, Kibale Forest NP, Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi Impenetrable NP, Kigali, Volcanoes NP, Bujumbura, Rusizi NP, Kibira NP, Gitega, Akagera NP
- Activities: Gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking x2, Big Five game drives, boat cruises x3, canopy/nature walks, cultural village visits, Lake Tanganyika beach time
- Group size: Private and small group departures
- Style: Mid-range and luxury, customizable to budget
TRAVEL PLAN
Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe, Uganda
Drive northwest to Volcanoes National Park, set against the dramatic Virunga Mountains. Overnight near Volcanoes National Park.
Day 2: Entebbe – Murchison Falls National Park
Arrive at Entebbe International Airport, where your Pick and Transfer Safaris driver-guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel on the shores of Lake Victoria. Overnight in Entebbe.
Day 3: Murchison Falls Game Drive & Nile Boat Cruise
Arrive at Entebbe International Airport, where your Pick and Transfer Safaris driver-guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel on the shores of Lake Victoria. Overnight in Entebbe.
Day 4: Murchison Falls – Kibale Forest National Park
Arrive at Entebbe International Airport, where your Pick and Transfer Safaris driver-guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel on the shores of Lake Victoria. Overnight in Entebbe.
Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale – Queen Elizabeth National Park
Arrive at Entebbe International Airport, where your Pick and Transfer Safaris driver-guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel on the shores of Lake Victoria. Overnight in Entebbe.
Day 6: Queen Elizabeth Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Arrive at Entebbe International Airport, where your Pick and Transfer Safaris driver-guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel on the shores of Lake Victoria. Overnight in Entebbe.
Day 7: Queen Elizabeth – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Arrive at Entebbe International Airport, where your Pick and Transfer Safaris driver-guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel on the shores of Lake Victoria. Overnight in Entebbe.
Day 8: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
Arrive at Entebbe International Airport, where your Pick and Transfer Safaris driver-guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel on the shores of Lake Victoria. Overnight in Entebbe.
Day 9: Bwindi – Kigali, Rwanda
Arrive at Entebbe International Airport, where your Pick and Transfer Safaris driver-guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel on the shores of Lake Victoria. Overnight in Entebbe.
Day 10: Kigali – Volcanoes National Park
Transfer to Kigali International Airport for your outbound flight home.
Day 11: Golden Monkey Tracking & Lake Kivu
Day 12: Lake Kivu – Bujumbura, Burundi
Day 13: Bujumbura City Tour & Rusizi National Park
Day 14: Kibira National Park
Day 15: Lake Tanganyika – Beach & Leisure Day
Day 16: Gitega Cultural Day Trip
Day 17: Bujumbura – Kigali, Rwanda
Day 18: Kigali – Akagera National Park
Day 19: Akagera Game Drive & Boat Safari
Day 20: Departure from Kigali
COST INCLUSIONS AND EXCLUSIONS
What’s Included
- Airport pick-up in Entebbe and drop-off in Kigali
- All ground transportation in a 4×4 safari vehicle, including border crossings
- English-speaking driver-guide for the entire journey
- Accommodation as per itinerary (mid-range and luxury options available)
- Park entry fees for all listed parks
- One gorilla trekking permit (Uganda) and two chimpanzee trekking permits (Kibale and Kibira)
- Boat cruises on the Nile, Kazinga Channel, and Lake Ihema
- Bottled drinking water throughout the safari
What’s Not Included
- International flights
- Visa fees for Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi
- Golden monkey tracking permit (optional add-on, included above as suggested)
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal travel insurance
- Meals not specified in the itinerary
Permits, Borders & Visas — Good to Know
Uganda gorilla trekking permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and currently cost USD 800 per person for foreign non-residents, while Rwanda’s chimpanzee and golden monkey permits are issued by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB). Burundi’s national parks are managed locally and permit fees are comparatively modest. Because this itinerary crosses three borders, we recommend the East Africa Tourist Visa for Uganda and Rwanda, plus a separate Burundi visa, which can usually be arranged on arrival or in advance through a Burundian embassy. Pick and Transfer Safaris manages all permit bookings and border logistics on your behalf, so the only thing you need to plan is your visa documentation.
Best Time to Travel
The dry seasons — June to September and December to February — offer the best overall trekking and game-viewing conditions across all three countries. Burundi’s climate closely mirrors Rwanda’s, with the same two dry seasons, making this combined itinerary easy to plan around a single travel window.
Why Book This Safari With Pick and Transfer Safaris
Few operators run a genuine three-country circuit like this one. As specialists who already operate across Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Congo, we handle the cross-border logistics, permit bookings, and route planning so you can focus on the experience. If you’d like to shorten this trip or focus on just two countries, see our 15 Days Rwanda Uganda Safari or 10 Days Rwanda Wildlife Gorilla and Cultural Tour.
For official travel and park information, visit the Uganda Wildlife Authority, the Rwanda Development Board, and the Burundi National Tourism Office.
Contact us to start planning your 20-day Uganda Rwanda Burundi combo safari.