7 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari Adventure
DESCRIPTION
This cross-border itinerary combines the best primate trekking experience in East Africa: mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, followed by chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda’s Nyungwe Forest National Park. Starting and ending in Kigali keeps logistics simple, since Bwindi is far closer to Kigali than to Entebbe — which is exactly why we built our Uganda Gorilla Safaris Starting from Rwanda route in the first place. This trip suits travelers who want two countries, two primate species, and Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali, all in one well-paced week. If you’d rather do both primates within Rwanda alone, see our 5 Days Rwanda Gorilla and Chimpanzee Safari, or for a longer cross-border circuit, check our 10 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari and 15 Days Rwanda Uganda Safari.
Tour Overview
- Start/End: Kigali International Airport (KGL)
- Countries: Rwanda and Uganda
- Destinations: Kigali City, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Uganda), Nyungwe Forest National Park (Rwanda)
- Activities: Mountain gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, canopy walk, border crossing, cultural experiences
- Group size: Private and small group departures
- Style: Budget, mid-range, and luxury options available
TRAVEL PLAN
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali
Arrive at Kigali International Airport, where your Pick and Transfer Safaris driver-guide will meet and transfer you to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a short orientation drive through Kigali, one of Africa’s cleanest and most welcoming capitals, and consider a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial for important historical context. Overnight in Kigali.
Day 2: Kigali – Border Crossing – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda
After an early breakfast, depart for the Uganda border, crossing at Cyanika or Katuna depending on your exact lodge location. The drive from Kigali to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park takes roughly 4–5 hours including border formalities, making it significantly shorter and easier than the 9–11 hour drive from Entebbe — the reason most travelers now start their Uganda gorilla safari from Kigali. Settle into your lodge in the afternoon and enjoy the forested scenery of the Bwindi hills. Overnight near Bwindi.
Day 3: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
Head to the park headquarters early for briefing before setting off with experienced trackers and armed Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers in search of one of Bwindi’s habituated gorilla families. Bwindi is home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, and the trek through dense, ancient rainforest — varying from one to several hours depending on the gorillas’ location — rewards you with a full hour observing the family up close. In the afternoon, relax at your lodge or take an optional nature walk or visit to a local Batwa cultural community. Overnight near Bwindi.
Day 4: Bwindi – Border Crossing – Nyungwe Forest National Park, Rwanda
Depart Bwindi and cross back into Rwanda, continuing on to Nyungwe Forest National Park, one of Africa’s oldest rainforests. The drive takes most of the day through beautiful highland scenery on both sides of the border. Arrive in the late afternoon and check in to your lodge bordering the forest. Overnight in Nyungwe.
Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking & Canopy Walk in Nyungwe
Set off at dawn to track one of Nyungwe’s habituated chimpanzee communities through dense montane rainforest, home to over 13 primate species in total. In the afternoon, walk the Nyungwe Canopy Walkway, a suspended bridge offering sweeping views over the forest canopy and excellent birdwatching, with the park’s checklist exceeding 300 bird species. Overnight in Nyungwe.
Day 6: Nyungwe – Kigali - & Optional Kigali City Tour
After breakfast, begin the scenic drive back to Kigali, taking around 4–5 hours depending on stops along the way. Arrive in the late afternoon with time for some last-minute shopping, a craft market visit, or a relaxed evening in the city. Overnight in Kigali.
If you still have time and interest, you can do a Kigali city tour and relax later from the hotel, as you prepare for your outbound flight.
Day 7: Departure
Enjoy a final breakfast in Kigali before being transferred to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight, or connect onward to your next destination.
COST INCLUSIONS AND EXCLUSIONS
What’s Included
- Airport pick-up and drop-off in Kigali
- All ground transportation in a 4×4 safari vehicle
- English-speaking driver-guide for the full journey, including border crossings
- Accommodation as per itinerary (budget, mid-range, or luxury options available)
- Park entry fees for Nyungwe Forest National Park
- One gorilla trekking permit (Uganda) and one chimpanzee trekking permit (Rwanda)
- Bottled drinking water during the safari
What’s Not Included
- International flights
- Visa fees for Uganda and Rwanda (East Africa Tourist Visa recommended — covers both countries)
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal travel insurance
- Meals not specified in the itinerary
Permits & Border Crossing — 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 trekking permits for Nyungwe are issued by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and are far more affordable than a gorilla permit. Both should be booked well in advance — ideally three to six months ahead — since gorilla permits in particular sell out quickly during peak season. We strongly recommend applying for the East Africa Tourist Visa, which covers Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya on a single visa and makes this kind of cross-border itinerary far simpler at the Cyanika or Katuna border posts. Pick and Transfer Safaris handles both permit bookings and manages all border formalities on your behalf.
Best Time to Travel
This itinerary runs year-round, but the dry seasons — June to September and December to February — offer the most comfortable trekking conditions in both Bwindi and Nyungwe. Travel during the rainy months (March–May and October–November) brings fewer crowds and lush, green scenery, though trails can be muddier and more challenging.
Why Book This Safari With Pick and Transfer Safaris
We specialize in exactly this kind of cross-border gorilla and primate safari, with deep experience managing the Kigali–Bwindi route and Rwanda–Uganda border logistics. If you’d like to add Uganda’s wildlife parks to this itinerary, take a look at our 4 Days Wildlife and Primate Safari, or for a longer two-country circuit including the Big Five, our 15 Days Rwanda Uganda Safari.
For official information on permits and park regulations, visit the Uganda Wildlife Authority and the Rwanda Development Board.
Contact us to check gorilla and chimpanzee permit availability and start planning your 7-day Uganda Rwanda safari adventure.