Self-Drive Rwanda to Uganda Safari – 10-Day

Self-Drive Rwanda to Uganda Safari – 10-Day Adventure with 4×4 Rwanda Car Rentals

Rwanda to Uganda Self-Drive Itinerary | Gorilla Trekking | Chimp Tracking | Queen Elizabeth Wildlife Safari

Self-Drive Rwanda to Uganda Safari – 10-Day,Experience the ultimate East African road adventure with this 10-Day Self-Drive Rwanda to Uganda Safari, perfect for travelers hiring reliable 4×4 Rwanda Car Rentals for cross-border expeditions. This itinerary blends primate trekking, diverse wildlife viewing, cultural encounters, boat rides, and breathtaking landscapes across Rwanda and Uganda.

Safari Inclusions

• 4×4 Rwanda Car Rental (SUV/4×4 or similar) with unlimited mileage, GPS, and Rwanda–Uganda cross-border documentation & vehicle fees

• Accommodation and meals as per itinerary

• 1 Gorilla Permit Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda) – paid in advance

• 1 Gorilla Permit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Uganda)

• 1 Chimpanzee Tracking Permit per person (Kyambura Gorge / designated location)

• Boat Cruise on the Kazinga Channel

• All game drives

• All national park entrance fees

• 1 liter of bottled water per person per day during safari

Safari Exclusions

Personal expenses such as:
Airfare, visas, drinks, laundry, tips to guides, telephone bills, porter fees during trekking, travel insurance, souvenirs, cigars, and any other personal shopping.

10-Day Self-Drive Rwanda to Uganda Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Pick Up Your 4×4 Rwanda Car Rental – Explore Kigali

Start your adventure by collecting your 4×4 Rwanda Car Rental in Kigali. Spend the day exploring Rwanda’s vibrant capital.
Top highlights include:

• Kigali Genocide Memorial

• Women’s quilting and sewing cooperatives

• Local craft markets

• Kaplaki handicraft village

• Women to Women Coop

• Cards from Africa charity project

Later, drive to Musanze/Ruhengeri, the gateway to Volcanoes National Park.

Day 2–4: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda)

After an early breakfast, drive to the Volcanoes National Park headquarters for a briefing on gorilla trekking guidelines.
Gorilla tracking can take 2–8 hours, depending on the gorilla family’s movements. The hike may be steep and muddy, but the reward of spending one magical hour with the mountain gorillas is incomparable.

After trekking, return to your lodge for rest. If time allows, explore Musanze’s vibrant markets and cultural sites.

Day 5: Cross to Uganda via Cyanika Border – Drive to Bwindi

Depart Volcanoes National Park and drive toward the Cyanika Border to enter Uganda. Enjoy scenic mountain roads, lush forests, and terraced hills as you head to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Buhoma sector).

Depending on your arrival time, you may explore local communities, craft shops, or relax at your lodge.

Day 6: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After an early breakfast, begin your second gorilla trekking adventure. Bwindi’s dense forest and steep terrain provide a thrilling and rewarding experience as you track another gorilla family.

After your trek, take an optional cultural walk to visit nearby communities or projects such as:

• Amagara Community Project

• Bwindi Community Hospital, a once small clinic now serving thousands of local residents

Return to the lodge for dinner and relaxation.

Day 7: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Ishasha Sector

Depart Bwindi and drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, entering through the Ishasha sector, famous for its tree-climbing lions. Check in at Ishasha Wilderness Camp and head out for an evening game drive.

Common wildlife sightings include:

• Tree-climbing lions

• Leopards

• Hyenas

• Uganda kob

• Buffaloes

• Savannah birds and raptors

Bird enthusiasts may spot:
Broad-tailed and African Moustached Warbler, African Oriole, Senegal Plover, Ovambo Sparrow, and many more.

Overnight at Ishasha Wilderness Camp.

Day 8: Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Safari – Queen Elizabeth NP

After breakfast, enjoy another game drive with greater chances of spotting the famous tree-climbing lions. Wildlife includes:
Hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, bushbuck, waterbuck, and various predators such as lions, leopards, and hyenas.

Birdlife is exceptional, featuring:
Yellow-billed & Saddle-billed stork, African Spoonbill, Wattled plovers, Malachite Kingfisher, sunbirds, weavers, and much more.

In the afternoon, take a scenic boat safari on the Kazinga Channel, famous for its dense concentration of hippos and waterbirds.

Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 9: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kyambura Gorge

Head to Kyambura Gorge, a stunning underground rainforest known for its chimpanzee population and dramatic landscapes. The chimp viewing experience can be unpredictable due to their high mobility, but the forest walk itself is truly enchanting.

In the afternoon, take a guided walk through the Immaramagambo Forest, enjoying its rich birdlife and natural beauty.
Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 10: Drive to Kampala or Entebbe – End of Safari

After breakfast, begin your journey to Kampala or Entebbe International Airport. Time permitting, enjoy a Kampala city tour, visiting:Kasubi Tombs, Kabaka’s Palace, Kabaka’s Lake, Namugongo Martyrs Shrine, Uganda Museum, Bahai Temple, Namirembe & Rubaga Cathedrals, Gaddafi Mosque, Buganda Road Craft Market, National Theatre Craft Village

This enriching city tour provides an excellent cultural and historical conclusion to your adventure.