Looking to explore Uganda in 10 days starting from and ending in Kigali City, Rwanda? This 10-Day Uganda Safari from Kigali takes you to Bwindi for a Uganda gorilla trekking experience, Queen Elizabeth National Park for wildlife viewing, Kibale Forest for Chimpanzee trekking, Lake Mburo for a wildlife experience, and Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation and leisure.
This 10-Day Best of Uganda safari starts and ends in Kigali, Rwanda. See the detailed itinerary for this Uganda Safari below.
10-Day Uganda Safari from Kigali Highlights
- Day 1: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Day 2: Gorilla Trekking Experience
- Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Day 4: Game Drive and Boat Cruise
- Day 5: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
- Day 6: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale Forest
- Day 7: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
- Day 8: Whole Day at Lake Mburo
- Day 9: Lake Mburo – Lake Bunyonyi
- Day 10: Lake Bunyonyi & Transfer to Kigali for Departure
Detailed 10-Day Uganda Safari from Kigali Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
A tour guide from our gorilla trekking company will pick you up from your accommodation in Kigali, take you on a city tour to visit places like the Genocide Memorial Monument, Kimironko Market, Caplaki Crafts Village, Hotel Rwanda, and more before transferring you to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. Upon reaching Bwindi, you will check into your lodge and relax.
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking Experience
After breakfast on the second day of your 10-Day Uganda Safari from Kigali, you will drive to the starting point of your trek for a briefing before embarking on your respective trails to search for gorillas in their natural habitat.
The gorilla family assignment process is random, but special needs persons are always assigned to the easiest groups to track. If lucky, you will find gorillas in less than 3 hours, spend an hour with them, and return to the park headquarters to receive your respective gorilla trekking certificates. You will then return to your lodge to relax.
Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After an early morning breakfast in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you will set off for Queen Elizabeth National Park in Kasese.
You will enter through the Ishasha region where you will get to spot tree-climbing lions and proceed to the Mweya sector.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is the most popular national park in Uganda boasting a variety of wildlife species. Upon reaching the Mweya sector, you will check into your lodge and relax. Alternatively, you can opt for a night game drive on this day at an extra cost.
Day 4: Game Drive and Boat Cruise
Wake up early and head for a morning game drive in the Kasenyi sector, known for its high concentration of wildlife in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Here, you will see elephants, giraffes, lions, and many more animals.
This game drive should last about 3 – 4 hours. Afterward, return to your lodge for lunch, relaxation, and embark on an afternoon boat ride on the Kazinga Channel where you will see crocodiles, hippopotamuses, and lots of wildlife quenching their thirst at the riverbanks.
Return from this activity and relax at your lodge.
Day 5: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
This morning, you will experience Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura Gorge. This gorge is one of the best places for chimpanzee trekking in Uganda and is located in the eastern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Here, you will encounter numerous chimpanzees depending on the day of your visit. After this adventure, return to your lodge, refresh, and transfer to Kibale Forest National Park in Fort Portal.
Kibale Forest National Park, known as the primate capital of East Africa, is the best place for chimpanzee trekking in the world. It boasts the highest concentration of primates in the entire East African region.
Upon reaching the park, check into your lodge and relax.
Day 6: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale Forest
Have an early morning breakfast and attend a briefing at the park headquarters before proceeding into the forest to track chimpanzees. Chimpanzee trekking is an incredible experience.
Unlike gorilla trekking, tourists are allowed to get very close to chimpanzees. The chimps might jump on your back, hug you, and play with you.
The habituated chimps in Kibale Forest National Park are accustomed to humans. You will undoubtedly enjoy your chimpanzee trekking experience.
After trekking chimpanzees, return to your lodge, refresh, and head for a swamp walk at the Bigodi wetlands. This wetland is perfect for birders, with numerous bird species. After exploring this area, return to your lodge for relaxation.
Day 7: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
Early in the morning, transfer to Lake Mburo National Park in Mbarara. This park is Uganda’s smallest Savannah park. It is the only place in Uganda where impalas are found. Despite its size, it offers excellent birding and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Upon reaching the park, check into your lodge and enjoy an afternoon boat ride on Lake Mburo. After the boat ride, return to your lodge and relax.
Day 8: Whole Day at Lake Mburo
Wake up to an early morning breakfast at Lake Mburo and head for a morning game drive. The game drive will allow you to see various wildlife species in this small national park.
Common sightings here include zebras, impalas, elands, buffaloes, topis, reedbucks, hyenas, and more.
After the game drive, return to your lodge to relax. In the afternoon, embark on a horseback riding experience around the park.
You will be accompanied by two armed rangers from Uganda Wildlife Authority for security purposes. Conclude this activity and return to your lodge to relax.
Day 9: Lake Mburo – Lake Bunyonyi
Have breakfast and embark on a walking safari around the park. Once again, you will be accompanied by two armed rangers for security purposes.
A walking safari offers a great opportunity to get up close to wildlife in the park, unlike game drives where the sound of a car often scares away most animals. Conclude this activity and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi in Kabale, arriving in the evening.
Lake Bunyonyi is the most beautiful lake in Uganda, dotted with over 29 islands, each with its own history. Spend your evening relaxing at the lodge.
Day 10: Lake Bunyonyi & Transfer to Kigali for Departure
Spend the morning relaxing while admiring the beautiful islands on the lake. Enjoy a boat ride and visit several of those islands, including Punishment Island.
After lunch in the afternoon, begin your journey to Kigali, where you will be dropped off at the airport for departure or proceed to an accommodation facility of your choice.
End of 10-Day Uganda Safari from Kigali.
