Kigali – Bwindi – Mgahinga – Ishasha – Queen Elizabeth – Kalinzu – Kigali
This 8 day Uganda safari from Kigali combines mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi, golden monkey tracking in Mgahinga, chimpanzee tracking in Kalinzu Forest and classic wildlife viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The route is designed around southwestern Uganda, reducing unnecessary driving while bringing together three primate experiences and some of the region’s finest landscapes and wildlife.
The journey also explores the contrasting landscapes of Bwindi, the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park and the Kazinga Channel, with opportunities to see elephants, buffalo, hippos, tree-climbing lions and an exceptional variety of birdlife.
Starting and ending in Kigali keeps the itinerary focused on southwestern Uganda and avoids unnecessary travel through Entebbe, making this an excellent option for travellers who want to experience Uganda’s primates and wildlife within a relatively compact itinerary.
Want more time in the parks? Compare our 11-day Uganda Gorilla & Primate safari and 12-day Ultimate Uganda Wildlife & Primate safari for longer itineraries, or see all our Uganda safaris.
Safari at a Glance
Duration | 8 days / 7 nights |
Start | Kigali, Rwanda |
Finish | Kigali, Rwanda |
Countries | Rwanda and Uganda |
Main destinations | Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Lake Mutanda, Ishasha, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kalinzu Forest |
Main experiences: | Gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking, Bwindi forest walk, game drives, tree-climbing lion search, chimpanzee tracking and Kazinga Channel boat safari |
Why This 8 Day Uganda Safari Works
This route has been designed around southwestern Uganda rather than trying to cover too much of the country in eight days. From Kigali, you travel directly towards the Bwindi region and spend three nights at Nkuringo, giving you time for both gorilla trekking and a separate excursion to Mgahinga and Lake Mutanda.
Instead of driving around Bwindi when it is time to continue north, you cross the forest on foot from Nkuringo towards Buhoma. Your driver meets you on the other side before continuing to Ishasha and Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Kalinzu Forest then provides the chimpanzee tracking experience without requiring the longer journey north to Kibale. The result is a safari combining three very different primate experiences with forest walking, savannah wildlife and the Kazinga Channel.
8 Day Uganda Safari: Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 – Kigali to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Your safari begins in Kigali, Rwanda, where your Orugano Safaris driver-guide will meet you for the journey into southwestern Uganda.
After leaving Kigali, travel through Rwanda’s rolling countryside towards the Uganda border before continuing into the highlands surrounding Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
As you approach Nkuringo, the landscape becomes increasingly dramatic, with terraced hills, small farms and views towards the Virunga volcanoes on clear days.
Arrive at Orugano Bwindi Lodge, close to the Nkuringo sector of Bwindi, and settle in for dinner and your first night overlooking one of Africa’s most remarkable forest landscapes.
Overnight: Orugano Bwindi Lodge
Main experience: Scenic Kigali–Bwindi journey
Day 2 – Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After an early breakfast, transfer to the Nkuringo park headquarters for your gorilla trekking briefing.
Accompanied by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers and trackers, enter Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family.
The trek can take anything from a few hours to much of the day depending on the location of the gorillas. Once you find them, you will spend the permitted time observing their behaviour in their natural forest environment.
Return to Orugano Bwindi Lodge after the trek for a well-earned rest.
Depending on the finishing time of your trek and your energy levels, the later afternoon can include a community or Batwa cultural experience, or simply be left free to relax at the lodge.
Overnight: Orugano Bwindi Lodge
Main experience: Mountain gorilla trekking
Optional experience: Batwa/community visit
Day 3 – Golden Monkey Tracking in Mgahinga & Lake Mutanda
After an early morning breakfast, drive to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, a place of beautiful and varied scenery at the edge of the Virunga mountain ranges.
You then head into the bamboo forests on the lower slopes of the Virunga volcanoes in search of golden monkeys. These friendly monkeys provide a very different experience from the previous day’s gorilla encounter.
After tracking, begin the return journey towards Nkuringo.
Rather than simply driving directly back to the lodge, the route can incorporate Lake Mutanda, one of southwestern Uganda’s most beautiful highland lakes. Depending on timing and conditions, enjoy views of the lake and surrounding volcanoes, with the possibility of a canoe or local cultural experience.
Continue through the hills to Orugano Bwindi Lodge for your final evening in Nkuringo.
Overnight: Orugano Bwindi Lodge
Main experience: Golden monkey tracking
Additional experience: Lake Mutanda
Day 4 – Walk Through Bwindi from Nkuringo to Buhoma & Continue to Ishasha
Today provides a completely different way to experience Bwindi.
After breakfast, enter the forest for the journey from the southern side of Bwindi towards Buhoma. Accompanied by a local guide, walk through the ancient rainforest beneath its dense canopy rather than driving around the national park.
Bwindi is one of Africa’s most biologically diverse forests, and the walk provides opportunities to appreciate its enormous trees, streams, butterflies, primates and forest birdlife away from the gorilla trekking experience.
Your driver-guide will meet you on the Buhoma side.
From Buhoma, continue towards the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, an area of open savannah, fig trees and woodland particularly famous for its tree-climbing lions.
Depending on arrival time, there may be an opportunity for a short introductory wildlife drive before continuing to your accommodation.
Main experiences: Bwindi forest crossing and Ishasha
Overnight: Ishasha area
Day 5 – Ishasha Wildlife Drive & Queen Elizabeth National Park
Begin the morning with a game drive through Ishasha.
The sector is best known for lions that are frequently seen resting in the branches of large fig trees, although sightings can never be guaranteed. The plains are also home to elephants, buffalo, Uganda kob, topi and other wildlife.
After the game drive, continue north through Queen Elizabeth National Park towards the main northern sector.
Along the way, explore the landscapes associated with the Katwe–Kikorongo crater and salt-lake region, where generations of local communities have lived alongside the park and its natural resources. Seasonal wetlands and saline environments also attract a variety of resident and migratory birds.
Continue to your lodge and spend the remainder of the day enjoying the scenery of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Main experiences: Ishasha game drive, crater/salt-lake landscapes and community encounters
Overnight: Queen Elizabeth National Park area
Day 6 – Full-Day Wildlife Safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Today is dedicated to exploring Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Set out early when temperatures are cooler and wildlife is most active. Explore the park’s savannah and woodland habitats in search of elephants, buffalo, Uganda kob, warthogs, waterbuck and predators including lions and, with considerable luck, leopards.
Return to the lodge during the warmer part of the day for lunch and some time to relax.
Later in the afternoon, head back into the park for another game drive. The changing light and cooler temperatures provide another opportunity for wildlife viewing and photography.
Rather than rushing onwards, this full day allows you to properly experience one of Uganda’s most diverse national parks.
Main experiences: Morning and afternoon wildlife drives
Overnight: Queen Elizabeth National Park area
Day 7 – Chimpanzee Tracking in Kalinzu Forest & Kazinga Channel Boat Safari
After breakfast, travel to Kalinzu Central Forest Reserve for your third major primate experience of the safari.
Accompanied by an experienced forest guide, enter Kalinzu in search of its habituated chimpanzees. The forest supports several primate species as well as butterflies, birds and diverse tropical vegetation.
After the chimpanzee experience, return towards Queen Elizabeth National Park.
In the afternoon, board a boat for a safari along the Kazinga Channel, the natural waterway connecting Lakes George and Edward.
The channel is renowned for its concentrations of hippos and is frequently visited by elephants, buffalo and other animals coming to drink at the water’s edge. It is also one of the best places on the itinerary for waterbirds and close-range wildlife photography.
Return to your lodge after the cruise for your final evening in Uganda.
Main experiences: Chimpanzee tracking and Kazinga Channel boat safari
Overnight: Queen Elizabeth National Park area
Day 8 – Queen Elizabeth National Park to Kigali
After breakfast, begin the return journey south through the landscapes of western Uganda.
Travel through the highlands towards Kabale and the Katuna border before crossing back into Rwanda and continuing to Kigali.
Depending on your onward travel arrangements, you can be dropped at your Kigali hotel or Kigali International Airport, bringing your 8-day journey through southwestern Uganda to an end.
Route: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Kabale – Katuna – Kigali
Safari Highlights
- Mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Three nights in the Nkuringo area of Bwindi
- Golden monkey tracking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
- Visit to Lake Mutanda
- Guided forest crossing from Nkuringo towards Buhoma
- Wildlife viewing in the Ishasha sector
- Search for Ishasha’s tree-climbing lions
- Morning and afternoon wildlife drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Chimpanzee tracking in Kalinzu Forest
- Kazinga Channel boat safari
- Start and finish in Kigali
Accommodation
Accommodation is selected according to your preferred level of comfort and budget. In Bwindi, the itinerary includes Orugano Bwindi Lodge at Nkuringo, conveniently located for exploring the southern Bwindi region.
For Ishasha and Queen Elizabeth National Park, we can recommend and book suitable lodges according to your travel style.
Gorilla, Golden Monkey & Chimpanzee Permits
Gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking and chimpanzee tracking require permits. Availability can be limited, particularly during popular travel periods, so we recommend confirming your travel dates before finalising the safari.
Orugano Safaris can arrange the required permits as part of your safari booking.
Customise This Safari
This itinerary can be adjusted to suit your interests, available time and preferred accommodation level.
It can also be adapted for travellers who want additional gorilla trekking, a gorilla habituation experience, more time in Bwindi, birding, cultural experiences or additional nights in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Contact Orugano Safaris to plan this 8-day Uganda safari around your preferred travel dates.
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