8 Day Uganda Safari From Kigali

8 Day Uganda Safari From Kigali is one of the most complete wildlife journeys you can take in East Africa. In just over a week, you cross from Rwanda into Uganda and loop through the country’s southwestern highlights: zebras and eland in Lake Mburo, wild chimpanzees in Kibale Forest, elephants and tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park, mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and the peaceful islands of Lake Bunyonyi. Then you return to Kigali for your flight home.

This route is designed for travellers who fly into Kigali International Airport and want to see the very best of Uganda without retracing their steps. It combines great apes, Big Five game viewing, boat cruises, cultural encounters and some of the most beautiful scenery in Africa, all at a comfortable pace with no exhausting drives.

At Pick and Transfer Safaris, we specialise in Uganda safaris starting from Kigali. Our team is based in Kisoro, near the Rwanda–Uganda border, and we design affordable, well-paced itineraries for budget and mid-range travellers. This guide covers the full day-by-day plan, permit costs, prices, the best time to travel, what to pack, visas and the questions travellers ask us most.

What Is an 8 Day Uganda Safari From Kigali?

An 8 day Uganda safari from Kigali is a private, guided road trip that starts and ends in Kigali, Rwanda, and spends most of its time in Uganda’s national parks. You travel in a 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof and an experienced English-speaking driver-guide who stays with you from the airport pick-up to the final drop-off.

The route forms a loop. You enter Uganda through the Mirama Hills border in the east, travel north to Kibale and Queen Elizabeth, then head south to Bwindi and Lake Bunyonyi before crossing back into Rwanda at the Katuna border. This loop means you never drive the same road twice and you see a wide variety of landscapes, from savannah and crater lakes to rainforest and terraced highlands.

If you want a shorter trip, our 7 Days Uganda Safari – One Week Tour covers a similar circuit, while the 10 Days Uganda Primates and Wildlife safari adds Murchison Falls. For an outside comparison, Kenlink Tours runs an 8-Day Uganda Gorilla, Chimpanzee and Wildlife Safari with a similar mix of experiences.

Who Is This 8 Day Safari For?

This itinerary is ideal for:

• First-time visitors who want a complete introduction to Uganda
• Travellers flying into Kigali who want both primates and big game
• Couples, families with teenagers (15+ for gorillas) and small groups of friends
• Wildlife photographers who want variety: apes, predators, birds and landscapes
• Travellers with about ten days of holiday, including flights

You do not need to be an athlete. A moderate level of fitness is enough for the gorilla and chimpanzee treks, and every other activity is gentle.

Why Choose an 8 Day Uganda Safari Starting in Kigali?

It is the perfect length. Eight days is long enough to visit five different destinations without rushing, yet short enough to fit into a standard ten-day holiday with flights. Every day includes a highlight, and no single drive takes much more than five or six hours.

Kigali is a better gateway for the southwest. Kigali International Airport is closer to Bwindi, Lake Bunyonyi and Lake Mburo than Entebbe is to many of these places. Flying into Kigali also lets you avoid the long drive south from Entebbe, and Kigali has excellent international flight connections.

You see both great apes. Uganda is one of the best places on earth to see mountain gorillas and chimpanzees on the same trip. Kibale has one of the highest chimpanzee densities in Africa, and Bwindi protects nearly half of the world’s mountain gorillas.

You get big game too. Unlike a primate-only trip, this safari includes Lake Mburo, home to zebras, eland, impala, buffalo and a good chance of leopards, plus Queen Elizabeth National Park, with elephants, buffalo, lions, hippos and over 600 bird species.

Uganda’s permits offer great value. A Uganda gorilla permit costs USD 800 for foreign non-residents, compared with USD 1,500 in Rwanda. Starting in Kigali but trekking in Uganda saves you money without adding extra travel.

A relaxing finish. The safari ends with a peaceful day at Lake Bunyonyi, a beautiful lake dotted with 29 islands, just three hours from Kigali. It is the perfect place to rest and reflect before flying home.

8 Day Uganda Safari From Kigali: Itinerary at a Glance

Day	Route	Highlights	Overnight
1	Kigali – Mirama Hills border – Lake Mburo	Scenic drive, evening game drive	Lake Mburo
2	Lake Mburo – Kibale Forest	Morning walking safari or boat trip, drive past tea estates	Kibale area
3	Kibale Forest	Chimpanzee tracking, Bigodi Wetland walk	Kibale area
4	Kibale – Queen Elizabeth National Park	Crater lakes, Equator, Kazinga Channel boat cruise	Queen Elizabeth
5	Queen Elizabeth – Ishasha – Bwindi	Morning game drive, tree-climbing lions	Bwindi
6	Bwindi Impenetrable Forest	Mountain gorilla trekking, optional Batwa visit	Bwindi
7	Bwindi – Lake Bunyonyi	Scenic highland drive, canoe trip	Lake Bunyonyi
8	Lake Bunyonyi – Katuna border – Kigali	Relaxed morning, return to Kigali	End of safari

The parks on this route are Lake Mburo (see our destinations page), Kibale Forest National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. To learn more about Uganda before you go, the Kenlink Tours Uganda guide is a useful overview.

Highlights of the 8 Day Uganda Safari From Kigali

• Track wild chimpanzees in Kibale, the primate capital of the world
• Spend one unforgettable hour with a mountain gorilla family in Bwindi
• Search for tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth
• Cruise the Kazinga Channel among hippos, elephants and crocodiles
• Spot zebras, eland and leopards in Lake Mburo, Uganda’s closest savannah park to Kigali
• Walk through Bigodi Wetland, a community-run paradise for birds and monkeys
• Cross the Equator and see the crater lakes of western Uganda
• Paddle a dugout canoe on Lake Bunyonyi, among the most beautiful lakes in Africa
• Meet the Batwa people and learn about life in the forest

Day 1: Kigali to Lake Mburo National Park

Your 8 day Uganda safari from Kigali begins with a morning pick-up from your hotel or Kigali International Airport. Your driver-guide welcomes you, gives a short briefing and loads your luggage into your private 4×4 safari vehicle.

You drive northeast through Rwanda’s rolling hills to the Kagitumba/Mirama Hills border. After a smooth crossing, assisted by your guide, you enter Uganda and continue through the cattle country of Ankole, famous for its long-horned Ankole cattle with their huge, curved horns.

You arrive at Lake Mburo National Park in the early afternoon. After lunch at your lodge, head out on an evening game drive. Lake Mburo is Uganda’s smallest savannah park, but it is full of life. Look out for zebras, impalas, elands (Africa’s largest antelope), topis, buffaloes, warthogs and giraffes, which were reintroduced to the park. As the sun sets over the acacia woodland, you may spot a leopard or hyena beginning its nightly hunt.

Dinner and overnight at your lodge in Lake Mburo.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner | Drive time: About 5 hours including the border

Day 2: Lake Mburo to Kibale Forest National Park

Start the day with a guided walking safari or a boat trip on Lake Mburo. Lake Mburo is one of the few Ugandan parks where you can walk among zebras and antelope with an armed ranger, an exciting way to experience the bush on foot. The boat trip offers close views of hippos, crocodiles, African fish eagles and, with luck, the rare African finfoot.

After breakfast, you drive north through Mbarara and the green hills of western Uganda. As you approach Fort Portal, the landscape changes to bright green tea plantations with the Rwenzori Mountains, the Mountains of the Moon, rising on the horizon.

You arrive at your lodge near Kibale Forest in the late afternoon. If time allows, take a short walk around the beautiful crater lakes near your lodge. Dinner and overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Drive time: About 5 – 6 hours

Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale and Bigodi Wetland Walk

Today you meet our closest living relatives. After an early breakfast, drive to the Kanyanchu Visitor Centre for the 8:00 am briefing with Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers. Groups of up to eight trekkers set off into the forest with a ranger.

Kibale is known as the primate capital of the world, with 13 primate species. Chimpanzee sightings here are very reliable. Listen for their loud pant-hoots echoing through the trees as your ranger follows their calls. When you find them, you spend one hour watching the community feeding on figs, grooming, playing and sometimes drumming on the buttress roots of giant trees. Along the trail, look for red colobus monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys and the great blue turaco.

In the afternoon, join a guided Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary walk. This community-run boardwalk trail winds through a papyrus swamp home to more than 200 bird species and several monkey species. Fees support local schools and conservation projects.

For travellers who love primates, the Chimpanzee Habituation Experience offers up to four hours with a chimpanzee community. Ask us to add it. Kenlink Tours’ 3-Day Chimpanzee Tracking Safari shows how much there is to enjoy in Kibale.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Activity: Chimpanzee tracking

Day 4: Kibale to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kazinga Channel Cruise

After breakfast, drive south through the crater lake region and cross the Equator, where you can stop for photos. As you descend into the Albertine Rift Valley, the vast plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park open up below you.

Queen Elizabeth is called the Medley of Wonders. Its savannah, wetlands, crater lakes and forests support nearly 100 mammal species and over 600 bird species. After lunch at your lodge, head to Mweya Peninsula for a two-hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, the natural waterway linking Lake George and Lake Edward.

The cruise is one of the best wildlife experiences in Uganda. You will see huge pods of hippos, elephants drinking at the water’s edge, herds of buffalo, Nile crocodiles and an amazing variety of birds, from pelicans and kingfishers to African fish eagles.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Drive time: About 3 hours

Day 5: Morning Game Drive and Transfer to Bwindi via Ishasha

Rise early for a sunrise game drive on the Kasenyi plains, the best area in the park for lions. Early morning is when predators are most active, often hunting Uganda kob. You may also see leopards, hyenas, elephants, buffalo and warthogs.

After breakfast, drive south into the remote Ishasha sector, famous for its tree-climbing lions. These lions often rest in the branches of large fig trees during the heat of the day, a rare sight in Africa. Ishasha is also home to large herds of topi and buffalo.

From Ishasha, the road climbs into the misty hills of Kigezi to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. You arrive at your lodge in the late afternoon. Relax and prepare for tomorrow’s gorilla trek.

If you want more time in Queen Elizabeth, our 3 Days Safari to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kenlink Tours’ 3 Days Queen Elizabeth National Park wildlife encounter focus on the park in depth.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Drive time: About 4 – 5 hours with game viewing

Day 6: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

This is the highlight of your 8 day Uganda safari from Kigali. After an early breakfast, you report to the park headquarters for the 7:30 am briefing. Rangers explain the trekking rules and assign groups of up to eight people to a habituated gorilla family.

The trek can take from one to several hours through steep, thick forest. Porters are available, and we recommend hiring one to carry your bag and support the local community. When you reach the gorillas, you spend one magical hour watching the silverback, mothers with infants and playful youngsters, often just a few metres away. It is an experience that many travellers describe as life-changing.

After the trek, receive your certificate and return to your lodge. In the afternoon, you can join an optional Batwa cultural experience or a community walk to learn about local life around the forest.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Activity: Gorilla trekking

Day 7: Bwindi to Lake Bunyonyi

After a relaxed breakfast, drive through the terraced hills of Kigezi, sometimes called the Switzerland of Africa, to Lake Bunyonyi. This stunning lake is surrounded by steep hills and dotted with 29 islands, each with its own story.

After lunch, enjoy a canoe or boat trip around the islands. Visit Punishment Island, learn about local history, and watch otters, crowned cranes and kingfishers. Lake Bunyonyi is free of crocodiles and hippos, so you can even swim in some areas. Spend the evening relaxing on your lodge’s terrace as the sun sets over the water.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Drive time: About 3 – 4 hours

Day 8: Lake Bunyonyi to Kigali

Enjoy a slow morning by the lake, perhaps with a final sunrise canoe ride or a walk to a viewpoint. After breakfast, drive to the nearby Katuna border, cross into Rwanda and continue to Kigali, about three hours in total.

On arrival, your guide drops you at Kigali International Airport for your flight home, or at your hotel if you are staying longer. With extra time, you can explore Kigali City before you leave.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch | Drive time: About 3 hours | End of safari

Permits for Your 8 Day Uganda Safari

Two permits are required for this safari: a gorilla trekking permit and a chimpanzee tracking permit. Both are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and booked through a licensed tour operator.

Permit	Foreign non-resident	Notes
Gorilla trekking, Bwindi	USD 800	About USD 600 in April, May and November
Chimpanzee tracking, Kibale	USD 250	Low-season discounts also apply
Gorilla habituation (optional upgrade)	USD 1,500 (USD 1,800 from 1 Jan 2027)	Up to 4 hours with gorillas
Chimpanzee habituation (optional upgrade)	USD 300	Up to 4 hours with chimps

Since 1 March 2026, UWA only reserves permits with proof of full payment, so we purchase your permits as soon as your safari is confirmed and paid. Gorilla permits sell out months in advance for June to September and December to February, so we recommend booking at least four to six months ahead. Rates can change, so always confirm the latest prices with us.

How Much Does an 8 Day Uganda Safari From Kigali Cost?

The price depends on your accommodation level, group size and season. As a guide, here is what a person sharing with one other traveller can expect to pay, including permits:

Safari level	Estimated price per person (2 people)	Accommodation style
Budget	From about USD 2,800	Clean guesthouses, bandas and simple lodges
Mid-range	From about USD 3,400	Comfortable lodges with en-suite rooms and good food
Luxury	From about USD 6,000	Exclusive eco-lodges with premium service and views

Travelling in a larger group lowers the cost per person, since the vehicle, fuel and guide are shared. Booking in the low season, especially April, May or November, also saves money on permits and lodges.

What Is Included and Excluded

Included:

• Gorilla trekking permit (one per person)
• Chimpanzee tracking permit (one per person)
• Park entrance fees for all parks on the itinerary
• Kazinga Channel boat cruise
• Game drives in Lake Mburo and Queen Elizabeth
• Bigodi Wetland walk
• Private 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof and fuel
• English-speaking professional driver-guide
• Seven nights of accommodation
• Meals as listed in the itinerary
• Bottled drinking water
• Airport pick-up and drop-off in Kigali

Excluded:

• International flights
• Visas (the East Africa Tourist Visa costs USD 100)
• Travel insurance
• Porter fees, tips and gratuities
• Drinks and personal expenses
• Optional activities such as the Batwa experience, habituation upgrades or Lake Mburo walking safari fees

Best Time to Do an 8 Day Uganda Safari

Uganda can be visited all year, but the seasons affect your experience:

Dry seasons (June to September and December to February): The best time for gorilla and chimp trekking, as trails are drier. Game viewing in Lake Mburo and Queen Elizabeth is excellent because animals gather near water. These are the busiest months, so book early.

Wet seasons (March to May and October to November): The landscape is lush and green, there are fewer visitors and lodges often offer discounts. The discounted low-season permits in April, May and November make these months great value. Trails are muddier and some roads can be slower, but rain usually falls in short showers.

Birdwatchers love November to April, when migratory birds arrive from Europe and Asia. If birds are your passion, Kenlink Tours’ 7-Day Birdwatching Safari in Uganda is worth a look.

What to Pack for an 8 Day Uganda Safari

• Waterproof hiking boots, already worn in
• Long-sleeved shirts and long trousers in neutral colours (khaki, green, brown)
• A light rain jacket and a warm fleece for cool evenings in Bwindi and Kibale
• Gardening gloves for gorilla and chimp trekking
• Gaiters or long socks to keep out ants and mud
• A small waterproof daypack
• Sunscreen, sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat
• Insect repellent with DEET
• Binoculars for game drives and birding
• A camera with spare batteries, memory cards and a zoom lens
• A reusable water bottle
• Swimwear for Lake Bunyonyi
• Passport, visa, yellow fever certificate and travel insurance documents

Pack in a soft bag rather than a hard suitcase, as safari vehicles have limited space. Remember that Rwanda bans single-use plastic bags.

Visas and Health Requirements

Because this safari starts in Rwanda and enters Uganda, you need permission to enter both countries. Most travellers choose the East Africa Tourist Visa (USD 100), which covers Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya with multiple entries for 90 days. Apply online through Rwanda, as it is your first country of entry.

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required to enter Uganda. Malaria prevention is strongly recommended, so speak to your doctor before travel. Your passport must be valid for at least six months. Visa rules can change, so always check official sources before you travel.

Where You Stay on the 8 Day Uganda Safari

We choose lodges that match your budget and sit close to each day’s activities, so you spend less time driving and more time enjoying the parks.

Night	Location	Budget	Mid-range	Luxury
1	Lake Mburo	Simple tented camp or banda	Comfortable lodge near the lake	Exclusive lodge with savannah views
2 – 3	Kibale / crater lakes	Guesthouse near Bigodi	Crater lake lodge	Luxury forest lodge
4	Queen Elizabeth	Basic cottage near Mweya or Katunguru	Lodge on the Kazinga Channel	Premium lodge with channel or crater views
5 – 6	Bwindi	Community-run lodge	Forest-edge lodge	Luxury forest lodge
7	Lake Bunyonyi	Island or lakeside campsite	Lakeside lodge	Luxury island resort

If you prefer to trek gorillas in the southern sectors of Bwindi or in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, our own Ikoro Hotel in Kisoro, opposite Nyakabande Airstrip, is a comfortable and friendly base just minutes from the Rwanda border.

Ways to Customise Your 8 Day Uganda Safari From Kigali

Every safari we run is private and flexible. Here are some popular variations:

• End in Entebbe instead of Kigali. Reverse part of the route and finish in Entebbe for an open-jaw trip that adds the Lake Victoria shoreline.
• Add Murchison Falls. Extend to ten days to see the world’s most powerful waterfall. See our 10 Days Uganda Primates and Wildlife safari or Kenlink Tours’ 10 Days Uganda Adventure Safari Itinerary.
• Add Rwanda. Include golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park or a Kigali city tour with our 7 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari Adventure or 10 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari. Kenlink Tours’ 9 Days Uganda and Rwanda Gorilla and Big Five Safari is another strong option.
• Make it shorter. If eight days is too long, try our 5 Days Uganda Gorilla and Chimps Safari Starting from Rwanda or Kenlink Tours’ 5-Day Gorilla Trekking Safari from Kigali to Uganda.
• Add culture. Kenlink Tours’ 10 Days Best of Primate and Culture shows how cultural visits can enrich a primate safari.
• Self-drive. Experienced drivers can follow this route in a rented 4×4. Kenlink Tours offers car hire with or without a driver.
• Upgrade your primate time. Swap the standard permits for gorilla or chimpanzee habituation experiences for up to four hours with the apes.

You can also browse our wildlife safaris, gorilla safaris and full list of safari packages for more ideas.

Why Book Your 8 Day Uganda Safari From Kigali with Pick and Transfer Safaris

• Kigali-to-Uganda specialists. Starting Uganda safaris in Kigali is what we do best. We know every border, road and timing.
• Local team based in Kisoro. We live and work in southwestern Uganda, close to the gorilla parks.
• Same vehicle and guide throughout. Our vehicles and guides operate in both Rwanda and Uganda, so you never change at the border.
• Affordable prices. Our safaris are built for budget and mid-range travellers, with honest pricing and no hidden costs.
• Permits secured directly with UWA. As a licensed operator, we handle all gorilla and chimpanzee permits.
• Tailor-made itineraries. Every safari can be adjusted to your dates, interests and budget.
• Responsible tourism. Part of our profits supports orphans and community projects through the Kigezi Foundation.

Read more about us and the team behind your safari.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 8 Day Uganda Safari From Kigali

Is 8 days enough to see the best of Uganda? Yes, for the southwest. Eight days covers gorillas, chimps, two savannah parks and a lake. To add Murchison Falls in the north, you need about ten days.

How much driving is involved? Most driving days are between three and six hours, broken up with game viewing, photo stops and lunch. The loop route means you never drive the same road twice.

Can I do this safari in reverse? Yes. We can start with Lake Bunyonyi and gorillas and finish with Lake Mburo. The order often depends on gorilla permit availability.

How fit do I need to be? A moderate level of fitness is enough. Gorilla treks can last several hours on steep terrain, and chimp tracking may involve walking quickly. Porters and walking sticks are available.

Is the safari suitable for children? Children are welcome on game drives, boat cruises and community walks. The minimum age is 15 for gorilla trekking and 12 for chimpanzee tracking.

Is it safe to travel between Rwanda and Uganda? Yes. Both countries are popular, welcoming destinations, and the border crossings used on this route are busy, well-managed and used by tourists every day.

What happens if I cannot trek on my gorilla day? Permits are generally non-refundable, and rangers may refuse trekkers who are visibly ill to protect the gorillas. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.

Book Your 8 Day Uganda Safari From Kigali

An 8 day Uganda safari from Kigali gives you the very best of Uganda’s southwest in one smooth, well-paced loop. You will walk among zebras in Lake Mburo, track chimpanzees in Kibale, cruise the Kazinga Channel, search for tree-climbing lions in Ishasha, spend an unforgettable hour with mountain gorillas in Bwindi and relax on the islands of Lake Bunyonyi, all starting and ending in Kigali.

Gorilla permits are limited and sell out quickly in peak season, so early booking is essential. Tell us your travel dates, group size and preferred comfort level, and our team will send you a tailored itinerary and a free, no-obligation quote within 24 hours.

Contact Pick and Transfer Safaris today and start planning your Uganda adventure. We plan, you explore.