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20 days East Africa Tour
DESCRIPTION
Twenty days through the two countries Pick and Transfer Safaris knows best. This East Africa tour is our most complete itinerary, weaving together nine national parks across Uganda and Rwanda — from the thundering Nile at Murchison Falls to chimpanzee trekking in Kibale, the tree-climbing lions of Queen Elizabeth, mountain gorillas in both Bwindi and Volcanoes National Park, golden monkeys in the Virunga bamboo, chimps again in Nyungwe’s ancient rainforest, and the Big Five on the plains and lakeshores of Akagera. It’s built for travelers who want to see the very best of the Great Lakes region without rushing, at the honest, budget-conscious pricing our safaris are known for.
Tour Highlights
- Game drives and a Nile boat cruise in Murchison Falls National Park
- Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest, the Primate Capital of the World
- The tree-climbing lions and Kazinga Channel boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- A Batwa cultural experience with Bwindi’s indigenous forest people
- A second gorilla trek in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park
- Golden monkey tracking and a visit to the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village
- Chimpanzee tracking and a canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest National Park
- Big Five game drives and a boat safari in Akagera National Park
- The Kigali Genocide Memorial and a guided city tour of Kigali
TRAVEL PLAN
Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe
Arrive at Entebbe International Airport, where your driver-guide meets you and transfers you to your hotel for dinner and overnight. This itinerary draws on some of our most popular routes, including our 10 Days Uganda Primates and Wildlife and 10 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari, extended into a fuller two-country circuit. Overnight: Entebbe
Day 2: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
After breakfast, transfer to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight, marking the end of your 20 Days East Africa Tour.
Day 3: Game Drive & Nile Boat Cruise
A scenic drive north to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest national park, named for the point where the Nile forces itself through a narrow gorge before thundering over the falls. Overnight: Murchison Falls area
Day 4: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
A scenic drive north to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest national park, named for the point where the Nile forces itself through a narrow gorge before thundering over the falls. Overnight: Murchison Falls area
Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking & Bigodi Wetland Walk
A scenic drive north to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest national park, named for the point where the Nile forces itself through a narrow gorge before thundering over the falls. Overnight: Murchison Falls area
Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
A scenic drive north to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest national park, named for the point where the Nile forces itself through a narrow gorge before thundering over the falls. Overnight: Murchison Falls area
Day 7: Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
A scenic drive north to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest national park, named for the point where the Nile forces itself through a narrow gorge before thundering over the falls. Overnight: Murchison Falls area
Day 8: Transfer to Bwindi via Ishasha
A scenic drive north to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest national park, named for the point where the Nile forces itself through a narrow gorge before thundering over the falls. Overnight: Murchison Falls area
Day 9: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
A scenic drive north to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest national park, named for the point where the Nile forces itself through a narrow gorge before thundering over the falls. Overnight: Murchison Falls area
Day 10: Batwa Cultural Experience
A scenic drive north to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest national park, named for the point where the Nile forces itself through a narrow gorge before thundering over the falls. Overnight: Murchison Falls area
Day 11: Cross into Rwanda & Transfer to Musanze
A scenic drive north to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest national park, named for the point where the Nile forces itself through a narrow gorge before thundering over the falls. Overnight: Murchison Falls area
Day 12: Second Gorilla Trek in Volcanoes National Park
A scenic drive north to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest national park, named for the point where the Nile forces itself through a narrow gorge before thundering over the falls. Overnight: Murchison Falls area
Day 13: Golden Monkey Tracking & Iby'iwacu Cultural Village
A scenic drive north to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest national park, named for the point where the Nile forces itself through a narrow gorge before thundering over the falls. Overnight: Murchison Falls area
Day 14: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park
A scenic drive north to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest national park, named for the point where the Nile forces itself through a narrow gorge before thundering over the falls. Overnight: Murchison Falls area
Day 15: Chimpanzee Tracking & Canopy Walk
A scenic drive north to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest national park, named for the point where the Nile forces itself through a narrow gorge before thundering over the falls. Overnight: Murchison Falls area
Day 16: Transfer to Akagera National Park
A scenic drive north to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest national park, named for the point where the Nile forces itself through a narrow gorge before thundering over the falls. Overnight: Murchison Falls area
Day 17: Game Drive & Boat Safari on Lake Ihema
A scenic drive north to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest national park, named for the point where the Nile forces itself through a narrow gorge before thundering over the falls. Overnight: Murchison Falls area
Day 18: Transfer to Kigali
A scenic drive north to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest national park, named for the point where the Nile forces itself through a narrow gorge before thundering over the falls. Overnight: Murchison Falls area
Day 19: Kigali City Tour
A scenic drive north to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest national park, named for the point where the Nile forces itself through a narrow gorge before thundering over the falls. Overnight: Murchison Falls area
Day 20: Departure
A scenic drive north to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest national park, named for the point where the Nile forces itself through a narrow gorge before thundering over the falls. Overnight: Murchison Falls area
COST INCLUSIONS AND EXCLUSIONS
What’s Included
- All ground transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle with English-speaking driver-guide throughout Uganda and Rwanda
- Accommodation on a full-board basis for 19 nights
- Park entrance fees for all listed activities
- One gorilla trekking permit in Uganda and one in Rwanda
- Golden monkey tracking permit
- Chimpanzee tracking permits in Kibale and Nyungwe
- Boat cruises on the Nile, the Kazinga Channel, and Lake Ihema
- Bottled drinking water while on the road
- Airport transfers in Entebbe and Kigali
What’s Not Included
- International flights into Entebbe and out of Kigali
- Uganda and Rwanda visas / East Africa Tourist Visa
- Tips for guides and lodge staff
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks not listed
- Travel insurance
- Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
Accommodation Options
This itinerary can be arranged at Budget, Mid-Range, or Luxury level throughout, with lodges and camps adjusted accordingly at each stop. As a company built around making East Africa accessible to budget and mid-range travelers, we’re happy to tailor the accommodation mix to fit your travel style — see our full Wildlife Safaris and Gorilla Safaris collections for a sense of how our other itineraries are priced.
A Note on Gorilla Permits and Visas
Gorilla permits in both Uganda and Rwanda are limited and sell out months in advance, particularly during the June–September and December–February peak seasons. Because this itinerary includes two separate gorilla treks alongside chimpanzee tracking in two locations, we recommend booking at least 3–6 months ahead. Permit and park regulations are set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and the Rwanda Development Board respectively, and travelers should confirm current visa requirements for both countries before departure.
Explore More of Our East Africa Collection
If twenty days is more than you’re able to fit in, this itinerary can be shortened or adjusted — see our 15 Days Rwanda Uganda Safari, 10 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari, or browse all our safaris and destinations for other combinations.
Ready to Book?
Every safari we run is tailored to your dates, budget, and travel style. Contact our team to check gorilla permit availability and get a full quote for this 20 Days East Africa Tour, or learn more about us and our commitment to affordable, responsible travel across Uganda and Rwanda.