How to Combine Rwanda and Uganda on One Safari

Combining Rwanda and Uganda on one safari is one of the best ways to experience the diversity of East Africa without spending your entire holiday moving between distant destinations. The two countries share a border and the southwestern Uganda safari circuit connects naturally with Rwanda’s Volcanoes region.

A well-planned Rwanda and Uganda safari can include mountain gorilla trekking in either country followed by chimpanzee tracking, savannah game drives, boat trips, golden monkey tracking or cultural experiences. The key is to choose a logical route rather than trying to visit too many parks in a short time.

For most travellers, the most practical combination is Kigali → Volcanoes National Park → Uganda → Bwindi → Queen Elizabeth National Park → Entebbe. However, you can reverse the route or choose different parks depending on your arrival airport, available time, gorilla permit budget and wildlife interests.

Why combine Rwanda and Uganda on one safari?

Rwanda and Uganda complement each other particularly well because their major attractions are different even though they share the same mountain gorilla ecosystem.

Rwanda offers easy access to Volcanoes National Park from Kigali. The park is roughly 105–110 km from Kigali and the drive normally takes about 2–3 hours.

Uganda offers a broader safari experience. After gorilla trekking in Bwindi or Mgahinga you can continue to destinations such as Queen Elizabeth National Park or Kibale National Park instead of returning to the same starting point.

This makes a combined itinerary particularly useful for travellers who want:

• Gorilla trekking plus a traditional wildlife safari
• Rwanda and Uganda in one holiday
• Mountain gorillas plus chimpanzees
• Savannah wildlife and forest experiences
• A road safari through the Great Lakes region
• More flexibility with accommodation and safari budgets
• A return flight from a different airport than the one used for arrival

The biggest advantage is variety. You can begin among Rwanda’s volcanic landscapes then cross into Uganda for forests, lakes and savannah.

Which country should you visit first?

There is no single correct order. Your international flights and gorilla permit availability should determine the route.

For many international travellers the simplest option is:

Fly into Kigali → trek in Rwanda → cross into Uganda → continue through southwestern Uganda → fly out of Entebbe.

This route avoids returning to Kigali after crossing into Uganda.

Another option is:

Fly into Entebbe → safari in Uganda → trek in Bwindi → cross into Rwanda → trek in Volcanoes National Park → fly out of Kigali.

This works especially well when you want Uganda’s wildlife parks before finishing with gorilla trekking in Rwanda.

The best Rwanda-Uganda safari routes

Route 1: Kigali → Volcanoes → Bwindi → Queen Elizabeth → Entebbe

This is my preferred route for travellers who want both countries without making the itinerary unnecessarily complicated.

A typical journey could look like this:

Day	Destination	Main experience
1	Kigali	Arrival and overnight
2	Volcanoes National Park	Transfer to Musanze/Kinigi
3	Volcanoes National Park	Gorilla trekking
4	Volcanoes → Bwindi	Cross into Uganda
5	Bwindi	Gorilla trekking or forest activity
6	Bwindi → Queen Elizabeth	Scenic transfer and Ishasha option
7	Queen Elizabeth	Game drive and/or boat safari
8	Queen Elizabeth → Entebbe	Transfer
9	Departure	International flight

This itinerary becomes more comfortable with an extra night because border formalities and mountain roads can make travel times less predictable than a simple map suggests.

Route 2: Kigali → Volcanoes → Bwindi → Kibale → Entebbe

Choose this route if primates are more important than savannah wildlife.

After gorilla trekking in Rwanda you cross into Uganda through the southwestern region then continue towards Kibale Forest.

Kibale is particularly attractive for travellers who want chimpanzee tracking alongside gorilla trekking. You can also add Bigodi and other forest or community experiences.

This route is better suited to:

• Primate enthusiasts
• Photographers
• Birdwatchers
• Travellers who prefer forests to open savannah
• Visitors with around 8–11 days

It is less suitable if seeing classic savannah wildlife is your main priority.

Route 3: Kigali → Akagera → Volcanoes → Bwindi → Queen Elizabeth

This is the better choice if you want a Rwanda safari plus gorillas plus Uganda wildlife.

Akagera National Park is about two hours from Kigali according to the park’s current visitor information. It is Rwanda’s savannah destination and supports wildlife including lion, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, hippo and rhino.

A possible itinerary is:

1. Kigali arrival
2. Kigali to Akagera
3. Akagera game drive and/or boat experience
4. Akagera to Kigali or onward towards Volcanoes
5. Volcanoes National Park
6. Gorilla trekking
7. Volcanoes to Bwindi
8. Gorilla trekking or forest activity
9. Bwindi to Queen Elizabeth
10. Queen Elizabeth safari
11. Return to Entebbe

This is a much fuller itinerary. I would normally recommend at least 10–12 days rather than trying to squeeze it into one week.

Route 4: Entebbe → Queen Elizabeth → Bwindi → Rwanda

This route works well when your international flights are cheaper or more convenient through Entebbe.

You can start with a wildlife safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park then travel towards Bwindi for gorilla trekking. From Bwindi you can cross into Rwanda through the southern border region and continue to Kigali.

The advantage is that the trip builds gradually from savannah wildlife to forest trekking before finishing in Rwanda.

It also reduces unnecessary backtracking.

Which border should you use?

The two Rwanda-Uganda border crossings that matter most for safari planning in this region are Gatuna and Cyanika.

Rwanda’s immigration authority currently lists Gatuna and Cyanika among its official Uganda border posts.

For a safari involving Volcanoes National Park and northern Bwindi the exact crossing should be selected according to your route and the sector where your gorilla permit is booked.

This is important because Bwindi is not one single trekking location. It has different sectors with different access roads. Your accommodation should therefore be selected around your permit location rather than simply choosing the closest-looking lodge on a map.

Gatuna versus Cyanika

Gatuna is particularly useful when your route connects Kigali with the Kabale area and northern or eastern approaches to Bwindi.

Cyanika is especially useful for itineraries connecting Rwanda’s Musanze/Volcanoes region with the Kisoro side of southwestern Uganda. Current border information also lists Cyanika as an official Rwanda-Uganda border crossing.

The choice should therefore follow your accommodation and gorilla trekking sector.

Do not book a gorilla permit first and assume every lodge or border crossing will be equally convenient. The permit location should drive the route.

How much do Rwanda and Uganda gorilla permits cost?

Gorilla permits are usually the largest single activity cost on a combined Rwanda-Uganda safari.

For foreign non-residents in Rwanda, the current gorilla trekking permit is US$1,500 per person. Rwanda’s official RDB booking system also states that the minimum trekking age is 15 and that visitors report at the park entry point at 07:00.

Uganda’s current UWA tariff structure is different. The standard foreign non-resident gorilla tracking rate is US$800. UWA has also introduced a low-season foreign non-resident rate of US$600 for April, May and November. The low-season rate applies immediately under the 2026 announcement and permits booked under this rate cannot be rescheduled.

This creates an important planning decision.

Option	Current foreign non-resident permit
Rwanda gorilla trekking	US$1,500
Uganda gorilla tracking	US$800
Uganda low-season tracking in Apr/May/Nov 2026	US$600

Therefore a traveller who wants to experience gorilla trekking in only one country can potentially save considerably by choosing Uganda.

If you want to trek in both Rwanda and Uganda the gorilla permit component alone is much higher because you pay for two separate trekking experiences.

That can still make sense for serious gorilla enthusiasts who specifically want to experience both destinations.

What changes from 2027 in Uganda?

UWA’s February 2026 tariff announcement states that from 1 January 2027 the foreign non-resident gorilla tracking rate will remain at US$800. Gorilla habituation will increase to US$1,800 for foreign non-residents.

The same announcement also states that UWA suspended its previous seven-day unpaid permit reservation window from 1 March 2026. Permits must now be secured through full payment at the time of booking.

For travellers planning far ahead this matters. Once your travel dates and gorilla permit dates are confirmed you should treat the permit as a secured travel component rather than something that can simply be held indefinitely.

Should you trek in both Rwanda and Uganda?

For most first-time visitors I would not automatically recommend two gorilla treks.

One trek already gives you the core mountain gorilla experience. Adding a second trek makes the trip significantly more expensive and takes another full day.

Instead consider:

Rwanda gorillas + Uganda wildlife

or

Uganda gorillas + Rwanda sightseeing

This usually gives you more variety for the same number of holiday days.

Two gorilla treks make more sense for:

• Wildlife photographers
• Serious primate enthusiasts
• Repeat visitors
• Travellers who specifically want to compare the two trekking environments
• Visitors with a longer itinerary and a larger budget

How many days do you need?

The right length depends on how much you want to see.

5–6 days

Possible but rushed.

A short trip could include Kigali, Volcanoes National Park and Bwindi. However you will have limited time for wildlife viewing.

I recommend this only when gorilla trekking is the main purpose.

7–9 days

This is a good range for a focused Rwanda-Uganda gorilla and safari combination.

You can include:

• Kigali
• Volcanoes National Park
• Bwindi
• Queen Elizabeth National Park

There is enough time for the main experiences without turning every day into a long transfer.

10–12 days

This is my preferred range for travellers who want a richer safari.

You can add:

• Akagera
• Kibale
• Queen Elizabeth
• Lake Bunyonyi
• Golden monkey tracking
• Cultural activities

The extra days also provide useful flexibility if weather or road conditions affect your plans.

13–16 days

This is suitable for a more comprehensive East African journey.

You can combine two gorilla experiences with several wildlife parks without constantly rushing from one location to another.

Where should you stay?

Accommodation should follow your activities rather than the other way around.

For Rwanda’s gorilla experience stay around Musanze or Kinigi so you can reach the Volcanoes National Park briefing point comfortably.

The Volcanoes National Park visitor information states that the park is roughly 110 km from Kigali and that the park office operates from 06:00 to 16:00.

For Uganda choose accommodation according to your Bwindi sector.

If your permit is in Buhoma then stay around Buhoma.

Supposing your permit is in Ruhija then stay around Ruhija.

Incase your permit is in Rushaga then stay around Rushaga.

If your permit is in Nkuringo then stay around Nkuringo.

This simple decision can make the difference between a relaxed trekking morning and a very early transfer.

For Queen Elizabeth National Park the choice depends on whether you plan to focus on Mweya, the northern sector or Ishasha.

For a budget-conscious safari, I would normally reduce accommodation costs in cities and spend more strategically on the nights closest to the main wildlife activities.

For a luxury safari the best use of the budget is often a combination of high-quality forest accommodation near the gorilla trek and a comfortable safari lodge in the savannah.

What is the best time to combine Rwanda and Uganda?

You can travel through both countries throughout the year. However weather affects trekking conditions, road conditions and general safari comfort.

Uganda’s Bwindi and Mgahinga regions receive substantial rainfall. UWA information notes rainy periods around March–April and September–November with drier periods during other parts of the year.

Rwanda’s Volcanoes region is also mountainous and can experience wet conditions.

For travellers who want easier trekking and generally better road conditions the drier periods are often more attractive.

However there is an important cost consideration in Uganda.

The current UWA low-season gorilla tracking rate of US$600 applies in April, May and November 2026 for foreign non-residents.

So if your priority is controlling the safari budget you should not automatically reject the wetter months.

A lower permit price can offset some of the disadvantages of travelling during a wetter period.

Is the rainy season a bad time for a Rwanda-Uganda safari?

Not necessarily.

Rain can make forest trails slippery and can affect road travel in rural areas. Nevertheless gorilla trekking can still take place during wet periods.

The bigger consideration is flexibility.

If you travel during a wetter month:

• Allow extra driving time
• Use a capable 4×4 safari vehicle
• Carry waterproof clothing
• Protect cameras and phones from rain
• Avoid scheduling an international flight immediately after a long cross-border transfer
• Keep important activities separated by buffer time

A safari itinerary should have enough breathing room to handle real road conditions rather than relying on perfect travel times.

How to plan flights

For a cross-border safari the smartest flight plan is usually an open-jaw itinerary.

For example:

International arrival: Kigali

International departure: Entebbe

This works particularly well for:

Kigali → Volcanoes → Bwindi → Queen Elizabeth → Entebbe.

The reverse also works:

Entebbe → Queen Elizabeth → Bwindi → Rwanda → Kigali.

This approach avoids spending an entire day driving back to your original airport.

Before purchasing international flights check the final safari route and gorilla permit dates. A cheaper flight can become expensive if it forces you to add unnecessary hotel nights or long transfers.

What about flying between Rwanda and Uganda?

A road transfer is usually more logical when your itinerary already includes southwestern Uganda and northern Rwanda.

The two destinations are geographically close enough that crossing the land border can be much more efficient than returning to an airport.

Flights make more sense when:

• You have very limited time
• You are connecting to a distant Ugandan park
• You want to avoid long road transfers
• Your international flights make an air connection more practical

For a safari focused on Kigali, Volcanoes, Bwindi and Queen Elizabeth I generally prefer the road because it creates a continuous route rather than a collection of disconnected flights.

What documents do you need?

Your passport should generally have at least six months of validity. Rwanda’s immigration authority states that acceptable travel documents should have validity of not less than six months.

Visa requirements depend on nationality.

Rwanda currently allows nationals of all countries to obtain a visa on arrival subject to the applicable rules. The official immigration information also states that citizens of EAC member states receive entry permission free of charge for up to six months.

Uganda has its own immigration requirements. Its official immigration service states that tourist visas are applied for online and the ordinary tourist visa costs US$50.

Travellers visiting Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya can also consider the East Africa Tourist Visa. Rwanda’s immigration authority lists it at US$100 with multiple entry validity for 90 days within the participating countries.

However visa rules depend on nationality and immigration status. Check the official immigration requirements before departure rather than relying on an old visa article.

Uganda’s immigration authority also warns travellers to use the official electronic visa portal rather than unofficial visa websites.

What about yellow fever requirements?

Keep your yellow fever vaccination certificate with your travel documents.

Uganda’s immigration information lists a yellow fever vaccination certificate among documents that may be required during visa processing. Rwanda’s immigration information also notes that vaccination certificates may be required at the border depending on applicable health requirements.

Health requirements can change during disease outbreaks. For that reason check the latest official health and immigration information shortly before travelling.

How should you plan the border crossing?

Do not schedule the border crossing as though it were simply another 30-minute road transfer.

Border processing can take different amounts of time depending on traffic, documentation and operational conditions.

Rwanda’s official immigration authority lists several Rwanda-Uganda border posts.

A good safari plan should therefore:

1. Carry passports and required immigration documents where they are easily accessible.
2. Keep copies of important travel documents.
3. Allow extra time for immigration.
4. Avoid booking an important activity immediately after crossing.
5. Confirm the intended border before the trip.
6. Check for current border advisories shortly before departure.

This is particularly important because official travel advice notes that Rwanda-Uganda border crossings have temporarily closed at short notice in recent years.

The practical lesson is simple: build flexibility into a cross-border safari.

What wildlife can you see on a combined safari?

The wildlife experience changes dramatically as you move between the two countries.

In Volcanoes National Park the main attraction is the mountain gorilla. You can also consider golden monkey tracking and mountain activities.

After crossing into Uganda the experience changes.

Bwindi focuses on forest wildlife and primates. Queen Elizabeth National Park then introduces open habitats with elephants, buffaloes, hippos, lions and extensive birdlife.

If you continue to Kibale you can add chimpanzee tracking and more forest experiences.

If you add Akagera in Rwanda you introduce another savannah environment with species including lion, elephant, buffalo and rhinoceros. The park confirms that lion, eastern black rhino and southern white rhino have been reintroduced as part of its conservation recovery.

No safari operator can honestly guarantee a particular wildlife sighting. Animals move constantly and sightings depend on habitat conditions, weather, season and luck.

How to improve wildlife viewing

A cross-border safari works best when you give each habitat enough time.

For gorilla trekking:

• Wear sturdy hiking shoes
• Carry a waterproof jacket
• Use a walking stick if recommended
• Keep your camera protected from rain
• Listen carefully to your guide
• Avoid carrying unnecessary luggage on the trek

For game drives:

• Start early when possible
• Carry binoculars
• Keep your camera ready
• Avoid expecting every drive to produce the same sightings
• Follow the guide’s instructions around wildlife
• Spend enough time in productive habitats rather than rushing between destinations

A private vehicle can be particularly useful because it allows more control over departure times and photography stops.

Photography advice for a Rwanda-Uganda safari

Gorilla photography requires a different approach from savannah photography.

In the forest you will often work in low light under dense vegetation. A camera with good high-ISO performance can therefore be more useful than simply carrying a very long lens.

A practical setup includes:

• Camera body with good low-light performance
• Mid-range telephoto lens
• Wide or standard lens
• Extra batteries
• Extra memory cards
• Rain protection
• Lens cloth
• Small dry bag

Avoid relying on flash photography around gorillas.

For game drives you have more space and can use longer focal lengths. A telephoto lens is useful for distant wildlife while a wider lens can capture landscapes and large animals close to the vehicle.

Most importantly, do not let photography turn the trek into a race for the perfect image. The forest environment can change quickly and respectful viewing remains the priority.

How much should you budget?

There is no single Rwanda-Uganda safari price because the total depends heavily on:

• Gorilla permit choice
• Number of people travelling
• Number of safari days
• Accommodation level
• Vehicle type
• Number of game drives
• Border crossing logistics
• Domestic flights
• International flights
• Travel season
• Activities such as chimpanzee or golden monkey tracking

The gorilla permit alone illustrates the difference. A foreign non-resident currently pays US$1,500 in Rwanda compared with US$800 for standard gorilla tracking in Uganda. Uganda’s low-season rate for April, May and November 2026 is US$600.

For this reason I recommend building the safari budget from the major fixed costs first. Then choose accommodation and optional activities around the remaining budget.

How to make the safari more affordable

You do not need to make every part of the trip luxury.

A balanced safari can use:

• Mid-range lodges near the gorilla sector
• A comfortable private 4×4
• One or two premium accommodation nights
• Standard gorilla trekking rather than habituation
• Fewer but well-selected game drives
• Road transfers instead of unnecessary flights
• Uganda’s low-season gorilla rate when the dates suit you

The biggest mistake is cutting costs by choosing accommodation that is far from the trekking point. Saving on a room can create an expensive problem when you have to make a long early-morning transfer.

Common mistakes to avoid

Trying to visit too many parks

Rwanda and Uganda can offer an enormous range of experiences. That does not mean you should put every attraction into one itinerary.

Three well-chosen destinations usually produce a better safari than six rushed stops.

Booking the wrong gorilla sector

Bwindi has different trekking sectors. Always match your lodge and transfer plan to the actual permit location.

Booking flights before fixing the safari route

International flights should support your itinerary rather than dictate an inefficient route.

Leaving no time for the border

Cross-border travel needs a buffer. Never plan an important fixed-time activity immediately after immigration.

Comparing only permit prices

A cheaper permit does not automatically mean a cheaper safari. Look at accommodation, transfers, vehicle costs and the total number of travel days.

Expecting identical experiences in both countries

Rwanda and Uganda offer different landscapes and safari styles. The value of combining them comes from that contrast.

Treating drive times as guarantees

Mountain roads, traffic, weather and border procedures can all change the schedule. Use drive times as planning ranges rather than promises.

Is a Rwanda and Uganda safari worth it?

Yes if you have enough time to enjoy both countries properly.

The combination is particularly strong because you can experience Rwanda’s volcanic landscape then continue into Uganda’s forests and savannahs. You also have the flexibility to choose where to trek for gorillas based on permit availability and budget.

For a first trip I would usually recommend one gorilla trek plus one or two additional wildlife destinations rather than paying for two gorilla permits.

A particularly balanced itinerary is:

Kigali → Volcanoes National Park → Bwindi → Queen Elizabeth National Park → Entebbe.

If primates are your main interest consider replacing Queen Elizabeth with Kibale.

If you want a more complete Rwanda wildlife experience add Akagera before heading towards Volcanoes.

Recommended Rwanda-Uganda safari itineraries

Best for first-time visitors: 8 days

Day 1: Kigali arrival
        2: Kigali → Volcanoes National Park
        3: Gorilla trekking
        4: Volcanoes → Bwindi
        5: Gorilla trekking or forest activity
        6: Bwindi → Queen Elizabeth National Park
        7: Game drive and/or boat safari
        8: Queen Elizabeth → Entebbe

Best for wildlife and primates: 10 days

Day 1: Kigali arrival
        2: Kigali → Volcanoes
        3: Gorilla trekking
        4: Volcanoes → Bwindi
        5: Gorilla trekking
        6: Bwindi → Queen Elizabeth
        7: Queen Elizabeth safari
        8: Queen Elizabeth → Kibale
        9: Chimpanzee tracking
        10: Kibale → Entebbe

Best for a fuller Rwanda-Uganda experience: 12 days

Day 1: Kigali arrival
        2: Kigali → Akagera
        3: Akagera safari
        4: Akagera → Kigali → Volcanoes
        5: Gorilla trekking
        6: Volcanoes → Bwindi
        7: Gorilla trekking
        8: Bwindi → Queen Elizabeth
        9: Queen Elizabeth game drive
        10: Queen Elizabeth boat safari
        11: Queen Elizabeth → Entebbe
        12: Departure

This longer option gives you more variety but also increases the overall cost. It should be chosen by travellers who genuinely want a broader safari rather than simply trying to collect destinations.

Final planning advice

The most important part of combining Rwanda and Uganda is getting the sequence right.

Start with your international arrival and departure points. Next choose whether your gorilla trek will be in Rwanda or Uganda. Then select the correct trekking sector and accommodation. After that build your border crossing and wildlife route around those fixed dates.

For most travellers the strongest value comes from one gorilla trek plus a Ugandan wildlife safari. Uganda’s current gorilla permit pricing can also make this approach attractive for travellers watching their budget. Rwanda works particularly well as the starting point when flying into Kigali because Volcanoes National Park is relatively close to the capital.

Before confirming a 2026 or 2027 safari check the latest permit tariff, immigration requirements and border conditions because these can change. UWA publishes its current tariffs and updates while Rwanda’s immigration authority publishes current visa information.

For a tailor-made Rwanda-Uganda safari, Noble Gorilla Adventures can build the route around your gorilla permit dates, preferred accommodation, budget and international flight schedule.

FAQs

Can I combine Rwanda and Uganda on the same safari?

Yes. The two countries share several land border crossings and the southwestern Uganda circuit connects naturally with Rwanda’s Volcanoes region.

Is it cheaper to trek gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda?

For foreign non-residents the current standard Uganda gorilla tracking permit is US$800 while Rwanda’s permit is US$1,500. Uganda also has a US$600 low-season rate for April, May and November 2026.

Can I trek gorillas in both Rwanda and Uganda?

Yes. However you need two separate gorilla permits and two trekking days. For most first-time visitors one trek combined with other wildlife activities provides better overall variety.

Can I cross from Rwanda to Uganda by road?

Yes. Rwanda’s immigration authority lists several official Rwanda-Uganda border posts including Gatuna and Cyanika. (

Do I need a visa for both Rwanda and Uganda?

It depends on your nationality. Rwanda allows visa on arrival for nationals of all countries subject to its immigration rules while Uganda requires visa-prone travellers to apply online. The East Africa Tourist Visa may also cover travel within Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya for eligible travellers.

How many days do I need for Rwanda and Uganda?

Allow at least 7–9 days for a focused combination. Around 10–12 days is better if you want gorillas plus several wildlife experiences without rushing.

Can I start in Uganda and finish in Rwanda?

Yes. You can start in Entebbe then travel through Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi before crossing into Rwanda and finishing in Kigali.

Can I start in Rwanda and finish in Uganda?

Yes. This is one of the most practical options for travellers flying into Kigali and departing from Entebbe.

Should I visit Akagera or Queen Elizabeth National Park?

Choose Akagera if you want a Rwanda savannah experience before travelling north-west. Choose Queen Elizabeth if you want to combine Uganda’s gorilla region with a classic Ugandan wildlife safari.

Is a private safari better for a Rwanda-Uganda combination?

A private safari is usually more flexible because the driver-guide can adjust departure times around gorilla briefings, border crossings, weather and wildlife opportunities. It also makes it easier to adapt the route to your accommodation and permit sector.