This 15-day self-drive itinerary blends Rwanda and Uganda’s most iconic natural and cultural highlights. Begin in Kigali with a city tour before heading to Volcanoes National Park for unforgettable gorilla and golden monkey treks. Cross into Uganda for more gorilla trekking in Bwindi, relaxation at Lake Bunyonyi, and thrilling safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Continue to Kibale for chimpanzee trekking, visit the Sempaya Hot Springs, and explore the Amabere Caves. The adventure wraps up with adrenaline-filled rafting in Jinja and a final night in Entebbe, making this journey the ultimate East African wildlife and culture experience.

Details of the Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Kigali and Drive to Volcanoes National Park

Once you land in Kigali, pick up your rental 4×4 and begin your journey with a short city tour through Kigali’s historical sites, including the Genocide Memorial, local markets, and art centers. After lunch, drive north toward Volcanoes National Park where you’ll check in to your lodge and settle in for the night, ready for your first big wildlife encounter.

Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Wake up early and head to the park headquarters for your gorilla trekking briefing. Equipped with your gear, venture into the dense forest with your guide to track a gorilla family. Once you find them, you’ll spend an unforgettable hour in their presence before heading back to your lodge. In the evening, you can relax or explore the nearby twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo.

Day 3: Golden Monkey Trekking and Cultural Experience

After breakfast, return to the forest for another thrilling experience—golden monkey trekking. These playful primates are a joy to watch as they leap through the bamboo canopy. In the afternoon, immerse yourself in Rwandan culture with a visit to the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village.

Day 4: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda

Cross the border into Uganda and make your way through the rolling hills to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The drive is scenic, and you’ll enjoy lunch along the way before reaching your lodge deep in the forest. Relax and prepare for another magical encounter with gorillas.

Day 5: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi

Rise early for another gorilla trekking adventure—this time on the Ugandan side. The terrain is rugged, but the reward is once again the humbling sight of mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Afterward, return to your lodge, and if you still have energy, consider a cultural visit with the Batwa pygmies in the evening.

Day 6: Relax by Lake Bunyonyi

Take a break from the forest and enjoy a peaceful drive to Lake Bunyonyi, known for its serenity and birdlife. Spend your afternoon on a canoe ride or just relaxing at the lakeside, taking in the views of the mist-covered hills and island-dotted waters.

Day 7: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After a lakeside breakfast, continue your journey north toward Queen Elizabeth National Park. Watch the scenery shift from terraced hills to open savannah as you descend into the rift valley. Arrive in time to relax at your lodge and prepare for tomorrow’s game drives.

Day 8: Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Head out early to the Kasenyi plains for a classic safari experience. Keep your eyes peeled for lions, elephants, antelopes, and even leopards. After lunch, take a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel to spot hippos, crocodiles, and a vast array of birds close up.

Day 9: Ishasha Game Drive and Crater Lakes

Drive south to the remote Ishasha sector, famous for its tree-climbing lions. Enjoy a picnic lunch before exploring the volcanic crater lakes and salt mining areas of Katwe. Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and some well-earned rest.

Day 10: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale Forest

After breakfast, drive to Kibale Forest National Park and get ready for an afternoon chimpanzee trek. With luck, you’ll spot families of chimps swinging through the trees. Spend an hour observing their social interactions before heading back to your lodge.

Day 11: Visit Sempaya Hot Springs in Semuliki

Drive west to Semuliki National Park and walk the trail to the dramatic Sempaya Hot Springs. You’ll pass through lush forest where you might spot monkeys or hornbills. Try boiling an egg in the bubbling waters before returning to Fort Portal for the night.

Day 12: Amabere Caves and Drive to Kampala

Before leaving Fort Portal, explore the Amabere Ga Nyina Mwiru caves, rich with cultural legends. Then begin your scenic drive to Kampala, with a possible stop at the Nakayima tree in Mubende. Arrive in Uganda’s capital in the evening for an overnight stay.

Day 13: Kampala to Jinja via Mabira Forest

After breakfast, set out for Jinja. On the way, visit Sezibwa Falls and take a short walk through Mabira Forest. Once in Jinja, enjoy a boat ride to the source of the Nile and explore the town’s craft markets and colonial architecture.

Day 14: White Water Rafting on the Nile

Spend your morning tackling the rapids of the Nile on a white-water rafting adventure at Itanda Falls—one of the highlights of any Uganda trip. After lunch, drive to Entebbe for your final night.

Day 15: Departure from Entebbe

Depending on your flight time, enjoy a relaxing morning or visit the Entebbe Botanical Gardens or the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre before returning your rental car and heading to the airport for your onward journey.

Travel Tips for Clients interested in this Safari Package

Camping Under the Stars

You’ll sleep in unique spots each night, alternating between park campsites and private grounds. In national parks like Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi, Uganda Wildlife Authority sites charge about $6 per person per night and include water, firewood and ranger security

Private campsites with full facilities (showers, restaurants, pools) run around $15 per person

If you’re carrying a rooftop‑tent–equipped vehicle, spots at lodges (like Bwindi or Kibale) cater especially to campers. Just remember, wild camping is illegal inside parks and rare elsewhere .

Self‑Drive Map & Daily Distances

Here’s the travel map you’ll follow, with approximate daily drive distances:

• Day 1  Kigali → Volcanoes NP (110 km): cross border into Rwanda, scenic mountain roads.
• Day 4  Volcanoes → Bwindi (150 km): includes border crossing into Uganda through Kisoro.
• Day 6  Bwindi → Lake Bunyonyi ( 60 km): short drive along winding hills.
• Day 7  Bunyonyi → Queen Elizabeth (210 km): descends into rift valley.
• Day 9  QE → Ishasha → Kasese ( 150 km round trip): loop to Ishasha for tree‑climbing lions, then evening return.
• Day 10  QE → Kibale (100 km): afternoon chimp trek.
• Day 11  Kibale → Semliki (120 km): off‑road to hot springs.
• Day 12  Semliki → Fort Portal ( 60 km), optional cultural stop, then Fort Portal → Kampala (300 km next morning).
• Day 13  Fort Portal → Kampala (300 km): long haul before evening in the capital.
• Day 14  Kampala → Jinja via Mabira & Sezibwa ( 90 km).
• Day 15  Jinja → Entebbe ( 80 km): white‑water in the morning and return journey.

You’ll cover approximately 1,600 km total, keeping most daily drives under 300 km as recommended for road and traffic conditions

4×4 Rental Recommendations

To tackle rough roads and off‑grid campsites, opt for a rugged 4×4 with a rooftop tent. The top providers include:

• We offer Land Cruiser with rooftop tents, unlimited mileage, cross‑border permissions, all from about US$ $90 per day
• We rent  Land Cruisers with pop‑up roofs from US$ $65‑90/day, well‑maintained and insured
• Car Rental in Uganda provides one‑way rentals (drop vehicle in Uganda). A Land Cruiser & rooftop‑tent combo costs around US $110–120/day

Premium option: We offer  fully kitted Land Cruisers with cooking gear, spare tires, inReach, and top-end roadside servicing—great for off‑beat off‑road sections, albeit pricier

You’ll need to show your international driver’s license, and ensure the vehicle has Ugandan plates—this avoids cross‑border permit surcharges .

What You’ll Drive and Sleep In

In Bwindi, Kibale, and Queen Elizabeth, you’ll pitch at UWA sites or camp inside lodge grounds under towering forest or acacia trees. Expect communal fire pits, basic latrines, and ranger presence, making for a safe, authentic experience

On Rwanda’s side, lodges often provide campers with secure zones near Volcanoes NP—great comfort, minimal cost.

With this setup, you’ll chart your course each day, swap stories around a campfire, and enjoy total flexibility—while still enjoying comfort, safety, and the freedom of camping under Africa’s endless skies. Would you like sample campsite names in each park or more info on road permits and fuel logistics?