Uganda & Rwanda Safari Activities

Uganda & Rwanda Safari Activities range from Gorilla Trekking and Chimpanzee Tracking to Wildlife Viewing, Birding, Game Drives, Boat Safaris and Cultural Experiences. Choose the activities that interest you most, then build a private or tailor-made journey around your preferred destinations, travel style and available time.

Explore Popular Safari Activities

Choose one experience or combine several around your preferred destinations and travel style.

Gorilla Trekking through Uganda’s tropical forest landscape

Gorilla Trekking

Encounter mountain gorillas in their natural forest habitat in Bwindi, Mgahinga and Volcanoes National Park. Gorilla Trekking can form the centrepiece of a private journey or be combined with wildlife, chimpanzees, birding, culture and scenic experiences.

Chimpanzee Tracking Safari in Uganda and Rwanda tropical forests

Chimpanzee Tracking

Explore tropical forests and encounter habituated chimpanzees in destinations such as Kibale and Nyungwe. Chimpanzee Tracking can also be combined with other primate experiences, Birding, Nature Walks and broader Uganda or Rwanda Safaris.

uganda rwanda wildlife viewing safari

Wildlife Viewing

Discover Uganda and Rwanda’s wildlife across savannahs, wetlands and protected areas. Wildlife experiences can include Game Drives, Boat Safaris and other opportunities to observe elephants, buffalo, antelope, hippos, lions and other species in their natural habitats.

Birding Safari across Uganda and Rwanda forest, wetland and savannah habitats

Birding

Explore diverse forest, wetland, lake and savannah habitats through professionally guided Birding Safaris. Journeys can be designed around target species, Albertine Rift birds, specialist habitats, photography interests and broader wildlife experiences.

Explore More Safari Activities

Batwa family demonstrating traditional forest life during a Batwa Experience near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda

Batwa Experience

Guide searching for forest birds during a bird watching experience in Uganda

Bird Watching

Visitors enjoying a wildlife boat safari on Uganda’s waterways while observing wildlife and scenic landscapes.

Boat Cruise

Travellers enjoying a traditional dugout canoe safari on Lake Bunyonyi in Uganda

Canoeing

Visitors crossing a suspended canopy walkway above a tropical rainforest during a Canopy Walk experience

Canopy Walk

Close-up of a wild chimpanzee during a chimpanzee tracking experience in Uganda’s tropical rainforest.

Chimpanzee Tracking

Guided city tour through Fort Portal showcasing Uganda’s vibrant streets, local businesses, and scenic urban landscapes.

City Tour

Traditional handmade baskets, pottery, wood carvings and artisan crafts displayed during a craft workshop in Uganda

Craft Workshops

Travellers enjoying a guided cycling safari through Uganda’s scenic countryside

Cycling Safaris

Visitors enjoying a guided forest walk through a tropical rainforest in Uganda

Forest Walk

Safari vehicle observing a herd of elephants during a game drive in Uganda’s national park.

Game Drives

Golden monkey during a guided tracking experience in the Virunga Mountains of Uganda and Rwanda

Golden Monkey Tracking

Young mountain gorilla during a gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Gorilla Trekking

Visitors enjoying a guided hiking adventure in Uganda’s scenic mountain landscape

Hiking

Traditional handmade baskets, pottery, wood carvings and artisan crafts displayed during a craft workshop in Uganda

Karamoja Experience

Visitors enjoying a guided nature walk through a wetland boardwalk in Uganda

Nature Walks

Climbers ascending the snow-covered slopes of the Rwenzori Mountains during a guided peak climbing expedition in Uganda

Peak Climbing

Photographer capturing wildlife from a safari vehicle in Uganda

Photography

Guided rhino tracking experience at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Uganda

Rhino Tracking

Shoebill Stork holding a lungfish during a guided Shoebill tracking experience in Mabamba Swamp, Uganda

Shoebill Tracking

Visitors at the Source of the Nile in Jinja, Uganda.

Source of the Nile Visit

Traditional cultural dancers performing an authentic heritage dance during a Cultural Safari in Uganda

Traditional Dance

Visitors enjoying a guided village walk through a rural community during a Cultural Safari in Uganda

Village Walk

Visitor and guide overlooking a volcanic crater lake during a volcano hiking adventure in Uganda’s Virunga Mountains

Volcano Hiking

Travellers navigating exciting white water rapids during a rafting adventure on the River Nile in Jinja, Uganda

White Water Rafting

Choose Your Activities by Safari Collections

Your preferred activity can shape the entire safari or be combined with other experiences across Uganda and Rwanda. Choose from our Safari Collections and explore Gorilla Trekking, Wildlife Safaris, Chimpanzee Tracking, Birding and Cultural Experiences, each designed around distinctive destinations and experiences.

  • Gorilla Trekking Safaris: Encounter mountain gorillas in Bwindi, Mgahinga or Volcanoes National Park.
  • Wildlife Safaris: Explore Uganda and Rwanda’s wildlife through Game Drives, Boat Safaris and other wildlife experiences.
  • Chimpanzee Tracking Safaris: Discover Kibale, Nyungwe and other primate destinations through guided forest experiences.
  • Birding Safaris: Explore forests, wetlands, lakes and savannah habitats through professionally guided birding journeys.
  • Cultural Experiences: Discover kingdoms, communities, heritage, crafts, traditions and cultural landscapes across Uganda and Rwanda.
Explore Our Safari Collections

Choose Your Activities by Destination

Different destinations offer different combinations of activities. Choose a destination around the experiences you most want to enjoy, or combine several destinations to create a broader private safari.

Uganda

  • Murchison Falls: Wildlife Viewing, Game Drives, Boat Safaris and Birding.
  • Queen Elizabeth: Wildlife Viewing, Game Drives, Boat Safaris, Birding and Nature Experiences.
  • Kibale: Chimpanzee Tracking, Birding, Nature Walks and other primate experiences.
  • Bwindi: Gorilla Trekking, Birding, Nature Walks and Cultural Experiences.
  • Mgahinga: Gorilla Trekking, Nature Walks, scenic mountain experiences and Cultural Experiences.
  • Lake Mburo: Wildlife Viewing, Game Drives, Boat Safaris and Nature Experiences.
  • Mabamba: Birding and Boat Safaris.

Rwanda

  • Volcanoes National Park: Gorilla Trekking, Nature Experiences and scenic mountain activities.
  • Nyungwe Forest: Chimpanzee Tracking, Birding, Nature Walks and forest experiences.
  • Akagera: Wildlife Viewing, Game Drives, Boat Safaris and Birding.
  • Kigali: Cultural Experiences, heritage, food, arts and city exploration.
  • Lake Kivu: Scenic, lakeside, cultural and nature experiences.
Explore Safari Destinations

Combine Activities in One Safari

Many travellers want more than one experience from their Uganda or Rwanda journey. A private safari can combine Gorilla Trekking with Chimpanzee Tracking, Wildlife Safaris with Boat Safaris, Birding with forest experiences, or Cultural Experiences with wildlife and scenic destinations. For example, a Uganda journey can combine Bwindi Gorilla Trekking with Kibale Chimpanzee Tracking and Murchison Falls Wildlife Safaris. A Rwanda journey can combine Volcanoes, Nyungwe and Akagera around primates, rainforest, wildlife and scenic experiences.

Plan a Multi-Activity Safari

Choose Your Travel Style

Your activities can be planned around the way you prefer to travel. Choose private or tailor-made journeys, Luxury or Mid-Range experiences, or travel styles designed around honeymoons, families, Fly-In connections and independent exploration. Activities can also be matched with our Mid-Range, Premium and Signature Stay Collections.

  • Private Safaris: Private transportation, professional guiding and greater flexibility.
  • Tailor-Made Safaris: An itinerary designed around your activities, destinations and available time.
  • Luxury Safaris: Elevated accommodation, refined service and carefully planned experiences.
  • Mid-Range Safaris: Comfortable accommodation, private travel and strong value.
  • Honeymoon Safaris: Privacy, scenic experiences and carefully selected accommodation.
  • Family Safaris: Activities selected around ages, interests and preferred pace.
  • Fly-In Safaris: Convenient connections between selected destinations.
  • Self-Drive Safaris: Greater independence with carefully planned routes.
Explore All Travel Styles

Popular Safari Packages

Explore selected Safari Packages that combine Uganda and Rwanda’s most popular activities with carefully planned destinations, accommodation and transportation.

Explore All Safari Packages

Responsible Safari Activities

Responsible Uganda & Rwanda Safari Activities supporting wildlife and conservation

Responsible travel helps protect the wildlife, habitats and communities that make Uganda and Rwanda’s safari experiences possible. Travellers should follow conservation regulations, respect wildlife and local communities, remain with authorised guides and avoid unnecessary disturbance during wildlife viewing, photography and cultural experiences. Our activities are planned with respect for protected areas, conservation priorities and the communities connected to important tourism landscapes.

Useful Activity Resources

Reliable destination and conservation information can help travellers prepare for activities, permits, protected areas and current travel arrangements. For official information, travellers can consult the Uganda Tourism Board and Uganda Wildlife Authority for Uganda, and Visit Rwanda and the Rwanda Development Board for Rwanda.

Travellers Information

Plan Your Safari Around Your Activities

Tell us what you would most like to experience and we can help build a private Uganda or Rwanda safari around your priorities. Your journey can focus on one activity or combine Gorilla Trekking, Chimpanzee Tracking, Wildlife Safaris, Birding, Game Drives, Boat Safaris, Cultural Experiences and Nature Walks across several destinations.

Plan Your Safari

Frequently Asked Questions

What activities can I do on a Uganda Safari?

Uganda offers a wide range of safari activities, including Gorilla Trekking, Chimpanzee Tracking, Wildlife Viewing, Birding, Game Drives, Boat Safaris, Nature Walks and Cultural Experiences. Activities can be combined across different destinations to create a private journey around your interests.

Rwanda offers Gorilla Trekking, Chimpanzee Tracking, Wildlife Viewing, Birding, Game Drives, Boat Safaris, Nature Experiences and Cultural Experiences. Volcanoes, Nyungwe, Akagera, Kigali and Lake Kivu provide different settings for combining these activities.

Yes. A private safari can combine several activities across different destinations. You can combine primates, wildlife, Birding, culture, scenic experiences and other activities around your available time and preferred pace.

Yes. Gorilla Trekking and Chimpanzee Tracking can be combined in Uganda, particularly through journeys incorporating Bwindi and Kibale. The itinerary can also include wildlife, Birding, Nature Walks and other experiences.

Yes. Wildlife and Birding work particularly well together in destinations offering diverse habitats. Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth and Akagera can provide opportunities to combine Birding with Game Drives, Boat Safaris and broader wildlife experiences.

Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth and Lake Mburo are among the leading destinations for Boat Safaris in Uganda, while Akagera provides Boat Safari opportunities in Rwanda. The experience varies according to the waterway, wildlife and surrounding landscape.

Uganda offers Birding across destinations such as Bwindi, Kibale, Mabamba, Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth. In Rwanda, Nyungwe and Akagera provide important forest, wetland and savannah habitats for Birding.

Yes. Activities can be selected and combined within a private tailor-made itinerary around your preferred destinations, travel dates, accommodation, pace and available time. Njagi Safaris can coordinate the different components of the journey.