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Wildlife Safaris in Uganda and Rwanda

Wildlife Safaris in Uganda and Rwanda offer private journeys designed around the experiences you want most. Explore Uganda’s diverse savannah destinations, Rwanda’s Akagera wildlife and Big Five experiences, or combine both countries in one tailor-made itinerary.

Choose Your Wildlife Safari Destination

Wildlife safaris in Uganda and Rwanda offer different landscapes, wildlife experiences and ways to build a private journey. Choose one country for a focused safari or combine both for a broader East African wildlife experience.

Uganda Wildlife Safaris

Uganda Wildlife Safaris offer a broad choice of savannah destinations, from the sweeping landscapes of Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth to the remote wilderness of Kidepo Valley and the compact wildlife experience of Lake Mburo. Depending on your route, a private safari can include game drives, boat experiences and opportunities to combine wildlife with chimpanzee tracking or gorilla trekking. Uganda’s national-park network provides varied landscapes and wildlife experiences across the country. 

Best suited to: Travellers looking for diverse wildlife destinations, classic game drives, boat experiences and the flexibility to combine wildlife with Uganda’s primate experiences.

Rwanda Wildlife Safaris

Rwanda Wildlife Safaris centre on Akagera National Park, where savannah, woodland, wetlands and lakes support a Big Five safari experience. Game drives can be combined with Rwanda’s other major destinations, including Volcanoes National Park and Nyungwe National Park, while Kigali and Lake Kivu provide options for adding city, scenic and lakeside experiences to your journey. 

Best suited to: Travellers seeking a compact Rwanda safari combining Big Five wildlife with gorillas, chimpanzees, Kigali, Nyungwe or Lake Kivu.

Uganda & Rwanda Wildlife Safaris

An Uganda and Rwanda Wildlife Safari combines wildlife experiences across two neighbouring destinations, allowing you to move from Uganda’s savannah parks to Rwanda’s Akagera landscapes and add primates, scenic destinations or cultural experiences along the way. A private itinerary can be shaped around your available time, preferred accommodation and the wildlife experiences you want most.

Best suited to: Travellers who want to experience wildlife in both Uganda and Rwanda as part of one private journey.

Choose Your Wildlife Safari Style

Your Wildlife Safari can be shaped around the way you prefer to travel. Choose private flexibility, a preferred level of accommodation, or a journey designed around a special occasion, family needs or your own interests.

Private Wildlife Safaris

Travel in a private safari vehicle with a professional driver-guide and greater flexibility around your daily schedule, destinations and activities. Private wildlife safaris can combine game drives with boat experiences, primates, birding and cultural activities across Uganda or Rwanda.

Explore Private Wildlife Safaris

Luxury Wildlife Safaris

Combine wildlife viewing with carefully selected luxury accommodation, private transport and personalised safari service. Your journey can be designed around premium stays, longer travel periods and additional wildlife, scenic or cultural experiences.

Explore Luxury Wildlife Safaris

Mid-Range Wildlife Safaris

Enjoy comfortable accommodation, private travel and carefully planned wildlife experiences with a practical balance between comfort and safari cost. Mid-range journeys can include game drives, boat safaris and additional experiences in Uganda or Rwanda.

Explore Mid-Range Wildlife Safaris

Honeymoon Wildlife Safaris

Combine wildlife encounters with private travel, beautiful accommodation and time to enjoy the journey together. Your honeymoon safari can include game drives, scenic landscapes, lakeside stays and other experiences alongside Uganda or Rwanda’s wildlife destinations.

Explore Honeymoon Wildlife Safaris

Family Wildlife Safaris

Plan a private wildlife journey around your family’s interests, ages, preferred pace and chosen activities. Wildlife experiences can be combined with shorter travel days, cultural activities, boat experiences and other attractions to create a varied family safari.

Explore Family Wildlife Safaris

Tailor-Made Wildlife Safaris

Start with the wildlife experiences and destinations that matter most to you, then shape the journey around your travel dates, accommodation preferences, available time and preferred pace. Your itinerary can combine Uganda, Rwanda or both countries.

Plan a Tailor-Made Wildlife Safari

African buffalo herd during a wildlife safari in Murchison Falls, Uganda

What Can You Combine With a Wildlife Safari?

A wildlife safari can be the foundation for a broader journey through Uganda or Rwanda. Combine game drives with mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, birding, boat experiences, cultural encounters or scenic destinations to create a safari that matches your interests and available time.

Wildlife and Gorilla Trekking

Combine classic African wildlife with the experience of seeing mountain gorillas in their natural forest habitat. In Uganda, a wildlife safari can be extended to Bwindi or Mgahinga, creating a varied journey from savannah landscapes to the mountain forests.

Best for: Travellers who want wildlife and mountain gorillas in one safari.

Wildlife and Chimpanzee Tracking

Pair game drives and other wildlife experiences with chimpanzee tracking for a safari that brings together savannah wildlife and great-ape encounters. Uganda offers particularly strong combinations between its wildlife destinations and chimpanzee experiences.

Best for: Travellers interested in mammals, primates and varied wildlife experiences.

Wildlife and Boat Safaris

Add a boat experience to your wildlife itinerary for a different perspective on Uganda’s rivers, lakes and wildlife habitats. Boat safaris can complement game drives in Murchison Falls National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park, with opportunities to observe wildlife from the water.

Best for: Travellers who want to combine game drives with water-based wildlife viewing.

Wildlife and Birding

Combine mammal viewing with birding to experience a wider range of Uganda and Rwanda’s wildlife. Game-drive routes, wetlands, forests and lakes can provide opportunities to look for both familiar savannah species and specialist birds.

Best for: Travellers interested in wildlife photography, birdlife and broader nature experiences.

Wildlife and Cultural Experiences

Add cultural experiences to your wildlife itinerary to discover the people, traditions and communities connected to the landscapes you visit. A private safari can incorporate cultural encounters alongside game drives, nature experiences and time in local communities.

Best for: Travellers who want wildlife experiences alongside culture, heritage and local interaction.

Wildlife and Scenic Experiences

Build more variety into your safari by combining wildlife with mountains, lakes, forests, crater landscapes and other scenic destinations. This creates a journey where the landscapes between wildlife destinations become part of the experience rather than simply part of the route.

Best for: Photographers, couples and travellers who value landscapes as much as wildlife.

Uganda & Rwanda Wildlife Safari

Combine wildlife experiences across Uganda and Rwanda in one private journey. Your itinerary can bring together Uganda’s savannah destinations with Rwanda’s Akagera National Park, while adding gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, cultural experiences or scenic stops according to your available time.

Best for: Travellers who want to experience wildlife in both Uganda and Rwanda on one journey.

What Is Included in a Wildlife Safari?

A wildlife safari involves more than game drives alone. Your journey is organised around transport, accommodation, guiding, park access and the activities included in your selected itinerary. The exact combination depends on the destination, safari duration and package you choose.

Private Safari Vehicle

Travel in a private safari vehicle throughout your itinerary, giving you a comfortable and flexible way to move between destinations and enjoy scheduled wildlife experiences. Private travel also allows the safari to be planned around your own group and itinerary.

Professional Driver-Guide

A professional driver-guide supports your journey from destination to destination, providing practical safari coordination and guiding you during wildlife experiences. Your guide also helps keep the itinerary running smoothly throughout the safari.

Accommodation

Stay in carefully selected accommodation according to the safari package and collection you choose. Options can range from comfortable mid-range properties to premium and luxury lodges, depending on your preferred level of comfort.

Game Drives

Game drives are included where specified in your safari itinerary. Depending on the destination, these can provide opportunities to explore savannah landscapes and observe wildlife in protected national parks.

Park Entrance Fees

Applicable national park entrance fees are included where specified in your selected itinerary. The exact parks and activities covered depend on the safari package and destinations included in your journey.

Boat Safari Where Included

Boat safari experiences are included where they form part of the selected itinerary. Depending on your route, a boat experience can complement game drives and provide a different perspective on wildlife and the surrounding landscape.

Meals According to the Itinerary

Meals are included according to the meal plan specified in your individual safari itinerary. The exact arrangement depends on your accommodation and the package selected.

Drinking Water in the Vehicle

Drinking water is provided in the safari vehicle during your journey, helping you stay hydrated during game drives, road transfers and longer safari days.

Activities Listed in the Itinerary

Your safari includes the activities specifically listed in your selected itinerary. These may include game drives, boat safaris, chimpanzee tracking, gorilla trekking, birding, cultural experiences or other activities included in your package.

Safari Planning & Coordination

Njagi Safaris coordinates the practical elements of your journey, from itinerary design and accommodation to transport, activities and other arrangements included in your selected package.

Inclusions vary by package. See each safari itinerary for the exact inclusions, exclusions, accommodation and activities included in your selected journey.

wildlife safari elephants uganda

Why Choose Njagi Safaris for Your Wildlife Safari?

Wildlife Safaris require more than choosing a national park. The route, accommodation, transport, activities and timing all need to work together. Njagi Safaris plans private and tailor-made journeys across Uganda and Rwanda, combining destination knowledge with practical safari coordination and personalised service.

Uganda & Rwanda Destination Expertise

We plan wildlife safaris across Uganda and Rwanda, helping you choose destinations and experiences that match your interests, available time and preferred style of travel. From Uganda’s major savannah parks to Rwanda’s Akagera wildlife, your itinerary can focus on one country or combine both.

Best for: Travellers comparing Uganda, Rwanda or a combined Uganda–Rwanda wildlife safari.

Private & Tailor-Made Journeys

Your safari can be designed around your travel dates, group size, interests, accommodation preferences and preferred pace. Start with wildlife and add gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, birding, cultural experiences, scenic destinations or other activities to create a private journey built around your priorities.

Best for: Couples, families, private groups and travellers who want an itinerary designed around their interests.

Carefully Selected Accommodation

Accommodation forms an important part of the safari experience. We select properties according to your chosen safari collection, destination and preferred level of comfort, with options ranging from comfortable mid-range stays to premium and luxury accommodation.

Best for: Travellers who want their accommodation standard to match the overall style of their safari.

Professional Safari Support

From your first enquiry through itinerary planning and the safari itself, our team coordinates the practical elements of your journey. Transport, accommodation, activities and destination logistics are brought together into one connected itinerary, with personal support throughout the planning process.

Best for: Travellers who value clear communication, organised planning and personal safari support.

Wildlife-Focused Safari Planning

We build your itinerary around the wildlife experiences you want most. Game drives can be combined with boat safaris, primates, birding, cultural experiences and scenic destinations to create a varied journey without losing sight of the main wildlife experience.

Best for: Travellers who want their safari designed around specific wildlife interests rather than simply following a standard route.

Responsible Wildlife Tourism

Njagi Safaris plans wildlife experiences within the conservation and visitor frameworks of the destinations you visit. In Uganda, we work with the requirements and guidance of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB). UWA manages Uganda’s national parks and wildlife areas, while UTB promotes and regulates tourism services and destination standards.

For Rwanda, our planning follows the tourism framework of the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and official visitor guidance from Visit Rwanda. These resources provide current information on Rwanda’s tourism regulations, destinations, experiences and responsible tourism. We encourage travellers to respect wildlife, protected areas, local communities and the conservation guidelines that help safeguard the destinations they visit.

Best for: Travellers who want their wildlife safari to support responsible travel, conservation and respect for the places and communities they encounter.

Planning Your Wildlife Safari

Planning a Wildlife Safari starts with choosing the right destination, duration and travel style. The best itinerary depends on the wildlife experiences you want, the time available and the level of comfort you prefer. Njagi Safaris can help you compare the options and build a private journey around your priorities.

How Much Does a Wildlife Safari Cost?

The Wildlife Safari Cost depends on several factors, including the country you visit, number of days, accommodation level, private vehicle, park fees, activities and season. Additional experiences such as boat safaris, chimpanzee tracking or gorilla trekking can also affect the overall cost. For a clearer comparison, explore our Wildlife Safari Packages and compare itineraries, destinations, durations and accommodation levels.

How Many Days Do I Need?

A short wildlife safari can focus on one or two destinations and provide a concentrated game-viewing experience. Longer Uganda journeys allow more time for several wildlife destinations, while a Uganda–Rwanda itinerary can combine wildlife with primates, scenery and other experiences across both countries. Your ideal duration depends on the destinations and experiences you want to include.

What Is the Best Time for a Wildlife Safari?

Wildlife safaris can be enjoyed throughout the year, with different seasons offering different conditions for game viewing, photography and landscapes. The best travel period depends on your chosen destinations, activities and preferred safari experience.

Can I Combine Wildlife With Gorillas or Chimpanzees?

Yes. Wildlife can form the foundation of a broader Uganda or Rwanda safari. In Uganda, game drives can be combined with Gorilla Trekking and Chimpanzee Tracking, while Rwanda journeys can combine Akagera wildlife with gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park or chimpanzee experiences in Nyungwe. You can also choose from existing combined itineraries or have a private journey designed around the experiences you want.

Can You Customise My Wildlife Safari?

Yes. Your Wildlife Safari can be tailored around your travel dates, preferred destinations, accommodation level, available time and interests. You can choose a focused wildlife journey or combine game drives with primates, birding, boat experiences, cultural activities and scenic destinations.

Need Help Choosing?

Not sure which country, safari length or accommodation level is right for you? Talk to a Njagi safari expert. We can help you compare the options and shape a private wildlife safari around the experiences you want.

Explore Wildlife Safaris

Your wildlife safari can focus on Uganda, Rwanda or a combination of both. The detailed guides below will help you explore each country’s wildlife destinations, experiences and safari-planning considerations before choosing the journey that suits you.

Wildlife Safaris in Uganda

Wildlife Safaris in Uganda cover a diverse range of savannah destinations and wildlife experiences, from Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth to Kidepo Valley and Lake Mburo. The future Uganda specialist page will provide deeper destination and safari-planning information for travellers choosing Uganda.

Wildlife Safaris in Rwanda

Wildlife Safaris in Rwanda centre on Akagera National Park and can be combined with Rwanda’s other major destinations and experiences. The future Rwanda specialist page will provide deeper information for travellers planning a wildlife-focused journey through Rwanda.

Explore More Safari Experiences

Wildlife can be the starting point for a broader safari through Uganda and Rwanda. Explore other specialist experiences that can be combined with wildlife, or form the focus of a private itinerary.

Gorilla Trekking

Combine wildlife viewing with the mountain gorilla experience in Uganda or Rwanda. Gorilla trekking can be incorporated into a broader private safari alongside game drives, scenic destinations and other wildlife experiences.

Chimpanzee Tracking

Add chimpanzee tracking to a wildlife journey for a safari combining savannah wildlife with great-ape experiences. This is particularly well suited to Uganda itineraries that bring together wildlife destinations and forest experiences.

Birding

Combine wildlife safaris with birding across Uganda and Rwanda’s savannahs, wetlands, forests and lakes. A private itinerary can be designed around both mammals and specialist birding experiences.

Prefer a Custom Wildlife Safari? Send Us Your Enquiry

Ready to choose your journey? Explore our Safari collections including private Uganda, Rwanda and combined Uganda–Rwanda itineraries.

Wildlife Safaris