How to reserve safaris in Rwanda and Uganda for 2025–2026. You must decide which activities you want to partake in when you travel to Uganda and Rwanda for an Africa safari in 2025 or 2026. Gorilla safaris are the most popular activity in Rwanda and Uganda. Planning is much easier when you know how many days you will be on safari in Rwanda and Uganda.

Uganda is a popular safari location in Africa that offers a variety of activities. Along with other Uganda safari activities, you may go on game drives in places like Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, and Kidepo Valley National Park. Birdwatching in Uganda is also outstanding because the country has an unparalleled list of over 1000 species.

Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National Park, game drives in Akagera National Park, Rwandan birdwatching, genocide memorials, Rwandese cultural experiences, and a tour of Kigali are all part of the Rwanda safari itinerary.

across our staff of tour experts, Monumental Expeditions and Safaris can help you organize your safari across Rwanda and Uganda. They provide trustworthy information on what to see, are frequently updated with news about these locations, and are skilled and knowledgeable about the majority of safari destinations in Rwanda and Uganda. We relieve our clients of the responsibility of coordinating and planning the safari activities in Rwanda and Uganda. On safaris in Rwanda and Uganda, we want to leave our customers with enduring memories.

Activities for the Uganda Safari in 2025–2026

Ugandan gorilla safaris
Gorilla trekking in Uganda allows you to spend an hour with a fully habituated gorilla family, while gorilla habituation experience allows you to spend four hours with a semi-habituated gorilla family. Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are the two gorilla safari locations in Uganda.

A gorilla trekking or habituation permit must be reserved from the Uganda Wildlife Authority in order to enter the gorilla safari destinations. We at Monumental Expeditions and Safaris can help you obtain the gorilla permit, but reservations must be made well in advance, particularly if you want to go on this safari at the busiest time of year. June, July, August, September, and December and January are Uganda’s busiest travel months.

There is a last-minute shortage of gorilla permits due to the overwhelming demand for them this season.

At the moment, Uganda issues two permits for gorilla habituation experiences and 156 permits for gorilla trekking each day.

Ugandan chimpanzee safaris
In the animal realm, chimpanzees are the closest relatives of humans; yet, Uganda provides greater opportunities to observe them in their native environments. Kibale National Park, Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kaniyo Pabidi Forest in Murchison Falls National Park, Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary, Kalinzu Forest, and other locations are among the Ugandan chimpanzee safari sites.

To see these primates, you must have a chimpanzee safari permit. Chimpanzee safari permits in Uganda vary in price depending on the location.

Ugandan game safaris
There are game parks spread out across Uganda. Among these are Kidepo Valley National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Murchison Falls National Park.

Morning and afternoon game drives in Uganda are the ideal times to observe lions, leopards, waterbucks, bushbucks, giraffes, impalas, elands, hyenas, cheetahs, aardvarks, jackals, herds of buffaloes, herds of elephants, Uganda kobs, zebras, and other animals.

While not all of Uganda’s game parks include wild animals, some are the greatest places to see them, so if you want to increase your chances of seeing a certain animal, ask our safari advisors for guidance.

Boat outings and launch excursions
On a launch excursion through Uganda’s national parks, you can unwind. The breathtaking launch journey to the world’s strongest waterfall, the Murchison Falls, is available at Murchison Falls National Park. Many wild creatures frequent the coasts to drink, so keep an eye out for them while you’re at sea. Squeezing through a 6-meter-wide valley, the River Nile’s electric energy causes it to break out fiercely, creating a hazy look.

On the Rift Valley floor, a launch excursion on the Kazinga canal unwinds. Several creatures that enjoy drinking water, bathing, and lounging by the beach can be seen when you gaze out to the Kazinga Channel’s shores. Numerous birds, both domestic and foreign, are drawn to the banks of the Kazinga waterway.

The boat excursion in Lake Mburo National Park is remarkable because it allows you to observe a variety of water birds, take in the stunning surroundings of the lake, and watch fisherman lowering their nets. However, the Uganda Wildlife Authority is the first to accredit these.

Safaris with golden monkeys
Among the world’s most endangered primates are golden monkeys. These golden monkeys live in Mgahinga National Park in Uganda. They are bigger than other primates, and they have golden brown hairs all over their lower abdomen. Despite being first habituated, they retain their natural traits and are endearing primates to follow.

Ugandan birdwatching
With more than a thousand species found in various settings, Uganda boasts an unparalleled bird list. To get the most out of your safari, you need a trained and informed birding guide and a carefully thought-out Uganda birding itinerary. With the help of our knowledgeable and experienced professional birding guides, Monumental Expeditions and Safaris can assist you in creating an amazing birding itinerary.

Bwindi Forest, Mabira Forest, Mpanga Forest, Mabamba Swamp, Lake Bunyonyi, Musambwa Island, Botanical Gardens Entebbe, Lutembe Beach, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, and others are among the places in Uganda where birdwatchers can go.

See where the Nile River originates.
The only source of the River Nile in Jinja is Uganda. To reach the point where Lake Victoria and the River Nile water abruptly diverge, you will need a boat. Since the water in Lake Victoria is calm and the water in the Nile tends to have a force pushing it, it is difficult to explain what happens beneath that point of parting.

Rafting on white water on the Nile River
In Jinja or Murchison Falls National Park, you can board white water rafting boats. Professional teachers are available to guide you through all the required training in the lowest amount of time, so experience is not required. As instructed by the instructors, put on the safety gear and continue pedaling to stay moving. White water rafting comes in a variety of levels, but you can stop where you’re comfortable.

Ugandan cultural encounter
There are many different tribes in Uganda, making it a multicultural location. Despite the similarities among most civilizations, there are a lot of distinctions. You can travel to Uganda to see the various kingdoms, such as the Buganda kingdom in central Uganda, which is ruled by Kabaka. Busoga Kingdom is under Kyabazinga, Rwenzururu Kingdom is under Omumbere, Bunyoro Kingdom is under Omukama, and Tooro Kingdom is under Omukama.

There are several things that set these Ugandan tribes apart from one another, including the ability to fully immerse oneself in their daily lives.

Ugandan sports fishing
Try your luck and take pleasure in Ugandan sports fishing. You must rent a boat with a captain for the day or half a day, have your own fishing gear, and have a fishing permit. You might catch tilapia, lungfish, catfish, gigantic Nile perch, and other species while on a sports fishing excursion in Uganda.

Ugandan Mountaineering Adventure
You can spend days mountaineering on Mount Rwenzori to reach Magheritah, its snow-capped top. The hike back may take seven days or more. As you climb and spend the night at the rest stops along the route, you may take in the breathtaking vistas.

Although there are several highlands in Uganda where excursion hiking is possible, the most popular is the 8-hour return hike on summits such as Mountain Muhavura, Mountain Gahinga, and Mountain Sabyinyo. You can simultaneously view the borders of Rwanda, D.R. Congo, and Uganda from the top of Mount Sabyinyo.

What Should I Do in 2025 and 2026 for Safari Activities in Rwanda?

Rwandan gorilla trekking
The best thing to do in Rwanda is gorilla trekking. Rwanda’s lone gorilla trip destination is the Volcanoes National Park. There are currently 15 gorilla trekking families in Rwanda. Hirwa, Susa, Amahoro, Umubano, Agashya, and others are among them.

The sole organization in Rwanda that sells gorilla licenses is the Rwanda Developments Board; however, each family may only reserve a maximum of eight gorilla permits. If you want to travel to Rwanda during the busiest months of June through September and December through January, make sure to reserve your gorilla permit in advance. As the peak season approaches, the demand for these permits increases, resulting in a shortage.

Rwandan chimpanzee trekking
Rwanda’s only chimpanzee safari site is Nyungwe National Park. A Rwanda Development Board chimpanzee trekking permit is required. With Uwinka as its headquarters, Nyungwe National Park has two chimpanzee safari sessions. Another Rwandan village of semi-habituated chimpanzees is Cyamudondo, which is located outside of Nyungwe National Park.

Because Cyamudondo’s forest is smaller than Nyungwe’s, it is simpler to locate chimpanzees there.

Rwanda’s Akagera National Park offers game safaris.
In Akagera National Park, the 1994 Rwandan genocide is still being felt. Numerous animals perished, while others escaped to other areas.

During the game drive in Akagera National area, you might observe Uganda kobs, elephants, cape buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, the rarely seen lions and leopards, waterbucks, bushbucks, and other animals as the area is currently reviving its wild animal grandeur.

Enjoy the breathtaking vista of Akagera National Park while unwinding on a boat ride on Lake Ihema.

Nyungwe National Park canopy walk.
It’s a satisfying walk across Nyungwe National Park on the suspension bridge. In East Africa, it is the only one of its kind. You may take in the breathtaking view of Nyungwe Forest, which is made up of distinctive landforms and a thick layer of flora.

This 90-meter suspension bridge is a place to create memories while walking.

City tour of Kigali
Why not take a tour of Kigali, one of Africa’s cleanest towns, while on safari in Rwanda? You can see the Kandt home, St. Famille Church, the Blue Beret memorial, the Gisozi Genocide memorial, and other genocide memorials. Explore Kigali’s market districts and other places.

Rwandan cultural experience
It is worth going to see their dances and folk melodies, which highlight Rwanda’s distinctive culture. You can watch Intore dancing routines, where men and women move to the beats of long, hard drums, if you make advance arrangements. You may see these dance moves at the royal museum in Huye.

These distinctive crafts, such as the Omigongo cow dung, are made in the Nyakarimbi. Other Rwandan craft-making alternatives include ceramics, wood carving, and basketry.

When is the ideal time to reserve safaris in Rwanda and Uganda for 2025–2026?

Because Rwanda and Uganda provide year-round activities, the best time to reserve a safari is when you’re ready. The dry season, when most animals are plainly visible, is the most favored time of year. Because there is less vegetation in the game parks, vision is improved. Additionally, because more sunshine can reach the forest through the thick canopy, there is less precipitation.

The logistical cost is considerable because the peak season, which is usually the dry season, is June, July, August, September, December, and January. This is a result of the tremendous demand for these safari activities in Rwanda and Uganda on a global scale. We encourage our guests to plan and coordinate these safaris well in advance, and it is preferable to make reservations in advance if you require a gorilla, chimpanzee, or golden monkey safari permit.