10 Best Things to Do in Rwanda and Uganda: Wildlife, Culture and Adventure

The best things to do in Rwanda and Uganda combine wildlife, landscapes and people: mountain gorilla trekking, a boat trip below Murchison Falls, a visit to the Gorilla Guardians, a descent into the Musanze caves, birdwatching on Lake Bunyonyi, a night by the Twin Lakes, a hike in the Rwenzori Mountains, white-water rafting at Jinja, a night on Lake Kivu and a day with a community project. A trip of seven to ten days can include four or five of these.

The ten below are not ranked. Each has practical details so you can decide which ones fit your trip. Prices and rules change, so confirm them before booking. We checked them in October 2026. See also our complete guide to gorilla trekking in Rwanda.

Mountain gorillas live only in the Virunga volcanoes and in Bwindi, shared by Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. You trek with rangers for 30 minutes to several hours and spend one hour with a family. Permits cost US$1,500 in Rwanda and US$800 in Uganda (standard rates, October 2026), and the best months are June to September and December to February. Read our comparison, Rwanda vs Uganda gorilla trekking.

In north-west Uganda, the Victoria Nile is forced through a narrow gorge and drops in a loud, spray-filled fall. A boat trip below the falls passes hippos, crocodiles and birds, and you can hike to the top. See the 6-day Murchison Falls tour.

Iby'Iwacu Cultural Village, now known as the Gorilla Guardians Village, is near Musanze. Former poachers and village elders show traditional dance, basket weaving, storytelling and cooking, and explain how tourism changed their lives. See the cultural experiences guide.

Close to Volcanoes National Park, the Musanze caves run for about two kilometres under old lava. Guides lead you with torches through large chambers. Bring sturdy shoes and a light jacket. See the 5-day golden monkey, Musanze caves and Lake Kivu tour.

The lake in south-west Uganda is named for its many small birds. Early-morning boat rides show kingfishers, herons, weavers and the grey-crowned crane, Uganda's national bird. Read the Lake Bunyonyi guide.

Between steep green hills near Musanze, the two lakes sit below Mount Muhabura. A night at a lakeside lodge, or a canoe trip, gives a quiet day after trekking. See the 3-day Mount Bisoke hike and Twin Lakes tour.

The Rwenzori Mountains in western Uganda, on the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, rise from equatorial forest to alpine meadows and high peaks. The Central Circuit takes seven to nine days, and shorter foothill hikes are possible. Use a certified operator and guides.

Jinja is the adventure centre of Uganda, with white-water rafting on the Nile, kayaking and other activities. Read our guide to Nile rafting in Jinja.

On the Rwandan shore, Lake Kivu offers kayaking, boat trips and, where arranged, night fishing with local fishermen. Read about the Congo Nile Trail and night fishing.

Visiting a project shows where tourism money goes. Our Eco Hive Guardians initiative works with beekeeping cooperatives near Nyungwe, and the 1K Trees ReGreen Initiative plants trees near Musanze. Guests can take part on our 10-day Signature Journey.

The ten experiences ask very different amounts of time, which is where many itineraries go wrong. The table shows the usual commitment, so you can add up your days before you commit.

You cannot fit all ten into a single trip, and that is the point: choose the three or four that fit your interests.

Some activities have limited places and sell out first. Gorilla permits are the main example, with limited daily numbers and demand that peaks in the dry months. Longer Rwenzori circuits depend on mountain huts and guides, so reserve them well ahead. Murchison Falls boat trips and Nile rafting rarely sell out, but lodges in the best locations do. Cultural visits and community projects are easy to arrange once your route is fixed. Book permits and lodges first and fill in the rest later. See how to book a Rwanda gorilla permit and the Bwindi gorilla trekking guide.

Several places deserve a place on the shortlist. Chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe and in Kibale is a close second to gorillas for primate lovers; see chimpanzee tracking in Uganda. Akagera National Park offers Big Five game drives and boat trips, and golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park is a livelier primate day; read the golden monkey guide. Queen Elizabeth National Park has the Kazinga Channel and tree-climbing lions in Ishasha. For history, Kigali has memorials and museums that give context; see the Kigali city tour guide.

Rwanda and Uganda both issue visas online, and the East Africa Tourist Visa covers Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya (see the visa guide). Yellow fever vaccination requirements and malaria prevention apply, so check with your doctor. Both countries are considered safe for visitors in the main tourist regions. Pack waterproof boots, gloves and a rain jacket. Our packing list covers it.

• First-time visitors choosing between experiences
• Travellers with seven to ten days

• Travellers with only a long weekend

A route works when each stop leads naturally to the next. One sensible sequence for ten days begins in Kigali, moves to Musanze for the gorillas, the Gorilla Guardians Village and the caves, and rests at the Twin Lakes. It then crosses into Uganda for Lake Bunyonyi, continues to Bwindi or Queen Elizabeth, and ends at Entebbe or Jinja for a final active day. Our 8-day Rwanda and Uganda primate trekking and Akagera safari shows the border-crossing version, and the 12-day primate tracking safari gives it more room.

The dry months, June to September and December to February, suit most of the ten. Gorilla and Rwenzori trails are firmer, game viewing at Murchison Falls is easier because animals gather near water, and roads are in better condition. Rafting and Lake Kivu work all year. The wetter months, March to May and October to November, are greener and quieter, and some lodges offer lower rates, although trails are muddy and the Rwenzori peaks are often clouded. If your dates are fixed in the wet season, choose the lake, cultural and cave activities for your free days and keep the trek for a clear morning if you can.

Match the activity to the person. Wildlife lovers should start with the gorillas and Murchison Falls. Culture seekers will prefer the Gorilla Guardians Village, a community project and Lake Bunyonyi. Active travellers will enjoy Rwenzori hiking, the Twin Lakes and Nile rafting. Couples looking for rest can choose Lake Kivu and the Twin Lakes. A traveller with a few days can choose one anchor, such as the gorillas, and add one easy extra, such as the caves. For families, see the Uganda family safari guide.

• Trying to do all ten in one trip.
• Booking gorilla permits last.
• Ignoring road times between countries.

Yes. Our 8-day Rwanda and Uganda tour is one example.

June to September and December to February are the driest.

Rwanda is compact and easy for a short first trip. Uganda offers more variety and a lower gorilla permit. Our comparison in Rwanda vs Uganda for gorilla trekking explains the trade-offs.

No. Many routes include both, in Uganda or across the two countries.

The gorilla permit is the largest item. Other activities cost much less, and your operator can itemise them. Confirm current prices before you book.

• things to do in Rwanda besides gorilla trekking
• whether Murchison Falls is worth visiting
• what to do in Volcanoes National Park

Tell us which of these appeal to you and our tour specialist can build a route. Talk to Our Tour Specialist.