How to Combine Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania in One Itinerary

Planning an East African safari that spans Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania is a dream journey — a seamless blend of lush rainforests, volcanic highlands, and endless savannahs. Each country offers a distinct yet complementary experience: Uganda’s raw wilderness and rare mountain gorillas, Rwanda’s pristine landscapes and emotional depth, and Tanzania’s sweeping plains alive with the Great Migration. Bringing them together into one itinerary creates a masterpiece of African adventure — a journey that celebrates diversity in landscape, culture, and wildlife all at once.

The Art of Combining Three Countries in One Safari

A multi-country safari across Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania requires thoughtful planning. These countries are geographically close, but each has its own visa regulations, border points, and travel routes. The key to a smooth experience is to plan a logical flow — starting from one gateway and ending in another without unnecessary backtracking.

For most travelers, starting in Uganda and continuing through Rwanda before flying or driving into Tanzania offers the most efficient route. Uganda’s Entebbe International Airport is a major entry point with excellent flight connections. From there, it’s easy to explore southwestern Uganda before crossing into Rwanda by road through Cyanika or Katuna border posts. After exploring Rwanda, one can connect to Tanzania either by flight (from Kigali to Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport) or overland through Rusumo or via flights linking Kigali and Serengeti’s regional airstrips.

This route provides a natural progression — from Uganda’s untamed wilderness to Rwanda’s serene hills and finally to Tanzania’s iconic safari plains.

Uganda: Where Africa’s Wild Soul Awakens

Uganda, often called the “Pearl of Africa,” is the perfect starting point for your journey. It offers everything from dense tropical jungles to open savannah plains, rivers teeming with hippos, and the world’s most powerful waterfall.

Begin your adventure in Entebbe, a peaceful lakeside town where you can rest after your flight and perhaps enjoy a sunset cruise on Lake Victoria. From there, your journey into the wild begins — usually heading west to Murchison Falls National Park. Here, the mighty Nile River explodes through a narrow gorge, creating one of Africa’s most dramatic scenes. Game drives on the northern banks bring you close to elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes, and buffaloes.

Next, move south to Kibale Forest National Park, the primate capital of East Africa. Tracking chimpanzees through the forest canopy is an exhilarating experience — their expressive faces and playful energy make for unforgettable encounters. Continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park, where the Kazinga Channel hosts thousands of hippos, crocodiles, and water birds. The park’s Ishasha sector is famed for its tree-climbing lions, a rare sight found only in Uganda and a few other places in Africa.

Finally, end your Ugandan section in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, the crown jewel of primate experiences. Trekking through the dense rainforest to find the endangered mountain gorillas is a once-in-a-lifetime moment that defines East Africa’s safari magic. Standing just meters from a gorilla family — watching them feed, groom, and play — is deeply moving, almost spiritual.

If time allows, include a stop at Lake Bunyonyi, a tranquil lake dotted with islands, offering rest and reflection before crossing into Rwanda.

Rwanda: Land of a Thousand Hills and Gentle Encounters

Crossing into Rwanda is effortless, and the shift in scenery is immediately striking — rolling green hills, terraced farmlands, and immaculate roads welcome you to the “Land of a Thousand Hills.”

Your first destination should be Volcanoes National Park, a continuation of the same Virunga Mountain range that stretches from Uganda. Here, you can enjoy another gorilla trekking experience or opt for golden monkey tracking, an activity unique to this region. The park also holds the legacy of the late Dian Fossey, whose pioneering work in gorilla conservation made this region world-renowned.

Beyond wildlife, Rwanda offers an emotional and cultural depth that few countries match. In Kigali, visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial — a moving reminder of the country’s tragic past and inspiring recovery. Kigali itself is one of Africa’s cleanest and most organized capitals, offering a blend of modernity, culture, and warm hospitality.

For those seeking more adventure, consider adding Lake Kivu to your itinerary. The lake’s serene shores and small islands offer perfect relaxation after gorilla trekking, with activities such as boat cruises, coffee tours, and lakeside cycling routes.

Rwanda’s small size makes it easy to explore in a few days before connecting to Tanzania, which is where the grand finale of your safari begins.

Tanzania: The Heartbeat of the African Safari

If Uganda and Rwanda ignite your spirit, Tanzania will make your heart race. This vast and diverse land offers the most dramatic game-viewing experiences on the continent. From the snowcapped Mount Kilimanjaro to the endless Serengeti plains, Tanzania completes your East African trilogy with classic safari grandeur.

Your journey will likely begin in Arusha, the safari hub of northern Tanzania. From here, you can connect to world-famous destinations such as Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, and the Serengeti.

The Ngorongoro Crater, often called the “Garden of Eden,” is a natural wonder where wildlife thrives in a perfectly enclosed volcanic caldera. It’s one of the best places to spot the Big Five in a single day. Moving onward to the Serengeti, you’ll witness one of nature’s greatest spectacles — the Great Migration, where over two million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles move across the plains in search of greener pastures, followed closely by predators.

Depending on the time of year, you can witness river crossings at the Mara River (June–October) or calving season in the Ndutu plains (December–March).

For those seeking relaxation after days of game drives, Tanzania offers one more gem — the Zanzibar Archipelago. Just a short flight from Arusha or Serengeti, Zanzibar’s white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and spice-scented air provide the perfect tropical finale to your grand East African adventure.

Planning Tips for a Seamless Cross-Border Safari

When combining Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania, a few key considerations ensure your journey flows effortlessly.

Visas and Border Crossings:
The East Africa Tourist Visa (available for Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya) allows multiple entries across these three nations, but note that Tanzania is not part of this joint visa. For Tanzania, you’ll need a separate visa upon entry. Ensure your passport has at least six months of validity and multiple blank pages.

Transportation:
Road travel between Uganda and Rwanda is scenic and straightforward, while air connections between Kigali and northern Tanzania (Arusha or Kilimanjaro) are efficient. Regional carriers like RwandAir and Air Tanzania operate reliable flights that connect key hubs across the region.

Best Time to Travel:
The best time for this multi-country safari is during the dry seasons — June to October and December to February. These months offer the best wildlife viewing, easier gorilla trekking, and clear skies for photography.

Packing and Preparation:
Given the diversity of landscapes, pack for both rainforest humidity and savannah dust. Lightweight, breathable clothing in neutral tones works best, with a rain jacket for the forest regions and a warm layer for cool mornings and evenings.

Local Experiences:
Don’t just rush between parks — immerse yourself in the region’s rich cultures. Visit village cooperatives near Bwindi, enjoy a banana beer tasting in Rwanda, or spend a night in a Maasai boma in Tanzania. These moments add soul to your journey, turning it from a mere safari into a cultural tapestry of East Africa.

Sample 15-Day East Africa Circuit

Days 1–2: Arrival in Entebbe, Uganda — relax and explore Lake Victoria.
Days 3–5: Murchison Falls National Park for wildlife and river cruises.
Days 6–8: Kibale and Queen Elizabeth National Parks — chimps, tree lions, and boat safaris.
Days 9–10: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest — gorilla trekking.
Days 11–12: Cross into Rwanda, explore Volcanoes National Park and Kigali city.
Days 13–15: Fly to Tanzania — Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti plains safari.

This structure gives you the best of East Africa in just two weeks — primates, savannahs, lakes, and the Great Migration — all in one continuous adventure.

Why Travel With Moreen Tours & Travel

Creating a cross-border itinerary that perfectly blends Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania requires expertise, local knowledge, and seamless logistics — and that’s where Moreen Tours & Travel excels. With years of experience designing tailor-made East African safaris, Moreen Tours & Travel ensures every detail of your trip flows effortlessly — from gorilla permit arrangements and border transfers to personalized lodge selections and professional guides who bring the journey to life.

Their deep roots across all three countries mean you’ll enjoy authentic experiences that most travelers miss — from hidden forest lodges in Bwindi to quiet lakeside retreats in Kivu and exclusive migration camps in the Serengeti. With Moreen Tours & Travel, your East African adventure becomes more than a trip — it becomes a story you’ll carry forever.