Last Updated on September 10, 2026 by Augustine Tours
The Magic of 7 Days Across East Africa For the Gorillas, Royal Drums & Lake Tanganyika: One Extraordinary Week Across Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi
What if your next African adventure took you from Kigali to the rainforest, from mountain gorillas to royal drummers, and from Rwanda’s rolling hills to the shores of Lake Tanganyika?
In just seven days, you can experience three very different sides of East Africa:
Rwanda for history and culture.
Uganda for mountain gorillas.
Burundi for music, landscapes and the Great Lakes.
This isn’t a trip designed to tick off as many attractions as possible.
It is designed around contrast.
And that is exactly what makes a Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi tour so memorable.
Explore the 7-Day Uganda, Rwanda & Burundi Journey →
Why combine Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi in one trip?
Most travelers planning an East African holiday naturally think of Kenya and Tanzania, or perhaps Rwanda and Uganda for gorilla trekking.
But the Great Lakes region offers another possibility: combine wildlife with culture and discover a less expected side of Africa.
The seven-day journey starts in Kigali, Rwanda, continues to Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for gorilla trekking, returns through Rwanda’s cultural and historical sites, then continues to Burundi before ending in Bujumbura beside Lake Tanganyika. The current itinerary runs for seven days and six nights.
That means you aren’t simply visiting three countries.
You’re experiencing three different travel moods.
Day 1: Begin in Kigali
Your adventure starts at Kigali International Airport.
Rather than beginning with a long transfer or an exhausting safari drive, the first day allows you to settle into Kigali and prepare for what comes next. The current itinerary includes an overnight at Mille Collines Hotel or a similar property.
Kigali is also a useful introduction to Rwanda.
The city offers a very different first impression of Africa from the one many first-time visitors expect.
Explore more: Rwanda travel and gorilla trekking experiences
Day 2: Kigali to Bwindi
After breakfast, the journey continues with a Kigali city tour before heading towards Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in Uganda.
The current itinerary includes the Gisozi Genocide Memorial and the Art Museum before the transfer to Bwindi.
By the time you arrive near the forest, the character of the trip has changed.
The city is behind you.
The rainforest is ahead.
And tomorrow brings the experience many travelers have been dreaming about for years.
Day 3: Meet the mountain gorillas
This is the wildlife heart of the journey.
You head to the Bwindi National Park headquarters before beginning the gorilla trek. The trek may take approximately 1–4 hours, depending on the location of the gorilla family, with up to one hour spent with the gorillas once you find them.
The experience is very different from watching animals from a safari vehicle.
You walk through the forest.
You follow a trail.
You don’t know exactly when the moment will happen.
And then suddenly you are standing in the presence of a mountain gorilla family.
For practical preparation, we also has a dedicated guide covering what to expect and what to pack for gorilla trekking in Uganda.
One important reason to prepare properly
Gorilla trekking isn’t a simple sightseeing excursion.
The walk can be physically demanding and conditions in the forest can change. Proper footwear, weather protection and a sensible day pack can make a significant difference to your experience. Augustine’s gorilla guide recommends items such as waterproof hiking boots, rain protection, warm layers, gloves and a reusable water bottle.
Read the Gorilla Trekking Guide →
Day 4: See another side of Rwanda
After the gorilla experience, the journey shifts again.
Day 4 is focused on Rwanda’s history, culture and royal heritage.
The current itinerary includes Nyanza King’s Palace and the Ethnographic Museum, formerly the National Museum of Rwanda, before returning to Kigali.
This is an important part of the journey because Africa should never be reduced to wildlife.
The people, history and cultural traditions are just as important.
That contrast is one of the things that makes this seven-day route different from a conventional wildlife-focused holiday.
Day 5: Cross into Burundi
The next morning is deliberately slower.
You have time to relax before heading to the airport for a flight from Kigali to Bujumbura. The current itinerary specifies a RwandAir flight to Bujumbura, followed by transfer to accommodation near Lake Tanganyika.
And this is where the journey becomes particularly interesting.
Because now you’re in Burundi.
Why Burundi makes this journey different
Burundi doesn’t appear on as many conventional African itineraries as Kenya, Tanzania or Rwanda.
That’s part of its appeal.
The experience here is less about ticking off globally famous attractions and more about culture, landscapes and getting to know a less familiar destination.
We’ve got a dedicated Burundi travel destination page for travelers who want to explore more of the country.
And on this journey, you get a concentrated introduction to some of Burundi’s highlights.
Day 6: Waterfalls, the Source of the Nile & Royal Drums
Day 6 is arguably the most unexpected day of the trip.
The itinerary takes you towards Rutana, where you visit Karera Waterfalls and the Source of the Nile in Rutovu, followed by Gitega National Museum and the Gishora Drum Sanctuary before returning to Bujumbura.
Imagine the contrast.
A few days earlier, you were walking through dense rainforest searching for mountain gorillas.
Now you’re standing beside waterfalls.
Then you’re visiting one of the places associated with the Nile’s source.
And later you’re experiencing Burundi’s famous drumming heritage.
That is not a standard safari itinerary.
It’s a journey built around discovery.
The Gishora Royal Drum Sanctuary
Among the most distinctive experiences on this route is the visit to Gishora.
The traditional drumming culture of Burundi is one of the country’s best-known cultural expressions, and seeing a performance gives travelers an opportunity to experience something that cannot be replicated by simply reading about Burundi.
This is exactly the sort of encounter that makes a trip stay with you after you return home.
It becomes a story.
Day 7: Bujumbura & Lake Tanganyika
The final day brings you back to Bujumbura.
The itinerary includes Rusizi National Park, where a boat trip may offer opportunities to see hippos and birds, followed by several city sights including the Explorers Memorial, Unity Monument and Belvedere Hill overlooking Lake Tanganyika.
And then the journey ends beside one of Africa’s great lakes.
Not with another airport transfer in the middle of nowhere.
But with water, landscape and a very different sense of place.
The current itinerary concludes at Bujumbura International Airport.
Is seven days enough for Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi?
This is the question we hear most often about a multi-country journey.
The honest answer is:
Seven days isn’t enough to see everything.
But it is enough to experience a carefully selected story across these three countries.
You aren’t attempting to explore all of Uganda.
You aren’t trying to see every corner of Rwanda.
And you’re certainly not attempting to discover all of Burundi.
Instead, you’re experiencing:
Kigali → Bwindi → Rwanda’s heritage → Burundi → Gishora → Karera → the Nile → Lake Tanganyika.
That is a remarkable amount of variety in one week.
Who is this Uganda–Rwanda–Burundi trip best for?
This journey makes particular sense for travelers who want more than a conventional safari.
It could be a great fit for you if you:
- want to see mountain gorillas;
- enjoy history and cultural experiences;
- want to visit less familiar African destinations;
- have approximately one week available;
- prefer a guided journey instead of arranging multiple countries independently;
- want wildlife, culture and landscapes in the same trip.
We confidently describe our service around local expertise, 24/7 support, tailored travel and local knowledge, all of which are particularly useful when a journey crosses three countries.
What is included?
The current package lists the following as included:
- Gorilla permit
- Accommodation and meals
- Tour guide services
- Museum and park entrance fees
- Private transportation
- Mineral water
- Airport transfers.
Airfare, visa fees and private expenses are listed separately.
Why travel with a local expert?
Three countries in seven days require more than a good spreadsheet.
Border crossings, transport arrangements, permits, accommodation and timing all matter.
But more importantly, a local travel expert can help turn a route into an experience.
That’s the reason we emphasize local knowledge and tailored support rather than simply selling a fixed list of hotel nights.
This is not a “see everything” trip
And that’s a good thing.
The beauty of this journey is the contrast.
Rainforest.
Gorillas.
Rwanda’s history.
Burundi’s drums.
Waterfalls.
The Nile.
Lake Tanganyika.
Seven days.
Three countries.
One very different African story.
Ready to experience Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi?
The 7-Day Uganda–Rwanda–Burundi Journey is available from January through December according to the current tour page. The listed minimum age is 15, and the current price is €4,067 per person for two.
See the Full 7-Day Uganda–Rwanda–Burundi Itinerary →
Have questions before you decide?
Email: info@augustinetours.com
WhatsApp / Phone: +49 157 869 70 918
When contacting us, mention:
GREAT LAKES JOURNEY
and include your preferred travel dates and number of travelers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi
Can I visit Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi in seven days?
Yes. We currently operate a seven-day, six-night journey connecting selected highlights across all three countries. It begins at Kigali International Airport and ends at Bujumbura International Airport.
Does the trip include gorilla trekking?
Yes. The current package includes a gorilla permit and a gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in Uganda.
Is the entire trip overland?
The itinerary includes a RwandAir flight from Kigali to Bujumbura on Day 5.
What can I experience in Burundi?
The current itinerary includes Gishora Drum Sanctuary, Karera Waterfalls, the Source of the Nile, Gitega National Museum, Rusizi National Park and Lake Tanganyika.
Where does the trip start and finish?
The current itinerary starts at Kigali International Airport in Rwanda and ends at Bujumbura International Airport in Burundi.
Is gorilla trekking physically demanding?
It can be. Trek duration and terrain vary depending on the location of the gorilla family. We recommend preparing with suitable footwear and weather protection.
Final thought: Why 7 Days Across East Africa For The Gorillas, Drums, and Lake Tanganyika?
There are plenty of ways to travel through East Africa.
You can take the classic route.
Or you can choose a journey that leaves you with stories people haven’t heard a hundred times before.
You started in Rwanda.
You met gorillas in Uganda.
You crossed into Burundi.
You heard the royal drums.
You stood beside waterfalls.
You traced the story of the Nile.
And you ended at Lake Tanganyika.
That’s Africa beyond the expected.