Uganda and Egypt Tour: From Mountain Gorillas to the Pyramids

A Uganda and Egypt tour joins two of Africa’s greatest experiences in one trip: mountain gorillas in the misty forests of Uganda and the pyramids, temples and Nile cruises of Egypt. Both countries sit on the same river. The Nile leaves Lake Victoria at Jinja in Uganda and flows north for more than 6,000 km before it reaches the Mediterranean in Egypt, so this journey takes you from the river’s source to its delta.

This guide explains how a Uganda and Egypt tour works, what to see in each country, how to add Rwanda, the best time to go, flights and visas, and a sample itinerary you can book with us.

At a glance:

• Uganda: gorilla trekking in Bwindi, chimpanzees in Kibale, Murchison Falls and the source of the Nile at Jinja
• Egypt: the Pyramids of Giza, the Grand Egyptian Museum, a Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan and the temples of Karnak
• Flight time: about 5 hours on EgyptAir’s direct flights between Entebbe and Cairo
• Ideal length: 12 to 16 days, or longer with Rwanda or Kenya
• Best months for both: December to February

Why Plan a Uganda and Egypt Tour?

Few trips offer such a contrast. In Uganda you spend your days in rainforest and savannah, close to wild gorillas, chimpanzees, elephants and lions. In Egypt you walk among monuments more than 4,000 years old and sail past desert villages on the same river you saw roaring through Uganda.

A Uganda and Egypt tour also works well in practice. The flight is short, both countries have long experience with visitors, and you can start in either one. Many travellers from Europe and North America fly into Cairo, then continue to Entebbe. Travellers from Uganda and East Africa often do the reverse, and we arrange their Egypt holidays together with flights and visas.

Following the Nile From Uganda to Egypt

The White Nile begins where it leaves Lake Victoria at Jinja, a spot marked as the source of the Nile. From there it crosses Uganda, plunges through a 7-metre gap at Murchison Falls, and flows on through South Sudan and Sudan to Egypt, where it waters the narrow green valley that made ancient Egypt possible.

Following the river on a Uganda and Egypt tour gives the trip a story. You see the Nile young and wild in Uganda, with rapids, waterfalls and hippos, and then wide and calm in Egypt, lined with palm trees, feluccas and temples.

Uganda Highlights on a Uganda and Egypt Tour

Uganda brings the wildlife half of the journey. These are the experiences most of our guests choose for a Uganda and Egypt tour.

Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Bwindi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to almost half of the world’s mountain gorillas. With a ranger and trackers, you hike through steep forest to find a habituated family, then spend one hour watching them feed and play. A Uganda gorilla permit costs USD 800 per person. Read our full guide to gorilla trekking in Uganda.

Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest

Kibale Forest National Park, near Fort Portal, has the highest density of primates in East Africa and some of the best chimpanzee sightings on the continent. A Kibale chimp permit is USD 250 in 2026 and USD 300 from 1 January 2027. See our guides to chimpanzees in Uganda and the Kibale chimp trek.

Murchison Falls and Big Five Game Drives

Murchison Falls National Park is where the Nile forces its way through the rocks with tremendous power. A boat cruise to the bottom of the falls passes hippos, crocodiles and elephants, and game drives on the northern bank bring lions, giraffes and buffaloes. Queen Elizabeth National Park adds the Kazinga Channel and the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha.

Adventure on the Nile at Jinja

Jinja is East Africa’s adventure capital. You can go white-water rafting on the Nile, kayak, ride a quad bike, bungee jump or take a quiet sunset cruise to the source of the river. See all the things to do in Jinja.

Adding Rwanda: Gorillas, Golden Monkeys and Kigali

Rwanda fits easily into a Uganda and Egypt tour. Kigali is a short flight from Entebbe, or a drive from south-western Uganda, and Volcanoes National Park is about 2.5 hours from the city. Treks there are often shorter than in Bwindi, with views of the Virunga volcanoes. A Rwanda gorilla permit costs USD 1,500, so many guests trek in Uganda and add golden monkeys and culture in Rwanda.

Other Rwanda highlights include golden monkey tracking, the Kigali Genocide Memorial, the Iby’Iwacu cultural village and a Kigali city tour. Read more about Volcanoes National Park.

Egypt Highlights on a Uganda and Egypt Tour

Egypt brings the history half of the journey, and it is just as unforgettable as the gorillas. These are the highlights of the Egypt part of a Uganda and Egypt tour.

The Pyramids of Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum

The Great Pyramid of Giza is the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still standing. Next to the pyramids and the Sphinx, the new Grand Egyptian Museum opened fully in November 2025. It is the world’s largest museum of a single civilisation and displays the complete treasures of Tutankhamun. Plan at least a full day for Giza.

A Nile Cruise From Luxor to Aswan

A three- or four-night Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan is the heart of most of our Uganda and Egypt tour plans, and the classic way to see Upper Egypt. You sleep on board, eat as you sail and stop at the temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo. In Aswan, take a felucca sailboat at sunset, visit the island temple of Philae, and, if you can, make the early trip to the giant temples of Abu Simbel.

Luxor, Karnak and the Valley of the Kings

Luxor, ancient Thebes, holds more monuments than almost anywhere on Earth. Walk through the forest of giant columns at Karnak, see Luxor Temple lit up at night, and cross to the west bank for the painted tombs of the Valley of the Kings and the temple of Queen Hatshepsut. A sunrise hot-air balloon flight over the west bank is a memorable extra.

Cairo: Old Cairo, Souks and Food

Cairo is loud, busy and full of life. Explore the Khan el-Khalili bazaar, the mosques and citadel of Islamic Cairo, the churches of Coptic Cairo, and try koshari, falafel and fresh mango juice. One or two days in the city are enough for most travellers before or after the Nile.

Sample 13-Day Uganda and Egypt Tour Itinerary

This Uganda and Egypt tour starts in Uganda and ends in Egypt, but it works just as well the other way around.

Day	Where	Highlights
Day 1	Entebbe	Arrive in Uganda and relax by Lake Victoria
Day 2	Bwindi	Morning flight to Bwindi, afternoon village walk
Day 3	Bwindi	Mountain gorilla trekking
Day 4	Jinja	Fly back to Entebbe and drive to Jinja on the Nile
Day 5	Jinja	Source of the Nile, rafting or a sunset cruise
Day 6	Entebbe to Cairo	Return to Entebbe and fly to Cairo, about 5 hours
Day 7	Cairo	Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum
Day 8	Luxor	Fly to Luxor, visit Karnak and Luxor Temple, board your cruise
Day 9	Nile cruise	Valley of the Kings, then sail to Edfu
Day 10	Nile cruise	Temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo, arrive in Aswan
Day 11	Aswan	Philae Temple and a felucca ride, optional Abu Simbel
Day 12	Cairo	Fly to Cairo, explore Old Cairo and Khan el-Khalili
Day 13	Cairo	Departure

Want more wildlife? Add two days in Kibale for chimpanzees, three days in Murchison Falls, or two days in Rwanda for golden monkeys and Kigali. You can also add a Kenya safari in the Masai Mara.

Best Time for a Uganda and Egypt Tour

The two countries have different seasons, so timing matters. Egypt is best from October to April, when days are warm rather than very hot; June to August can pass 40 °C in Luxor and Aswan. Uganda’s driest months, and the easiest for trekking, are June to September and December to February (see the best time to visit Uganda).

That makes December to February the sweet spot for a Uganda and Egypt tour, with good weather in both countries. It is also peak season, so book gorilla permits and Nile cruise cabins early. October, November and March are good, quieter alternatives.

Flights, Visas and Practical Tips

• Flights: EgyptAir flies direct between Entebbe and Cairo a few times a week, in about 5 hours. Other routes connect through Nairobi, Addis Ababa or the Gulf.
• Uganda visa: the single-entry e-visa costs USD 50, and the USD 100 East Africa Tourist Visa covers Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya (see Uganda visa requirements).
• Egypt visa: many nationalities can buy a single-entry tourist e-visa for USD 30 or get a visa on arrival. Rules depend on your passport, and Ugandan passport holders should apply before travel; we can help with the application.
• Health: carry your yellow fever certificate, as Egypt asks for it from travellers arriving from Uganda.
• Permits: book gorilla permits 3 to 6 months ahead, especially for December to February.
• Dress: pack light, modest clothing for Egypt’s mosques and churches, and long sleeves and hiking boots for the gorilla trek.

We also handle air ticketing and visa assistance, so your flights, visas and safari are planned together.

How Much Does a Uganda and Egypt Tour Cost?

The cost depends on how many days you spend in each country, your lodge and cruise standard, and the season. The main fixed costs are the gorilla permit (USD 800 in Uganda or USD 1,500 in Rwanda), park fees, the flight between Entebbe and Cairo, and the Nile cruise, which usually includes meals and guided temple visits.

Because every Uganda and Egypt tour is private and built around your dates, we price each one individually. Send us your travel month, group size and preferred comfort level, and we will send a clear quote with all permits, fees and transfers included, so there are no surprises later.

Uganda and Egypt Tour Packages

Mix and match these packages to build your Uganda and Egypt tour. Each can be tailored to your dates, budget and travel style.

Want to see more? Browse our holidays from Uganda and Uganda gorilla safaris, or let us join them into one private trip for you.

Continue Planning Your Trip

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