10 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari
10 days MF, QE, Bwindi, Rwanda and L. Bunyonyi Safari
Day 1: transfer to Murchison Falls.
Head off to Murchison Falls National Park starting in Kampala via Bombo road that should take you about 5 hours. On your way, you will see the legendary Luweero triangle, today is a small town with a trading center recognized for its agonizing past during Obote’s regime. Continue and branch off at Masindi Hotel for lunch. You will pass through Budongo forest and Kaniyo Pabidi. When you reach the park, drive directly to the Top of the falls, such a pretty site for appreciating the mighty River Nile and the most powerful rush of water anywhere in the world behind. Camp or lodge at Sambiya Lodge/ Red Chili/ Paraa Safari Lodge.
Day 2: the Northern delta circuit.
Set off for an early game view drive on the Northern Delta Nile. Lions, buffaloes, waterbuck, Jackson’s hartebeest, Rothschild’s giraffe, oribi and baboons are some of the animals you will spot. Soon you can take a launch cruise on the Murchison falls in about 2 hrs. Spot schools of some of the largest hippos and crocodiles, small herds of buffalo. There is rich birdlife on the papyrus banks, watch out for the shoebill stork, the most sought after bird in Africa. Go to the Top of the falls; such a lovely scene for viewing the fall, park as well taking lunch or relaxing. Camp or lodge at Sambiya Lodge/ Red Chili/ Paraa Safari Lodge.
Day 3: transfer to Kibale national park.
After an early breakfast, you will depart for Kibale National Park. You will drive via the Albertine Escarpment of the western Rift valley on the Masindi-Hoima-Fort portal road. This will be a long drive south via Hoima to Fort Portal, passing though the countryside, views of Lake Albert and traditional homesteads and farms. (9 hrs) Fort Portal rests in the shadow of the legendary “Mountains of the Moon.” Kibale national park is said to have the highest concentration of primates in East Africa including chimps, black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys and baboons. Sleep at Ndali Safari Lodge/ Primates Safari Lodge.
Day 4: chimp trekking in Kibale.
After morning breakfast, wake up early to track chimps near Kanyanchu. This can take you half a day. There are primates in the area like the golden monkey, L’Hoest monkey, baboons, white and black Colobus monkeys, grey checked mangabey, red Colobus, blue monkeys and pottos. Other animals involve forest elephants unique from the common type, giant forest hogs and a striking tree species. Later take a guided nature walk to Bigodi swamp sanctuary, a good site for birders. The Great Blue Turaco and Papyrus Gonolek can easily be marked among the other bird 137 species. There is also an array of butterfly species. Return to Ndali Lodge/Primates Lodge afterwards.
Day 5: transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park.
After an early breakfast, proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The Northern crater Area. With beautiful lakes and rich grasslands that are set deep in the crater valley, this is truly the most breathtaking scenery in the park. The park spreads over an area of 1978 sq kilometers in the western arm of the Great East African Rift Valley 418 km from the capital Kampala and takes approximately 6 hours. The park is a home to a variety of wildlife including elephants, lions, hippos, buffaloes, Uganda Kobs, baboons and birds all typical riverine savannah habitats and the famous Kazinga Channel. In the Southern Parts is the Ishasha sector with the tree climbing lions and the Maramagambo forest, it is one of the largest surviving natural forests in Uganda.
Day 6: Launch cruise on Kazinga channel.
After a cup of coffee, begin the day with a game drive in the Kasenyi plains that will lead you to see black and white Colobus, bush buck, Uganda Kob, topi, Defassa waterbuck, and Cape buffaloes. A range of birds like Cassin’s grey flycatcher, broad billed roller, black bee-eater along the banks of Lake Edward. This can take you 2-3 hrs. In the evening, go for a launch cruise on Kazinga channel along lake George-lake Edward, come eye-eye with yawning hippos, crocodiles, leopards though sporadic. Watch birds for birders with over 550 resident species like flamingos, red chest, papyrus Gonolek, pink backed pelicans, malachite kingfishers, yellow crown, pink backed pelicans, water thick-knee, yellow-billed stork, shoebill stock. Do not forget your camera. Return to Mweya lodge/Simba Safari.
Day 7: Mountain gorilla tracking.
Take an early morning breakfast, head to the park office headquarters with packed lunch for a vital briefing prior to trekking the gorillas in the thick impenetrable forests. You get to spend an hour with the gorillas after having trekked for about 5-8 hours. If you still feel strong just head for a brief nature walk to the local Batwa community. Check out the curio shops, children’s school among others. If you are nature lover, you can try the other option being Munyanja river trail, where you can check out an array of bird life and butterflies. Return to Gorilla Forest Camp/ Gorilla Resort/ Buhoma community Bandas/ Buhoma Homestead.
Day 8: Transfer to Rwanda.
After enjoying that wonderful experience of the gorillas in Bwindi, we will proceed for the one more prime destination for gorillas in Rwanda based in Parc National des Volcans PNV) Volcanoes is part of the Virunga mountains which has different peaks like Bisoke, Karisimbi, Muhabura, Sabyinyo. Marvel at this beautiful mountainous country also called “a thousand hills.” Stay overnight in Kinigi Guesthouse/ Gorilla’s Nest Hotel.
Day 9: Gorilla tracking (PNV National Park).
Early morning wake up and take breakfast then proceed to the park head quarters for briefing. Go for gorilla trekking in the Volcanoes forest where you will be amazed by the huge size of the silverback, the behavior and communicating skills of these unique creatures among other things. Use this moment to learn and discover all there is about the gorillas. Stay overnight at Kinigi Guesthouse/ Gorilla Nest House.
Day 10: Lake Bunyonyi.
Say farewell to Rwanda and this morning return to Uganda the Pearl of Africa. It takes about 5 hours and branch off to Lake Bunyonyi (place of birds). This serpentine shaped lake is fine for swimming and is bilharzias-free. The lake is not deep, as most people believe it to be it is only 40m deep except for its sinkholes on the Rwandan side. It also overlooks the beautiful Kigezi highlands. The lake has many islands such as Bushara and Bwama islands. You can do a canoe trip, the islands are good for birding and richly endowered with small birds as the name Bunyonyi suggests. It is the best place for relaxation and taking photos of western Uganda. In the afternoon, return to Kampala bringing us to the end of this trip.
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