The 10 days Uganda-Rwanda safari includes a double gorilla trekking experience in the two countries as well as exploring other wildlife safaris. In addition to gorilla trekking, visitors will also enjoy game viewing, chimpanzee tracking, boat cruise and cultural experiences. Parks to be visited on this tour include Murchison Falls, Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi impenetrable national parks in Uganda and Volcanoes national park in Rwanda.
10 days Uganda-Rwanda safari – Trip Highlights
Day 1: A trip to Murchison Falls.
Day 2: Game drive and Launch cruise
Day 3: Transfer to Kibale national park
Day 4: Chimp trekking and transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park
Day 5: Game drive and Boat cruise
Day 6: Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Day 7: Gorilla trekking and an optional community walk
Day 8: Visit Volcanoes National Park-Rwanda
Day 9: Gorilla tracking and Cultural walk
Day 10: Kigali city tour and Departure
Detailed Itinerary for the 10 days Uganda-Rwanda safari
Day 1: Transfer to Murchison Falls.
Early morning after breakfast, you will be picked from your hotel by our tour guide for a transfer to Murchison Falls National Park. You may branch off at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary in Nakasongola (which is (171 km from Kampala) to track the Rhinos.
Murchison Falls National Park is simply (77.5 km) away from Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. However, of recent, drive speed is strictly controlled. This could take 2 hours to get to the Top of the Falls. Murchison Falls is a must-visitor for its remarkable sight as the Nile crushes through a narrow gorge of 7m wide before plunging 43m deep into the Devil’s Cauldron. Dinner and overnight at Paraa safari lodge (Luxury)/ Pakuba safari lodge (Deluxe)/ Red Chili (Budget).
Boat cruise along Kazinga Channel
Day 2: Game drive and Launch cruise
After a heavy breakfast, embark on an early morning game drive. Expect to see Lions, buffaloes, waterbuck, Jackson’s hartebeest, Rothschild’s giraffe, oribi among others. Return for lunch which will be followed by a breathtaking launch cruise for a wide view of Hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, several water birds such as the shoebill stork, the most sought after bird in Africa among others. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay at Paraa Safari Lodge (Luxury)/ Pakuba Safari Lodge (Deluxe)/ Red Chili (Budget).
Day 3: A drive to Kibale national park
Enjoy your breakfast and transfer to Kibale National Park which is (280 km) via Hoima city and Kyenjojo Town. The drive goes through the Albertan Escarpment of the western arm of the East African Rift valley with spectacular views of Lake Albert, traditional homesteads and scenic views of the mountains of the moon. Overnight stay at Tabebuia Spa and Safari Resort – Kibale National Park / Kibale Forest Camp, etc.
Chimps in Kibale Forest
Day 4: Chimp trekking and transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park
Very early in the morning transfer to the park headquarters for a short briefing from the head ranger guide. Usually chimp trekking adventure begins at 8:00 am in the morning. In the afternoon it begins at 2:00 pm. The chimpanzee tracking takes between 2 to 5 hours. Each Chimpanzee group must be visited by 6 to 8 persons.
For those interested in Chimpanzee Habituation Experience, full-day tracking starts as early as 6:00 am. It is advisable to book for the tracking permits in advance as they are always bought off much earlier
Watch out for other primate species such as the Colobus monkeys, grey checked mangabey, red Colobus, blue monkeys, Olive baboons among others that gives the forest the crown of the Primate capital of the World. Return for lunch and later Transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park with a wide view of some animals en route such as the Elephants, buffaloes, Uganda Kobs among others. Arrive in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay at Mweya safari lodge (Luxury)/ Enganzi lodge (Deluxe)/ (Budget)
Day 5: Game drive and Boat cruise
After a cup of coffee, begin the day with a game drive in the Kasenyi plains. The game drive in this part of the park rewards visitors with great sightings of lions, bush bucks, Uganda Kobs, topis, Defassa waterbucks, and Cape buffaloes, elephants and many more. Later return to the lodge for a late breakfast. In the afternoon a boat cruise along Kazinga Channel between lakes George and Edward offers an opportunity to spot yawning hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, various bird species such as red chest, papyrus Gonolek, pink backed pelicans, malachite kingfishers, yellow crown, water thick-knee, yellow-billed stork, shoe bill stock among others. Return at the lodge for dinner and overnight stay at Mweya safari lodge (Luxury)/ Enganzi lodge (Deluxe).
Day 6: Ishasha to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After a heavy breakfast, you will depart for Bwindi impenetrable national park- a home to half of the endangered Mountain gorillas in the world. It is a scenic drive with an en route game drive in Ishasha sector that offers an opportunity of viewing the tree climbing lions at a closer range and later continue to Bwindi with lunch en route. Arriving in the evening for dinner and overnight stay at Gorilla safari lodge (Luxury)/ Gorilla mist camp (Deluxe)/ Bakiga lodge (Budget)
Gorilla tracking in Bwindi Forest
Day 7: Gorilla trekking and Nature walk
Following the morning breakfast, you will head to the park headquarters with packed lunch for a vital briefing prior to trekking the gorillas in the thick impenetrable forest.
You get to spend an hour with the gorillas after having trekked for about 2-8 hours. If you have time and still feel strong just head for an optional brief community walk to the local Batwa community. Check out the curio shops, children’s school and also get a chance to explore more about their unique culture and many more. Dinner and overnight stay at Gorilla safari lodge (Luxury)/ Gorilla mist camp (Deluxe)/ Bakiga lodge (Budget)
Day 8: Bwindi to Volcanoes National Park-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 Volcanoes PNV). Volcanoes is part of the Virunga mountains which has different peaks like Bisoke, Karisimbi, Muhabura, Sabinyo. Marvel at this beautiful mountainous country also called “a land of a thousand hills.” Arrive in the evening for dinner and overnight stay at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Luxury)/ Le Palme (Deluxe)/Muhabura Hotel (Budget)
Gorillas in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda
Day 9: 2nd Gorilla tracking
In the morning transfer to the park head quarters with your packed lunch for a second gorilla experience. Go for gorilla trekking in the Volcanoes forest immediately after being briefed as you search for the gentle apes. Use the 1 hour given to you to Observe and learn 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.
On return, depending on time and your energy, you may take an optional cultural walk to the Banyarwanda people where you will enjoy their different performances and also get a chance to explore more about their unique culture. Dinner and overnight stay at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Luxury)/ Le Palme (Deluxe)/Muhabura Hotel (Budget)
Day 10: Kigali city tour and Departure
This day is reserved for a scenic transfer to Kigali for a city tour. On this day, visit the Genocide memorial grounds, art and craft shops, museum, local markets among others. Later proceed to the airport for your scheduled flight.
Note: For gorilla, golden monkeys and chimpanzee tracking one must ensure he or she has
- Insect repellent
- Long-sleeved shirts and trousers to avoid scratches on your body.
- Waterproof hiking boots
- Camera and binoculars
- Bottled drinking water
- A walking stick to ease trekking
- A small backpack to carry a few essentials like cameras and extra batteries while trekking.
Included in this tour package;
- Gorilla Permit.
- Cultural entertainment
- Park Ranger Fees
- Relevant Government Taxes.
- Full Board Accommodation (2 nights) and en-route meals as indicated in the itinerary.
- Full time English speaking Driver/Guide
- Ground Transportation by a 4×4 safari vehicle
- Airport transfer, as long as your flight is on the same day on which the safari ends.
Exclusions:
- Airfares
- Visa Fees
- Personal Insurance
- Expenses of personal nature such as; drinks, tips, laundry, telephone, cigarettes, accommodation & meals not indicated in the itinerary and optional activities.
Related Safaris
[/tab]
[/tabs]
