The 15 days Uganda Rwanda safari is a complete adventure across 2 East African premier destinations –Uganda and Rwanda. Experience the best of gorilla trekking in both Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Uganda) and Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda), chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe and Kibale National Park, wildlife encounters in the savanna parks of Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Park. This long African expedition begins from Kigali and will end in Kampala/Entebbe, Uganda.
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Pick up & drive to Nyungwe National Park
Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking Nyungwe & canopy walk experience
Day 3: Nyungwe-Volcanoes National Park Ruhengeri by road
Day 4: Gorilla trekking with a guide in Rwanda
Day 5: Volcanoes N/Park to Bwindi via Katuna/Chanika
Day 6: Bwindi gorilla trekking adventure & Batwa experience
Day 7: Bwindi Forest Park to Queen Elizabeth National Park via Ishasha
Day 8: Game drive and boat/launch cruise
Day 9: Queen Elizabeth Park –Kibale
Day 10: Chimpanzee tracking (morning) & explore Bigodi wetland
Day 11: Kibale –Murchison Falls National Park via Hoima oil city
Day 12: Game drive & boat/launch cruise on Victoria Nile
Day 13: Murchison Falls NP –Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, proceed to Kampala/Entebbe
Day 14: Mamba Wetland birding/whitewater rafting at Jinja
Day 15: Departure at Entebbe Airport (EBB)
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Pick up & drive to Nyungwe National Park
Pick up at the hotel in Kigali capital and set off to Nyungwe Forest National Park (NFNP) located in Rusizi, Southern Province of Rwanda. This park is accessible from the heart of Kigali within 6-7 hours’ drive and en-route; expect to take a break at Huge/Butare. Key areas of interest will be Ethnographic Museum and Nyanza King’s Palace. After, have lunch break before you connect up to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and a night stay.
Accommodation
- Luxury: One&Only Nyungwe House
- Midrange: Nyungwe Top View Hotel
- Budget: Gisakura Guesthouse
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking Nyungwe & canopy walk experience
Wake up early morning and begin the day with a tasty breakfast at your respective lodges. Proceed to Uwinka reception to get briefed on a guided chimpanzee tracking regulations in Nyungwe, home to over 500 chimpanzees.
Early enough begin your adventure into the jungles of Nyungwe in search of chimpanzees. Trekking with these amazing creatures takes between 2 and 5 hours depending on your speed of walking. Upon locating them, expect to stay face-to-face with chimpanzees for an hour which involves exploring how they behave and taking pictures.
Note, the entire 2-5 hours’ chimpanzee trek also comes with higher chances of spotting other primates and birds. You will then get back to have lunch at the comfort of your lodge then proceed with a memorable canopy walking experience in the afternoon. Set about 60m from the forest floor, the treetop walkway at Nyungwe is 200m long and a walk through it allows you spot some of the primates and birds.
Accommodation
- Luxury: One&Only Nyungwe House
- Midrange: Nyungwe Top View Hotel
- Budget: Gisakura Guesthouse
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Nyungwe-Volcanoes National Park Ruhengeri by road
Begin your next primate journey from Nyungwe to Volcanoes National Park Ruhengeri, taking one of the scenic routes. En-route, enjoy the breathtaking Lake Kivu and its surrounding. Get to Volcanoes NP where you will check in at the lodge for a leisurely lunch and relaxation.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge/Bisate Lodge
- Midrange: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge/Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Five Volcanoes
- Budget: Muhabura Hotel/Kinigi Guesthouse
Day 4: Gorilla trekking with a guide in Rwanda
Embark on awe-inspiring gorilla trekking adventure which starts with briefing at Kinigi after you have had a delicious breakfast. Get to know the dos and don’ts for gorilla trekking during brief by the park official.
At 8:00am after gorilla families have been allocated to you, begin your adventure through Volcanoes NP. With an experienced park guide on lead, enjoy your 2-6 hour trek through the rich bamboo forest as you search for a family of endangered mountain gorillas.
Following the thrilling gorilla trekking, an unforgettable cultural experience at Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village. Explore the unique cultures and traditions, accompanied by inspirational cultural dances displayed by locals.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge/Bisate Lodge
- Midrange: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge/Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Five Volcanoes
- Budget: Muhabura Hotel/Kinigi Guesthouse
Day 5: Volcanoes N/Park to Bwindi via Katuna/Chanika
You will be picked up ready to exit Volcanoes National Park for Bwindi. Cross to Uganda via Katuna border to Kabale town or Chanika to Kisoro, then proceed to the lodge inside or around Bwindi NP.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Buhoma Lodge/Gorilla Safari Lodge
- Midrange: Engagi Lodge/Gorilla Hills Eco-Lodge Bwindi
- Budget: Buhoma Community Rest Camp/Rushaga Gorilla Lodge
Day 6: Bwindi gorilla trekking adventure & Batwa experience
Briefing for your Bwindi gorilla trekking adventure begins at 7:00am at the park offices and also includes allocation of park guides plus gorilla families. Leave the park offices at 8:00am for actual trek with gorillas, an adventure that will run for 2-6 hours but includes an hour of up close and personal with these unique apes in the wild.
Return to the park offices where gorilla trekking certificates will be awarded to you, then you continue to your lodge. In the afternoon, you will be part of the unique cultural experience at the Batwa pygmies’ community.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Buhoma Lodge/Gorilla Safari Lodge
- Midrange: Engagi Lodge/Gorilla Hills Eco-Lodge Bwindi
- Budget: Buhoma Community Rest Camp/Rushaga Gorilla Lodge
Day 7: Bwindi Forest Park to Queen Elizabeth National Park via Ishasha
Depart Bwindi for a mesmerizing wildlife tour to Queen Elizabeth National Park, connecting via Ishasha area. At Ishasha, take a break such that you capture the best insights of the tree climbing lions. After, proceed to the Northern section of the park to check in at the lodge pre-booked by your tour operator.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge
- Midrange: Elephant Plains Lodge
- Budget: Simba Safari Camp
Day 8: Game drive and boat/launch cruise
Set off on unforgettable wildlife viewing expedition through Kasenyi plains. Using a classic 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop up, enjoy clear view of diverse wildlife including African elephants, warthogs, hyenas, cape buffaloes, leopards, lions, antelopes and bird species.
In the afternoon, you will have the best of a guided launch/boat cruise. This includes exploring the wonders of Kazinga channel for 2-3 hours, expecting to come across aquatic species such as the Nile crocodiles, hippos and aquatic birds.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge
- Midrange: Elephant Plains Lodge
- Budget: Simba Safari Camp
Day 9: Queen Elizabeth Park –Kibale
Exit Queen Elizabeth NP on a scenic drive to Kibale National Park while viewing the legendary Rwenzori Mountains and crater lakes. Arrive early and check in at your safari lodge inside or around Kibale.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Ndali/Papaya Lake Lodge
- Midrange: Chimpanzee Guesthouse/Primate Lodge
- Budget: Isunga Lodge
Day 10: Chimpanzee tracking (morning) & explore Bigodi wetland
Leave your respective lodge for briefing at Kanyanchu Visitor Centre for briefing about chimpanzee tracking safety guidelines. The park official will allocate you the park guide and at 8:00a.m, you will be led through the rich Kibale primate forest park. A trek with Kibale chimpanzees takes between 2 and 4 hours which includes an hour of up close and personal with these primates and taking pictures.
After a successful chimp trek, get back to the lodge for a leisurely lunch and relaxation. You will take part in the Bigodi wetland walk experience in the afternoon which allows you come across several other primates and birds.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Ndali/Papaya Lake Lodge
- Midrange: Chimpanzee Guesthouse/Primate Lodge
- Budget: Isunga Lodge
Day 11: Kibale –Murchison Falls National Park via Hoima oil city
Drive off from Kibale National Park to Murchison Falls National Park, the perfect place to observe one of the world’s powerful waterfalls –Murchison Falls. Navigate via the beautiful Hoima city and breathtaking Albertine escarpments.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Nile Safari Lodge/Paraa Safari Lodge
- Midrange: Heritage Safari Lodge/Murchison River Lodge
- Budget: Red Chili Rest Camp
Day 12: Game drive & boat/launch cruise on Victoria Nile
Enjoy a tasty cup of tea/coffee and after, embark on yet another remarkable wildlife viewing. Get a chance to discover Murchison Falls NP diverse wildlife on a morning game drive using a 4×4 tourist car with a pop up roof. This is likely to run for 2-3 hours and expect to see elephants, giraffes, warthogs, buffaloes, antelopes, lions, leopards and birds.
In the afternoon, get on a boat to explore Victoria Nile connecting to the base of Murchison Falls. With an expert, enjoy sight of the Nile crocodiles, birds and hippos.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Nile Safari Lodge/Paraa Safari Lodge
- Midrange: Heritage Safari Lodge/Murchison River Lodge
- Budget: Red Chili Rest Camp
Day 13: Murchison Falls NP –Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, proceed to Kampala/Entebbe
Leave Murchison Falls National Park for Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, exiting the park via the Southern gate (Kichumbanyobo). A break at Ziwa includes trekking rhinos in the wild and later, you will settle for a leisurely lunch before connecting to Kampala/Entebbe.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Serena Hotel Kampala
- Midrange: Protea Hotel
- Budget: Yellow Haven Lodge
Day 14: Mabamba Wetland birding/whitewater rafting at Jinja
Located along the Northern Lake Victoria shores, Mabamba Wetland/Swamp is a rich natural wetland with aquatic and endemic species of birds. You will leave your hotel early for a long day birding excursion on this wetland, expecting to catch up with the shoebill storks, black crakes, goliath herons, papyrus gonoleks, lesser jacanas, black egret, orange weaver birds, black-faced rufous warblers, and more. Alternatively, you may embark on a road trip to Jinja to have whitewater rafting at the Source of the Nile River.
Accommodation
- The Boma Hotel Entebbe
Day 15: Departure at Entebbe Airport (EBB)
Have a delicious breakfast and after, proceed to Entebbe International Airport (EBB) to clear with authorities and later, take a flight back home.
End of safari
Safari Inclusions
- Gorilla permits
- Chimp permits
- Game viewing
- Boat cruise
- Transfers to and from destinations by road
- All government taxes where applicable
- Bottled water
- Cultural experience
Safari Exclusions
- Tipping
- Laundry
- Travel Insurance
- Optional activities
- Shopping
- Telephone calls
- Souvenirs