The `13 Days safari to Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo for gorilla trekking, game viewing, chimpanzee trekking, canopy walk, Eastern lowland gorillas, golden monkey trekking and boat cruise among others with Engagi Safaris. This safari starts and ends in Kigali Rwanda.
Trip Summary
Day 1: Pick up Kigali – Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
Day 2: Game viewing &boat cruise
Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Afternoon boat cruise
Day 4: Chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu Forest & transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
Day 5: Gorilla Trekking
Day 6: Relax at Lake Bunyonyi
Day 7: Transfer to Mgahinga for Batwa Cultural trail – Transfer to Volcanoes
Day 8: Golden Monkey trekking/Dian Fossey Hike
Day 9: Transfer to Cyangugu Town
Day 10: Optional chimpanzee trekking/canopy walk/Colubus Monkeys
Day 11: Lowland Gorilla trekking
Day 12: Transfer to Kigali, Visit genocide memorial sites
Day 13: Departure
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Pick up Kigali – Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park
Your driver-guide/our company representative will pick you from Kigali International airport and transfer to Lake Mburo National Park in Uganda. Cross through Cyanika border in Kabale; enjoy the scenic drive through Kigezi hills to Lake Mburo in the Ankole region. Dinner and overnight stay at Mburo Safari Lodge/ Arcadia Cottages
Day 2: Game viewing &boat cruise
In the early morning, go for game drives in the open savannahs of the park to catch up with animals grazing, browsing, and hunting. Expect to see animals such as zebras, giraffes, waterbucks, bush pigs, hippos, buffalos, Hyenas, Topis, Road Antelopes and Impalas among others. Also, the trees of Lake Mburo is home to numerous bird species including the famous shoebill stork, red papyrus gonaek Yellow papyrus gonalek, African fishing eagle, Greater painted snipe, African wattled lapwing, saddle billed stork. Return to the lodge for late breakfast, have lunch and in the afternoon go for a boat cruise on Lake Mburo. Enjoy the cool breezes, great views of neighboring communities and wildlife in the park. Dinner and overnight stay at Mburo Safari Lodge/ Arcadia Cottages.
Day 3: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park – After boat cruise
Wake up early, have breakfast, check out and drive out headed to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Reach in the afternoon and join a boat cruise at Kazinga channel for a fresh cool cruise on this 40 kilometers channel that connects Lakes Edward and George. Dinner and overnight stay at Mweya Safri Lodge/ Simba Safari Lodge
Day 4: Chimpanzee trekking in Kalinzu Forest & transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
In the early morning, transfer to Kalinzu Forest for chimpanzee trekking. Enjoy the company of the man’s close relatives, observe how each chimpanzee plays a role in their community, take pictures and enjoy this memorable experience. In the afternoon, transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
Day 5: Gorilla Trekking
Today you wake up early, have a cup of coffee and with packed lunch drive to Bwindi Forest Park headquarters for registration and briefing about the dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking. The trek to see gorillas begin at 8:00 am lasting for between 30 minutes to a full day depending on where gorillas will be located that day. You may encounter other wild animals such as the Colubus monkeys plus many birds during your search for gorillas.
Day 6: Relax at Lake Bunyonyi
Spend the whole t of today chilling at the Lodge. Alternatively, join a boat ride to explore the different islands of Lake Bunyonyi especially the punishment island where unmarried Bakiga pregnant girls would be taken and left to die in isolation. For swimmers, take a chance to dive into the waters of Africa’s second deepest Lake. Dinner and overnight stay at Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort
Day 7: Transfer to Mgahinga for Batwa Cultural trail – Transfer to Volcanoes
Early today, check out and transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National park for a cultural trail. Join the Batwa pygmies into Mgahinga forest to learn about their traditional forest life. There you will take part in different activities such as hunting, fruit gathering, picking medicinal herbs and visiting Ngarama caves where Batwa pygmies would offer sacrifices to their gods.
Day 8: Golden Monkey trekking/Dian Fossey Hike
After a cup of coffee, drive to Kinigi Park headquarters for registration and briefing about golden monkey trekking. You will then hike into the bamboo forests to meet the playful olden monkeys. Alternatively, hike to the graveyard of Dian Fossey, an American primatologist who lost her life to save mountain gorillas, which were on the verge of extinction.
Day 9: Transfer to Cyangugu Town
Having had a cup of coffee, check out and embark on a drive through the rolling hills of Rwanda to Cyangugu town, the capital of Rusizi district in the western province of Rwanda. Dinner and overnight stay in Cyangugu
Day 10: Optional chimpanzee trekking/canopy walk/Colubus Monkeys
Today you have optional chimpanzee trekking/ canopy walk or colobus monkey trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park. Dinner and overnight in Cyangugu.
Day 11: Lowland Gorilla trekking
Wake up early, have breakfast, get your packed lunch and at 6:30 am transfer to Kahuzi Biega National park in eastern Cong for eastern lowland gorilla trekking. Start with a briefing and registration at the park headquarters, get together in your groups of eight and start off the trek to meet the world’s largest gorilla species. You will spend an hour with lowland gorillas, take pictures, learn their behaviors and enjoy this lifetime experience. Dinner and overnight in Bukavu
Day 12: Transfer to Kigali, Visit genocide memorial sites
After breakfast, check out and drive back to Kigali. Visit different genocide memorial sites like the Kigali genocide memorial site and Nyamata church to learn about the 1994 genocide. Also, visit other tourism sites within Kigali such as the Kigali Convention center, Local markets, and presidential palace among others. Dinner and overnight in Kigali
Day 13: Departure
Transfer to Kigali international airport for your return flight
End of the Tour
Safari Inclusions
Gorilla & Chimps Permits
Golden monkey permit
All Activities mentioned in the itinerary
Park entrance fees
Launch Cruise
Canopy walk
Park Ranger Fees
Relevant Government Taxes
Full Board Accommodation
Full-time English speaking Driver/Guide
Ground Transportation by a 4×4 safari vehicle
Exclusions:
AirfaresVisa Fees for RwandaPersonal Insurance
Tips
Extra activities not in the itinerary
Porter fee
Expenses of personal nature such as; drinks, tips, laundry, telephone, cigarettes, accommodation & meals not indicated in the itinerary and optional activities.
