This 13 days Uganda Rwanda safari is undoubtedly one of the best combined safari packages one can book in East Africa. It offers you a great opportunity to explore the hidden treasures in some of Uganda’s beautiful parks especially Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale Forest National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park as well as other significant sites like the Ziwa rhino sanctuary, Lake Bunyonyi, Crater Lake area, Amabere caves a mention but a few. Besides, it takes you through Volcanoes National Park where you will have distinct experiences. This safari will start from Kampala and end in Kigali.
Day 1: Drive to Murchison Falls National Park
Day 2: Game viewing/game drive in the morning and afternoon launch cruise
Day 3: Transfer from Murchison Falls National Park to Fort Portal
Day 4: Explore the Crater Lakes and Amabere caves walk
Day 5: Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park and nature walk in Bigodi wetland sanctuary
Day 6: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 7: Game drive and boat cruise
Day 8: Transfer from Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi National Park
Day 9: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park
Day 10: Visit Lake Bunyonyi and set off for Rwanda
Day 11: Second gorilla trekking
Day 12: Dian Fossey tomb hike/golden monkey tracking and drive to Kigali
Day 13: City excursion and departure
Day 1: Drive to Murchison Falls National Park
Early in the morning, you will have breakfast and after, our driver guide will pick you up from your respective hotel or area of residence ready to embark on a 4-5 hours’ drive northwestern Uganda to Murchison Falls National Park. Your road trip will start from Kampala via Luweero-Masindi route and around Nakitoma about 115 kilometers’ drive from Kampala, drive for about 7 kilometers to Ziwa rhino sanctuary. This is where you will make a stopover and track rhinos at this area-the only place in the whole of Uganda where rhinos are found and the only place for you to make a complete list of the big five game in Uganda. After, proceed to Masindi Town for lunch then in the afternoon, proceed to Murchison Falls National Park but before overnight stay, pay a visit to roaring Murchison Falls where you will be amazed by its powerful roar as it squeezes itself into a narrow gorge of about 8 meters prior falling 43 meters below. After, connect to your respective lodge for rest, dinner and overnight stay at Paraa Safari Lodge (Luxury), Murchison River Lodge (Standard) or Red chili rest camp (Basic).
Day 2: Game viewing/game drive in the morning and afternoon launch cruise
Get up early in the morning and enjoy your breakfast and later, set off to Paraa ferry crossing for those of you will spend a night in lodges around the southern part of Murchison Falls National Park but for those of you who will spend a night at Paraa Lodge you simply connect to the northern part of this beautiful park for the early morning game drive. On game drive on the northern side of Murchison Falls National Park have a chance to spot out the big game-elephants, buffaloes, leopards (if chance), giraffes, Jackson hartebeests, Uganda Kobs a mention but a few. After, a 2 to 4 hours’ game drive, return to the lodge for lunch and then in the afternoon, join others for the 2:00pm boat cruise along the Nile. While on the cruise, you have a chance to catch a glimpse at numerous hippos, crocodiles as they are lazing around the river bank, bird species a mention but a few. Dinner and overnight stay at Paraa Safari Lodge (Luxury), Murchison River Lodge (Standard) or Red chili rest camp (Basic).
Day 3: Transfer from Murchison Falls National Park to Fort Portal
Today, you check out from your respective safari lodge ready to embark on a road trip to Fort Portal while enjoying the stunning countryside around the Albertine rift valley. The landscape around this area is a true reflection of the true African villages. You drive for about 7-9 hours and make a stopover at Hoima Town, reach Fort Portal in the evening and be welcomed by breathtaking views of the Rwenzori Mountains at the background. On arrival, check in at Kyaninga Lodge (Luxury), Mountains of the Moon Hotel (Standard) or Rwenzori Guesthouse (Basic).
Day 4: Explore the Crater Lakes and Amabere caves walk
Enjoy your breakfast and after, set off to explore the spectacular Crater Lakes and Amabere cave walk. First, pay a visit to Amabere g’ Nnyinamwiru caves a renowned landmark that is of a great historical and cultural importance dating from the Chwezi era. This remarkable landmarks comprise of breast like features of stalagmites and stalactites plus a seasonal Nyakasura falls. After, proceed and take a hike via the most scenic Crater Lakes to Kyegangwa hill while also enjoying the amazing views of different areas and Crater Lakes and hollows as well as Mount Rwenzori. Around evening, set off and pay a visit to Karambi royal tombs plus the grand Karuziika palace. Later, drive to Kibale Forest National Park about 30 minutes’ drive from Fort Portal. Dinner and overnight stay at Primate Lodge/Ndali Lodge/Kyaninga Lodge (Luxury), Chimp Nest Lodge/Kibale forest camp (Moderate) or Chimpanzee Guesthouse (Basic).
Day 5: Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park and nature walk in Bigodi wetland sanctuary
Get up early in the morning and have a delicious cup of tea or coffee. After, join other visitors at Kanyanchu visitor center for morning briefing on chimpanzee tracking dos and don’ts. Before the actual trek, you will be put in groups of 6 visitors and assigned to 1 park ranger guide. The trek to see chimpanzees takes you through the rainforest of Kibale a home to 13 primate species most of which will be spotted along the way and they include among others olive baboons, colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys. This experience may last you about 2-4 hours and you have an hour of face to face encounter, explore their behaviors including how they feed, play, socialize, couplet a mention but a few. After, return to lodge for lunch then in the afternoon, head off to Bigodi wetland sanctuary for a rewarding nature walk. While here, have opportunity to see several monkey species, birds including the Great Blue Turaco, papyrus gonoleks, white winged warbler, hornbills, black bishop, black bee-eater and others. After, return to lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay at Primate Lodge/Ndali Lodge/Kyaninga Lodge (Luxury), Chimp Nest Lodge/Kibale forest camp (Moderate) or Chimpanzee Guesthouse (Basic).
Day 6: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Following breakfast, drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park about 3 to 4 hours’ drive via Fort Portal. En-route, enjoy the breathtaking views of the Rwenzori Mountain range. Upon arrival at Queen Elizabeth National Park, you will have lunch at the lodge and in the afternoon, pay a visit to the salt lake to learn more about salt extraction process and the way local communities have developed through salt mining. You will have dinner and overnight stay at Mweya Lodge (Luxury), Enganzi Lodge (Moderate) or Simba safari camp (Basic).
Day 7: Game drive and boat cruise
Get up early in the morning and have breakfast at your respective lodge. After, set off for early morning game drive via Kasenyi sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. From here, have opportunity to catch a glimpse at numerous wildlife species including elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, antelopes and many birds. This experience may last for about 2 to 4 hours and after, return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, embark on afternoon boat cruise through Kazinga channel to spot out hippos, crocodiles, birds and others. This channel is 32 kilometers wide and stretches from Lake George to Lake Edward. After, return to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay at Mweya Lodge (Luxury), Enganzi Lodge (Moderate) or Simba safari camp (Basic).
Day 8: Transfer from Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi National Park
Begin your day with a delicious cup of tea or coffee and after, check out from your respective safari lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park ready to set off to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park about 5 hours’ drive from Mweya. En-route, do not miss to sight at the tree climbing lions and then continue to Bwindi National Park. On arrival, check in at Buhoma Lodge/Gorilla Forest Camp/Chameleon hill lodge (Luxury), Engagi lodge (Moderate), Bwindi View Bandas (Basic).
Day 9: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park
Today, you will warm yourself with a cup of tea or coffee and after, gather at the Bwindi national park headquarters for briefing on dos and don’ts for gorilla trekking. Note that there are 4 main trailheads (Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga) where treks usually begin at this park and you will be in the respective sector as your gorilla permit directs you. The trek may last for about 8 hours’ depending on your hiking speed, nature of the habitat and location of these creatures in the course of the day. You need some packed lunch/snacks and bottled water as the hike is breathtaking. Once you find a group of gorillas that is assigned to you, you have an hour of face to face encounter with these creatures as well as for you to take as many pictures as you can. After, return to the lodge for some rest and check out ready to drive to Lake Bunyonyi for evening relaxation. This is about 3 hours’ drive and you will have dinner and overnight stay at Birdnest@ Lake Bunyonyi Resort (Luxury), Arcadia cottage (Standard) or Byoona Amagara (Basic).
Day 10: Visit Lake Bunyonyi and set off for Rwanda
After breakfast, enjoy the breathtaking views of the scenic Lake Bunyonyi where over 29 islands are distributed. A stay here is more of recreation and relaxation while you have the best scenic view of Kigezi highlands-the renowned Switzerland of Africa on a boat ride. Later, head off to Rwanda Volcanoes National Park where you will have overnight stay at Mount Gorilla View Lodge (Luxury), La Palme Hotel (Moderate) or Muhavura Hotel (Budget).
Day 11: Second gorilla trekking
This day offers you yet another chance to track mountain gorillas but in Volcanoes National Park. You will start your day with breakfast and then proceed to the park headquarters for briefing on gorilla trekking rules and regulations. One gorilla group will be assigned to you to track in a group of 8 visitors with park ranger guide. Equally, you need some energy giving snacks and bottled water to boost energy such that you complete your hike through the thick forest of Volcanoes National Park. An hour is given to you for magical encounters and after, return to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay at Mount Gorilla View Lodge (Luxury), La Palme Hotel (Moderate) or Muhavura Hotel (Budget).
Day 12: Dian Fossey tomb hike/golden monkey tracking and drive to Kigali
Following breakfast early in the morning at your respective lodge, join other visitors at the park headquarters for briefing on rules and regulations either for Dian Fossey hike or golden monkey tracking or Bisoke volcano hike. If you opt for golden monkey tracking, you will spend about 4 hours winding through Volcanoes National Park vegetation and an hour is given to you to strike your imaginations with these striking primates while in their natural habitat. Or Dian Fossey tomb site hike that takes you about 3 to 4 hours walk while Bisoke Volcano Hike on the other hand, takes you about 7 hours. After, return and check out from your respective lodge ready to set off to Kigali where you will have dinner and overnight stay at Kigali Serena Hotel (Luxury), Hotel Chez Lando (Standard) or Murugo Rwanda Hostel (Basic).
Day 13: City excursion and departure
Early in the morning after breakfast, embark on a city tour in Kigali one of the beautiful cities in Africa. On this day, you will pay a visit to Kigali/Gisozi genocide memorial center to learn more what took place in Rwanda in 1994 when civil war broke out between the Hutus and Tutsis. Besides, visit some markets, craft centers, natural history museum and others. After, head off to Kigali airport for your flight back home and this marks the end of your 13 Uganda Rwanda safari.
End of safari
Inclusions
All safari activities listed in the travel plan
Accommodation for 10 nights and meals
Transportation in a 4WD plus full time English speaking driver guide
Bottled water
Gorilla ($600 per person in Uganda and $1500 per visitor in Rwanda), chimpanzee ($150 per person), golden monkey permits, Dian Fossey Hike fees, Bisoke hike and others.
Crater Lakes and Amabere caves walk
Safari exclusions
Visa fees
Personal insurance
Personal expenses like laundry, telephone calls, tips, cigarettes, accommodation and activities outside the itinerary.
Airfares
