The 14 days Uganda Rwanda safari takes you through some of East Africa’s most leading travel destinations. On this safari, you have a chance to explore the mighty East African rift valley side to the lush vegetation and part of the hill sides of Africa with breathtaking landscapes. Besides, discover most of distinct cultures Ugandans and Rwandese have as well as diverse wildlife experiences. Spend 14 days in Uganda and Rwanda enjoying the most thrilling gorilla trekking experiences, wildlife viewing, cultural encounters a mention but a few only on this special package. This safari will start in Kampala/Entebbe and ends in Kigali Rwanda.
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe/Kampala
Day 2: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
Day 3: Game drive and boat cruise in Murchison Falls National Park
Day 4: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 5: Wildlife viewing and launch cruise at Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 6: Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura gorge and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
Day 7: Boat ride in Lake Bunyonyi and head off to Volcanoes National Park
Day 8: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Day 9: Lake Kivu exploration
Day 10: Transfer from Lake Kivu to Nyungwe Forest National Park
Day 11: Chimpanzee tracking at Nyungwe Forest National Park
Day 12: Drive to Kigali, explore Rwanda’s culture
Day 13: Transfer to Akagera National Park and have afternoon boat cruise
Day 14: Morning game drive and return to Kigali
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe/Kampala
Meet our driver guide at Entebbe International Airport who then will transfer you to your respective hotel for relaxation and overnight stay at Sheraton Kampala Hotel (Luxury), Cassia Lodge (Midrange) or Fairway Hotel in Kampala.
Day 2: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
After breakfast, depart from Kampala or Entebbe and head off to Murchison Falls National Park northwestern Uganda to explore the hidden treasures within this vast savanna grassland conservancy area. En-route, make a stopover at the Ziwa rhino sanctuary for rhino tracking. After, proceed to Masindi Town for lunch and then drive to Murchison Falls National Park. On arrival, head off to the top of the falls where you will be amazed by the powerful roar of the waterfalls as it squeezes itself into 8 meters’ gorge before plunging into 45 meters below. While here, cross check the several of the cascades it makes that can be spotted at various points. After, drive back to the safari lodge of your choice for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay at Paraa safari lodge/Nile Safari Lodge (Luxury), Sambiya River Lodge (Midrange) or Red Chilli Rest Camp (Basic).
Day 3: Game drive and boat cruise in Murchison Falls National Park
Get up early in the morning and have a tasty cup of tea or coffee. After, head off for the early morning game drive via the northern part of Murchison Falls National Park. On a game drive, catch a glimpse at vast savanna grassland dwellers especially elephants, buffaloes, Rothschild giraffes, Jackson hartebeest, lions, water bucks as well as many savanna woodland bird species. Later, return to your respective safari lodge for lunch and to have some rest then after, head off for the afternoon launch cruise along the Nile to the base of the mighty Murchison waterfalls. On boat cruise, you have a chance to see the Nile crocodiles as they are relaxed at the riverbanks, large schools of hippos, water birds and not to miss the lush vegetation at the edge of the Nile. After, return to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay atParaa safari lodge/Nile Safari Lodge (Luxury), Sambiya River Lodge (Midrange) or Red Chilli Rest Camp (Basic).
Day 4: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Leave Murchison Falls National Park after breakfast. Drive via the Albertine rift valley through Hoima to a stunning countryside of Fort Portal. You will have lunch along the way then arrive at Fort Portal where you will have amazing views over the Rwenzori Mountain range at the back ground. After some rest at Fort Portal, head off to Queen Elizabeth National Park. You will have dinner and overnight stay at Mweya safari lodge/Jacana safari lodge (Luxury), Hippo Hill Luxury Tented Camp (Midrange) or Simba safari lodge/Albertine river camp (Basic).
Day 5: Wildlife viewing and launch cruise at Queen Elizabeth National Park
Today, you will set off for an early morning game drive to Kasenyi sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Drive via the lush savanna grassland while enjoying the most scenic views over the mighty Lake Edward and Lake George. While on game drive, the wildlife species for you to spot out include elephants, Uganda Kobs, buffaloes, hyenas, warthogs, birds, lions, leopards a mention but a few. Later, return to the lodge for lunch and some rest then embark on afternoon boat cruise via Kazinga channel where you will view most of the hippos, crocodiles and many water birds.
Day 6: Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura gorge and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
Have your packed breakfast and lunch then embark on a 16 kilometers’ long and 100 meters deep Kyambura gorge along the rift valley on a reward forest walk to find chimpanzees that have been habituated in this area as well as many primate species. You will be allocated a park ranger guide. After, return and check out ready to head off to Lake Bunyonyi. You will be driven via the Kigezi hilly side and then have a rest, dinner and overnight stay at Arcadia cottage or Lake Bunyonyi Overland Camp, Birdnest@ Bunyonyi Resort,
Day 7: Boat ride in Lake Bunyonyi and head off to Volcanoes National Park
Following breakfast, set off for a 2 hours’ boat ride via the scenic Lake Bunyonyi with 29 magnificent islands for you to explore as well as the Bakiga cultural sites, birds, enjoy the breathtaking sceneries and many more. After, embark on a journey to Volcanoes National Park via the Uganda Rwanda Cyanika border. You will have lunch at the lodge at Volcanoes National Park. Dinner and overnight stay at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Hotel Paradise Malahide, Gorilla Nest Lodge or Kinigi Guesthouse.
Day 8: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Have enjoyable breakfast at your respective safari lodge and after, join the rest of the visitors at Volcanoes National Park with your trekking items for early morning briefing on dos and don’ts for gorilla trekking. You will be grouped into 8 visitors to track only 1 habituated family and only 1 hour is given to you to strike your imaginations with these dramatic creatures, explore their behaviors and also take as many photos as you can. You will need some packed lunch and bottled water as well as other key items like hiking boots, walking stick, sweater, camera with no flash light, long sleeved shirt, insect repellent and others. Later, return to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay at Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Hotel Paradise Malahide, Gorilla Nest Lodge or Kinigi Guesthouse
Day 9: Lake Kivu exploration
Have breakfast and after, set off to magnificent Lake Kivu to chill around its shore area. This Lake is one of a few beautiful waterbodies you can find in Rwanda and rewards travel endeavors with remarkable views over the volcanoes. While here, you will chill around the Serena Kivu, Palm Beach Hotel or Stipp Hotel.
Day 10: Transfer from Lake Kivu to Nyungwe Forest National Park
Breakfast early in the morning and then you will be driven to Nyungwe forest national park. You will enjoy your lunch in Kibuye and then you drive to the park and check in at Nyungwe forest lodge, Gisakura guesthouse for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 11: Chimpanzee tracking at Nyungwe Forest National Park
After a cup of tea or coffee, gather at Nyungwe Forest National Park for a short briefing on chimpanzee tracking. Later, hit the forest to look out for the chimpanzees in this 1000 square kilometer protected area. Besides chimpanzees, there are also 12 more primate species most of which can be spotted while chimpanzee tracking. Equally, you have a chance to sight at over 310 bird species. After, return to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay at Nyungwe forest lodge, Gisakura guesthouse
Day 12: Drive to Kigali, explore Rwanda’s culture
Have breakfast and after, set off to Kigali capital city. En-route, make a stopover at Murambi genocide memorial site in Gikongoro to explore more about the 1994 Rwanda genocide that took place between the Hutus and Tutsis. After, proceed to Butare for lunch and then pay a visit to rare handcraft centers as well as the cultural museum. In addition, you will also visit the king’s palace in Nyanza popularly known as the Mwami. After, proceed to the hotel of your choice for dinner and overnight stay at Kigali Serena Hotel or Chez Lando.
Day 13: Transfer to Akagera National Park and have afternoon boat cruise
Today, kick start your day with a cup of tea or coffee and then embark on a 3 hours’ drive to Akagera National Park to eastern side of Rwanda. Depending on the time of arrival, you can have some rest and then proceed for game viewing to sight at many savanna grassland species including lions, elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, birds and others. You will have lunch at the lodge and in the afternoon, set off for a boat cruise via Lake Ihema for you to see most of the hippos, crocodiles, birds and others. Later, return to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay at Akagera Game Lodge or Ruzizi Tented Lodge
Day 14: Morning game drive and return to Kigali
After your early morning breakfast, you check out from your respective lodge and head off for morning game drive to sum up your stay at Akagera National Park. Today, you will spot out most of sun risers and many wildlife species that you missed to see the previous day. The notable wildlife species for you to sight while on game drive include elephants, giraffes, zebras, impalas, birds that make up a total of about 525 in this park alone. After, drive to Kigali capital city or straight to Kigali International Airport for your flight back home if it is scheduled the same day. But if not, spend a night at Kigali Serena Hotel.
End of safari
Inclusions
• All safari activities that are part of this travel plan
• Transport in a 4WD and English speaking driver guide
• Gorilla permit-($1500 in Rwanda)
• Bottled water
• Airport transfers
• Park entrance fees
• Accommodation and meals
Exclusions
• Airfares
• Departure tax
• Personal insurance
• Personal expenses like tips, laundry, accommodation and activities outside the travel plan, alcoholic drinks and others.
• Visa fees