This 8 days Uganda Rwanda safari takes you through wildlife and primate exploration in the 2 East African countries. It offers you opportunity to discover Uganda’s hidden treasures in its most picturesque sites such as Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Bunyonyi and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, then cross over to Rwanda to Volcanoes National Park. This safari starts in Uganda and ends in Rwanda.
Things to do
Game drive
Launch cruise
Gorilla trekking
City tour in Kigali
Safari highlight
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe Airport
Day 2: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 3: Game viewing and Boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 4: Transfer to Bwindi National Park
Day 5: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi and drive to Lake Bunyonyi
Day 6: Transfer to Rwanda
Da7: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Day 8: Drive to Kigali and do city tour
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe Airport
On arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be welcomed by our driver guide who then will transfer you up to your hotel depending on your arrival time. You will have overnight stay at Imperial Resort Beach Hotel.
Day 2: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Have breakfast early in the morning and after, set off at 6:00am to western Uganda to Queen Elizabeth National Park about 5-6 hours’ drive. Along the way, take a quick drive to Lake Mburo National Park where you will spot out several of zebras, Uganda Kobs, Crested Cranes a mention but a few. Later, connect to Agip Hotel for lunch-Mbarara Town then continue with your drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park as you catch great views of the Crater Lakes. Upon arrival, you will check in at Mweya Safari Lodge (Luxury), Kyambura Game Lodge (Midrange) or Bush Lodge (Basic)
Day 3: Game viewing and Boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Get up early in the morning and have breakfast at your lodge of choice. Later, set off for the early morning game drive via Kasenyi track the best trail at Queen Elizabeth National Park that rewards travel endeavors with excellent views of African elephants, lions, warthogs, buffaloes, antelopes, leopards if you are lucky, savanna grassland birds a mention but a few. After, return to the lodge for lunch and have some rest. Later, embark on afternoon boat cruise via Kazinga channel where you will have a chance to spot out most of the hippos, crocodiles, water bird species and many others. After this exciting water sport, return to lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay at Mweya Safari Lodge (Luxury), Kyambura Game Lodge (Midrange) or Bush Lodge (budget)
Day 4: Transfer to Bwindi National Park
After breakfast, check out from your respective lodge and then you will be transferred to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park-a home to over 400 mountain gorillas. Take a game drive as you get out of the park to head to Bwindi National Park. As you get out, don’t miss to catch a glimpse at the rare tree climbing lions at Ishasha sector. En-route, make a stopover at Savanna resort hotel for lunch. After, proceed to Bwindi and upon arrival, check in at Gorilla Forest Camp/chameleon hill lodge (Luxury), Gorilla Mist Camp/Gorilla Valley Lodge/Nkuringo gorilla camp (Midrange), Broadbill forest camp/Buhoma community rest camp (Budget).
Day 5: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi and drive to Lake Bunyonyi
Start your day with a cup of tea or coffee at your respective lodge and after, join other visitors at the park headquarters for morning briefing on dos and don’ts for gorilla trekking. After the briefing, set off to the jungles to look out for these most fascinating creatures in the wild and this may last you about 2 to 8 hours depending on your physical fitness, location of these creatures in the course of the day and nature of habitat. Once you get a habituated group that is assigned to you, you have an hour of magical encounters, take as many pictures as you can, explore more about their general behavior and body gestures. The fact that this is a strenuous adventure and energy demanding, make sure that you come with energy giving snacks and bottled water. Later, check out from your respective lodge ready to set off to scenic Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation and chilling while enjoying breathtaking views of the surrounding areas especially its stunning islands that make up a total of about 29 islands.
Day 6: Transfer to Rwanda
Wake up early in the morning and have a cup of tea and after, check out of the lodge ready to embark on journey to Rwanda via Gatuna border area. Proceed to Volcanoes National Park and check at Hotel La Palme, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Muhabura hotel or Kinigi Guesthouse for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 7: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast, join other trekkers at the park headquarters with your packed lunch for briefing on rules and regulations for gorilla trekking. On this day, you will embark on gorilla trekking for the second time but this time round, you will be in Volcanoes National Park northwestern Rwanda. While at this park, you will track one of the ten habituated gorilla families in a group of eight visitors and only an hour of magical encounter will be many photos as you can. Later, return to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay at Hotel La Palme, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Muhabura hotel or Kinigi Guesthouse.
Day 8: Drive to Kigali and do city tour
Begin your day with a tasty cup of tea or coffee and after, check out from your lodge ready to embark on return journey but to Kigali capital city for a quick city tour. While on city tour, pay a visit to Kigali/Gisozi genocide memorial site, markets and other sites. After, connect to the airport for your flight back home if it is scheduled the same day.
End of safari
Safari includes
• Gorilla permit (for Uganda at $600 and Rwanda at $1500)
• Transportation in a 4wheel drive safari vehicle
• Game drive
• Launch/boat cruise
• Full time English speaking driver guide
• Park entrance fees
• Accommodation for 7 days and meals
Safari excludes
• Visa fees
• Personal insurance
• Airfares/international flights
• Personal expenses like tips, beverages, laundry, telephone and many others.
