14 Days Rwanda and Uganda safari
Safari overview
You’ll arrive in Kigali and stay overnight. Connect to Nyungwe for chimp tracking and a canopy walk. Then, Volcanoes, where you’ll do the golden monkey trekking. You’ll cross the border to Uganda’s Bwindi and expect gorilla trekking there. From Bwindi, you’ll head to Queen Elizabeth via its Ishasha sector, known for tree-climbing lions. Your next stop will be Kibale Forest before heading to Murchison Falls. From Murchison, you’ll go to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and Jinja before ending up in Entebbe.
Detailed itinerary
Day 1.Arrive at Kigali Airport, Pick up and Transfer to the Booked Hotel
On arrival at Kigali International Airport in Rwanda, you will perform clearance. Thereafter, you’ll proceed to meet the waiting assigned Representative/tour driver-guide. He/she will welcome you to Rwanda and then head to board the car for the transfer to the booked hotel. You will check in and take your rest, recovering from jet lag, adjusting to the new location.
Overnight at five to five Kigali midrange
Overnight at Hotel des mile colines luxury
Day 2; Tour of Kigali City, Transfer to Accommodation Close to Nyungwe National Park
You’ll have a morning pick up (after breakfast) by the assigned tour driver-guide who will take you around Kigali City for the city tour. *Depending on your interest, the excursion may take you to the national museum, local markets, art and craft shops, genocide memorial ground. Thereafter, you will transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park. Filled with stunning beauty, Nyungwe in the southwestern part of Rwanda is not a place to miss on a Rwanda safari, offering memorable wildlife experiences. A visit to Nyungwe takes you through the great natural forest comprising ancient trees, which have all favored the inhabitation of several primates, including chimpanzees, black & white colobus monkeys, among others.
Overnight at chimpanzee top view midrange
Overnight at one and only luxury
Day 3; Chimp Trekking and Afternoon Canopy Walk Experience
Sheltering the highest population of chimpanzees in Rwanda (roughly 400), Chimpanzee trekking is a major activity done in Nyungwe Forest National Park. You’ll have breakfast and transfer to the trekking point, where you will first receive some briefing on the dos and don’ts during chimp trekking. Thereafter, you’ll enter the forest to encounter these fascinating and human-like primates firsthand in their natural habitat. You’ll return to the accommodation for lunch and some rest before going out again for the canopy walk experience. The two-hour walk starts and ends at the park’s headquarters – Uwinka information center. Travelers walk on the built trail, which hangs 60 meters above the forest, rewarding them with an aerial view of the national park, wildlife, adjacent communities, Virunga volcanoes, and attractions in the neighboring countries.
Overnight at chimpanzee top view midrange
Overnight at one and only luxury
Day 4; Transfer – Nyungwe to Accommodation Near (close to) Volcanoes National Park
You’ll enjoy a relaxed breakfast at the accommodation and then hit the road to Volcanoes NP. Volcanoes National Park lies in northwestern Rwanda and borders Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla NP in Uganda. You will arrive at the booked accommodation and decide to either take a rest, awaiting tomorrow’s activity, or consider some activity. #Optional (extra cost): If interested, you may consider moving out for either; twin lakes excursion – canoe trek (60$) or a visit to the cultural village (20$) to gain some insight into the traditional Rwanda. Otherwise, stay relaxed, enjoying the facility
Overnight at Amikus mindrange
Overnight at Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge luxury
Day 5; Golden Monkey Trekking Volcanoes National Park, Transfer to Bwindi – Uganda
Golden monkey trekking takes place in Volcanoes National Park. These rare monkey species are also listed as endangered, and Volcanoes NP has habituated groups that are available for trekking by visitors. The exercise starts with a short briefing from the park ranger at the RDB Office. Thereafter, you will proceed to trek the golden monkeys through the rainforest of the Volcanoes NP. You’ll return to the accommodation for a short rest and lunch. After lunch, you’ll drive off to Cyanika Border Post. From Cyanika, you will be received by our Uganda-based professional tour driver-guide who will take over from his Rwanda-based counterpart. You will cross the border into Uganda and overnight at a property close to Bwindi National Park, where you will undertake the gorilla trekking tomorrow.
Overnight at rushaga gorilla lodge
Overnight at four gorilla lodge
Day 6; Gorilla Trekking Bwindi Forest-Rushaga Sector
You’ll have breakfast and move to the rangers’ post. You will receive a briefing (from a ranger-guide) on the dos and don’ts during gorilla trekking. Thereafter, you will enter the forest for your adventure and encounter. The beauty of this rainforest is spectacular! The area offers a dramatic, steeply forested landscape and is incredibly dense but crisscrossed by numerous animal trails, allowing access to tourists. The time taken (4-8 hours) and the terrain vary with the movements of these great primates. Once you have located a gorilla group, you will be allowed an hour in their presence. The time with observing these gentle but endangered giants is unforgettable. Return to the lodge and rest. #(extra cost): In case you finished early and the body is willing to go out again, you can request your guide to arrange (depending on interests), a community visit, or a short nature walk.
Overnight at rushaga gorilla lodge
Overnight at four gorilla lodge
Day 7; Drive to Ishasha in Search of Tree-climbing Lions, proceed to North Queen
You’ll be up early, have breakfast, and embark on a transfer to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth NP—famously known for its tree-climbing lion population. Once there, you’ll undertake a game drive in search of this rare species of lions. Should you get the chance to spot the lions up in the tree, the sight is picturesque and unforgettable. From Ishasha (south), you’ll exit and head to the booked accommodation in the north sector. Check in and rest. #Optional: If interested, you may consider a late afternoon-to-evening game drive/safari in the Kasenyi plains.
Overnight at enshama game lodge midrange
Overnight at kazinga wilderness
Day 8; Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Trip along the Kazinga Channel
You’ll be up early and have your breakfast. Proceed for a morning game drive/safari in the Kasenyi plains and be on the lookout for Cape buffaloes, herds of elephants, plus lions, leopards (though hard to spot), among others. You’ll return to the accommodation for some rest time and lunch. After lunch, you will go for a 2-hour boat trip on the Kazinga Channel that connects Lakes George and Edward. During the trip, the sight of wildlife, including giant hippos, elephants, and crocodiles, among others, will fascinate you. You will also see many varieties of birds at the water’s shore. After the boat trip, you can proceed for a brief late afternoon game drive. Thereafter, you will return to the lodge.
Overnight at enshama game lodge midrange
Overnight at kazinga wilderness
Day 9; Sunrise Game Drive, Head to Kibale and do the Bigodi Wetland Excursion
You’ll be up early and have your breakfast. You’ll proceed for a morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains and be on the lookout for Cape buffaloes, herds of elephants, plus lions, leopards (though hard to spot), among others. After the sighting on this game drive, you’ll embark (right away) for a transfer that will see us check in at an accommodation at the edge of the Kibale Forest NP. We hope to have lunch at this property and also rest a bit before going out in Bigodi. The Bigodi wetland boasts an extensive array of biodiversity, among which are several primate species like the black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkey, and baboons. The Bigodi is also a paradise for bird watchers. After the beautiful time in Bigodi, you’ll return to the lodge, where you will enjoy dinner and then stay overnight.
Overnight at kibale forest lodge mindrange
Overnight at kibale tourist lodge luxury
Day 10; Transfer – Kibale Forest (via Hoima) to Murchison Falls National Park
You’ll have breakfast, check out, and embark on the journey to Murchison Falls National Park. The highlights of this park include the roaring rapids of the Murchison, the rolling plains of Uganda’s largest National Park, where you will have the chance of viewing lions, leopard, giraffes, hartebeest, buffalo, and elephants, among others. For birders, Murchison Falls boasts about 450 bird species, including the grey parrot, dwarf kingfisher, and the Goliath heron, among others. Expect lunch en route. The drive is quite long but incredibly scenic. The beautiful scenery will amaze you all the way (with very little/no room to be bored). *You can decide to do a game drive first and then finally proceed to the booked accommodation. Otherwise, we can go straight to the accommodation, check in, and stay at leisure.
Overnight at Pakuba safari lodge
Overnight at paaraa safari lodge luxury lodge
Day 11; Morning Game Drive/Safari, Afternoon Boat Trip Upstream to the Falls
You’ll have your breakfast, depart for an early morning game drive across the rolling plains of Uganda’s largest National Park, and be on the lookout for wildlife, including lions, leopards (though hard to spot), among others. For any birder, there are several birds to sightsee during the drive. You’ll return to the accommodation for some rest time and lunch. After lunch, you will head out for the boat trip to the base of Murchison Falls. Common sightings along the banks are: hippos and a few bird species. #Optional (extra cost 15$): If interested, continue with a hike to the top of the falls. The hike may be a strenuous one, but the thrill of reaching the top is unforgettable. You’ll return to your accommodation and relax. *Note: It is possible to adjust this day in such a way that you do a morning game drive, an 11 am boat trip, and then another game drive. Take a packed lunch with you.
Overnight at Pakuba safari lodge
Overnight at paaraa safari lodge luxury lodge
Day 12; Transfer to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Rhino Tracking then continue to Jinja
You will have your breakfast and then drive off to Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary — a successful conservation effort that was set to save the near-extinct rhino population in Uganda. Today, visitors to Uganda have a chance to encounter rhinos thanks to this effort. Once in Zziwa, you will proceed for an hour of on-foot rhino tracking. From the rhino tracking, you will drive off to Jinja, where you will stay overnight. Often referred to as the “adventure capital” of Uganda, Jinja is also famous as the source of the Nile River. If you’re an enthusiast for adrenaline-packed kinds of activity, then Jinja is your one-stop destination. It is also a great place to unwind from the safari.
Overnight at The Haven Eco River Lodge
Overnight at nile safari lodge
Day 13; Leisure
This morning, you are at liberty to choose an activity of your interest and do it. *Note: costs are not included as rates will vary according to one’s choice. If you’re an adventurous type, what better way to end your safari than to experience this most exciting, exhilarating adventure on the Nile firsthand? Get wet! Get wild! Get rafting! In fact, no experience is required to undertake this unforgettable adventure on the Nile (150$). But if you’re scared of the rapids, you can consider Kayaking and explore the Nile on its calm waters (40$). If being in the water is not your thing, let’s go quad biking or mountain biking and have fun in the countryside (125$ & 30$). After enjoying your chosen activity, return to the accommodation and stay at leisure.
Day 14; Relaxed Morning at the Nile, Transfer to Entebbe and Departure
This morning, you can enjoy a relaxed breakfast. Thereafter, you’ll check out and transfer to Entebbe Airport, where you will catch a flight out (2:00 pm or later). #Optional (extra cost): In case you have time and are interested, you can consider an excursion to some tourist sites in and around Kampala City before being dropped off at the airport or hotel of your booking.
End of the safari
Safari budget in usd: each person
Midrange each person:$6236 per person
Luxury : $7256 per person
Note: this safari is based on group of three traveling together on 1 twin room and 1 single room
Safari budget
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