14 Days Uganda Rwanda safari

The main Activities are:

1. Tracking white Rhinos at the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary
2. Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest
3. Touring Kigali city
4. Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi impenetrable Forest Uganda
5. Gorilla trekking in the Volcanoes National Park Rwanda
6. Standard game drive in Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks
7. Special Game drive to see tree climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park
8. Boat cruises along the Nile river and Kazinga channel
9. Visit Lake Bunyonyi for birding, nature walks, relaxation and canoeing
10. Golden Monkey Tracking at the Volcanoes national park
11. Visiting the twin Lakes of Ruhondo and Burera in Rwanda
12. Visiting the Gorilla Guardians village in Rwanda
13. Visiting the Batwa Pygmies of Uganda
14. Canoeing, swimming, island hopping and relaxation at Lake Kivu

Day 1: Arrival and airport pickup – Transfer your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala

A guide from our company will wait to pick you up at the airport for a transfer to Kampala depending on arrival time. If you arrive earlier, the driver will take you for a tour of Entebbe or Kampala city

Overnight and Dinner at hotel Triangle (budget), Malakai Eco Lodge/2 Friends Beach Hotel and Kampala Serena hotel (luxury).

Day 2: Head to Murchison Falls National Park – Rhino tracking at the Ziwa sanctuary

You will wake up early in the morning, take breakfast and set off for the Murchison Falls National Park. As you travel, you will bypass the beautiful countryside of Uganda including the Luwero triangle. The Luwero triangle is where the current government launched a guerilla warfare that brought it to power. You will stop just before reaching the Murchison falls to visit the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary. White Rhinos became extinct in Uganda’s national parks in 1980. The few that had remained where transferred to the sanctuary for better protection. There are about 18 rhinos in the sanctuary at the moment and there is a plan to reintroduce them in Uganda’s game parks in the future. Lunch will be at Amuka lodge before proceeding to the Murchison falls national park. The guide will drive you straight to the top of the Murchison falls.  The Murchison falls squeezes through an 8 meter wide gorge before dropping with a thunderous roar. You will also spot the adjacent Uhuru Falls that was formed in 1962 due to heavy flooding.

Overnight and Dinner at Red Chili Rest Camp (budget), Pakuba Lodge (mid-range) and Paraa Safari Lodge (luxury).

Day 3: Early morning Game drive and a boat cruise along the river Nile

You will wake up very early to go for an early morning game. Pack your breakfast or coffee to take during the game drive along the southern sector of the park. The morning drive will take you through different parts of the park where you will have an opportunity to spot 4 of the big five including leopards, buffaloes, lions and elephants. There are more mammals to be found in the park during the game drive like the Uganda Kob, Hyenas, Jackals, giraffes, Hartebeest, Bushbucks and several other species of antelope. Once done with the morning game drive, you will head back to the lodge for lunch and rest.

In the afternoon, get ready to go for a launch cruise along the river Nile ending at the bottom of the Murchison falls.  This section of the Nile has a high concentration of Hippos and crocodiles. The area is a birders paradise with species like the Fish Eagle, Shoebill, Grey-crowned Crane, Goliath Heron, African Skimmer, Black-headed Gonolek, Long-toed Plover and Saddle-billed Stork call the place home.

Overnight and Dinner at Red Chili Rest Camp (budget), Pakuba Lodge (mid-range) and Paraa Safari Lodge (luxury).

Day 4: Head to Kibale National Park

You will wake up at your own time and take breakfast before leaving Murchison falls national park for Kibale national park. The journey is long but worthwhile as you will be able to see Uganda’s beautiful countryside, several landmarks and observe the locals going about with their lives. Lunch will be at the beautiful town of Fort Portal. After lunch, will go for a tour of the town and the headquarters of the Tooro Kingdom. Fort Portal stands out because it is located in an area with great weather and lush green vegetation for most of the year.

Overnight and Dinner at Chimpanzee Guest House (budget), Primates Lodge (Mid-range) and Kyaninga Lodge (Luxury).

Day 5: Chimpanzee tracking at Kibale National Park – Head to Queen Elizabeth park
After a breakfast, the driver will take you to the Kibale national park offices for the briefing on chimpanzee tracking. The guides/Rangers will let you know of all there is to know about tracking chimpanzee. Kibale National Park is the best place to track chimpanzees in the world. The chances of spotting them is very high and there are 4 communities that are habituated. Chimps love to stay on top of trees compared to mountain gorillas. They are also more vocal hence allowing them to be located from kilometers away. Chimpanzee trekking takes between 3 to 5 hours after which, you will head back to your lodge for lunch and rest.  Our driver will then transfer you to Queen Elizabeth national park in the evening. The journey takes only 2 hours.

Overnight and Dinner at Simba safari camp (budget), Park view lodge/Ihamba Lodge (mid-range) and Mweya Safari Lodge (luxury).

Day 6: Game drive and launch cruise at the Kazinga Channel of Queen Elizabeth park

You will wake up very early to go for a morning game drive at the Kasenyi sector of Queen Elizabeth national park in Uganda. This morning game drive allows visitors to spot nocturnal animals retreating back to their dens and also the early risers.  Expect to spot leopards, hippos, lions, buffaloes, hartebeests, resident and migratory birds. After your game drive, you will return to have lunch and a rest at your lodge. At 2:00 pm, you will be transferred to the Kazinga Channel for a launch cruise. The Kazinga Channel is a collection point for most of the parks animals and birds. You will be very impressed with the sheer number of game found drinking and grazing along the banks.

Overnight and Dinner at Simba safari camp (budget), Park view lodge/Ihamba Lodge (mid-range) and Mweya Safari Lodge (luxury).

Day 7: Game drive at Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth – Transfer to Bwindi national park
Wake up early for a sumptuous breakfast and prepare for your second game drive in Queen Elizabeth national park. This time, you will be driven to the Ishasha sector of the park which is famous for Tree Climbing Lions.  You will see many other park mammals that you might not have sighted during your visit to other sections of the park. After sporting the tree climbing lions of Ishasha, you will leave the park and embark on the journey to Bwindi impenetrable forest park. Lunch will be taken along the way and expect to arrive in Bwindi impenetrable forest park late in the afternoon. Rest early in preparation for gorilla tracking the next day.

Overnight and Dinner at Tarvan Trekkers Bwindi (Budget), Bakiga Lodge (Mid-range) and Chameleon Hill Lodge (luxury).

Day 8: Gorilla tracking in Bwindi impenetrable forest – Visiting the Batwa Pygmies

Wake up early and take breakfast before heading for the briefing about gorilla trekking which takes place at the park office at 7:00 am. The head guide will peruse through the requirements and rules for gorilla trekking, what to expect, the gorilla groups and what to see in the park. Bwindi impenetrable forest park has 11 gorilla families with some living near the park offices while others deeper in the forest. The allocation of gorilla families is done based on the overall fitness and age of travelers. Gorilla tracking is challenging but nothing beats the experience of finally observing a gorilla group. You could spend the whole day looking at the young ones play and roll around.  Always follow instructions from the guides, stay calm and avoid sudden movements as you take your photos.

Once the one hour with the gorillas is done, you will head back to the starting point where you will find our driver waiting for you. The driver will take you back to the lodge for lunch and rest. Later in the afternoon, you will go and visit the Batwa pygmy community who live close to the park. They were relocated by the government after the forest reserve was turned into a park. The Batwa pygmies lived as hunters and gathers for thousands of years in the forest of Bwindi, Mgahinga, Virunga and Volcanoes National Park.

Overnight and Dinner at Tarvan Trekkers Bwindi (Budget), Bakiga Lodge (Mid-range) and Chameleon Hill Lodge (luxury).

Day 9: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for bird watching, sightseeing and a boat ride

Wake up to have breakfast at your own time and get ready to be transferred to lake Bunyonyi. Lake Bunyonyi is a famous spot for birding tours in Uganda and sightseeing. It is a small lake with over 40 islands and is ideal for honeymooners and those who want a quiet, serene and romantic place. You will go for a boat ride and island hopping as you watch the local fishermen carrying out their activities.  You could also visit the punishment island. This is where young girls who had conceived before wedlock were abandoned to die. Most were rescued by men who couldn’t afford bride price.

Overnight and Dinner at Bunyonyi overland Resort (budget), Bunyonyi Birdnest (Mid-range) and Bunyonyi resort (luxury).

Day 10: Transfer to the Volcanoes national park in Rwanda

Wake up at your leisure and take breakfast before hitting the road to Rwanda. Don’t expect to be bored because the journey from Uganda to Rwanda rewards visitors with beautiful scenery and amazing countryside. Lunch will be taken along the way and after crossing to Rwanda. After lunch, the driver will continue up to your lodge for check-in and relaxation. You can spend the evening on a nature walk or request the driver to take you for a tour of the town of Musanze. Rest early and prepare for gorilla trekking at the Volcanoes National Park the next day.

Overnight and Dinner at The Garden Place Hotel (Budget), Da Vinci Lodge (Mid-range) and Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Luxury).

Day 11: Mountain Gorilla trekking in Rwanda – Touring the Iby’iwacu cultural village

Wake up and take breakfast before heading for a briefing on gorilla trekking at 7:00 am at the park headquarters. The officials will let you know what to expect during the activity, what you should carry along and how to conduct yourself once with the gorilla family. There are 10 habituated gorilla families in the volcanoes national park. You will be assigned one based in your age and overall fitness. This is because some of the families live further away from the starting point and may require more hours of tracking. Tracking mountain gorillas involves navigating through rough terrain which can be steep, mud-filled and with sharp tree branches. Once with the gorilla family, take as many photos as you can for you will be with them for only one hour. Mountain Gorillas are curious and playful and may come close to you. Be calm and do not make sudden unwanted movements that could alert them. Follow instructions from your the park Rangers.

After your one hour with the gorilla group is done, you will find our company guide waiting at the starting point to take you back to the lodge for lunch and rest. Later in the late afternoon, you will head out to visit the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village in Musanze which is near the volcanoes national park. The Centre is now known as the Gorilla Guardians Village. It has grown from a simple site where former poachers would sell souvenir to one of the leading cultural centres in East Africa.

Overnight and Dinner at The Garden Place Hotel (Budget), Da Vinci Lodge (Mid-range) and Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (Luxury).

Day 12: Golden Monkey Tracking – Touring the twin lakes of Ruhondo and Burera

After spending time with the gorillas yesterday, today is all about golden monkey tracking and visiting the twin lakes. Wake up early, take breakfast and head to the volcanoes national park offices for a briefing on golden monkey tracking.  After the briefing, you will go into the forest to track the golden monkeys with the park Rangers. Once you reach their territory, you will see them swinging on top of the trees and coming down to forage for insects. Golden monkeys look very beautiful and cuddly but are endangered. You should take as many photos as you can and afterwards descend back to the lodge for lunch and rest. Our driver will take you for a tour around the twin Lakes of Ruhondo and Burera.

Luxury), Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge / Da Vinci Lodge (Mid-range) and The Garden Place Hotel (Budget).

Day 13: Transfer to Lake Kivu in Gisenyi Rwanda – Canoeing, Swimming, Island hopping and relaxation

Start the day with sumptuous breakfast at your own time and prepare to leave the Volcanoes national park for Lake Kivu in Gisenyi. Lake Kivu is Rwanda’s biggest fresh water lake but shares it with the Democratic Republic of Congo. Once you arrive, you will have lunch overlooking lake Kivu. Our guide will take you for a boat ride on the lake as you tour the different islands. You will also take part in swimming or simple relaxation at the beautiful shores of the lake.

Overnight and Dinner at Palm Resort Gardens (Budget), Paradise Marahide (Mid-range) and Lake Kivu Serena hotel (Luxury).

Day 14: Transfer to Kigali for a city tour, genocide site visit and departure

Wake up at your own time and complete activities in Lake Kivu before starting the journey back to Kigali. While traveling, enjoy the beautiful Rwanda countryside with over a thousand hills. Once you reach Kigali, have lunch and go for a tour of the small but very neat and organized city. Kigali is one of the fastest growing cities in East Africa and is used as an example for other countries to follow. During the Kigali city tour, you will visit the genocide war memorial site, the presidential palace museum, the main market and then finish with some shopping from artisan shops. The driver will drop you at the airport or your hotel in Kigali.

End of Safari

Safari Quote Includes

1. A Full-time 4X4 safari vehicle
2. A Full-time Driver/Guide from Mission Africa Safaris
3. Fuel for the entire safari
4. Gorilla Permits for Uganda and Rwanda
5. Golden Monkey Permits
6. Chimpanzee Permits
7. Game drives
8. Boat cruises
9. Relaxation, nature walks and swimming in Lake Kivu/Lake Bunyonyi
10. Mineral drinking water every day
11. Pickup in Entebbe or Kampala Uganda and drop-off at anywhere in Kigali Rwanda
12. Cultural and community visits in Uganda and Rwanda
13. Tours of Kigali city
14. Full-board accommodation for 13 nights

Safari Excludes

International flights, visas and personal expenses (tips, beverages, wines and Personal Insurance).

For the best experience with the gorillas, we recommend that you pack suitable hiking boots, thick cotton gloves, a raincoat, enough drinking water and light snack. Porters are available at the starting point and can help you carry any extra luggage or equipment. Although being fit is not a requirement as you read from our article about gorilla trekking for the elderly, it is important to prepare mentally to deal with the challenges that may arise while tracking the primates. Remember to wear proper footwear designed to navigate through difficult terrain and plan for the rain. Don’t forget to tip the Guides and rangers for the great work they do. We recommend $10 or its equivalent in the local currency and remember it is not compulsory.

You need to be 13 years and above to track chimpanzees. There is no age limit for tracking golden monkeys but one needs to be at least 15 years to track gorillas. This itinerary doesn’t include the hotels and dinner if you arrive a day before the tour but can be arranged on request. Remember that you are required to get vaccinated against yellow fever before entering Uganda and Rwanda. Visas can be got from the airport, the border crossing or online. To avoid inconveniences, you might want to go for the East Africa Tourist Visa which allows travelers access to all countries of East Africa except for Tanzania, South Sudan and Burundi.

Kyaninga Lodge: Kyaninga Lodge is a luxury accommodation facility set on the edge of the beautiful Lake Kyaninga and close to Kibale National Park. It offers 8 cottages overlooking the lake and mount Rwenzori. The cottages are handcrafted and made of wood. Each cottage is very spacious with a private deck, a sitting room and a very modern bathroom (bath and shower). The central building has a fireplace, a bar, dining area and an expansive viewing deck. Other amenities include a large swimming pool, secure parking, wireless internet and Spa.

Bird Nest Bunyonyi: This facility was opened in 2009 to offer both budget and mid-range facilities. Bird Nest Bunyonyi offers 14 rooms. The rooms are all self-contained and designed well so as to give guests beautiful views of the lake. The hotel serves both local and international food which is served by very friendly staff. The other amenities in the lodge include a swimming pool, parking space, wireless internet and much more. If you are planning to tour Lake Bunyonyi and have a tight budget, this is one place you should consider.

Chameleon Hill Lodge: Chameleon Hill Lodge is a luxury lodge built on the shores of Lake Mutanda. It is located between Bwindi and Mgahinga National Park. Because of this strategic location, it is an excellent lodge for travelers who are booked for gorilla trekking in both Bwindi and Mgahinga National Park. The lodge consists of 10 luxury chalets – each painted with unique color combinations and amazing views of the Virunga volcanoes. Each room is self-contained with everything that a guest would need for comfort. There is also free wireless internet, a central lounge with a fireplace and a dining room. Staff are very friendly and will prepare for your delicious cuisines made with local ingredients.