OVERVIEW
This 13-day Uganda and Rwanda safari takes you across the border to Rwanda, famously known as the “Country of a Thousand Hills and a Million Smiles.” You will explore the unique features of both countries, from the shared gorillas to the lush vegetation and rolling hills. Along the way, you will encounter gorillas and chimpanzees in their natural habitat, experiencing one of Africa’s major highlights.
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our representative, who will assist with arrival formalities. Afterward, you will be transferred to your hotel, where you will be briefed about your Uganda Adventure Safari. If time permits, you are advised to exchange currency. Additionally, if time allows, you may explore the city with the help of your driver/guide. You will visit shopping malls and craft villages to purchase any items you may need for your journey upcountry.
Day 2: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park en route Ziwa Sanctuary
Have breakfast and Drive North to Murchison Falls with a stopover at Nakasongola Ziwa Rhino Sactuary for a one and half opportunity to Track Rhinos on foot, You will Later Have Lunch in a selected Restaurant then Proceed through Masindi to The Park.
Day 3: Morning game drive and afternoon sundowner Boat safari- Hike to the top of the falls
After an early morning breakfast, you will have a game drive on the northern bank of the River Nile in an open-roof vehicle. Offering excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography. Your guide will help spot elephants, lions, cape buffaloes, Rothschild’s giraffes, hartebeests, waterbucks, oribis, bushbucks, bohor reed bucks, hyenas, and possibly a leopard.
After lunch, enjoy a return boat cruise upstream along the calm Victoria Nile to the base of the falls, stopping near the Devil’s Cauldron. Marvel at schools of hippos, crocodiles, and wildlife such as elephants, waterbucks, and Uganda Kob. This area is also rich in birdlife, with species like the goliath heron, Egyptian goose, pelican, bee-eater, kingfisher, hornbill, cormorant, and the rare shoebill stork.
.Day 4:Transfer to Kibale National Park
After Breakfast transfer to Lake Albert at the Fishing village to see the local methods used for harvesting fish and mix with the Local Communities. Proceed to Kibale National Park through verdant home steads and tea estates, you Will reach early relax whole afternoon as you wait for your Meals.
Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, you will transfer to the starting point of your chimpanzee tracking experience in Kibale Forest National Park. Kibale is renowned as the best place in Africa to view chimpanzees, featuring a dense jungle and towering canopy. The forest is home to the highest concentration and greatest variety of primates in East Africa. Among its 13 species, the chimpanzee stands out as the most famous, being man’s closest relative. With 1,450 chimpanzees, Kibale holds Uganda’s largest population of this endangered species.
Enjoy a guided nature walk through the tropical rainforest in search of wild chimpanzees and birds. Kibale is also home to rare species like the I’Hoest’s monkey, black-and-white colobus, blue monkey, grey-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed monkey, and olive baboon. While chimp sightings are not guaranteed, visitors often hear and see these fascinating creatures as they groom and bond.
Day 6: Morning Game drive and afternoon boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel
Queen Elizabeth National Park features a diverse ecosystem, including grassy plains, tropical forests, rivers, swamps, lakes, and volcanic craters. It is home to an impressive array of wildlife. Start your day with early morning lion tracking activities, guided by researchers who will provide in-depth insights into the lions and their environment. You will also enjoy the view of the majestic Rwenzori Mountains, offering a perfect backdrop for spotting lions, leopards, giant forest hogs, Cape buffaloes, elephants, defassa waterbucks, Uganda kobs, topis, and bushbucks.
After lunch, enjoy a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel into Lake Edward. This trip offers the chance to see the highest concentration of hippos. The cruise also provides excellent opportunities for photography, birdwatching, and game viewing. With over 550 resident bird species, the park’s birdlife is vibrant and abundant.
Day 7: Drive to Ishasha sector and later Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After your early morning breakfast, have Transfer to Ishasha Sector home of the Tree Climbing Lions for a Game Drive later, proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, The drive takes you through the Switzerland of Africa area known as the Kigezi Highlands with its terraced hillside and winding roads to Bwindi impenetrable National Park arriving in the afternoon.
Day 8: Gorilla Tracking experience- Optional Batwa Trail
After an early breakfast, depart for the briefing about your gorilla trekking adventure. Following the briefing, experienced gorilla trackers will lead you up the slopes of the volcanoes. You will start from the site where the gorillas were encountered the previous day, and the tracking begins here. Although the hike can be physically demanding, the excitement and anticipation make it worthwhile. The beauty of the gorilla forest and its inhabitants is captivating. Encountering these gentle apes is one of Africa’s major highlights. It’s a humbling experience to stand just meters away as they eat, rest, play, and bond with their young. Follow the mountain gorillas through their natural habitat, and enjoy observing the other species they share it with. You will have one hour with the gorillas before descending back to your lodge.
Day 9: Golden Monkey Tracking and Transfer to Ruhengeri
After Breakfast, Transfer to Mgahinga forest and through the bamboo thickets you will come face to face with the Golden Monkeys, You may pay an extra fee of about $3 per person to climb a viewing Platform.
Later cross the Border to Rwanda where you will spend the night in Ruhengeri at the fringes of Volcanoes National Park.
Day 10: Trek Diana Fossey Grave- Transfer to Nyungwe forest for an evening Canopy walk
After breakfast, transfer to Nyungwe National Park. Proceed to the trailhead to access the Karisoke Research Camp, about 10 minutes from the park boundary. The hike to Dian Fossey’s grave takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. Along the way, enjoy views of forest hogs, forest elephants, and a variety of primates and bird species.
This hike is a remarkable experience, both physically and emotionally. It is inspiring to learn about Dian Fossey’s dedication and the lasting legacy she created. The trek involves hiking through forests and up slopes, requiring fitness and patience. At the site, visit the house where Dian Fossey was mysteriously murdered in 1985. Nearby, find her burial site, where she rests next to her favorite gorilla, Digit, and around 20 other mountain gorillas, victims of poaching or other unknown causes.
Day 11:Black and white colubus monkey Tracking- Afternoon Transfer to Lake Kivu
After Breakfast, join the briefing team and enjoy the trek alongside the Large troops of black and white colobus monkeys which reside in Nyungwe Forest. These primates often travel in groups of over 300 individuals. It is possible to purchase a permit to trek these animals. Walking through a mountain rainforest and being surrounded on all levels by these active and cheeky monkeys is an experience not to be missed.
Morning Relaxation – sunset Boat Cruise to the Napoleon Island
Day 12: Morning Relaxation- Sunset and Boat cruise to the Napoleon Island
Have Breakfast and Relax at The sun sandy beach on Lake Kivu as you get your meals with in our outside the Hotel, later in the afternoon have a sunset boat safari to the Napoleon Island, you can have a nature walk to the bat cave as you come across Birds and communities. a City Drive
Day 13: Morning Transfer to Kigali for a City Drive
After breakfast, transfer to Kigali for a city tour. First, visit the Genocide Memorial Center, opened in 2004 to mark the 10th commemoration of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. The center serves as both a place for grieving and a museum. It educates visitors about the history, implementation, and consequences of the genocide.
If time allows, proceed to Nyamirambo, Kigali’s oldest neighborhood. Located in the southwestern corner of the city, Nyamirambo is known for its Arab-like culture. It is a vibrant, diverse area, often called a “gangsters’ paradise.” With many Muslim residents and mosques, the area is lively and bustling late into the night, unlike other neighborhoods that quiet down by 8 pm.
END OF TOUR
Tour Include
- Park fees
- Chimp permits
- All activities
- All accommodation
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation
- All Taxes/VAT
Round-trip airport transfer - Meals
- Drinking water
Tour Exclude
- International flights
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips
- Personal item
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- Extra Some Meals
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