10 Days Rwanda and Uganda Safari

10 Days Rwanda and Uganda Safari. This journey invites you to explore the wonders of East Africa’s primates, birds, culture, and wildlife. Embark on an exhilarating journey to encounter the endangered mountain gorillas in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Uganda’s Bwindi Forest. Spend an entire day with the playful chimpanzees at Kibale, track the elusive golden monkeys in Mgahinga, and witness the diverse plains game in Queen Elizabeth National Park, including the remarkable tree-climbing lions of the Ishasha plains. Enjoy a scenic boat cruise on the Kazinga channel and delve into the poignant history at the genocide memorial in Kigali.

Day 1: Entebbe, Welcome to the Journey

Your transfer vehicle will be waiting for you at Entebbe International Airport when you arrive for your exciting journey to Uganda and Rwanda, ready to take you to your guesthouse.

Overnight: Karibu Guesthouse Meals: Breakfast

Day 2: Kibale National Park awaits

Set off from Karibu Guesthouse at 8:30am towards Fort Portal, located 320 kilometres to the west of the capital, nestled in the northern foothills of the majestic Rwenzori Mountains as you begin your Uganda Rwanda safari. The four-hour drive winds through the charming rural towns of Mityana, Mubende, and Kwenjojo, leading into Fort Portal amidst a stunning backdrop of rolling hills adorned with tea plantations and the majestic Rwenzori Mountain range in the distance.

The journey lasts 5 hours, ensuring we reach Fort Portal just in time for lunch. After lunch, we will invigorate ourselves from the journey with a stroll to the Bigodi swamp. The Bigodi Swamp is an exhilarating haven for bird watchers. Experienced birdwatchers can discover as many as fifty new species on their bird list.

Today, 138 species of birds have been identified within the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, and among the notable bird species in the sanctuary is the magnificent Blue Turaco. The swamp is home to a variety of primate species, including the red colobus monkey, baboon, black and white colobus monkey, blue monkey, grey-cheeked mangabey, vervet monkey, red-tailed monkey, and the L’Hoest monkey.

Overnight: Papaya Lake Lodge / Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse Meals: Full Board

Day 3: Chimpanzee Immersion Journey

After an early cup of coffee, you’ll join Kibale’s researchers and habituators as they venture into the Kibale Forest National Park, tracking chimpanzee families in their daily routines, helping them acclimate to human presence while preserving their instinctive behaviors. Prepare for an exciting experience as you witness the chimps de-nesting between 5:30am and 6am. Follow their journey throughout the day until they build new nests and settle down for the night around 7pm.

Overnight: Papaya Lake Lodge/Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse

Dining: All-Inclusive

Day 4: Queen Elizabeth National Park awaits with thrilling experiences.

Following breakfast, you’ll embark on a relaxed journey from the Kibale Forest, passing by the stunning crater lakes on your way to Kasese, the second most populous hub in western Uganda. The road winds through lush, vibrant farmland and traces the gentle inclines of one of Africa’s most majestic mountain ranges – the Rwenzori Mountains. As you journey from Kasese, you will traverse the equator while the road winds through the breathtaking Queen Elizabeth National Park. In Uganda, the kob antelope roam freely, and you might catch a glimpse of elephants or buffalo grazing on the horizon. After lunch, embark on an exciting journey of game viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Overnight: Katara Lodge/Bush Lodge

Dining: Complete Meal Plan

Day 5: Kazinga Channel and Wildlife Excursions

Today you’ll embark on an exhilarating journey through the prime game viewing area of western Uganda. A web of trails leads you to discover elephants, buffalo, and various other creatures hidden within the grassland thickets of the northern Kazinga region close to the Mweya Peninsula. Lions and other big cats can be most easily spotted on the expansive, open landscapes of the East Africa savannah, particularly the Kasenyi Plain. This region serves as a vital breeding ground for the Uganda kob, which is a key food source for the lion prides that roam the landscape.

In the afternoon, you will embark on an exhilarating boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel. This 32-kilometre Channel is a striking highlight of the Queen Elizabeth National Park, connecting the serene waters of Lake George with the expansive Lake Edward. The Channel boasts an incredible gathering of hippos in Africa, where herds of elephants, buffalo, and various other animals gather to quench their thirst at the water’s edge. The channel draws in a vibrant array of water birds, where large flocks of pelicans gather along the shore, and it is an excellent place to catch a glimpse of the majestic African fish eagle. Head back to the lodge for an exciting night ahead.

Overnight: Katara Lodge/Bush Lodge Meals: Full Board

Day 6: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Experience an exhilarating game drive in the Ishasha plains, renowned for their remarkable tree-climbing lion population. From there, you’ll embark on an exhilarating journey along an 80-kilometre dirt road, taking two to three hours to reach Buhoma, depending on the road conditions.

On this scenic drive, the typical East Africa savannah plains will fade away as you ascend through undulating hills and terraced fields that embody the essence of Central Africa. As the sun begins to dip in the sky, you will find yourself reaching the quaint settlement of Buhoma – the starting point for your thrilling gorilla trek in the renowned Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Overnight: Buhoma Lodge/Silverback Lodge

Meals: All-Inclusive

Day 7: Embarking on a thrilling journey to encounter gorillas

The most thrilling day of your Uganda Rwanda safari awaits! The briefing kicks off at 8 am, where you will dive into the fascinating world of gorilla etiquette. And then you will embark on a journey through the dense forest, trekking until you encounter the majestic gorillas. For one hour, you have the opportunity to observe those majestic giants, gazing into the expressive brown eyes of these magnificent beings in the Bwindi Forest. This experience is undoubtedly one of the most thrilling and poignant wildlife encounters that Africa presents.

Depending on how long the track is, you can either unwind in the afternoon at the lodge and soak in the scenery or venture out for another stroll around the village or hike up to the highest football field that offers an incredible view. Today, you will embark on a journey with a packed lunch in hand.

Overnight: Buhoma Lodge/Silverback Lodge, a place where excitement awaits.

Dining: All-Inclusive

Day 8: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Depart from the northern sector of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park along a picturesque rural back road, where breathtaking vistas of undulating hills and terraced fields await. The path winds its way through the lush bamboo and towering montane forest of the Echuya Forest Reserve. By early to mid-afternoon, you’ll find yourself in the vibrant town of Kisoro, nestled at the foot of the majestic Virunga Mountains. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park rises majestically in the clouds, with elevations ranging from 2,227m to 4,127m.

Mgahinga boasts three impressive conical, extinct volcanoes, which are part of the breathtaking Virunga Range that stretches across the border region of Uganda, Congo, and Rwanda. Mgahinga is a vital piece of the expansive Virunga Conservation Area, which encompasses neighboring parks across these nations. The slopes of the volcanoes are alive with a variety of ecosystems, showcasing a rich biological diversity, while their towering peaks create a breathtaking backdrop to the stunning landscape.

Overnight: Mount Gahinga Lodge/Travellers’ Rest Hotel

Dining: All-Inclusive

Day 9: Trekking with Golden Monkeys in Rwanda

After an early breakfast, you’ll embark on an exciting quest to find the endangered golden monkeys in Mgahinga National Park, dedicating the morning to exploring the ancient forest of Mgahinga. At midday, you will embark on your journey from Kisoro to the border with Rwanda. After passing through immigration and customs, you’ll make your way to Musanze, where stunning vistas of the serene lakes Burera and Ruhondo await, along with awe-inspiring views of the majestic Virunga volcanoes.

Overnight: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/La Bambou Lodge

Dining: Complete Package

Day 10: Embarking on a thrilling journey to trek with gorillas in Rwanda

Today, you’ll embark on an exciting journey to discover the gorillas in the Rwandan mountains, setting off for the Volcanoes National Park headquarters after an early breakfast. A guide will accompany you as you are assigned to your gorilla family, and then you will embark on an exciting journey into the rain forest to spend an hour with the magnificent gorillas.

Your second gorilla trek often brings a heightened sense of excitement, as you are now familiar with what lies ahead. Afterwards, you’ll head to Rwanda’s vibrant capital city of Kigali, where you’ll be dropped off at either a hotel in the heart of the city or at the airport, allowing you ample time to check in for your late evening flight, concluding your thrilling journey through Uganda and Rwanda.

Overnight: Hotel Mille Colline/Golf Hills Residence Meals: Breakfast

End of tour 

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