14 Days Uganda, Rwanda with Gorilla safari

You’ll walk by the side of the famous Africa big five game on this safari covering almost all the major national parks and tourist attractions in the north, the western Uganda and Rwanda. We’ll take you high up the jungle into two great mountain gorilla habitats that found only in this part of the world and you’ll have a chance to hang with the mighty giants twice for maximum experience.

This Rwanda Uganda Safari Highlights Tour Safari will take you to almost all of the National parks of Uganda with the key activities it is an average representation of Uganda wildlife and culture. The Gorilla tracking safari will exclusively be in Uganda but an extension to Rwanda is possible to balance the experience of Uganda and Rwanda.

Highlights

Arrival into Uganda

Boat cruises

Chimpanzee trekking

Lion Experience in Queen Elizabeth Park

Gorilla Tracking Uganda & Rwanda

Golden Monkey tracking in Rwanda

Trip Summery

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali — Kigali Serena Hotel on HB Basis

Day 2: Breakfast — Genocide memorial — Bwindi — Mutanda Resort

Day 3: Gorilla tracking — Mutanda Resort

Day 4: Drive to Queen Elizabeth NP — Katara Lodge

Day 5: Morning game drive, boat cruise on Kazinga channel

Day 6: Drive to Mburo park, and evening boat cruise — Mihingo Lodge

Day 7: Walking safari — Kibale Forest — Bigodi wetland walk — Primate Lodge

Day 8: All day Chimp Habituation or Half day Chimpanzee Tracking.

Day 9: Drive to Murchison falls park — Bakers Lodge

Day 10: Morning game drive and boat cruise in the afternoon Hike to falls.

Day 11: Drive to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary — Amuka Lodge on FB Basis

Day 12: Transfer to Jinja, source of the Nile — Haven Lodge

Day 13: All day Rafting — Entebbe Lake Victoria Hotel

Day 14: Behind the scenes and fly back home

Price Includes

• 4×4 Landcruiser car with fuel
• English speaking driver guide
• Airport transfers
• Border crossing fees
• Gorilla permit
• Chimpanzee Habituation permit
• Bottled drinking water
• Shared Accommodation based on B, L, D
• Boat cruises
• Walking Safari fees

Price Excludes

• Visa Fees
• Tips and gratuities of different nature
• Extra activities
• Soft drinks or Alcoholic drinks
• International and domestic air flights
• Insurance

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive at Kigali Airport, Drive to Hotel for overnight

Our beautiful safaris Uganda  driver guide will Meet you at Kigali International Airport, greet and transfer to the hotel. You will spend the evening relaxing ready for the next day visiting the genocide memorial and drive to the home of the Gorillas. Arrive at the lodge later in the evening for dinner and overnight. Journey Time: 45-1 Hour (Depending on activities involved, can be less or more)

Accommodation: Serena Kigali Hotel

Meal Plan: Full Board Basis

Day 2: Genocide Memorial Visit, drive to Bwindi/Mgahinga home to the mountain Gorillas

After a quick Breakfast, you will check out and head out to the Genocide Memorial Kigali for a tour and later drive from Kigali towards Uganda and specifically Bwindi/Mgahinga area.

In April 1994 there were reports of ethnic clashes resulting into mass murder within Rwanda. As this news circulated throughout the world, little or no intervention was done to halt the massive brutal killing. To outsiders the news of the genocide was just simple and based on tribal-based ethnic violence, with the Tutsis the victims and the Hutus as the perpetrators. There are speculations of how many lost their lives but the actual numbers may never be known however there are just estimations of 500,000 and over a million. The Kigali Genocide Memorial commemorates the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

The remains of over 250,000 people are buried and remembered here. It is a center that talks about forgiveness, pain, remembrance and also a learning tool of how important human life is. The Centre further displays laces where similar atrocities have been committed to give a clear message that it is wrong and should not have happened in the first place and those who seek to know what actually wish to understand the events leading up to the events of 1994. Drive to your hotel arriving early afternoon for relaxation dinner and overnight.

Journey Time: 4-7 (Depending on activities involved, can be less or more)

Day 3: Big day, the awaited Gorilla Tracking

Today is the big day; prepare yourself for an encounter with one of Bwindi’s gentle giants: the rare mountain gorillas. For most people this is the absolute highlight of their tour in Uganda. You will wake up very early in the morning and carry packed breakfast and packed lunch, drive to the starting point of the gorilla tracking depending on the available permits will take about 3-9 hours.

Tracking is a captivation and unforgettable experience which more than repays the efforts needed to reach Bwindi or Mgahinga and to trek through the forest. Gorilla tracking can be challenging and needs one to be reasonable fit before undertaking to venture into the activity.

Gorilla tracking starts at 8:00am and lasts from a few hours to a whole day depending on where the Gorillas where left the previous day. This means you shall have to carry you packed Lunch and enough driving water. Once the gorillas are located, you will spend one whole hour with them and then later return to the starting point for pick up. Then drive to Later to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Journey Time: All day Activities (Depending on activities involved, can be less or more)

Day 4: Drive to Queen Elizabeth Park and Evening game drive.

After a quick Breakfast, you will drive to Queen Elizabeth National park, the second largest National Park in Uganda. It is a medley of wonders because of its fabulous wildlife and many eye-catching attractions.

Queen Elizabeth NP is one of the outstanding treasures of Uganda and named after Queen Elizabeth II visit in 1954. It covers an area of 1978sq.km and is situated between two big lakes, Lake George and Lake Edward as well as the 34km long Kazinga channel famous for the boat cruise which is usually the highlight of the trip. Home also to the famous tree climbing lions as well as the chimpanzee tracking in Kalinzu forest. Check in at your hotel and later go for an evening game drive in the Kasenyi area which offers virtually game which includes a lot to see such as Herds of Elephants, Hippos, Buffalos, Antelopes like Uganda Kobs, Dafforsa Waterbuck and much more wildlife and on lucky days see a pride of lions and the solitary Leopard. Return to your lodge for relaxation dinner and overnight. Journey Time: 4-6 Hours (Depending on activities involved, can be less or more)

Day 5: Lion Experience and Kazinga Chanel Boat Cruise

Start this day with an early morning breakfast then setoff for the classic African safari in the Kasenyi tracks, you will have an experiential lion experience in the Kasenyi area which additionally offers virtually guaranteed Buffalos, Antelopes and Elephant sightings, along with warthogs. This is a rewarding game in the Kasenyi plains, this is the northern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park rich with wildlife, the game drive takes about 3-6 hours according to the season and the movement of these animals, this is a magnificent game which includes a lot to see such as Herds of Elephants, Hippos, Buffalos, Antelopes like Uganda Kobs, Dafforsa Waterbuck and much more wildlife and on lucky days see a pride of lions and the solitary Leopard. Drive to Mweya for a hot lunch as you relax at the peninsular.

After Lunch, start highlight activity of the day, boat cruise on Kazinga Channel. As the highlight of the trip in Queen Elizabeth park, this is an oasis for many of the fascinating species that inhabit the park, and taking a boat trip along Kazinga Channel gives the visitors a chance to cruise just a few meters from hundreds of enormous hippos since Kazinga channel is well known for its big number of Hippos of over 4800, Crocodiles sun basking and Buffaloes while Elephants linger along the shoreline. This will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of your tour. This takes about 2hours from the starting point to coming back. You will then transfer to your hotel and as you drive keep your eyes on the game outside you may get a chance to see herds of elephants or more. Return to the lodge for dinner and spend an overnight.

Day 6: Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park and boat cruise

After breakfast transfer by road to Lake Mburo National park. Upon arrival, you will go for a boat cruise on the lake in the early evening either 4 or 5 pm scheduled boats. Lake Mburo National Park is located conveniently close to the highway that connects Kampala to the parks of western Uganda giving one chance to explore at the same time reduce on the drive time. It is the smallest of Uganda’s savannah national parks.

It is the most under estimated yet home to about 350 bird species, only park with impalas in Uganda, Zebras, Elands the biggest antelope, Giraffes only to mention but a few.

Together with 13 other lakes in the area, Lake Mburo, forms part of a 50km-long wetland system linked by a swamp. Five of these lakes lie within the park’s borders making it one of the hidden treasures and gate away. Famous for the Walking safaris and large volumes of wildlife common being the zebras and impalas. After the boat cruise, keep your eyes on the game as you drive to your hotel for relaxation dinner and overnight. Journey Time: 5 -6 Hours

Day 7: Walking Safari and later transfer to Kibale Forest Park

In the morning you will go for a guided walking safari. Walking safaris mean that you walk close to the wild life in a protected area with an armed ranger. The walking safari usually starts at 7:00 am and here you get closer to the animals on foot. As the animals keep a safe distance a long curious stare, you will wish it could take longer. The photographs and the interaction with the ranger walking and adventuring would not be equated to any other experience and usually the best way to end your safari. You will then later transfer to Kibale Forest National Park.

Kibale National Park is a national park in southern Uganda, protecting moist evergreen rain forest. It is 766 square kilometers (296 sq. mi) in size and is located between 1,100 meters (3,600 ft.) to 1,600 meters (5,200 ft.) in elevation. Despite encompassing primarily moist evergreen forest, it contains a diverse array of landscapes. Kibale is one of the last remaining expanses to contain both lowland and montane forests. In eastern Africa, it sustains the last significant expanse of pre-montane forest. It is an important eco-system and safari destination, popular for its population of habituated chimpanzees and twelve other species of primates. Upon Arrival, you will go for the community walk in Bigodi wetland where you will interact with the community, see lots of birds and other different species of birds. This activity usually takes about 2 hours of walking and could also be a warm up for the next day. Drive to the hotel and check-in in, relaxation dinner and overnight.

Journey Time: 7 – 9 hours (Depending on activities involved, can be less or more)

Day 8: All day Chimpanzee Habituation

You will have a quick breakfast, carry packed lunch and walk to the briefing area where you will be briefed by the rangers and driven to your starting point for the chimpanzee habituation. This activity requires to be at the briefing area by 6:00 am. You will practically spend the whole day experiencing each move of the chimpanzees until they start making nests. Usually it is a group of 8 people in a group but sometimes they are more or less. If there is time, you will go for the Bigodi wetland community walk. Expect to see many other primates, birds and other wildlife. It is the experience of a life time. Drive back to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Journey Time: All day Activities (Depending on activities involved, can be less or more)

Day 9: Drive to Murchison falls National Park.

We will wake up very early with a quick coffee or tea and then start our drive towards Murchison falls national park.

Murchison Falls Conservation Area was first visited by explorers John Speke and James Grant as the first Europeans to visit in 1862. It was more thoroughly explored by Samuel and Florence Baker in 1863-4 who named the falls Murchison fall after the geologist Roderick Murchison who was then the president of the Royal Geographical Society. In 1952, the British administration established the National Parks Act of Uganda hence Murchison Falls National Park. Experience the big herds of elephants, kob, Jackson’s Heartbeat, Lions and many other animals and bird species. You would not be disappointed visiting this national park

Arrive at the lodge, check in and then if time allows, later start your sunset boat cruise with one of the most spectacular, breathtaking experiences. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Journey Time: 7-9 Hours (Depending on activities involved, can be less or more)

Day 10: Game drive and Boat cruise on the Nile in Murchison falls

You will have a quick coffee or tea together with packed breakfast, setoff for the classic African safari in the park as you drive towards Para Lodge which offers virtually guaranteed Buffalos, Antelopes and Elephant sightings, along with warthogs. This rewarding game drive takes about 3-6 hours according to the season and the movement of these animals, this is a magnificent game which includes a lot to see such as Herds of Elephants, Hippos, Buffalos, Antelopes like Jackson’s Heartbeats’, Uganda Kobs, Dafforsa Waterbuck and much more wildlife and on lucky days see a pride of lions and the solitary Leopard.

You will check in and have a have a hot lunch before your set off for this wonderful activity which is non-other than a boat cruise on the Nile. This is an oasis for many of the fascinating species that inhabit the park, and taking a boat trip gives the visitors a chance to cruise just a few meters from hundreds of enormous hippos, Crocodiles sun basking and Buffaloes while Elephants linger along the shoreline. This will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of your tour. This takes about 3hours from the starting point to coming back. However, as you arrive the bottom of the falls, you will get out of the boat with a guide start a short bet rewarding hike to the top of the falls. It gives you chance to see the different viewpoints of the falls as well as the top of the falls which will be rewarding enough. You will meet your guide here and then transfer to your hotel for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Journey Time: All day activities (Depending on activities involved, can be less or more)

Day 11: Drive to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – Amuka Lodge

Breakfast at leisure, you will then drive to Ziwa Rhino sanctuary for Rhino trekking on foot. This activity is one of the rewarding success stories in conservation Located in Nakasongola, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary y, the 7 000 hectares of savannah and woodlands provides the land for the rhinos. It is in partnership with Rhino Fund Uganda which was formed as a non-governmental organization (NGO) in 1997. It was set up to repopulate Uganda with wild rhinos in the future. Both rhinoceros breeds, black and white, are globally endangered. In 1983, both black rhinos and northern white rhinos declared extinct throughout Uganda. Therefore, our purpose is to return rhinos, a vital aspect of both environmental and cultural heritage, back into Uganda, through our breeding and release program.

From this, the first six southern white rhinos were translocated in 2005/6, with four from Kenya, and two from Disney Animal Kingdom (USA). As it was northern white rhinos that once populated Uganda’s national parks, our rhinos are technically considered an exotic breed. 24th June 2009 the first healthy male calf was born, making history by being the first rhino born in Uganda in approximately 30 years! He was named Obama, making history, with his mother from the United States and his father from Kenya. Arrive at the lodge check in and have lunch. You will then drive to the park headquarters where you will be briefed and then start the on foot trekking the rhinos and along the way meet different species of birds, monkeys and antelopes. Drive back to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Journey Time: 4-6 Hours (Depending on activities involved, can be less or more)

Day 12: Drive to Jinja, source of the Nile visit

Breakfast at leisure, drive towards Jinja home to the source of the Nile and famous white-water rafting. Upon arrival in the early afternoon, go for a boat cruise on the Nile all the way to the mouth of Lake Victoria. This boat cruise would take between 1 to 2 hours.

River Nile is the longest river in Africa with Lake Victoria as its source. The river starts its journey to the Mediterranean Sea in Egypt. Its source starts right from Jinja in the eastern park of Uganda; Nile comes from a Greek word simply meaning valley. The river starts from the Northeastern part of Africa, flows close to the equator, to the heart of desert and up to the eastern Mediterranean Sea. The river is about 6696km long and pours its water to over nine countries although it’s more centered to Uganda as well as Egypt. Countries include Sudan, Burundi, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zaire and Ethiopia. Transfer to your hotel for dinner and overnight. Journey Time: 6 – 9 hours (Depending on activities involved, can be less or more)

Day 13: All day Rafting and transfer to Entebbe.

After breakfast, drive to the starting point for the rafting. You will be briefed on safety measures and then the fun begins. As you go through the rapids, slow and gentle waves of water would be spiced up by the lunch half way. After lunch continue rafting up to the pick-up point. You will then transfer to Entebbe for dinner and overnight.

Journey Time: All day Activity

Day 14: Behind the scenes at Uganda Wildlife Education Centre and fly back home.

Breakfast at leisure, you will then go the experience to crown your trip. Up-close with most of the animals you would have seen in the wild. It is the summary of what Uganda has to offer.

The Centre’s location on the edge of Lake Victoria 10 minutes away from Entebbe International Airport. Popularly known as “Entebbe Zoo”, was opened in 1952, by the Colonial Government in Uganda, as a reception center for wild animals that were found as casualties (sick, injured, orphaned, and confiscated from illegal trade). In the early 1960s, it changed its role to a traditional zoo (” Entebbe Zoo”), a name that has stuck to date. In May 1994, the UWEC Trust was founded to take over the zoo primarily for Conservation Education purposes.

Behind the scenes experience is a must do activity. What takes place is that you go in with in keeper of the specified animals, you get a chance to feed the animals at close range. The famous animals are the giraffe, Eland, Cheetahs, Shoebill stock, Lions, Rhinos and the chimpanzee feeding. After transfer to the airport and fly out.

END OF YOUR TOUR