Overview
This 14-day itinerary offers a thrilling adventure through Uganda and Rwanda, starting with a visit to the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and Murchison Falls National Park, before moving on to Kibale National Park for chimpanzee trekking and Bigodi Papyrus Swamp. The journey then takes you to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Ishasha, and Lake Bunyonyi, where you’ll experience gorilla trekking and relaxation on a scenic boat ride. The tour ends with a visit to the Virunga volcanic chain and a walk through the fashionable lakeside resort in Gisenyi before concluding with a city tour in Kigali and departure.
Highlights
- Uganda
- Start Entebbe (Day 1)
- Day 1 Entebbe Airport (Kigali)
- Day 2-3 Murchison Falls NP
- Day 4-5 Kibale NP (Chimps)
- Day 6-8 Queen Elizabeth NP
- Day 9 Lake Bunyonyi
- Day 10-11 Bwindi NP
- Rwanda
- Day 12 Drive to Rwanda
- Day 13 Activities In Virunga Lake Kivu
- Day 14 Drive To Kigali And Departure
Itinerary
On arrival at Entebbe International Airport in Uganda and after finalization of the formalities, you shall be welcomed by your guide, who will then drive you to your hotel.
After breakfast, you shall start your tour. Driving through Kampala, you shall proceed to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Here you shall have a walking Safari to the Southern White Rhinos that have been re-introduced in Uganda. In the afternoon, drive to the legendary Murchison Falls, from which the National Park derives its name.
Wildlife in Murchison Falls NP
Chimpanzee: Occasional
Elephant: Common
Giraffe: Common
Buffalo: Common
Hippo: Abundant
Lion: Occasional
Accommodation: Mid-range lodge located just outside Murchison Falls NP
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
After breakfast, you shall go for an early Morning game drive. In the afternoon, take a boat trip on the River Nile to the bottom of Murchison Falls, and enjoy these spectacular waterfalls.
After breakfast, you will depart Murchison Falls National Park and drive to Kibale National Park, driving past the Rift Valley Escarpment. In the afternoon you will arrive in Fort Portal town.
Accommodation: (Budget Level) |
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive Time: 2-3 hours.
Main Destination: Kibale National Park (Chimps)
Best Time To Visit: December to February and June to July
High Season: June to September (Peak time for Uganda)
Best Weather: June to July and December to February (Least rain)
Wildlife in Kibale NP
Chimpanzee: Common
Elephant: Occasional
Buffalo: Occasional
Leopard: Very Rare
Hippo: Rare
Lion: Rare to None
Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp (Camping) Just outside Kibale NP
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
After Breakfast, you shall proceed to Kibale Forest for chimpanzee trekking. In the afternoon, you have the opportunity for a nature walk in the Bigodi Swamp as well as a community visit.
After breakfast you will drive today to the world-famous Queen Elizabeth National Park, crossing the equator along the way. You shall have an evening game drive.
Accommodation: (Budget Level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Drive Time: Approx. 6 hours.
Main Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park (Uganda)
Best Time To Visit: January to February and June to July (Dry seasons)
High Season: June to September (Peak time for Uganda)
Best Weather: June to July and January to February (Less rainfall)
Wildlife in Queen Elizabeth NP
Chimpanzee Occasional
Elephant Common
Lion Common
Buffalo Common
Hippo Abundant
Accommodation: Mid-range lodge located just outside Queen Elizabeth NP
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
You start the day with an exciting early morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park, famously known as one of the World’s National Parks with the highest Bio-diversity of Flora and Fauna. In the afternoon, take the amazing Launch cruise on the Kazinga Channel, revealing hundreds of Hippos as well as numerous Bird species some of which are seasonal “immigrants” from Europe.
#Optional: If interested, you may go for a brief late afternoon-to-evening game viewing and then, return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: (Irungu Safari Lodge-Budget Level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Drive Time: n/a.
Main Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park (Uganda)
Accommodation: Mid-range lodge located just outside Queen Elizabeth NP
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
After Breakfast, you shall drive to Ishasha, the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Enjoy the African wildlife in indescribable scenery. In Ishasha, you shall have a game drive in search of unique tree-climbing lions.
Today you start your journey to one of the most beautiful places in Uganda; Lake Bunyonyi which means a place with “many small birds. Along the way, you shall have spectacular views of the terraces of the Ugandan mountains. This area is called the “Switzerland of Uganda”.
After an early breakfast, you will drive to the briefing point in the forest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to get to be enlightened about your adventure with the Mountain Gorillas. You are advised to carry enough drinking water and a lunch box. For 15 US dollars, you can get a potter to carry your bag and give you a hand in slippery or steep parts of the forest. After the briefing, you are distributed into groups of eight and led by a park ranger into the forest where you will spend one hour with the gentle giants. Rain gear is important considering that Bwindi is a tropical rainforest.
Main Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)
Best Time To Visit: June to August and December to February
High Season: June to September (Gorilla permits are scarce)
Best Weather: June to July and December to February (Less rainfall)
Wildlife in Bwindi NP
Gorilla: Common
Chimpanzee: Rare
Elephant: Rare
White Rhino: None
Black Rhino: None
Lion: None
Accommodation: Mid-range lodge bordering Bwindi NP without fences
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not in
You will be transferred to Lake Bunyonyi where you will take a swim in Uganda’s most beautiful lake, enjoy nature or explore surrounding communities. You shall have an exciting boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi. In the afternoon you may choose between different activities; a Canoe boat ride, a swim in the Bilharzia free lake, you may also explore a nearby village. Residents are happy about your visit and are open to explaining their daily lives.
Accommodation: Bunyonyi Overland Resort (Budget Level)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, you will drive to Rwanda fondly known as the “land of a thousand hills.” Enjoy the stunning landscapes along the way.
The volcanic chain “Virunga” is a breathtaking beauty of old volcanoes rising almost 5000 meters, completely covered by dense, green rainforest.” You shall choose an activity to undertake;- Hike the 3,711 m high Mt Bisoke, visit the grave of the famous gorilla researcher Dian Fossey or visit habituated Golden monkeys.
In the afternoon, you shall leave Ruhengeri and proceed south to Gisenyi on Lake Kivu. You will take a walk through the fashionable lakeside resort, as well as to the border post with DR Congo.
Today, you will drive to the capital of Rwanda Kigali. Enjoy the beautiful scenery on the way. Upon your arrival in Kigali for a city tour, you will visit the Genocide Museum in the suburb of Gisozi.
In the evening depart for the Airport and take your flight back home.
Main Destination: Kigali International Airport (Kigali)
Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)
Meals & Drinks:
Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Inclusions
- 1. Accommodation
- 2. Meals Daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner as per the itinerary.
- 3. Transportation Airport transfers & Private transportation in a comfortable 4x4 safari vehicle.
- 4. Activities and Tours
- 5. Professional Guide
- 6. Park Fees
Exclusions
- 1. International Flights
- 2. Visa Fees
- 3. Optional Activities: Activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- 4. Personal Expenses: Tips and gratuities for guides, drivers, and lodge staff.
- 5. Travel Insurance
- 6. Meals and Drinks: Meals and drinks not specified in the itinerary.
- 7. Souvenirs: Personal purchases and souvenirs.