12 Days Rwanda & Uganda Combined Gorilla Safari, Wildlife Tour
Enjoy this customized 12 Days Safri to Uganda and Rwanda for combined gorilla trekking, game safaris, boat cruise, cultural tours, chimpanzee trekking and forest walks with African Jungle Adventures
Trip Summary
Day 1: Arrival & transfer to Parc National des Volcans
Day 2: Gorilla Tracking Rwanda
Day 3: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
Day 4: Lake Bunyonyi to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Day 5: Second Gorilla tracking Expedition Uganda
Day 6: Bwindi Forest – Queen Elizabeth National park
Day 7: Chimpanzee tracking & Game drive
Day 8: Queen Elizabeth – Kibale Forest National Park
Day 9: Chimpanzee tracking – Kibale Forest
Day 10: Cultural Tour and depart for Kampala
Day 11: Transfer to Ngamba Island
Day 12: Forest walk and departure
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali, transfer to Parc National des Volcans
Upon arrival in Kigali, you will meet your driver / guide at the airport and then transfer to Parc National des Volcans. Depending on your arrival time, we can take a tour in Kigali city; visit Genocide memorial site, local markets, local art and crafts among others. The 2 hours journey to PNV goes through the beautiful terraced hillsides that characterize much of Rwanda’s landscape. Dinner and overnight stay in Mountain Gorilla View Lodge.
Day 2: Gorilla Tracking Rwanda
Wake up early and prepare for today’s incredible experience of Gorilla tracking. We shall assemble at Park Headquarters with packed lunch, attend a briefing on the ‘Dos’ and ‘Don’ts while with Gorillas. Tracking gorillas takes 2-7 Hours depending on their movements. You will stay with these Giant apes for 1 hr for observation and photographing. Descend to the hotel for a rest and if the evening is free, we can have a walk to nearby communities, interact with them and learn more about their culture. Dinner and overnight stay in Mountain Gorilla View Lodge.
Day 3: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
Have breakfast, depart PNV for Lake Bunyonyi in Uganda; famous for its beautiful islands and prolific bird life, settle into Arcadia Cottages and relax as we wait for lunch. Join a canoe ride in the afternoon that expose you to excellent bird watching, and visit the beautiful Islands of Lake Bunyonyi. Dinner and overnight at Arcadia cottages on the shores of Lake Bunyonyi.
Day 4: Lake Bunyonyi to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Take breakfast and drive through the Switzerland of Africa, with the roads winding through many hills and valleys, with distant views of the volcanoes. The journey rewards you with beautiful scenic viewing. Arrive by lunch time and have lunch at Gorilla Forest Camp. Take an evening walk in nearby Batwa (Pygmies) communities for entertainment and learn more about local cultures. Return for dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Second Gorilla tracking Expedition Uganda
After early breakfast, we shall proceed to park offices with packed lunch for a briefing about the ‘Dos’ and ‘Don’ts’ while with gorillas. Tracking can take 2-8 hours depending on their movements. Tracking involves walking up steep and densely forested hills before finally coming across the gorillas camouflaged in the vegetation. You will stay with these Giant apes for 1 hour for observation and photographing. Relax in the evening as we wait for dinner and overnight stay in Gorilla Forest Camp.
Day 6: Bwindi Forest – Queen Elizabeth National park
Take breakfast and set off to Queen Elizabeth Park. The journey takes you through beautiful rolling hills and the Ishasha sector for -Tree-climbing-Lions in the south of Queen Elizabeth. Have lunch at Mweya safari lodge. Proceed for a launch cruise along the Kazinga channel, famous for the highest concentration of Hippos in Africa. Bird life is prolific with over 610 species and hundreds of Nile crocodiles. You will also see herds of elephants and buffaloes drinking water on the channel. The boat provides a clear platform for photographing. Dinner and overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge
Day 7: Chimpanzee tracking & Game drive
Have early breakfast and drive to Kyambura Gorge nearby to track the fast-moving and elusive wild chimpanzees, one of man’s closest relations. Kyambura Gorge harbours the only family of habituated chimpanzees in Africa. Chimpanzee tracking safaris depart from Fig Tree Camp each morning at 08:00 Hrs and in the afternoon at 13:00 Hrs. The chimp population is quite mobile and the walk is enchanting. Other primates include Red-tailed monkeys, Vervet, Black and White colobus monkeys, olive baboons and Giant forest hog. Return to the lodge for lunch and proceed for an evening game drive along Mweya peninsular before sunset. Dinner and overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge.
Day 8: Queen Elizabeth – Kibale Forest National Park
Wake up early for a cup of tea or coffee and take a morning game drive to Kasenyi plains to catch up with early raisers and predators returning to their hideouts. You will be exposed to large variety of animals like Elephants, Buffaloes, Warthogs, and several Antelope species, Lion, leopard and many more. Return to your lodge for full breakfast and relax as we wait for lunch.Dinner and overnight at Luxury Tented Camp.
Day 9: Chimpanzee tracking
Have early breakfast and assemble at Kibale Park headquarters for a briefing on chimpanzee trekking. The trek will expose you to other primates like Colobus Monkeys Giant forest hog, Vervet, red-tailed monkeys, the Grey Cheeked Mangabeys, Olive Baboons, and over 350 bird species. Return for lunch; relax as we wait for an evening cultural walk to nearby communities OR nature walk to Bigodi swamps for more primates, birds and antelopes. Dinner and overnight at Luxury tented camp.
Day 10: Cultural Tour and depart for Kampala
Breakfast at the lodge and drive to Fort portal, visit Toro King’s Palace, Karambi Tombs, “Amabeere ga Nyinamwiru” cultural site, share historical stories about the Chwezi Empire, lunch in Fort Portal town and set-off to Kampala with lots of scenic viewing en-route. Dinner and overnight stay at Kampala Forest Cottages.
Day 11: Transfer to Ngamba Island
Breakfast at the hotel and for a city tour in Kampala, visit Kasubi Tombs, Bahai temp or Nakasero fruits Market before connecting to Entebbe for a boat / ferry to Ngamba Island. This is by 2pm to arrive by 3pm. Take a walk to feed the chimpanzees, enjoy them playing, dinner & overnight at luxury tents.
Day 12: Forest walk and departure
Breakfast followed by a memorable, enjoyable and informative forest walk. Depending on your scheduled departure flight, you will be transferred to Entebbe airport.
End of the Safari
Tour Inclusions
Gorilla trekking permits
Chimpanzee permit
Boat cruise
Park entrance fees
Golden Monkey permit
Bottled drinking water
Ground transport
Full-time English guide
Accommodation and meals
Miscellaneous
All activities in the itinerary
Tour exclusions
Alcoholic beverages
Tips
Porters fee
Extra activities
Visa fees
International flight
