14 days Uganda – Rwanda Safari : This safari takes you through the most iconic landscapes in East Africa in the countries that are celebrated for their outstanding heritage and commitment to sustainability. Uganda is renowned for its breathtaking tourist attractions whereby tourists on this tour will have the opportunity to observe especially the iconic Big 4 animals and the breathtaking Murchison Falls National Park, the most powerful and magnificent waterfall in the whole world. Visitors will have the opportunity to observe chimpanzees and tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Various exciting activities such as game drives and boat cruises will be engaged in to elevate the travelers’ experiences. Head to Rwanda to explore more and have experiences in Africa’s fastest-growing city Kigali, continue to Volcanoes National Park where you will indulge in the exciting golden monkey trekking and cultural encounters in Iby’iwacu cultural village. Both Uganda and Rwanda are incredible destinations for adventure and exploration!
Detailed itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival and transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport will be welcomed by a professional tour guide. Interact with the guide as he will provide information about the country and the exciting destinations you are to visit and later undertake the drive to Murchison Falls National Park in a cozy tour vehicle.
The journey to Murchison Falls National Park will take you approximately 4 hours and 31 minutes and upon arrival, you will check in at the lodging facility where you will be served a delicious lunch as you stare at the captivating grasslands and river Nile. Relax at the premises of the lodge in the afternoon as you enjoy the views of the National Park and the animals therein. A delicious dinner will be served later in the evening after which you will have an overnight rest to prepare for the next day’s exploration adventures.
Day 2: Game viewing and boat trip.
Breakfast will be served at the break of the day at the lodge after which you will embark on the game drive in the sprawling Savannahs of Murchison Falls. The game drive will present golden opportunities to view the animals within the National Park especially the giraffes, lions, African buffaloes, African Bush elephants, impalas, waterbucks, elands, common genets, warthogs, and leopards on a lucky day.
Enjoy exploration of the National Park until high noon when you will travel back to the lodge for a delicious meal. In the afternoon, you will head to River Nile where you will have a boat trip that will be launched to the view of the magnificent Murchison Falls. Enjoy the views of wildlife along the river, such as hippos and crocodiles, as well as have a glance at the world’s most powerful waterfalls. The boat offers a great platform to take pictures and enjoy captivating views of various wildlife including bird species. Head back to the lodge premises at sundown for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
After breakfast, check out of the lodge and transfer to Kibale Forest National Park, a journey that will take you approximately 5 hours through the breathtaking landscapes of western Uganda. Arrive at the lodge in time for lunch. After lunch you have an option of relaxing at the lodge or being transferred to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary in the afternoon for bird watching, the sanctuary is a renowned habitat for over 300 species of birds.
You have a chance to observe birds such as the shoe bill, secretary birds, African fish eagles, turacos, piapiacs, African jacanas and darters. The bird-watching activity will keep you occupied until sunset when you will travel back to the lodge for dinner and an overnight rest.
Day 4: Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale forest, drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Have breakfast served at the crack of dawn at the lodge, attend a briefing by park rangers, and later make your way into the jungle accompanied by armed rangers for the exciting chimpanzee trekking adventure. This activity will allow you to observe chimpanzees as they enjoy their life in their natural habitat. The activity will go on up to noon when we return to the lodge for a delicious hot lunch.
After lunch, we drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park for approximately 2-3 hours. Proceed to the lodge where you will relax and savor the views of the captivating outback the entire afternoon. Dinner will be served later at sundown and later have nighttime accommodation.
Day 5: Game drive and Kazinga channel boat cruise.
Enjoy your breakfast at the lodge and thereafter, depart for a morning game drive in the National Park where you will encounter wildlife such as elephants, impalas, waterbucks, elands, common warthogs, and lions. For bird lovers, you also have a chance to spot a variety of bird species like Papyrus gonolek, Afrikan skimmer, Red-chested sunbird among others.
The game drive will keep you occupied until noon tide when you will travel back to the lodge for a delicious lunch. Drive to Kazinga Channel connecting Lake Edward and Lake Gorge for an exciting boat cruise that will allow you to experience fascinating views of the lush vegetation in the park, wonderful bird species, and hippos. Return to the lodge at eventide and relish in the premises of the lodge as you observe the sunset over the lush vegetation. Dinner will be served later and you’ll have an overnight stay.
Day 6: Ishasha game drive, continue to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Enjoy today’s breakfast and later drive to the Ishasha sector, south of Queen Elizabeth National Park in search of the tree-climbing lions. You will also encounter other wild animals including spotted hyenas, caracals, genets, and leopards. This game drive will run up to the mid-morning when you will then embark on the journey southwards to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
The drive takes approximately 4-5 hours with lunch en route in Mbarara. Continue with the journey to the national park where you check in at your lodge on arrival. Enjoy the views of the national parks forests and highlands as you relax at the lodge. A delicious dinner will be served at sunset accompanied by an overnight stay.
Day 7: Mountain Gorilla trekking and Batwa community tour.
Have breakfast, relax in the comfortable premises of the lodge as you enjoy the breakfast and then undertake the briefing with rangers of the park. They will tell you about the rules and guidelines of the mountain gorilla trekking activity and at around 8:00am you will be accompanied to the jungle to participate in the gorilla trekking experience.
Meet the unique, endangered mountain gorillas and watch them enjoy their lives in their natural habitat. You will be allowed only 1 hour to be in the company of these interesting gentle giants who are presumed to be our closest relatives. This activity will go on up to the afternoon when you will be transferred back to the lodge for lunch.
After lunch, drive to the Batwa homesteads on the outskirts of the National Park for yet another exciting activity full of cultural entertainment, learning about the way of life of the Batwa hunter-gatherer community and their traditions. Enjoy the interaction with these local people until sunset. Return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight rest.
Day 8: Transfer to Rwanda – Volcanoes National Park
Arise at Sunup amidst the views of the forest in the golden hour as you enjoy your breakfast served at the lodge. Later check out of the lodge and embark on a short journey to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. Upon arrival in the Musanze region, you will continue to your accommodation facility, arriving in time for lunch. Spend the evening at leisure.
Day 9: Golden Monkey Tracking and Iby’iwacu cultural village.
You will be served a scrumptious breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Volcanoes National Park for approximately 3 hours and on arrival, you will participate in the exciting golden monkey trekking adventure. This adventure will allow you the opportunity to observe the variety of lush flora and other species of fauna inhabiting the captivating Volcanoes. Sights of five out of the eight Virunga massif extinct volcanoes will be presented which are good for photography and videography.
At noon, you will then be transferred to the lodge to have yourself served a delicious lunch. Visit the Iby’iwacu cultural village for an extraordinary Rwandan cultural experience. The local Rwandese people pride themselves on entertaining and welcoming visitors. You will learn more about their way of life, enjoy their interesting Kinyarwanda dance, and have a taste of their local cuisine. The activity will keep you occupied until twilight when you will then be transferred back to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 10: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park
At the crack of dawn, enjoy your delicious breakfast and thereafter be transferred to Nyungwe Forest National Park, a journey that will take you approximately 4 hours and 23 minutes.
On arrival at the National Park, you will drive through the captivating, lush vegetation, go ahead and check in at the lodge to unwind and have a delicious lunch. After lunch, you’ll have an exploration around the lodge for an opportunity to watch some of the primates that usually come in the perimeters of the lodge, especially the black and white colobus monkeys and series of beautiful bird species. Head back to the lodge at sunset for an evening meal and overnight.
Day 11: Chimpanzee Trekking
A delicious morning meal will be served to the guests at crack of dawn. Attend briefing with the team of Rangers at the National Park to know the guidelines of the tracking adventure. Continue to the jungle at around 8:00 am for chimpanzee trekking activity which will keep you occupied until noontide.
Transfer back to the lodge at noon to have yourselves served a delicious lunch. Later in the afternoon, a visit to the tropical waterfalls for extraordinary waterfall experiences, and views of the wonderful bird species, and you have opportunities for beautiful photography and videography which will serve as evidence for a life well lived in the captivating sites of Rwanda. Transfer back to the lodge at sunset for relaxation, Dinner, and an overnight stay.
Day 12: Canopy walk and Tea plantations tour.
Breakfast will be served at the break of the day at the lodge, later undertake the canopy walk in the forest at sunrise that will present to you the breathtaking views of the towering tree canopies and the golden opportunity to observe other primates in the forest especially the black and white colobus monkeys and red-tailed monkeys. A variety of bird species will also be observed since the forest is home to over 350 East African Rift Valley endemics such as the great blue turacos, Abyssinian ground hornbill, black bee eaters, cinnamons, egrets, hammerkops, African fish eagles, African paradise flycatchers, sunbirds, African darters, African jacanas and lanner falcons.
Enjoy the views of exciting creatures and later in the afternoon transfer back to the lodge for lunch. Afterward, you will have a visit to the Gisakura tea plantation where you will have a chance to enjoy the plantations experience and you know about all the necessary processes that take place before tea is ready for consumption. The Tea estate presents great opportunities for sightseeing and photography which you will gladly Indulge in. Head back to the lodge at sunset for dinner and a night rest.
Day 13: Transfer to Kigali, enroute tour at Nyanza King’s palace.
Have an early meal at cockcrow as served at the lodge. Check out of the lodge after and embark on the transfer back to Kigali which will take you approximately 4 hours. Enroute to Kigali, you will have a tour at Nyanza King’s palace where you will have the opportunity to immerse yourselves into the exciting cultures and traditions of the Rwanda people. Several forms of entertainment will be unveiled by the local troupes to enhance your experiences. Enjoy the activity until high noon when you’ll be served a delicious lunch at the palace restaurant.
Continue with the journey to Kigali in the afternoon. On arrival in Kigali, you will check in at the hotel and relax as you enjoy the views of the bustling city. Dinner will be served later at sundown, and you’ll have the Rwanda nightlife experiences in the state-of-the-art clubs. Transfer back to the hotel at the time of your wish for an overnight rest.
Day 14. Departure
Upon waking up at the time of their wish in the morning will be served a delicious breakfast by the team of waiters and waitresses at the hotel. Savor breakfast as you enjoy the views of the attractive Kigali city and later check out of the hotel. Transfer to Kigali International Airport where you will get on board your flight back home.
End of Safari