12 Days Rwanda Uganda Safari

This 12 days safari take you will take you on an experience of Rwanda “the land of a thousand hills.” and to Uganda commonly referred to as the pearl of Africa.

 You will start with a Kigali city tour and then travel to Nyungwe forest national park is one of the oldest rainforest in Africa and the forest is home to the chimpanzees in Rwanda. Nyungwe forest is one of the oldest rainforest in Africa and is rich in diversity as it consists of swamps, grassland, rainforest, bamboo and bogs. You then travel to Volcanoes national park for golden monkey trekking. After exploring Volcanoes national park you then head to Lake Kivu a beautiful lake in Kibuye. After Lake Kivu you cross over in to Uganda where you will go on a gorilla trekking adventure before heading to Queen Elizabeth national park for game viewing and wildlife experiences.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival to Rwanda, Airport Pick up and Kigali City Tour

You will arrive in Rwanda on this day and your driver guide will be waiting to pick you up at Kigali International Airport. The driver guide will take you to the hotel in Kigali where you check in. 

Depending on your arrival time you will go on a Kigali city tour after check in. Kigali is the capital city of Rwanda and the tour takes you to landmark sites in the town which include Kigali genocide memorial, Kandt museum which was named after Richard Kandt the first colonial governor of Rwanda, you will also visit a craft market and buy some souvenirs if interested and also visit the Belgian memorial site.

Journey time: 15 minutes

Accommodation Options

Luxury – Kigali Marriot

Mid – range – Onomo Hotel

Budget – The Nest Guest House

Meal Plan: Dinner

Day 2: Travel to Nyungwe Forest National Park

After an early breakfast at the lodge, you check out and leave Akagera for Nyungwe forest national park. The drive takes offers amazing views of the scenery in the Rwanda country side. Lunch will be along the way.

Journey time: 6 hours

Accommodation Options

Luxury – One & Only Nyungwe House

Mid – range – Nyungwe Top View Lodge

Budget – EAR Guest House

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe National Park and Canopy Walk

After breakfast at your lodge this morning your driver guide will transfer you to the briefing area at the park offices in Nyungwe. Here you will meet with your ranger guide who will tell you about the guidelines for the chimp trek and what to expect from the trek. After the briefing you then transfer to the starting point. The chimp trek in Rwanda is a rewarding experience that brings you closer to these primates that are known as man’s closest relatives. Once you locate the chimpanzees you get to watch them as they hop around in the forest and take some amazing photos of them. After this you return back to the starting point.

In the afternoon you will go on a guided canopy walk in Nyugwe forest along the Igishigishigi Trail. The walk takes you through the forest as you see bird life, colorful butterflies, orchids and small predators like squirrels. You might also sight some monkeys along the trail. The canopy walk is an interesting experience as you walk along a 70m high suspension bridge as you are treated to scenic views of Nyungwe forest giving you a true jungle experience.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4: Travel to Volcanoes National Park – Rwanda

Today after breakfast at the lodge you will start the journey to Volcanoes national park. Volcanoes national park is located in Musanze district and offers great views of the Virunga Mountain ranges and the scenery of Rwanda. On arrival at the lodge you will check in and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Journey time: 5 hours

Accommodation:

Up market – Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel

Mid – range – Gorilla Solutions Lodge

Budget – Garden Place

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Golden Monkey tracking and Iby’Iwacu Cultural Tour

The golden monkey trekking in Volcanoes national park is a great way to experience the primates of this park aside from the mountain gorilla trek. After breakfast this morning you will head to the starting point for this trek. The golden monkeys are active monkeys and a beautiful sight to see as they hop around in the forest and feed on bamboo shoots, which must be their favorite delicacy. The golden monkeys offer great photo moments and a unique experience with these primates. Visitors are allowed to spend one hour with them.

You will also visit the Iby’Iwacu cultural village which is a great way to experience the way of the life of the Rwandans as you get a look in to their culture, traditions and norms. The cultural visit can be done after your gorilla trek depending on what time you return. While at the cultural village you will visit the traditional medicine man, be entertained by the traditional dances which you are free to join in and you visit the king’s palace where you can be dressed as a Queen or King for the day.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 6: Travel to Lake Kivu and Boat ride on Lake Kivu

Today morning you have breakfast at the lodge, check out and then proceed to the beautiful Lake Kivu. On arrival you will check in to your lodge and have lunch.

After lunch you will go on a boat ride on Lake Kivu. Lake Kivu is one of Africa’s biggest lakes and the boat ride will give you stunning views of the lake and magnificent mountains surrounding the lake. Lake Kivu also offers great birding opportunities. You then return to the lodge and spend the rest of the day chilling at the lodge and taking in the beauty of Lake Kivu.

Journey time: 2 hours

Accommodation Options

Luxury – Lake Kivu Serena

Mid – range – Paradise Mlahide

Budget – Inzozi Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7:Travel to Bwindi National Park

After a great breakfast at the lodge today you will go on a boat ride on Lake Kivu. Lake Kivu is one of Africa’s biggest lakes and the boat ride will give you stunning views of the lake and magnificent mountains surrounding the lake. Lake Kivu also offers great birding opportunities.

After the boat ride you travel to Bwindi impenetrable national park, the only place to track mountain gorillas in Uganda.

Journey time: 3 hours

Accommodation:

Up market – Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge  

Mid – range – Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge

Budget – Rushaga Gorilla Camp

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi National Park

Today morning you will have breakfast at the lodge and then you will be taken to the park headquarters which is the starting point for your mountain gorilla trekking adventure. You will receive a briefing from your ranger guide with guidelines on the trek and how to behave around the gorillas. After this you will be given walking sticks for support as you trek in the forest and you will also be able to get porters who can be hired at a fee of 15 US dollars to carry your luggage for the day. We advise that you hire a porter because the gorilla trek can be strenuous and hectic hence the need for extra help. The park guides will lead you through the rain forest in search of these endangered species, once you locate the mountain gorillas you are allowed to spend one hour with them. The gorilla trek is an exciting adventure and watching the gorillas as they feed, move around and play with their young ones is a rewarding experience. You will have an opportunity to capture your great shot of the mountain gorillas and you are advised to turn off your camera flashlight when taking pictures.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Travel to Ishasha for Tree climbing lions in Uganda

After breakfast you check out of the lodge and then travel to Ishasha sector in Uganda. Ishasha is in the south western part of Queen Elizabeth national park in Uganda and the main attraction in this area is the tree climbing lions. On arrival you will go on a game drive in search of the tree climbing lions in Ishasha with your ranger guides. The lions can be seen hanging and relaxing in the fig trees while they escape the afternoon scorching sun and the biting flies. Other animals to be spotted include topis, buffaloes, and elephants. Head to the lodge for dinner after the game drive.

Journey time: 3 hours

Accommodation:

Luxury – Ishasha Wilderness Camp

Mid – range – Ishasha Jungle Lodge

Budget – Enjojo Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Morning game drive in Ishasha and Travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After a hearty breakfast at the lodge you will go on yet another game drive this morning as you search for the tree climbing lions.

After the game drive you travel to Queen Elizabeth national park. Once you arrive at the park you can spend the rest of the day relaxing at the lodge.

Optional Activity:Community Walk and Tour

Journey time: 2 hours

Accommodation:

Luxury – Kyambura Gorge Lodge or Mweya Safari Lodge

Mid – range – Twin Lakes Safari Lodge

Budget – Bush Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: Morning Game Drive and Boat ride on Kazinga Channel

You will go on an early morning game drive in the park after having breakfast at the lodge. The game drive will take place in Kasenyi plains as this is where you get the best game viewing opportunities. Wildlife to look out for includes hyenas, lions, elephants, buffaloes, hyenas, leopard and antelope species among other animals.

Your afternoon will be spent on a boat cruise on Kazinga channel. The boat ride offers great opportunities to look out for water birds, hippos, huge monitor lizards, crocodiles that like to sunbathe on the shores, elephants that like to play in the water and antelopes as they come to the shores to drink water in the afternoon. The boat cruise takes 2 hours and offers you a relaxing afternoon on water.

 Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12: Travel to Kampala or Entebbe

You will end your safari on this day as you travel to Kampala or Entebbe, you will have a stopover at the Uganda Equator monument. Your driver guide will then drop you off in Kampala or Entebbe Airport for your flight back home.

Optional Activity – Kampala City tour.

Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch

Journey time: 6 hours

What to carry for your Gorilla trek and Chimpanzee trek

• Long pants and Long sleeved shirt
• Sunscreen
• Camera with batteries
• Insect repellant
• Hiking shoes and Rain Jacket

Tour Package Includes:

• Gorilla Trekking Permit
• Chimpanzee Trekking Permit
• Golden monkey trekking
• Canopy walk
• Transport in Private Safari car with popup roof for game viewing
• Boat ride and game drives
• Kigali city tour
• Park entrance fees
• Full board accommodation as per the itinerary
• Drinking water in the car

Tour Package does not include:

• Optional Activities
• Tips
• International flights and East Africa entry visa charge
• Insurance
• Other personal expenses while on the trip