Enjoy this 10-day Uganda-Rwanda Safari, which will take you to the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary, followed by Murchison Falls National Park for game drives and boat cruise. You will then move to the primate “capital” at Kibale National Park for Chimpanzee trekking. After chimp trekking, transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park for a game drive and boat cruise before visiting Lake Bunyonyi for scenic views and boat rides. After doing the exciting activities in Uganda, move to Rwanda for the gorilla trekking safari in the Volcanoes National Park. Rwanda is rich in culture and this can be evidenced at the Iby’wachu cultural village and wrap it up with a visit to the memorial sites in Kigali.
Uganda -Rwanda Safari Highlights
- Trek Rhinos in Ziwa Sanctuary
- Game drive in Murchison Falls National Park
- Boat launch on the Nile River
- Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale forest National Park
- Game drive safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Boat cruise on Kazinga channel.
- Boat cruise and nature walk around Lake Bunyonyi
- Gorilla tracking in Volcanoes National Park
- Cultural gallery at the Iby’wachu Cultural village
- Visit to the Memorial sites in Kigali
Detailed Safari Itinerary.
Day 1: Arrival in Uganda – Entebbe Airport.
You will be met at the airport by our safari guide, who will transfer you to Kampala to the hotel of your choice. Depending on your arrival time, you may be taken around Kampala city to see the different sites before retiring to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Drive to Murchison Falls National Park via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel in the morning and begin the journey to Murchison falls National Park, you will drive through several towns along the way before having an optional stopover at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary where the endangered White rhinoceros are bred.
This Rhino sanctuary was started to protect the White Rhino populations found in Uganda, you will spend one hour with these giants after locating them.
You will then have a stopover in Masindi for your lunch. After lunch proceed to Murchison Falls, as you drive through the Buddings Forest you will comes across troops of baboons, monkeys and several bird species.
Drive to the top of the falls, you will enjoy the powerful Nile as it squeezes through the narrow 7-meter gorge, dropping 42 feet below, producing thunderous plumes of water that rise up 10 meters high. It’s such a spectacle to watch the power of nature at work.
Journey time to the park is approximately 7-9 hours, including stopovers.
Accommodation (full board)
Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge
Mid-range: Pakuba safari lodge / Fort Murchison / Murchison River Lodge
Budget: Fort Murchison / Murchison River Lodge / Red Chili.
Day 3: Game drive in Murchison & boat cruise on the River Nile.
Have breakfast by 6am and thereafter and proceed to the wilderness in search of the early morning raisers, the morning game drive starts at about 6:30am in the northern sector of the Park, look out for animals such as; the giraffes, lions, hyenas, water bucks, elephants, buffalos, antelopes- many species of birds such as; pelican, egrets, ibis, shoebill stock, marabou stock, king fisher, egrets to mention but a few. As you have your game drive, you may relax and have a picnic on the river bank as you listen to the groans of the Hippos.
After the game drive, you will transfer to the lodge and enjoy your lunch, either way you may take packed lunch with you as you wait to have an afternoon boat cruise on the Nile River. This cruise is spectacular as it allows you to get up close to the aquatic animals such as; the hippos, crocodiles, water bucks, buffalos, elephants etc. Among the birds commonly sited on the boat cruise include the goliath heron, king fisher, weaver birds, bee eater, cattle egrets and the beautiful scenery along the bank. At the bottom of the falls, you may choose to trek to the top of the falls or choose to take photos at the rocks below the falls.
Day 4; Transfer to Kibale National Park.
Have an early breakfast and depart for Kibale National Park, home to 13 primate species. With so many primates in one park, Kibale National Park is a must-visit for primate lovers. The chimpanzee is the star attraction in this park, and it does not disappoint when you finally meet them.
As you move to the park, you will come across homesteads, tea plantations, farmland, patched forest, markets, and small trading centers. Your guide will choose a spot for you to have a picnic lunch, reminisce about the previous adventures, and look forward to the upcoming adventures.
You will check into your preferred accommodation late in the evening. Relax and wait for your dinner as you get ready for the morning chimpanzee adventure.
You will spend approximately 8 hours on this journey
Accommodation (full board).
Luxury: Chimpundu Safari Lodge /Primate lodge//Papaya Lodge / Tabebuia Spa & Safari resort.
Moderate: Chimpanzee forest guest house
Budget: Kibale Forest Camp
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Chimpanzee tracking & transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
In the morning, you will have breakfast and transfer to the Kayanchu visitor center in Kibale National Park for a briefing before setting off to track the chimpanzees. The tracking will be guided to provide information not only about chimpanzees but also about other primates in the entire park and surrounding communities. You will come across other primates like baboons, L’Hoest’s monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, red-tailed colobus monkeys. After chimp trekking, return to the lodge, refresh have lunch and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Day 6: Game drive and Kazinga channel boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
After an early morning breakfast at 6:00 am, transfer to Kasenyi sector for the morning game drive. Expect to see early morning predators such as leopards, hyenas, lions, different antelope species, buffaloes, elephants, hippos, warthogs, waterbucks, etc. For birders, Queen Elizabeth National Park is a birders’ paradise with over 600 species, including a variety of migratory birds. In the afternoon, at 2:00 pm, you will start your boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel between lakes Edward and George. The boat cruise is approximately 2 hours. This is the best place to see a cross-section of all the wildlife in this park. After the cruise, you can have a mini game drive before retiring for the night at your preferred lodge.
Accommodation Options (full board).
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge, Elephant Plains Safari Lodge, Mazike Valley Lodge
Midrange: Ihamba Lakeside Safari Lodge / Twin Lakes Safari Lodge / Ishasha Jungle Lodge / Acacia Wilderness Safari Lodge.
Budget: Simba safari camp/ Bush lodge-tents
Day 7 – Lake Bunyonyi Tour / boat tour.
After breakfast, transfer to Lake Bunyonyi- the deepest lake in Uganda, you will check in to your lodge refresh have lunch before heading out for the a boat ride on this beautiful Lake comprising of 29 islands, Most of these islands have a lot of history about them and your local guide will be at hand to narrate to you. Canoes are also available on this lake. After the day’s activities return to the lodge and relax.
Accommodation (full board).
Luxury: Bushara Island Camp (lower budget)
Moderate: Bird’s Nest
Budget: Bird’s Nest/ Arcadia Cottage
Day 8: Boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi & transfer to Volcanoes National Park for Rwanda safari.
Lake Bunyonyi has 29 beautiful islands scattered around the lake, almost all of these islands have got a history which can be narrated by the local guides. These islands are surrounded by round hills with well tilled terraces which are fascinating on the eye. The 5 – 6 hour boat ride will take you to the different islands inhabited by the local communities of the bakiga and the batwa who are a must visit as they offer a lot in terms of culture and entertainment. Besides you will look out for impressive views of the Lake, flora and various bird species on the shores. In the late afternoon, prepare for transfer to Volcanoes National Park, ready to start your Rwanda Safari.
Accommodation (full board).
Luxury lodge (Up-market): Mountain Gorilla View Lodge / Gorillas Nest Lodge
Moderate: La Palme Hotel /Volcanoes Gorilla Lodge
Low Budget: Kinigi Guest House / Muhavura Lodge.
Day 9: Gorilla tracking during the Rwanda Safari
Have an early breakfast and drive to Park headquarters at Kinigi to join other tourists for a briefing on Gorilla tracking before 08:00am. You will be briefed, then given different groups of 8 persons and allocated guides to lead you into the forest in search of the mountain Gorilla families. The trekking may take 2 –8 hours and when you get to meet the gorillas you will be allowed a maximum of one hour with them, take photos and video recordings and enjoy your moments with the gorillas . You will return to the hotel for lunch and in afternoon be taken to either visit the Iby’wachu cultural village to learn about the Kinyarwanda culture or take a nature walk to the twin lakes. Retire to your lodge for the overnight.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 10: Drive to Kigali.
Have an early breakfast after and transfer to Kigali for a city tour. You will visit the Kigali Genocide memorial site, the Nyamata church, and the Presidential Palace Museum before either retiring to your hotel for dinner and overnight or transferring to the airport. for your departure flight.
End Of the Uganda – Rwanda Safari
Safari inclusions;
- 4WD min vehicle with pop up roof for game viewing.
- Gorilla permits
- Chimpanzee Permits
- Boat cruise
- Full-time driver/guide.
- Accommodation (full board).
- All activities as included in the itinerary.
- Park fees.
Safari tour exclusions:
Personal Expenses like, telephone, drinks, laundry, international flights, personal insurance, Visa, and tips
