17 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari Adventure

Lion chilling in QENP

Uganda Rwanda Safari Adventure – Big 5 in Murchison Falls, Chipms Trek in Kibale, Savannah Wildlife Game in QENP, Gorilla Trekking Trip to Bwindi, Golden Monkeys in PNV, and Akagera Wild

Day 1: Meet And Greet In Entebbe, Transfer To Your Hotel In Entebbe:

You will be met on arrival by our representative for briefing and later you will be transferred to Anderita beach hotel Entebbe as you wait for the start of your adventurous holiday the next day. Meal plan Dinner.

Day 2: Drive to Murchison Falls National Park, Stopover At Ziwa Rhinos Sanctuary:

After breakfast, enjoy the panoramic drive northwest of Kampala through the famous battle zone of the Luwero triangle. Have a stopover at the Ziwa Rhino and wildlife ranch .rhino trekking takes about two hours in the company of a well-trained and knowledgeable local guide.

Up-Market: Paraa Safari Lodge
Moderate: Fort Murchison Lodge / Murchison River Lodge/ Pakuba Lodge
Low Budget: Fort Murchison Lodge (Tents) / Murchison River Lodge (Tents)/ Red Chilli Rest Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Game Drives Boat Trip Murchison

After your breakfast, we drive through the famous Luwero triangle. You can choose to visit and track white rhinos at Ziwa rhino sanctuary at $40/ per person. This sanctuary has now been established to breed black and white rhinos, and restore rhino populations in Uganda’s protected areas in a later stage.) Take a stopover at Masindi hotel for lunch. We will continue through the park stopping at the top of the falls which is a fantastic sight. Here the Nile, the longest river in the world, is forced through a narrow gap in the rock (only 7 meters wide), before ferociously plunging down 43 meters. from here we will continue onto our accommodation place along the Nile river

Up-Market: Paraa Safari Lodge
Moderate: Fort Murchison Lodge / Murchison River Lodge/ Pakuba Lodge
Low Budget: Fort Murchison Lodge (Tents) / Murchison River Lodge (Tents)/ Red Chilli Rest Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Drive to Kibale National Park:

Later in the morning, we start off for fort portal / Kibale national park .you pass through a traditional Uganda village where you see people at work tending their traditional crops of millet, sorghum, beans, and maize. The lush rolling hill of this region provides good “photo opportunities”. This rural Uganda town (fort portal) is locally famous for its weaving and basketry, and we can spend some time briefly examining some of this local art.

Up-Market: Kyaninga lodge or primate lodge Kibale or Ndali lodge
Mid-range: Papaya Safari Lodge/ Kibale forest camp
Low Budget: Tents at Kibale Forest Camp/ Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Chimpanzee Tracking, Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary

Assemble at Kanyancyu park headquarters at 0800hours to go for the most popular activity in this park which is chimpanzee tracking. chimpanzees are man’s closest cousins though they are one of the most threatened primate species. more primates like black and white Colobus monkeys, L’hoest monkeys, grey checked mangabey, red-tailed monkeys, bush babies, pottos, and many bird species like the yellow-spotted nicator, rumped tinker bird, little greenbul, green breasted pitta, the crowned eagle, black bee-eater and mammals like elephants can be seen in this walk.
Kibale national park, which averages about 3,300 feet in elevation, is an extension of the great rainforests of central Africa. it is inhabited by three large “communities” of chimps, each numbering more than 100 individuals. Each community has a complicated social structure. The big adult males dominate the group and defend the community territory against incursions by male outsiders; the females usually wander in small family groups.
Typically, we locate the chimps by listening for their pant-hooting calls, then hustle to the area from which they are calling. We get to observe them as they feed in fruiting trees, lounge, socialize with each other, or even, occasionally hunt.

In the afternoon we visit a nearby forest swamp that is excellent for viewing primates and other forest animals. at the eastern edge of the Kibale forest is bigodi wetland sanctuary which is maintained by the local community. You will expect birds like the great blue turaco, blue monkeys, baboons, otters, mongoose, bushbucks, bush pigs, and others.

Up-Market: Kyaninga Lodge or Ndali Lodge
Moderate: Kibale Forest Camp
Low Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Queen Elizabeth National Park:

Drive to Queen Elizabeth national park which is dominated on its northern border by the snow-capped 16000- foot Rwenzori mountains –the famed “Mountains of the Moon “. This seven six seven square mile conservation area borders on the northeast by Lake George and on the southwest by Lake Edward; its western border adjoins the Zaire parc Du Virunga. The game seen will depend on the season; the Kasenyi plans are good for lions and the Mweya peninsula for a variety of animals.

Luxuryfacility: Mweya Safari Lodge/ Katara Lodge/ Jacana Lodge
Mide Range: Bush Lodge (In Rooms)/ Simba Safari Camp In Rooms/ Buffalo Safari Resort/ Enganzi Lodge/ Ihamba Safari Lodge
Budget Facility: Kazinga Channel View Lodge/ Simba Safari Camp In Tents/ Bush Lodge in tents
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Queen Elizabeth National Park

We set out early in the morning for a game drive in the northern part of the park on the Kasenyi Track in search of lions, elephants, and solitary buffaloes. This is the best time for opportunities of viewing the cats in action owing to the vast population of Uganda kobs. We have an excellent chance to view just about every animal here at very close range.

Return to the lodge for your breakfast, before heading out for a launch trip along the Kazinga channel. This gives you the opportunity to view wildlife up close: hippos huff and sprays at a mere foot away from the boat, buffalo linger in the shallows. The shores of the channel are also home to an array of birds including pink-backed pelicans, pied and malachite kingfishers, saddle-billed stork, and many others.

Up-Market/ Luxury: Mweya safari lodge or katara lodge
Mid-Range: Queen Elizabeth safari lodge
Budget Price: Mweya Hostels Or samba safari camp
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Queen Elizabeth National Park: Tree Climbing Lions

After Breakfast, drive further south through the stunning savannah grasslands as we head to the southern sector of the park –Ishasha, A remote and beautiful extension of Queen Elizabeth National Park that is host to a large variety of wildlife. (This Is a fabulous area in which to see the lions draped from the trees, and nowhere in Africa. Here you stand a better chance of seeing this than in the large low limbed fig tree of Ishasha).

Luxuryfacility: Mweya Safari Lodge/ Katara Lodge/ Jacana Lodge
Mide Range: Bush Lodge (In Rooms)/ Simba Safari Camp In Rooms/ Buffalo Safari Resort/ Enganzi Lodge/ Ihamba Safari Lodge
Budget Facility: Kazinga Channel View Lodge/ Simba Safari Camp In Tents/ Bush Lodge In Tents
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Ishsaha Sector:

After breakfast, we game drive in Ishasha expecting to encounter the tree-climbing lions and other wildlife.

Luxuryfacility: Mweya Safari Lodge/ Katara Lodge/ Jacana Lodge
Mide Range: Bush Lodge (In Rooms)/ Simba Safari Camp In Rooms/ Buffalo Safari Resort/ Enganzi Lodge/ Ihamba Safari Lodge
Budget Facility: Kazinga Channel View Lodge/ Simba Safari Camp In Tents/ Bush Lodge In Tents
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for a Gorilla Trekking trip

Today enjoys gorilla tracking in Bwindi. After breakfast, proceed for the morning briefing before enjoying the highlight of the trip – gorilla trekking, which may last the entire day. We trek the gorillas through the rainforest and bamboo-covered slopes, accompanied by a guide and trackers, in search of a mountain gorilla family. The gorilla trekking activity can sometimes be tough and long, but when you catch a glimpse of the magnificent silverback, any discomforts will be quickly forgotten. When the gorillas are sighted, visitors will be guided to within 6 meters from the gorillas, and sit around them for a whole hour while gazing into their big round eyes.

While most of today’s forests are no more than 12,000 years old, Bwindi’s vegetation has been weaving itself into tangles over at least 25,000 years, in the process accumulating a lengthy species list. This includes 310 species of butterfly, 51 reptiles, 200 trees, 88 moths, and an exceptional 120 types of mammal including 10 primates. The latter include Chimpanzees, L’hoest’s, red-tailed and blue monkeys, black and white colobus, baboons, and Bwindi’s most famous resident, the mountain gorilla. Bwindi is a prime destination for birdwatchers. Its 350 species include seven which are IUCN red data listed and 90% of all Albertine rift species which are difficult or impossible to see in any other part of east Africa.

Luxury Level: Buhoma Lodge/ Mahogany Springs/ Chameleon Hill Lodge
Moderate: Engage lodge /silverback lodge / gorilla safari lodge / lake kitandara camp
Low Budget: Travelers Rest Hotel or Ruhija gorilla friend’s camp Or Buhoma community camping ground
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: Gorilla Trekking In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park:

Today enjoy surely. After breakfast, proceed for the morning briefing before enjoying the highlight of the trip- gorilla trekking, which may last the entire day. we trek through the rainforest and bamboo-covered slopes, accompanied by a guide and trackers, in search of a mountain gorilla family. The walking can sometimes be tough and long, but when you catch a glimpse of the magnificent silverback, any discomforts will be quickly forgotten. When sighted, visitors will be guided to within 6 meters of the gorillas, and sit around them for a whole hour while gazing into their big round eyes.
Gorilla trekking is unpredictable. It’s difficult to foresee how many hours you will hike. The gorilla excursion can take from 2 up to 8 hours. Expect to walk long distances in steep and muddy conditions, sometimes with rain overhead, before you encounter any gorillas. a good physical condition is recommended. For conservation purposes, time spent with the gorillas is limited to one hour. A ranger will brief you on how to behave with the gorillas.

Luxury Level: Buhoma Lodge/ Mahogany Springs/ Chameleon Hill Lodge
Moderate:Engage lodge /silverback lodge / gorilla safari lodge / lake Mutanda Resort.
Low Budget: Travelers Rest Hotel or Ruhija gorilla friend’s camp Or Buhoma community camping ground
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12: Golden Monkey Habituation In Mgahinga, Cross To Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park

You will wake up early and transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (30mintues drive)to participate in a habituation experience of the Golden Monkeys. You will get to the forest early enough to catch up with the Golden Monkey as they come out of their sleeping habitats between 6:00 – and 6:30 am. You will watch them as they stretch to exercise their bodies, make noises to communicate, care for the young, go food hunting, patrol and play until late in the afternoon when they vanish to their hiding places to sleep.

Watch as the researchers carry out simulation activities to make the Golden monkeys get used to the presence of human beings and be educated by the researchers about their feeding habits, the kind of noises they make to communicate the invasion of their space by strangers, what they do when they sense danger, what they eat, how the mothers care for the young, and how the members of the family keep together. You will also gain an understanding of the forest, plant life, and the other species found there.

After crossing to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National park

Day 13: Gorilla Trekking In Parc National Des Volcans:

The highlight of many visitors to Rwanda is gorilla tracking in parc national des volcano made famous by the naturalist Dian Fossey. For many, this is the epitome of gorilla tracking through the steep bamboo forests of their mountain home where they have survived poaching, kidnapping, deforestation, and war where half the world’s population now calls home .trekking can take a full day but the average time to reach the gorillas is around two to three hours climb through the dense bamboo as the steaming forest rises all around you. Your hour with the gorillas will be an amazing experience.

Luxury Level: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Moderate: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge/ La Palme Hotel / Gorillas Volcanoes Hotel
Low Budget: Muhabura Lodge / Kinigi Guest House / Virunga Hotel Musanze
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14: Gold Monkey Tracking In Parc National Des Volcans:

In the morning after breakfast, you will set off to the forest to track the rare golden monkeys. You will encounter other primate species such as velvet monkeys, baboons, and a variety of bird species and butterflies. The guide will be ready to answer your questions about fauna and flora.

Luxury Level: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Moderate: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge/ La Palme Hotel / Gorillas Volcanoes Hotel
Low Budget: Muhabura Lodge / Kinigi Guest House / Virunga Hotel Musanze
Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15: Out to the East:

You will driveway out to the far east of Rwanda to its border with Tanzania and the remarkable Akagera national park you will be staying at Ruzizi lodge, built right of lake Ihema on a boardwalk with an ecological basis throughout the tents are all hidden in the woods and closed to the water making this one of the most unique lodges in all of Rwanda where you will stay for the next two nights on a full border basis

Accommodation Options Available

Luxury Level: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Moderate: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge/ La Palme Hotel / Gorilla Volcanoes Hotel
Low Budget: Muhabura Lodge / Kinigi Guest House / Virunga Hotel Musanze
Meals Included Today: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 16: A Day In Akagera National Park Game-Drive:

Akagera was once one of the jewels of the East African safari circuit, but after years of unrest suffer massive losses. Things are looking up though as the population of games coming back through Tanzania. Giraffes and other plains games are easy to stop; the Rwanda government has recently introduced six lions from Kenya, while I have found the park to be a fine place for leopard sightings with no other visitor to distract you. The park is best seen as a scenic wilderness experience through and the views are stunning, while a trip out on one of the lakes to spot hippos and birds is a nice way to spend an afternoon in this totally unique part of Africa.

Accommodation Options Available

Luxury Level: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Moderate: Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge/ La Palme Hotel / Gorillas Volcanoes Hotel
Low Budget: Muhabura Lodge / Kinigi Guest House / Virunga Hotel Musanze
Meals Included Today: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 17: Onwards To Kigali for Fight out

Depart from the park in the afternoon to Kigali. You have a Kigali city tour today and visit the genocide memorial museum before you transfer to the airport for your onward international flight. The city tour includes the old town (Nyamirambo) and Muslim quarter, the new handicraft village and other shops, the Batwa pottery and dance center, and the Gisozi genocide memorial. The memorial is very moving – the tour takes a couple of hours – and will be of interest to anyone who has spent some time in this enchanting country.
Afterward, you will be dropped off at Kigali airport for your flight back home.

What to Bring

Given that Gorilla tracking involves a lot of walking on rough, mountainous terrain, a tracker is advised to:

Bring shoes with good traction, suitable for steep muddy slopes.
Carry rain gear, sunscreen, and a hat, as the weather is unpredictable.
Carry enough water and food.
Carry binoculars
Carry a good camera that can take photographs of black animals in dim light without a flash. A monopod can also be very helpful.