wildlife safari
national parks tour
a serval cat

RWANDA AND UGANDA SAFARI (13 DAYS)

Day 1: ARRIVAL

You are personally met upon arrival at airport and transfer to Kigali for a briefing on your safari. After lunch, depart for PNV at 2pm. The journey north of the country goes through the beautiful terraced hillsides that characterize much of Rwanda’s landscape, gradually climbing to the base of the Virunga volcanoes, sometimes with a view of 5 peaks on clear weather. Overnight and dinner at Gorillas Nest Lodge (FB).

Day 2: GORILLA TRACKING

Wake up early morning and have breakfast, then go for gorilla tracking in Parc National des Volcans. Tracking the gorillas through the light mountain forest on the slopes of the Virungas is an awesome experience. If you are lucky you can get to the gorillas, spend an hour with them, and be back at the base in time for a late lunch. Overnight and dinner at Gorillas Nest Lodge (FB).

Day 3: COMMUNITY TOUR

Visit the golden monkeys or drive to Gisenyi, visit Ross Carr's orphanage and Lake Kivu or climb the Visoke/Muhavura volcanoes, or trek to Dian Fossey's grave the famous primatologist who dedicated most of his time to research on gorillas or visit the local school, community projects or walk to Lake Bulera. Overnight and dinner at Gorillas Nest Lodge (FB).

Day 4: TRANSFER TO UGANDA.

Today you will relax or walk near the Lodge. After lunch transfer to Uganda. If time allows, you will go for a walk near Mount Gahinga. Overnight and dinner at Travelers Hotel or Mgahinga Safari Lodge (FB).

Day 5: GORILLA TRACKING.

After breakfast, you will go gorilla tracking again, this time in Mgahinga/Nkuringo (on payment of supplement at time of booking), or climb a volcano, or go for a nature walk, or visit the golden monkeys in Mgahinga. Overnight: Travelers Rest Hotel or Mgahinga Safari Lodge (FB).

Day 6: TRANSFER TO BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK.

In the morning after breakfast, you will drive to Bwindi through the Switzerland of Africa, with the road winding through many hills and valleys. Incase you get there on time; you will go for a guided nature walk in the thick forest rich in birds, butterflies and monkeys. Alternatively go for a cultural visit of the nearby local communities and share the way of life and living. Overnight and dinner at Bwindi Gorilla Resort or Gorilla Forest Camp (FB).

Day 7: GORILLA TRACKING.

You will go for gorilla tracking again this time in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (on payment of supplement at the time of booking). Report to the ranger station at 8.00am, from where the guides will take you through the bush, slashing at the undergrowth, parting thick creepers, to track the gorillas.

 

A reasonable degree of fitness is required as well as a sturdy pair of walking/hiking shoes. Sit in the forest among the gorillas, listen to them grumble to each other, and marvel at the sheer size of the dominant male - the silverback. Amazing to think that there are only 650 or so of these creatures left in the world! Overnight and dinner at Bwindi Gorilla Resort or Gorilla Forest Camp (FB).

Day 8:  DRIVE TO QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK.

After lunch, drive to Queen via Ishaka. Make a stop over to the wilderness Ishasha sector inside the bush in search of rare African climbing lions and other game before proceeding to Queen. An afternoon excursion to Kyambura gorge nearby to track the fast moving and elusive chimpanzees, one of man's closest relations. The chimp population is quite mobile and viewing is unpredictable but the walk is enchanting. Dinner and overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge or Jacana Safari Lodge.

Day 9: GAME DRIVE.

Wake up relatively early and go for the morning game drive in Uganda’s best park, where all the big game can be seen in abundance. Famous for elephant and kob, expect to see some rare animals like giant forest hog. There are 638 recorded bird species in the park! After lunch, enjoy a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel that connects Lakes Albert and George, for large numbers of buffalo and hippo. Meals and overnight at Jacana Safari Lodge/Mweya safari Lodge.

Day 10: TRANSFER TO KIBALE NATIONAL PARK.

After breakfast, drive to Kibale forest for primate viewing. The dense forests offer a suitable habitat for habituated chimps, where designated nature trails have been developed to help you and your guide spot the chimps swinging on top of the trees inside cool forest. After lunch from Kanyanchu Tourist Center, visit Bigodi Bird Sanctuary for birding. Dinner and overnight at Ndali Lodge / Mantana Tented Camp.

Day 11:  KIBALE-MURCHISON

Have breakfast and then drive to Murchison via Hoima, Masindi road through a landscape of Albertine rift escarpment engulfed with tea plantations, forests, rift valley escarpment and valleys. Visit astonishing beauty of the top of Murchison falls where the water escapes from a narrow gorge bouncing downwards 45 meters and making a constant roar and plume of rainbow. Overnight and dinner at Paraa Safari Lodge/ Nile Safari Camp.

Day 12: MURCHISON

Begin your day with a cup of African coffee and prepare for a game drive, bird watching and sight seeing across the open savannah dotted woodland and riverine vegetation along the Nile and Albert delta. Here expect to meet elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, lions, leopards, waterbuck and a countless population of birds, return to the lodge for breakfast and lunch. After lunch, a three hour boat trip along the Nile gives you assured chance to see the falls from the bottom angle. Hippos, crocodiles, antelopes, and aquatic birds can be seen along the shores of the River overnight: Overnight and dinner Paraa Safari Lodge/ Nile Safari Camp.

DAY 13: ENTEBBE

Wake up at 6:00am prepared to take a photograph of the African rising sun in the morning and enjoy African breakfast. Return to Kampala at leisure and onward transfer to Entebbe Airport. End of services.