17 Day Uganda Rwanda Safari: Mount Rwenzori Hike, Gorilla Trekking, Wildlife Safari
Discover Uganda and Rwanda hidden treasures on the 17-day gorilla tracking & wildlife tour in Africa. This is the best trip if for adventure travelers to Africa!
Safari Overview:
This is one of our longest safaris to explore the best destinations in Rwanda and Uganda.
- The tour starts in Uganda from Entebbe International Airport and ends at Kigali International Airport Rwanda.
- Enjoy gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, Mt Rwenzori hike among others.
- In Uganda, explore Jinja city, Murchison falls National Park, Mt. Rwenzori and so on.
- In Rwanda, tour Nyungwe forest national park, Volcanoes national park, Kigali city among others. For inquiry, click below or Email: info@rwandagorillasafaris.com
Detailed itinerary
17 Day Gorilla Tracking Tour in Rwanda & Uganda with African Jungle Adventures
- DAY 1: Arrival and transfer to the hotel
On arrival, you will be picked by our representative to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay at Serena Hotel, Cassia Lodge Buziga or Pearl of Africa Hotel Kampala.
- DAY 2: Transfer to Jinja
Breakfast and drive to Jinja (2hrs). Visit Ssezibwa falls en-route, and enjoy the sights and sounds. Proceed to Mabira forest for a short nature walk. Lunch en route in Jinja town and then you will head to the source of the Nile River.
Alternatively, we can have full day white water rafting in Jinja, transfer back to Kampala. Dinner and overnight at Serena Hotel, Cassia Lodge Buziga, Pearl of Africa Hotel, Sheraton Hotel Kampala.
- DAY 3: Kampala City & Cultural Tour
Breakfast and depart for the Kabaka’s lake expecting to see various bird species. Proceed to Kasubi Tombs, the royal Burial grounds for the Kings of Buganda. Go to Bahai temple where those with the Bahai faith go for worship. Lunch in Kampala and visit the Namugongo Uganda Martyrs shrine where 22 martyrs were burnt by the old Kabaka (King) of Buganda. In the evening, go to Ndere centre and enjoy the different African cultural performances. Return to your Lodge for dinner and overnight.
- DAY 4: Drive to Murchison Falls National park
After your breakfast in the morning, leave for Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for Rhino tracking, lunch in Masindi and proceed to the park up to the top of the falls. Dinner and overnight at Red Chilli Rest Camp, Paraa Safari Lodge, Murchison River Lodge, Pakuba Safari Lodge or Nile Safari Lodge.
- DAY 5: Morning game drive and Boat cruise
A cup of coffee/tea and thereafter, go for a game drive in the park to view the wildlife species at the park such as Hartebeests, elephants, oribis, Roth’s child giraffes, leopards, hyenas, Uganda kob to mention but a few. Return to the lodge for breakfast, relaxation and lunch. Afternoon go for a boat cruise along the Victoria Nile to the bottom of the falls for game views of kingfishers, elephants, crocodiles, buffaloes, hippos among others. Dinner and overnight at as on Day 4.
- DAY 6: Drive to Kasese
Very early after breakfast, drive to Rwenzori Mountain National park via the Albertine escarpment of the western rift valley through the green vegetation and traditional homesteads. Lunch en route and proceed for dinner and overnight at tour Holiday Inn / Hotel Margarita in Kasese.
- DAY 7: Hiking from Nyakalengija (1615m) to Nyabitaba Hut (2651m)
Breakfast and start your hike from the RMS offices at Nyakalegija early in the morning with your packed lunch. You will then climb up onto a massive ridge to reach Nyabitaba hut after passing through the farmland beyond which it follows the Mubuku River, crossing its Mahoma tributary. Your hike may take around 5 hours and you are most likely to enjoy sights and sounds of colored Rwenzori turaco, white and black colobus, blue monkey and chimpanzees. Dinner and overnight stay.
- DAY 8: Hiking from Nyabitaba (2651m) to John Matte Hut (3505m)
Have breakfast and proceed with packed lunch crossing the Kurt Shaffer Bridge passing through the muddy area along the Mubuku River. You will reach Nyamuleju hut after passing through the bamboo forest. You will continue through the tropical plants along the Bujuku River to John Matte. The trip can take around 6 hours. Have a remarkable view of the snow capped Margherita, Elena peaks and Mount Stanley, dinner and overnight
- DAY 9: Hiking from John Matte (3505m) to Bujuku Hut (3962m)
Have your breakfast and cross to Bujuku River to enter the lower Bigo Bog. You will then go over a steep ascent to the upper Bigo Bog and proceed to lake Bujuku and finally to Bujuku hut. You will have a spectacular view of Mount. Baker, Speke and Stanley. This will take like 5 hours. Dinner and overnight stay.
- DAY 10: Bujuku (3962) to Kitandara Hut (4541m)
After breakfast you will ascend to the highest point on the Loop trail to Scott Eliot pass then descend to the two Kitandara lakes. Dinner and overnight stay.
- DAY 11: Drive to Bwindi National Park
Breakfast is followed by the transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park and stop at Ishasha Wilderness Camp for lunch. Have a remarkable sight of the tree-climbing lions. Visit the Ishasha River and see the Hippos, buffaloes, Uganda kob, topis, bushbucks and the vegetation. Proceed with the journey to Bwindi. Dinner and overnight stay at Gorilla Safari Lodge / Gorilla Mist Lodge / Trackers Safari Lodge / Rushaga Gorilla Camp.
- DAY 12: Gorilla tracking experience and Nature walk
Breakfast and head to the park headquarters with packed lunch, water for refreshment and tracking gears and be briefed about the dos and don’ts while with the gorillas. Natures walk in the Batwa (Pygmies) community and visit the Batwa people who have amazing cultural performances, traditional. Return to your Lodge for dinner and overnight
- DAY 13: Transfer to Rwanda
Have breakfast and thereafter embark on the safari to Volcanoes National park in Rwanda through a beautiful scenic view of the Virunga Mountains. Lunch en route and continue to the park for dinner and overnight stay at Kinigi Guest House, Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, Gorillas view Hotel.
- DAY 14: Dian Fossey Tombs or Gorilla trekking in Rwanda
Enjoy your breakfast and head to Karisoke research center to visit Dian Fossey’s grave, later drive drive to Lake Kivu, diner and overnight at Lake Kivu Serena Hotel, Hotel Paradise Marahide.
- DAY 15: Drive to Nyungwe National Park
After breakfast, drive southwards to Nyungwe forest. Lunch enroute, dinner and overnight stay at One&Only Nyungwe House, Peace Guesthouse, Gisakura Guesthouse.
- DAY 16: Chimpanzee tracking, afternoon canopy walk
Take breakfast and head to the park headquarters to be briefed about the chimpanzee tracking experience. Proceed to the forest for the adventurous activity. After lunch, proceed for canopy walk adventure or Black and White colobus Monkey tracking experience. Dinner and overnight stay at Peace Guesthouse, Gisakura Guesthouse / Nyungwe safari lodge.
DAY 17: Return to Kigali to visit Gisozi genocide memorial and Departure
After your breakfast, you will drive to back to Kigali with enroute visit to visit to Murambi genocide memorial site and Royal palace or Rwada national museum in Huye, lunch in Kigali, visit Gisozi genocide memorial site and thereafter, transfer to Kigali international Airport for your scheduled flight back home.
End of safari
Email: info@rwandagorillasafaris.com
We have 2 stars, 3 stars, 4 stars & 5 stars Hotel/ Lodges and you can choose accommodation depending on your interest and Budget. Feel free to choose your preferred Luxury, Deluxe or Budget accommodation.