9 Days Uganda and Rwanda safari highlights
This safari starts in Kigali (Rwanda) and ends in Kampala (Uganda). You will have great opportunities to track the critically endangered mountain gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda. This trip will also expose you to excellent birding, incredible primate trekking experience, boat trips, Cultural Excursions, City tours and big game safaris among others.
9 Days Safari Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali- Drive to Parc National des Volcans (Home of gorillas)
Upon arrival in Kigali, you will meet your driver-guide at the airport and then transfer to Parc National des Volcans. Time permits, we can take a tour in Kigali city; visit Gisozi Genocide memorial site, local markets, local art and crafts among others. The 2 hours journey to PNV goes through the beautiful terraced hillsides that characterize much of Rwanda’s landscape. Dinner and overnight stay in Bisate Lodge, Virunga or Sabyinyo Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, The Peak Spo or Villa Gorilla.
Day 2: Gorilla Tracking Experience in Rwanda
Wake up early and prepare for today’s incredible experience. We shall assemble at Park Headquarters with packed lunch, attend a briefing on the Dos and Don’ts while with Gorillas. Tracking gorillas take 2-9 Hours depending on their movements. You will stay with these Giant apes for 1 hr for observation and photographing. Descend to the hotel for a rest and if the evening is free, we can have a walk to nearby communities, interact with them and learn more about their culture. Return to your Lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Excursion to Diana Fossey’s Graves or Golden Monkey Tracking
Have breakfast at the lodge and start our excursion to the grave of Diana Fossey; the American primatologist. This is situated at the former Karisoke Research Center where Diana spent about 20 years studying and habituating the Mountain Gorillas. The trek to the site is quite spectacular; it goes through bamboo forest and thick Afro-montane habitats, criss-crossed trails with tracks of forest buffalo and elephant. You will be exposed to several primates and birds as you make our way up and down to Karisoke, nestled between the volcanic peaks of Karismbi and Visoke. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Day 4: Transfer to Uganda
Have breakfast, depart Rwanda for Lake Bunyonyi in Uganda; famous for its beautiful islands and prolific birdlife, settle into Arcadia Cottages or Bird Nest Resort and relax as we wait for lunch. Join a canoe ride in the after noon that expose you to excellent bird watching, and visit the beautiful Islands of Lake Bunyonyi. Dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National park
Take breakfast and set off to Queen Elizabeth Park. The journey takes you through beautiful rolling hills and the Ishasha sector in the south of Queen Elizabeth; a home for tree-climbing lions. Have lunch at Mweya safari lodge, Enganzi Lodge, King Fisher Lodge, Kasenyi Camp or Park View Safari Lodge. Proceed for a launch cruise along the Kazinga channel, famous for the highest concentration of Hippos in Africa. Bird life is prolific with over 610 species and hundreds of Nile crocodiles. You will also see herds of elephants and buffaloes drinking water on the channel. The boat provides a clear platform for photographing. Return for dinner and overnight.
Day 6: Morning Game Drive and transfer to Kibale National Park
Wake up early for a cup of tea or coffee and take a morning game drive to Kasenyi plains to catch up with early raisers and predators returning to their hideouts. You will be exposed to a large variety of animals like Elephants, Buffaloes, Warthogs, and several Antelope species, Lion, leopard and many more.
Return to your lodge for full breakfast and lunch and after transfer to Kibale Forest National Park.
Enjoy a scenic drive while viewing the beautiful slopes of the mountain of the Moon (Rwenzori). Reach the park; relax as you wait for dinner and overnight at Ndali Lodge, Kyaninga Lodge, Papaya Lake Lodge, Primates Lodge or Chimpanzee Guest House.
Day 7: Chimpanzee Tracking /Afternoon relaxation
Have early breakfast and assemble at Kibale Park headquarters for a briefing on chimpanzee trekking. The trek will expose you to other primates like Colobus Monkeys Giant forest hog, Vervet, red-tailed monkeys, the Grey Cheeked Mangabeys, Olive Baboons, and over 350 bird species. Return for lunch; relax as you wait for dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Day 8: Birding in Bigodi Swamps – Drive to Kampala
Get to Bigodi swamps after breakfast for a nature walk. Here you will see several antelopes like the sitatungas, 8 primates’ species and 200 bird species including the rare shoebill. Return to your lodge, relax as you wait for lunch and set-off to Kampala with lots of scenic viewing en-route. Dinner and overnight stay at Hilton Garden Hotel, Serena Hotel Kampala or Kampala Forest Cottages.
Day 9: Kampala City tour – Departure
Depending on your time of flight, you may have a city tour in Kampala, visit Kasubi Tombs, Bahai temp or Nakasero fruits Market before connecting to Entebbe International Airport (EBB) for your scheduled flight.
END OF THE TRIP
Email: info@rwandagorillasafaris.com
