15-day safari in Uganda and Rwanda

Arrival
Check-in at the Airport guest house

Masaka kids for dance

Road to Masaka, Check-in at bushpig backpackers

Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Departure to Ziwa sanctuary with guided rhino walk. Check in at Murchison river lodge

Murchison falls national park

safari in Murchison Falls National Park. Night at Murchison river lodge

Transfer to Kibale Forest

Departure to Kibale Park
Check in at Chimpanzee Forest guesthouse

Hiking with chimpanzees

Chimpanzee trek
Check in at simba safari camp

Queen Elizabeth National park

Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National park Night at Simba Safari Camp

Ishasha

Queen Elizabeth National Park Safari Check in at Enjojo Lodge

Transfer to Bwindi

Last short safari and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Check in at Broadbill Forest Camp

Mountain Gorillas

Mountain Gorilla Trek Night at Broadbill Forest Camp

Enter Rwanda

Road to Rwanda. Check in at La palme hotel

Volcanoes National Park

Trek to the golden monkeys and Visit to the tomb of Dian Fossey Night at la palme hotel
Check out at La palme hotel

Lake Kivu

Visit Lake Kivu
Check in at Rwiza village

Nyungwe National Park

Departure to Nyungwe forest
Check in at Ken Barham Guest house

Departure

Departure for Kigali early in the morning

15-day safari in Uganda and Rwanda itinerary

Day  1: Arrival

arrival in Entebbe, reception and hotel transfer

Check in at Airport guest house

Day 2: Road to Masaka

visit the masaka kids to bring them school supplies, see them dance Return to Kampala. Dinner and night at bushpig backpackers

Check in at bushpig backpackers

Day  3: Departure to Ziwa sanctuary with guided rhino walk.

Rise bright and early and start your day with a taste of local Ugandan coffee followed by transfer to Murchison Falls National Park. You will make your first stop to track the extremely endangered white rhinos at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, which also contributes to their survival. Head towards Masindi town and access the park through the Kichumbanyobo gate. Take a scenic ride under shades of greenery, cross the seasonal Sambiya River to the Nile, continue and cross the Nile Bridge to the north bank and check in at the Murchision River Lodge. Later in the evening, play a game as the sun sets and end your day in adventurous style.

Check-in at Murchison river lodge

Day  4: Safari in Murchison Falls National Park.

Wake up to the wild sounds and join your driver/guide on an early morning game drive. Murchison Falls is a refuge for 76 species of mammals and over 451 recorded bird species. The north bank section is a savannah which is naturally decorated with borassus palms, acacias and riparian woods. Looking for Elephants, Lions, Leopards, Buffalo Herds, Rothschild Giraffe, Delta Hippos, Waterbuck, Bushback and Jackson’s Hartebeest among others. The birdlife is also rich in species such as the Abyssinian Ground Horn Bill, Gray Herons, African Fish Eagle and Saddle-billed Storks among others. Return to the Lodge for lunch. At 2:00 p.m. transfer to the pier/dock on the Nile. Come on board and be briefed by the boat guide. In relation to the current, start your cruise boat towards Murchison Falls. Along the way, you’re likely to see hippos, Nile crocodiles, and other wildlife grazing on the banks. Bird lovers are likely to spot African Fish Eagles, Pied Kingfishers, Malachite Kingfishers, Red-throated Bee-eaters and Egander species, among others. The boat will stop near a rock before the “Devil’s Cauldron”, take photos, sit on the rocks and enjoy every moment with full view of the bottom of Murchison Falls. Join your driver after the boat ride and return to the lodge.

Night at Murchison river lodge

Day  5: Departure to Kibale Park

Depart after breakfast and drive to the top of Murchison Falls to see the natural beauty of these falls. This place is one of the wonders of the Nile. You will see the Nile rushing through a narrow 7 meter gorge and falling below with a thunderous roar forming a jet of water that is flanked by a stunning rainbow. Exit the park for a drive through the portal towns of Hoima and Fort, enjoying beautiful views of the Rwenzori mountain ranges, tea plantations and crater lakes as you progress towards your lodge . Check into your lodge to freshen up and relax in the evening before dinner.

Check in at Chimpanzee Forest guesthouse

Day  6: Chimpanzee trek

Drive to Kanyanchu Park Headquarters after breakfast to have a briefing on the Chimpanzee trekking activity. Ride into the forest with your informative guides and rangers who will make the trek interesting and exciting with their passionate discussions about chimpanzees and the forest. You must be warned to respect the rules and regulations of Chimpanzee trekking when approaching the animals. When they are around, it is strictly an hour of photography and observing their daily routine of grooming, playing and foraging. It’s an absolutely incredible experience! Visit the Bigodi Wetland in the evening for a walk through the swamp which lasts approximately 2-3 hours. The walk involves interaction with local communities from whom you can learn about their daily lives. Deep within the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary are 8 species of primates, over 200 species of birds, various reptiles and different butterflies. Return to the lodge after this exciting walk.

Check in at simba safari camp

Day  7: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National park

You will be served with a tasty breakfast at the lodge before setting off on the road to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Exit the lodge and head for a short but very scenic drive with views of captivating landscapes – the crater lakes, green hills, water streams and the Rwenzori mountain ranges. Take a short introductory drive through the park to your lodge. Lunch will be served after check-in and then transferred to the jetty for a boat ride on the Kazinga Channel which connects Lake George and Lake Edward. It is at this time of day when the sun is high in the sky that most animals go to the water channel to quench their thirst, swim and play. This is a great opportunity to see many at closer range as you cruise the water. You’ll spot more hippos than you can imagine! Herds of elephants, buffaloes, several birds and many others can be seen moving up and down the banks of the canals. Return to your lodge after the 3-hour boat cruise.

Night at Simba Safari Camp

Day  8: Safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Start the day much earlier after breakfast and start the game tour early in the morning at Kasenyi, then embark on a viewing tour of the park towards Ishasha sector. Thanks to a network of trails here, avenues to encounter the magical tree-climbing lions are available. The sights of these big cats hanging in the fig trees are so incredible!

Check in at Enjojo Lodge

Day  9: Last short safari and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

After breakfast at the lodge, return to the park and get another and final chance at the climbing lions. Expect to spot other savannah dwellers in your search for tree lions. Exit Ishasha and drive to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Check in at broadbill Forest Camp

Day  10: Mountain gorilla trek

After a cup of tea, head to the park headquarters with your guide, given a briefing on the do’s and don’ts while you are in the forest with gorillas. The trek can take 2 hours or up to 6 hours and this is based on the movement of the gorillas. Only 1 hour is allowed for trekkers while they are with the gorillas. Make sure you have packed lunches, enough water, sturdy shoes, anti-flash cameras, rain jackets, walking poles for those who are out of shape.

Night at Broadbill Forest Camp

Day  11: Road to Rwanda.

Depart from Mutanda Lake Resort after breakfast and embark on a scenic drive to Rwanda via the Kyanika border post. With a few stops for photos, you will enjoy different sights and winding roads in this land of a thousand hills.

Check in at La palme hotel

Day  12: Golden Monkey Trek and Visit to Dian Fossey’s Tomb

This morning, after breakfast, meet at the park headquarters at 7:30 a.m. to attend a briefing before the Golden Monkey expedition. Just after the Golden Monkey Hike, continue hiking to the Karisoke Research Center established in memory of the late Dianne Fossey, an American primatologist who dedicated her entire life to gorilla conservation. Return to the lodge and rest the rest of the day.

Night at La Palme hotel  ,  Check out at La Palme hotel

Day  13: Visit Lake Kivu

Lake Kivu is 110 km away, which can take around 2 hours to drive. After a leisurely breakfast at the lodge, departure and transfer to Lake Kivu to relax and take a boat cruise.

Check in at Rwiza village

Day  14: Departure to Nyungwe forest

After a leisurely breakfast at the lodge, drive to Nyungwe Forest Park to sign up for the afternoon canopy walk. Nyungwe Forest National Park is a wildlife habitat for about 13 species of primates, including the endangered chimpanzees. Apart from the canopy walking experience which allows you an aerial view of the forest and its wildlife, lovers of nature walks can be delighted by its Igishigishigi trail with in the forest. Return after the canopy walk and drive to your lodge.

Check in at Ken Barham Guest house

Day  15: Departure to Kigali early in the morning

City tour of Kigali, visit the genocide memorial site and transfer to Kigali International Airport for your return flight.