20 Day Rwanda and Uganda Safari exclusive tour
This 20 day of Rwanda and Uganda safari vacation is a full exploration because it covers a range of activities and gives you enough time to explore the richness of East African wild life. wildlife viewing and photography, chimp and gorilla tracking, cultural tours in different indigenous tribes, walks, birding, boat cruises, rafting and scenic viewing are some of the activities that makes you enjoy the adventure. It is suitable for groups and couples. Individuals can also enjoy this trip.
Day1: Entebbe Airport transfer
You will be will be picked from the Airport and transferred to Lake Victoria hotel in Entebbe near Kampala and the dinner will be provided. This gives you ample time to relax and get ready for the next journey of your Rwanda and Uganda safari.
Day2: Trip to Murchison falls National Park.
In the morning, we begin the panoramic drive north-west through the famous Luwero Triangle and, travel to Masindi via Ziwa Rhino sanctuary. Excursion of the ranch with our guide. After lunch, drive to Murchison falls national park, the most beautiful protected area in Uganda.
You will take a drive to the top of the falls where you will enjoy and marvel at the mighty river Nile being forced in a seven meter crevice to thunder 45 meters below in a series of cascades that can be viewed at different points at the summit. Proceed to the lodge for evening relaxation.
Day3: Still at Murchison Falls National Park.
When breakfast is done, you embark on a thrilling game drive on the northern bank of the Nile , escorted with a game ranger. You expect to see various animals like; hartebeest, elephants, Giraffe, Antelope, Lion, leopard, Waterbuck and a variety of savannah woodland birds. After Lunch, go for a launch trip down stream on River Nile for game viewing at close range .Here expect to spot the hippo, buffalo, waterbuck and crocodile and this is adventurous moment on your Rwanda and Uganda Safari
Day4: Murchison falls and Kibale National Park.
When Breakfast is done, we get packed lunch and start off for Kibale National Park., a 9 hour drive south via Hoima to Fort Portal through verdant countryside and past traditional homesteads and farms along Albertine Rift escarpments. Fort-Portal rests in the shadow of the fabled Mountains of the Moon, a stunning location overlooking a dramatic Crater Lake and the fabled “Mountains of the Moon. On arrival at Fort portal you will have an optional visit to the Toro Kingdom palace, coronation site and burial grounds or foot walk near the crater lakes.
Day5: Chimp trekking at Kibale National Park.
In the morning, we drive to the Park Headquarters for a briefing. The National Park is a home of the endangered Chimpanzee and boosts of having one of the highest concentrations of primates in East Africa. Half day search of chimpanzee and 10 other primates like red colobus, blues, red tailed and grey cheeked mangabey. The guide will provide detailed explanations, not only on primates, but also on all the forest fauna and flora and will ensure that your walk is both informative and enjoyable. This walk is excellent for viewing bird life and seeing primates at close quarters. After lunch, have a nature walk to the Bigodi Wetland. Bigodi swamp is a community based activity that was set up to sustain the local community projects in the area. Then we head to the hotel after a long and adventurous day.
Day6: transfer to Semuliki national park
After breakfast and transfer to Semiliki National Park in Bundigyo. Go for a nature walk up to Sempaya Hot springs. On your way to the Lodge, Visit the indigenous tribe of the Pygmies just adjacent to the Park Forest. They can perform for you a traditional dance and teach you how to use local herbs to heal different diseases.Later, drive to Semuliki Safari Lodge in Semuliki wildlife reserve. A night drive and explore nocturnal species like leopard, lion, spotted genets, white tailed mongoose, eagles, owls, night jars is a mazing. Dinner and overnight at Semliki safari lodge.
Day7: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
After Breakfast, depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park and have lunch along the way. You will follow the mystical Ruwenzori mountain range via the Crater Lake region and baboon cliffs. A game drive en route to view lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo, hyena and a variety of antelope species. In the evening, go for a study of local salt mining by the Local communities around Lake Katwe, where salt is mined. This is one of the epics of your Rwanda and Uganda Safari experience.
Day8: At Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Get ready for early game drives. Queen Elizabeth National Park’s diverse eco-system of grassy plains, tropical forest, rivers, swamps, lakes and volcanic craters is home to an incredible abundance of wildlife. Game drives in this park, with the massive Rwenzoris as a backdrop provides excellent opportunities to see lion, leopard, buffalo, elephants, defassa waterbuck, Uganda Kob, Topi and bush buck.
These game drives and the boat trip are a memorable method of discovering a vast array of wildlife. In the afternoon, enjoy the unique 2 hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel into Lake Edward. This trip passes through possibly the highest concentration of hippos. This launch cruise offers an excellent platform for photography, bird watching and game viewing. The prolific bird life is colourful and stupendous with well over 550 resident species.
Day9: Queen-Ishasha
After breakfast visit Kyambura gorge for a chimp trek along the 16km along gorge.
Here expect to see the chimps, giant forest hog and baboons. Later, drive to Ishasha sector. This is the lushest highland rain forest on earth, filled with primates and exotic birds. The afternoon is spent on a game drive around the Ishasha Sector looking for the rare tree African climbing lions. Dinner and overnight at Ishasha Wilderness Camp where you will have your breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day10: Full day at Ishasha sector
In the morning, go for another game drive to look for the rare tree African climbing lions. The afternoon is spent on a walk along Ishasha River to watch the hippos and other game. Return to the camp for relaxation, Dinner and overnight at Ishasha Wilderness Camp.
Day11: Ishasha-Bwindi impenetrable forest
Today’s drive is through what is probably East Africa’s most spectacular scenery, the highland rain forests and tea plantations which reach to the volcanoes in which live the mountain gorillas. Dinner and overnight at Gorilla Forest Camp/Ruhija Lodge.
Day12: Gorilla Treking at Bwindi impenetrable forest national park
Begin the day with breakfast ready for trekking, which begins at 8:00am with a briefing from the UWA staff. Ensure to carry along with you rain jacket, drinking water, snacks, jungle boots etc The guides will lead you inside the jungle to see the shy Primates for a group you have been booked for. You may see the gorillas eating, sucking ants from a tree, swinging on vines, playing and sleeping. Do not forget to take your lunch boxes and all the necessary gear to track the rare Mountain Gorilla, perhaps one of the most exciting wildlife experiences on earth. It is most rewarding animal-based experience that clients get and others would definitely do it again if given the opportunity. There are now only 650 left in the world! The tracking may take between 2 and 6 hours but it’s well worth the effort.
There is always an option to hire a local porter (highly recommended as it supports the local economy) who will carry your bag and literally, push you up the hills if necessary! Dinner and overnight at Gorilla Forest Camp/Ruhija Lodge.
Day13; Bwindi impenetrable national park to Lake Bunyonyi
Begin your day with a drive to Lake Bunyonyi via Kabale a region popularly known by many tourists as the ‘Switzerland of Africa’. You will be taken by the scenery of winding road, hills and valleys, terraced landscape and friendly people. Here, you will notice that the landscape changes constantly from magnificent green rolling hills, city to small towns, to grassy plains. Relaxing the whole afternoon.
Day14: At Lake Bunyonyi
After breakfast, you begin with a boat trip for sightseeing and birding along Lake Bunyonyi.
Experience Uganda’s breathtaking scenery and feel the wonders of nature as you will see big terraced hills, big valleys, big everything including nice people and forests! Return to the camp for lunch. There is an option of free swimming in the lake.
Day15: Uganda-Rwanda cross borders.
After breakfast, get ready to proceed to Parc National Des volcans in Rwanda via Cyanika border. Enjoy the rolling hills of Kisoro . Arrive in the afternoon in time for lunch, check in your place of accommodation.
Day16: Park National des volcans.
After your breakfast, get ready for a drive to Ruhengeri/Kinigi. Second Gorilla trek. Gorilla tracking in Parc National des Volcans (subject to permit availability at the time of booking). Tracking the gorillas through the light mountain forest on the slopes of the Virungas is a magical 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! Some gorilla families, however, are more elusive, and tracking can take a full day, especially when it is wet and muddy. Dinner and overnight at Mt Gorilla View Lodge.
Day17: Ruhengere-Mburo National Park.
Have an early breakfast and transfer to Mburo via Mbarara for lunch. The park is renowned for zebras, impalas, buffaloes, hippos, topi and elands including the rare shoebill, crested crane, pelicans, fish eagle, heron and many water birds. Evening boat cruise amidst the Hippos is amazing. Dinner and overnight at Mihingo Lodge/Arcacia .
Day 18: Transfer to Mburo Park
Morning game drive in the Park which is an is an extension of the Tanzanian Plains with big herds of Zebra, Impala, Eland , Warthogs ,buffalo and other savannah species. For birders, this is one of the best place to find African Fin foot, Papyrus, Bush Shrike, etc. The evening is spent on relaxing at the Lodge observing game moving in the park. Dinner and overnight at Mihingo Lodge as you enjoy Uganda safari vacation.
Day19: Transfer to Ssese Island.
After breakfast with a packed lunch, drive to Bukakata for your transfer to Ssese Islands. Enjoy the cruise as you pass via a series of Islands and fishing villages to Ssese Islands inside Lake Victoria. After your lunch, relax at the beach or take a nature walk inside the forest. Overnight at Ssese Habitat Resort.
Day20: Ssese Islands to Entebbe
After your early breakfast, you are driven to Pier for a cruise inside Lake Victoria. Enjoy the cruise as you pass via a series of Islands and fishing villages. You will then land into Nakiwogo in Entebbe in time for lunch .Relax at the hotel to recount memories of your African trip. An option of nature walk to the lake shore can be done. Dinner and overnight at Lake Victoria Hotel Entebbe. After the trip, then a transfer to the Airport for your flight back home or to the next destination is arranged depending on your schedule as we mark the end of Rwanda and Uganda safari vacation.
Included in tour price
- All tour highlights
- Ground transportation an exclusive 4×4 safari Land cruiser
Services of an experienced driver / guide - Bottled water through the safari
- 1 Gorilla permit per person
- 1 Chimpanzee permit per person
- Park fees
- Meals as indicated
- Activities and accommodations as mentioned in the itinerary.
Package price Excludes
- Airfare to and from Uganda
- Visa to and from Uganda
- Airport tax
- Travel / Medical / Baggage insurance
- All beverages [both alcoholic and non-alcoholic]
- Any activity, meal or accommodation NOT mentioned in the itinerary
- Tips
- Telephone bills
- Souvenirs, items of a personal nature
