22 Days Best Of Rwanda And Uganda Adventure Safari
22-day Best of Rwanda and Uganda Adventure Safari comes with great offers covering almost every bit of the land of thousand hills and the Pearl of Africa. You will visit and stay with both Chimpanzees as well as meet up with the incredible mountain gorillas in their natural setting. More exciting and beyond primate trekking activities including 2 hours hike exploring the 60m long canopy walk, a Boat ride, and kayaking along Lake Kivu in Kibuye as well as Experience night fishing with the local fishermen, Gorilla Guardians village, and relaxation at the beach on lake Kivu in Gisenyi. Wildlife safaris and boat rides in Uganda’s famous national parks. You will wrap up your safari with a tour around the vibrant capital city of Uganda Kampala.
DAY 1: ARRIVAL AT KIGALI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – 22 Days Best Of Rwanda And Uganda
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be welcomed by our meet-and-greet lounge host who helps you through fast-track assistance with VISA and luggage collection. After immigration and luggage collection, you will then be handed over to our driver guide who will transfer you to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Dinner and overnight at Kigali Serena Hotel (Luxury), Hotel Des Milles Collines (Midrange), Urban Park suites hotel (Budget)
DAY 2: KIGALI CITY TOUR – 22 Days Best Of Rwanda And Uganda
Following a relaxed breakfast at 09h00, you will be driven to Nyamirambo Women’s Centre for a cooking class, walking tour, and Lunch. After lunch at 14h00, you will visit Kigali Genocide Memorial to commemorate the 1994 Tutsi Genocide where the remains of over 250,000 people are interred. thereafter, you will then indulge yourself in a sightseeing tour around Kigali city including visits to the kimironko local market. After your sightseeing tour, you will return to the hotel for a relaxed evening and dinner whilst utilizing the complementary offers at the hotel.
Dinner and overnight at Kigali Serena Hotel (Luxury), Hotel Des Milles Collines (Midrange), Urban Park suites hotel (Budget)
DAY 3: A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A RWANDAN AT AZIZI LIFE – 22 Days Best Of Rwanda And Uganda
At 06h00, you will be transferred to Muhanga to indulge yourself in the local Rwandan life with families that are working to get those chores done for the day. You’ll start with digging the garden using local farming tools, feeding the cows, fetching water, and preparing your traditional lunch to mention but a few. Following lunch at 14h00, you’ll have a conversation (storytelling) with the family members, sing, and enjoy folk dances as a way of socializing in the traditional society. Transfer back to your hotel thereafter.
Dinner and overnight at Kigali Serena Hotel (Luxury), Hotel Des Milles Collines (Midrange), Urban Park suites hotel (Budget)
DAY 4: CULTURAL HERITAGE TOUR- TRANSFER TO NYUNGWE – 22 Days Best Of Rwanda And Uganda
After breakfast on this exciting day amalgamating a series of cultural and historical heritage, your driver guide will pick you up and take you through a 2-hour scenic drive to Nyanza King’s palace museum which offers a detailed look into the Rwandan monarchical system and its abolition in the early 1960s. Among the most amazing and impressive icons here are the enormous, doomed structures that are handcrafted entirely with traditional materials. This tour will be 2 hours long followed by lunch in Butare. Later in the afternoon, you will visit Huye Ethnographic Museum for an extensive look at ancient Rwanda’s history for 2 hours. Thereafter, you will proceed and drive for about 2 hours to Nyungwe Forest National Park. Upon arrival at the park, you will proceed to check in at your lodge followed by dinner and overnight.
Dinner and overnight stay at One and Only Nyungwe house (Luxury), Mantis Marina Bay (Midrange) Emeraude Kivu resort (Budget)
DAY 5: CANOPY WALK EXPERIENCE – COLOBUS MONKEY TRUCKING
After breakfast at 06h00, you will drive to the park office for a briefing before you undertake the canopy walk experience at Uwinka Park Reception. You will hike to the suspending 60m-long bridge giving you a panoramic view of the forest and a glimpse of birds. The Canopy walk experience features unmatched marvelous scenery. Suspended above a ravine in the lush montane rainforest of Nyungwe National Park, the canopy walkway provides an exhilarating perspective on the ancient treetops and wildlife. Nyungwe forest is a hotbed of biodiversity. Along the hour’s walk to the canopy walkway from the Uwinka Reception Centre, visitors will see countless butterflies, orchids, and colorful birds, including many endemics to the region. After this exhilarating activity, you will return to the lodge for lunch. After lunch, you will head back to the park reception for Colobus Monkey trekking some of which endemic to this region are including the Rwenzori Colobus Monkey. This hike will usher you into the world of the Grey-Cheeked Mangabeys, L’Hoest Monkeys, Owl-Faced Monkeys, Blue-Monkeys, and Mona Monkeys. Further into the forest and off the beaten track of the trails and accompanied by a guide you will run into a group of up to 200 Rwenzori Columbus Monkeys.
Dinner and overnight stay at One and Only Nyungwe house (Luxury), Mantis Marina Bay (Midrange) Emeraude Kivu resort (Budget)
DAY 6: CROP TO CUP TEA TOUR – TRANSFER TO KIBUYE – LOCAL NIGHT FISHING EXPERIENCE
Following a luscious breakfast, you will be taken through the tea plantation tour experience at Gisakura tea experience from crop to cup. The Gisakura tea plantation stretches into hundreds of hectares and farmers can be seen planting, tending, or harvesting tea depending on the period of visitation which an enthusiastic traveler may also wish to divulge. After this breathtaking activity, you will depart for a 2 hours scenic drive to Lake Kivu – Kibuye. Upon arrival, you’ll check in at your lodge and have lunch followed by a 2hrs boat cruise on Lake Kivu. Later that evening at 17h00, you will join the Kibuye fishermen for a night fishing experience using the local methods. Thereafter, you will return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Dinner and overnight stay at Cleo Kivu Hotel (Luxury), Inn on the Lake (Midrange) Moriah hill resort (Budget)
DAY 7: KAYAKING – TRANSFER TO GISENYI – 22 Days Best Of Rwanda And Uganda
Following a relaxed breakfast at 09h00, you will be picked up by your guide who will lead you to experience kayaking adventures on Lake Kivu. This is a breathtaking ride with an exploration of the impressive lakeshore scenery, the discovery of birds, wildlife, and interaction with local communities. Thereafter, you will return to the lodge for lunch, freshen up, and check out to hit on the road to proceed with your journey to Gisenyi. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel for check-in followed by an evening at leisure.
Dinner and overnight at Kivu Serena Hotel (Luxury), Kivu paradise hotel (Midrange), Kivu hill view hotel (Budget)
DAY 8: BOAT RIDE – BOARDER VISIT – TRANSFER TO VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast at 08h00, you’ll enjoy a boat ride on Lake Kivu to the hot springs. Thereafter, your driver guide will be escorted by a local guide who will take you for a tour around Gisenyi city including visiting the Border of Rwanda and DR Congo. After lunch at 14h00, your guide will transfer you to the Volcanoes National Park (1.5 hrs drive). Upon arrival, you will check in at your lodge followed by evening relaxation full of meditation.
Dinner and overnight at One and Only Gorillas nest lodge (Luxury), Five volcanoes boutique hotel (Midrange), Classic resort lodge (Budget)
DAY 9: DIAN FOSSEY TOMB IN VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK – 22 Days Best Of Rwanda And Uganda
Following breakfast at 06h30, you will be transferred Kinigi visitor reception center for a briefing prior to hiking Dian Fossey’s tomb. The tomb of American primatologist Dian Fossey lies at Karisoke Research Centre within Volcanoes National Park where travelers pay regular tributes to this great conservationist who kick-started gorilla protection in the park. Fossey was killed in 1985 by poachers in Volcanoes National Park while carrying out her primary work of protecting mountain gorillas. After this exhilarating activity, you will return to the lodge, freshen up and have a proper hot meal. You will later spend your evening at leisure whilst utilizing the lodge’s extra services including massage, swimming pool, and sauna.
Dinner and overnight at One and Only Gorillas nest lodge (Luxury), Five volcanoes boutique hotel (Midrange), Classic resort lodge (Budget)
DAY 10: GOLDEN MONKEY TREK – GORILLA GUARDIANS’ VILLAGE – 22 Days Best Of Rwanda And Uganda
After breakfast at 06h30, transfer to Kinigi Park offices. At around 07h00 you will get a briefing about Golden Monkeys’ trucking code of conduct before heading out to the golden monkey trucking trails. After this intimate experience, you will return to the lodge for lunch. Thereafter, you will transfer to the Gorilla Guardians’ village to experience Rwanda’s cultural preservation through key aspects including the importance of cows, how to milk a cow, local banana beer making, traditional dance, basket weaving class by the Rwandan women, herbal medicine experience to mention but a few.
Dinner and overnight at One and Only Gorillas nest lodge (Luxury), Five volcanoes boutique hotel (Midrange), Classic resort lodge (Budget)
DAY 11: TRANSFER TO BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK – 22 Days Best Of Rwanda And Uganda
Following a relaxed breakfast at 10h00, your driver guide will take you through a +1-hour scenic drive to the Bwindi impenetrable national park as you enjoy the beautiful views of the green vegetation via the Cyanika border. Upon arrival, you will check in at your lodge and have a late hot lunch followed by an afternoon at leisure utilizing the hotel amenities.
Dinner and overnight Four Gorillas Lodge (Luxury), Rushaga gorilla lodge (Midrange) Rushaga gorilla havens lodge (Budget)
DAY 12: ULTIMATE GORILLA TREKKING EXPERIENCE – 22 Days Best Of Rwanda And Uganda
This is the highlight of your Safari. Wake up very early and have your breakfast. Following breakfast, you will be transferred to the park’s headquarters for a briefing by the guide about the requirements, rules, and regulations governing Gorilla tracking before you head off to the jungle in search of these gentle giants. You will make a beautiful hike through the green landscape and hills of the impenetrable forest of Bwindi. After trekking, you will for an hour watch them feed while the young ones are playing with the mothers, and then it’s time to say goodbye with your last photos and snapshots. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Dinner and overnight Four Gorillas Lodge (Luxury), Rushaga gorilla lodge (Midrange) Rushaga gorilla havens lodge (Budget)
DAY 13: WATERFALL EXCURSION-BATWA CULTURAL EXPERIENCE
Today after breakfast, you will be driven to the visitor reception center for a briefing about Kajembehajambe trail which leads you to the beautiful waterfalls. This trail to the waterfalls takes you about 4 hours to walk and guess what, you are already at the waterfalls and taking as many pictures as possible. This an opportunity to engage yourself in doing yet exciting and attractive activities in Bwindi beyond the gorillas that are the prime attractions. From here, you return to the lodge for lunch and freshen up. In the afternoon, you will head out to visit the Batwa community for a cultural experience where you get to Learn as you enjoy one of the most authentic cultures. Your guide will usher you through their forest life before gazetting the forest as a protected area. Watch these pygmies dance, sing the cultural songs as well as storytelling about their traditions as they recite cultural poems and saying. You will also be able to learn their ways of farming, handling the bow, gathering honey, and picking herbal medicine from roots and leaves a local way of treating the people
Dinner and overnight Four Gorillas Lodge (Luxury), Rushaga gorilla lodge (Midrange) Rushaga gorilla havens lodge (Budget)
DAY 14: TRANSFER TO QUEEN ELIZABETH PARK VIA ISHASHA FOR TREE-CLIMBING LIONS
Following a relaxed breakfast at 08h00, you will board your Safari vehicle and drive for +5 hours to Queen Elizabeth national park. After 3.5 hours of driving, you will make a stopover at Kihihi town to have lunch before proceeding to Ishasha sector and searching for tree-climbing lions. After exhausting the game drive, you will then retire and drive to the main parkland. Upon arrival, you will check in to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Dinner and overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge (Luxury), Twin lakes lodge (Midrange), Bush Lodge (Budget)
DAY 15: FULL-DAY GAME DRIVE – AFTERNOON BOAT CRUISE – 22 Days Best Of Rwanda And Uganda
Following a cup of Uganda’s delicious coffee, you go for an early morning game drive in the savannah plains starting with Kasenyi trail to spot early morning risers including the lions and elusive leopards hunting their prey. This beautiful game drive offer opportunities for a glimpse of elephants, hyena, buffaloes, baboons, and giant forest hogs. Impala skips around as the giraffe makes a lonely journey towards the river, kobs. It is such a great and exciting time as you watch these animals closely. Kasenyi is endowed with a collection of craters, swamps, lakes, and other volcanic features that add up to make the game drive in the Queen mesmerizing. Later in the day, retire at the lodge for a late breakfast followed by a luscious lunch. After lunch at 15h00, you will enjoy the afternoon boat cruise along the Kazinga channel which will reveal a succession of giants. Elephant herds squirt water on the banks as large hippo pods roll on sandbanks, and crocodiles bathe in the sun. Some hippos escape the water to wander across the savannah and barge past a series of ungulates also in search of water. This astonishing extraordinary boat ride will make a gentle meditation from the exhilarating walk of the previous day in Bwindi Impenetrable national park. After this breathtaking activity, you will then be transferred to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Dinner and overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge (Luxury), Twin lakes lodge (Midrange), Bush Lodge (Budget)~
DAY 16: MORNING GAME DRIVE – TRANSFER TO KIBALE NATIONAL PARK
On this beautiful day, you start your day with a cup of coffee at 05h30 after which, you will have a 2 hours short morning game drive to search for the wildlife that you might have missed to site the previous day as well as a golden opportunity to take close-range photographs of the big game like Elephants, Giraffes, Buffaloes, several Antelope species, Lions and Rhinos. Thereafter, you will embark on 4 hours of drive from Queen Elizabeth national park to Kibale making a stopover at the Equator in Kasese for amazing memorable photographic scenes. Upon reaching Kibale forest, you will transfer to your lodge fully surrounded by the mystical calls of the monkeys followed by an evening at leisure whilst utilizing complementary activities offered by the lodge. Over a dozen primates inhabit this national park, and various types of monkeys grace the trees around your verandah. Close your eyes, and the soundtrack will provide an incredible appreciation for how remote you are.
Dinner and overnight at Kyaninga Lodge (Luxury), Turaco Tree Tops (Midrange), Chimpanzee guest house (Budget)
DAY 17: CHIMPANZEE TREKKING – COMMUNITY WALK AT BIGODI WETLANDA SANCTUARY
After a paradisiac breakfast at 06h30, you will transfer to Kanyancu visitor center and report to the ranger station at 07h00 for a briefing followed by searching through the trees as you set off for chimpanzee trekking. After an interesting and memorable search for the chimpanzees in the forest, you are privileged to spend 1 hour with them taking photographs and videos, and return to the lodge for lunch. After lunch at 14h00, you will visit Bigodi wetland sanctuary a community-based conserved effort for a village walk to immerse you into the interesting cultures of the community.
Dinner and overnight at Kyaninga Lodge (Luxury), Turaco Tree Tops (Midrange), Chimpanzee guest house (Budget)
DAY 18: TRANSFER TO MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK – 22 Days Best Of Rwanda And Uganda
Following a scrumptious African breakfast, you will depart kibale national park and head out for quite a long journey to the north. Your destination is Astonishing Murchison falls national park locally baptized “Kabalega National Park famous for its majestic falls and numerous wildlife. This is approximately a 253 Km Scenic journey taking about a +7-hour drive passing through Hoima city and Masindi town. Upon arrival, you will check in to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
Dinner and overnight: Paraa Safari Lodge (Luxury) Pakuba Safari Lodge (Midrange) Red Chili (Budget)
DAY 19: GAME DRIVE – LAUNCH CRUISE – HIKE TO THE TOP OF THE FALLS
Wake up early and grab a cup of coffee before heading out for go for an early morning game drive on the Northern section of the park. The morning drive will take you through different habitats. On the drive, you will have an opportunity to watch some of Africa’s un-spoilt Savana and may also see some of the BIG 5 game including lions, elephants, buffaloes, and leopards. Other wildlife to see includes giraffes, Hartebeest, Bushbucks, Jackal, hyenas, oribis, Uganda kobs, and many others. After this rewarding game drive, you will return to the lodge for a late breakfast followed by lunch and a little relaxation before taking a boat trip in the afternoon, which takes around 3 hours to sail to the bottom of the falls along the river Nile. The Nile hosts large concentrations of Hippos and crocodiles. Murchison Falls is a birder’s paradise with a concentration is many birds including the rare shoebill stork, Fish Eagle, African Skimmer, Grey-crowned Crane, Black-headed Gonolek, Goliath Heron, Green-winged, Long-toed Plover, Saddle-billed Stork. The boat cruise will leave you at the bottom of the falls where you will start the hike from to the bottom of the falls for an enthusiastic view of the magical Murchison Falls.
Dinner and overnight: Paraa Safari Lodge (Luxury) Pakuba Safari Lodge (Midrange) Red Chili (Budget)
DAY 20: TOP OF FALLS – ZIWA RHINO TRACKING – TRANSFER TO KAMPALA
Following breakfast at 06h00, you’ll be picked up by the driver guide for a morning game drive and visit the top of the falls for magnificent picturesque moments as you exit the park. Thereafter, you’ll return to Kampala (+6Hrs drive). En route, you will engage in rhino tracking at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary with lunch at Ranch.
Dinner and overnight: Kampala Serena Hotel (Luxury) Mestil Hotel (Midrange) Eureka Place Hotel (Budget)
DAY 21: KAMPALA CITY TOUR – TRANSFER TO ENTEBBE – 22 Days Best Of Rwanda And Uganda
After breakfast at 07h00, you will embark on a half-day city. The day will start with a visit to Kabaka’s palace and explore the unique Buganda culture. Here will encounter the history of the kingdom including the torture chambers that were used by President Idd Amin Dada during his reign as president of Uganda. You will later visit the Kasubi tombs where the fallen kings of Buganda are laid to rest before heading for lunch at the Uganda Museum. After lunch, you have insights into the history of Uganda before heading to Gaddafi Mosque the prime location to view the entire Kampala city in a panoramic angle. Thereafter, you will transfer to Entebbe for dinner and an overnight stay.
Dinner and overnight: Lake Victoria Serena Hotel (Luxury) Protea Hotel (Midrange) Pineapple guest house (Budget)
DAY 22: MORNING AT LEISURE – DEPARTURE – 22 Days Best Of Rwanda And Uganda
Following breakfast, you will enjoy a relaxed day exploring the beaches in Entebbe. Enriched with unforgettable memories you will say goodbye to the pearl of Africa. Depending on the time of departure you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home.
Included
- All Permits and Entrance fees included in the itinerary
- All game drives and boat rides
- All ground transportation in a 4WD Vehicle
- All other activities included in the itinerary
- All Accommodation as indicated in the itinerary
- English-speaking Experienced Safari-guide
- All meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Refreshments and snacks in the vehicle
Excluded
- All Tips to Hotels/Lodges/Camps staff and Safari Guide
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks that are not accompanying meals.
- International flight/s and departure taxes and other taxes.
- Visa fees. Visas are available online or upon arrival at all Entry points.