Uganda & Rwanda Safari
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Overview
Safari Overview
This unforgettable cross border adventure combines Uganda’s wildlife-rich savannahs, rainforests, crater lakes, and primate capital with Rwanda’s rolling hills and the iconic Volcanoes National Park. Highlights include chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest, game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park, gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Volcanoes National Park, plus cultural encounters in both countries all at a relaxed pace.
Safari Highlights
- Guided city tour of Kigali
- Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest
- Game drives & boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Tree climbing lions in Ishasha
- Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Golden Monkey trekking in Volcanoes National Park
- Scenic Lake Bunyonyi canoeing
- Cultural visits with Batwa or Iby’Iwacu Village
- Relaxed drives through the Albertine Rift highlands
- Stunning views of the Virunga Volcanoes
Included/Exclude
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle and professional English speaking guide/driver
- Accommodation and meals as indicated
- All park entry fees and activities listed
- Gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi ($800 per person)
- Golden Monkey permit in Volcanoes ($100 per person)
- Chimpanzee trekking permit ($250 per person)
- Boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth and Kazinga Channel
- Cultural village visits and community walks
- Bottled drinking water in the vehicle
- International flights
- Uganda & Rwanda visa fees (East Africa Tourist Visa recommended)
- Optional activities not listed
- Tips for guides, porters, rangers, and lodge staff
- Alcoholic drinks and personal expenses
Tour Plan
Arrive at Entebbe International Airport. Meet your driver-guide and transfer to your hotel. Depending on arrival time, you can visit the Entebbe Botanical Gardens or relax by Lake Victoria.
Accommodation: 2 Friends Beach Hotel / Hotel No.5 / Protea Hotel Entebbe
Meal Plan: Dinner
After breakfast, drive west through tea plantations, rural villages, and beautiful crater lakes region. Arrive at your lodge near Kibale Forest.
Drive time: 5 to 6 hours
Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp / Primate Lodge Kibale / Turaco Treetops
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Early breakfast, then head into Kibale Forest for chimpanzee trekking. Hike through the rainforest with rangers to observe chimps feeding and playing. In the afternoon, take a guided nature walk at Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, famous for birds, monkeys, and village life.
Accommodation: Same lodge as above
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, drive south to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Enjoy an afternoon game drive in the Kasenyi plains looking for elephants, buffaloes, lions, and Uganda Kob.
Drive time: 2 to 3 hours
Accommodation: Buffalo Safari Lodge / Mweya Safari Lodge / Elephant Plains Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Early morning games drive to catch predators and big game. In the afternoon, enjoy a classic boat safari on the Kazinga Channel. Â Watch hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants, and abundant birdlife.
Accommodation: Same lodge as above
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, drive through the remote southern Ishasha sector, famous for its tree-climbing lions. Game drive en route. Continue to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for overnight.
Drive time: 4 to 5 hours
Accommodation: Buhoma Haven Lodge / Rushaga Gorilla Camp / Mahogany Springs Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today is the highlight of your safari. After an early breakfast, report to park headquarters for a briefing, then trek through dense jungle with rangers to find a habituated gorilla family. Spend an incredible hour observing them in their misty mountain home.
Accommodation: Same lodge as above
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, transfer to beautiful Lake Bunyonyi, Africa’s second deepest lake, dotted with scenic islands. Enjoy canoeing, swimming, or relaxing at your lodge.
Drive time: 2 to 3 hours
Accommodation: Birdnest @ Bunyonyi Resort / Arcadia Cottages / Bunyonyi Overland Resort
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
In the morning, enjoy a boat cruise to nearby islands and fishing villages. In the afternoon, visit a local coffee cooperative to see Rwanda’s specialty coffee from bean to cup.
Accommodation: Same lodge as above
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today, choose between trekking to see the playful Golden Monkeys or hike to the Dian Fossey Research Center and grave site for a glimpse into mountain gorilla conservation history.
Accommodation: Same lodge as above
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, visit the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village for insight into Rwandan traditions. Then drive to Lake Kivu for an afternoon at leisure enjoy a boat ride or relax at your lodge.
Drive time: 2 to 3 hours
Accommodation: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel / Paradise Malahide / Inzu Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy a relaxed morning by the lake. After lunch, drive to Kigali for your final night in Rwanda.
Drive time: 3 to 4 hours
Accommodation: Hotel des Mille Collines / Heaven Boutique Hotel / Onomo Hotel Kigali
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, local craft markets, or the Kigali Convention Center. Later, transfer to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch
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