13 Days Uganda Rwanda Expedition Safari

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Uganda!

Your driver/ guide will be at Entebbe Airport to pick you up from your flight and take you directly to your lodge in Kampala. Dependent on the time of your coming, you may be able to discover the sites in and around Kampala.

You will stay in a nice lodge with attractive views on Lake Victoria. The hotel has expedient safari style furnished rooms, equipped with satellite TV, telephone, fan, fridge bar, balcony with Lakeview and a relaxed bathroom. (Drive time: 1hr)

Accommodation: Anderita Beach Hotel

Meal Plan: No meals included

Day 2: Fort Portal/ Kibale Forest

At the moment you will drive to Fort Portal in western Uganda. The route is extremely beautiful, passing through tea plantations and the luxurious green landscape which characterizes so much of Uganda.

Then you continue for about 1 hr. On entrance at the forest, you will enter an entirely different world… some thoughtful monkey business! Though you are here precisely to track Chimps, the forest is home to 12 other primate species including: Olive Baboon, Red Tailed Monkey, White and Black Colobus Monkey, and the Blue Monkey.

You will stay in a cottage, secretly located in the forest with an expansive bedroom and en-suite bathroom. This is the perfect starting point of tomorrow’s activities. (Drive time: 6hrs)

Accommodation:

• Moderate—Kibale forest camp/ Chimpanzee Forest Guest House
• Budget—Rwenzori travelers/ Kibale Homestay

Meal plan: Lunch enroute, Dinner

Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest National Park

Kibale Forest National Park boasts the highest number of primate species in the world, including our pleasant cousins, the chimpanzees. Today, in Uganda, there are approx 5,000 chimpanzees in the wild, which makes it a perfect place to spot them!

An experienced forest ranger will take you chimp tracking in the morning or afternoon. You might also see other monkey species that live in this tropical forest. Once located, you will spend a full hour with the chimps. Since they are still wild animals, we can never pledge you to see them and might have to settle with hearing their hoots and hollers.

Your swamp walk (2-3 hours) will take you through grassland, small communities and some beautiful scenery, where the locals are likely to greet you with excited waves. It is usual to

spot three to four different primate species during this walk, though the highlight is catching a hint of the great blue Turaco! (Drive hour: 5minutes)

Accommodation:

• Moderate: Kibale forest camp/Chimpanzee Forest Guest House
• Budget: Rwenzori travelers/Kibale Homestay

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Kibale, Transfer to Queen Elizabeth N.P

In the morning, you can relax at your lodge, make a crater lake hike or visit a nearby tea plantation, where you will be able to assist the tea pickers and learn about how leaves are selected for the highest quality with activities of that morning are at your own cost. You will then proceed your journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s second largest park, located at the base of the grand Rwenzori Mountain range, adjacent to Lake Edward and Lake George. The Park has creative game, including Uganda Kob, Gazelle, Warthog and Waterbuck

Lions are often far-sighted both in the park and at the entry to the park. Be equipped for vast numbers of hippo and elephant, and keep your eyes peeled for a leopard lazing in the sunshine.

In the late afternoon you will go for a game-drive into the park. (Drive time: 3hrs)

Accommodation:

• Mid-range moderate:  Bush Lodge (in rooms) / Baboon Safari Resort/ Buffalo Safari Resort/ Enganzi Lodge/ Ihamba Safari Lodge
• Budget facility: Kazinga Channel View Lodge/ Simba Safari Camp in tents/ Tembo Safari Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 5: Park Game Drive & Boat Safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park

As you wake up early, a little before sunrise coffee, tea and donuts will be served in the lounge before we head out for a long game drive in time to see the first rays of light. You will search for all the wildlife in the park and are likely to come across Buffalo, Elephant, Waterbuck, Leopard, Lion, Uganda Kob, and many Warthogs. A well-deserved brunch will be served back at the lodge in the late morning. In the afternoon you will take a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel which joins Lake George and Lake Edward. Here, you will see a lot of hippos (more than you can possibly imagine!), as well as a variation of other animals which come to the waterhole to drink or bathe. You can expect to see buffalo, crocodile, bathing elephant, and a range of attractive birds. This will certainly be one of the highpoints of your tour.

After the boat-safari you game drive back to the lodge.

Accommodation:

• Mid-range moderate:  Bush Lodge (in rooms) / Baboon Safari Resort/ Buffalo Safari Resort/ Enganzi Lodge/ Ihamba Safari Lodge
• Budget facility: Kazinga Channel View Lodge/ Simba Safari Camp in tents/ Tembo Safari Lodge.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 6: To Lake Mutanda/ Bwindi Forest

Today you drive to Lake Mutanda in the south-western part of Uganda; close to the borders with Rwanda and Congo. You cross a beautiful part of the country often referred to as ‘the Switzerland of Africa’. You will pass the country-side, bamboo forest and have great views over the Virunga Mountains. For lunch you stop at a local restaurant (not complete).

Your contented lodge is overlooking Lake Mutanda and the Virunga volcanoes on the border with Rwanda. This will certainly be one of the most remarkable views you have ever seen!

From here you will depart tomorrow for the gorilla tracking so it is best to get a good night’s sleep. (Drive time: 7hrs)

Accommodation:

• Lower Budget: Broadbill Forest Camp / Ruhija Gorilla Friends Camp /Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge
• Moderate: Trekkers Tavern /Bakiga Lodge

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

As you prepare for an encounter with one of Bwindi’s gentle giants: the rare mountain gorilla. For most people this is the complete highlight of their tour in Uganda.

The gorillas you track belong to one of nine habituated family groups who can stand the presence of humans for a brief period every day.

The time taken to track the gorillas can be as few as 2 hours to as many as 7 hours. Your track will be an exhilarating journey along forested slopes, entwined vines, bushes and bamboo before you eventually reach the gorilla family. Once the gorillas have been located, your group will be allowed a maximum of one hour with them. Coming face-to-face with a mountain gorilla is a truly chastening and expressive experience. This is a fantastic and privileged opportunity to get up close and personal with Uganda’s very own ‘Gorillas in the Mist’.

Accommodation:

• Lower Budget: Broadbill Forest Camp / Ruhija Gorilla Friends Camp /Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge
• Moderate: Trekkers Tavern /Bakiga Lodge

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After the chimp tracking you can relax at the hotel or choose an optional activity that you can discuss with your guide. (Drive time: 1-2hrs)

Accommodation:

• Budget: Nyungwe Forest Lodge
• Moderate: I’Hoests Monkey House

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8: Community Excursion – Lake Kivu

Head to the Banana and Sorghum beer production sites after breakfast, learn how African beer is brewed and even get to taste it. You will then transfer to the shores of Lake Kivu to relax. Retire for Dinner and overnight at Lake Kivu Hotel.

Meal plan: F/B

Day 9: Travel to Gisenyi then Goma Town

After your breakfast, you will head on to tour Gisenyi town. Have your lunch and after a visit to Goma town in Congo, you will transfer by boat to Kibuye with en- route visit Amahoro Island. Dinner and Overnight at your lodge in Kibuye town.

Meal plan: F/ B

Day 10: Nyungwe Chimpanzee Trekking and Canopy Walk Expedition

After breakfast, you will head out to the park headquarters for a briefing about the Chimpanzee and what to expect while tracking as well as what is expected of you. You will then go into the forest to begin your tracking. Colobus, vervet monkeys in Nyungwe Forest National Park . Lunch and after take canopy walk trail to experience other primates, birds and scenic view of canopies. Dinner and Overnight at Nyungwe forest lodge/ Gisakura guest house.

Meal plan: F/B

Day 11: Kibuye/ Lake Kivu and Transfer to Volcano National Park

After a tranquil breakfast you will travel Kibuye on the eastern shores of Lake Kivu. Time permitting, you can visit the Ndaba Falls or take a walk around Kibuye town. In the afternoon you can you can rent a boat and visit a few islands. All activities today are at your own cost. (Drive time: 3-4hrs)

Accommodation:

• Moderate: La Palme Hotel or Volcanoes Gorilla
• Lodge Low Budget: Kinigi Guest House or Muhavura Lodge or Virunga Hotel.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12: Golden Monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park

Now you shall drive northeast to the town of Musanze close to the Virunga Volcano range. This attractive area represents the gateway to the golden Monkeys. After breakfast you will proceed to the National Park headquarters – Kinigi to meet your guides for Golden Monkeys Tracking then after completing your tracks, you will bid your host good bye and depart for Kigali before tumbling you to you’ Hotel (Drive time: 4hrs)

Accommodation:

• Moderate: La Palme Hotel or Volcanoes Gorilla Lodge
• Low Budget: Kinigi Guest House or Muhavura Lodge or Virunga Hotel.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13: Departure

Now after a tranquil breakfast you shall be transferred by your driver/guide back to Kigali. Depending on your departure flight you can visit the Genocide Memorial and Education Centre, which opened in 2004. It’s a decorous tribute to the victims, including a emotional Children’s Memorial, and a exhaustive description of the darkest hour in Rwanda’s recent history in time to catch your flight back home.

Your driver/ guide will take you to the airport in time for your flight home. Sadly, this is where you say goodbye to Rwanda.

Drive Time: 2,5hrs.

Accommodation Not included Meal Plan Breakfast

What to Bring

Given that Gorilla tracking involves a lot of walking on rough, mountainous terrain, a tracker is advised to:

• Bring shoes with good traction, suitable for steep muddy slopes.
• Carry rain gear, sunscreen and a hat, as the weather is unpredictable.
• Carry enough water and food.
• Carry binoculars
• Carry a good camera that can take photographs of black animals in dim light without a flash. A monopod can also be very helpful

End of the 13 Days Uganda Rwanda Expedition Safari

Accommodation

Anderita Beach Hotel

Moderate—Kibale forest camp/ Chimpanzee Forest Guest House

Budget—Rwenzori travelers/ Kibale Homestay

Mid-range moderate:  Bush Lodge (in rooms) / Baboon Safari Resort/ Buffalo Safari Resort/ Enganzi Lodge/ Ihamba Safari Lodge

Budget facility: Kazinga Channel View Lodge/ Simba Safari Camp in tents/ Tembo Safari Lodge

Lower Budget: Broadbill Forest Camp / Ruhija Gorilla Friends Camp /Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge

Moderate: Trekkers Tavern /Bakiga Lodge

Budget: Nyungwe Forest Lodge

Moderate: I’Hoests Monkey House

Moderate: La Palme Hotel or Volcanoes Gorilla

Lodge Low Budget: Kinigi Guest House or Muhavura Lodge or Virunga Hotel.

Price — US $3150 per person (For two people)

The price increases if you opt to travel as a solo traveler. Also, the price payable per person reduces from the stated amount when the tour is booked by more than two people.

Single room Supplement is USD 45.00 per person willing to stay alone in a single room.