8 Days Decisive Uganda Rwanda Safari

8 Days Decisive Uganda Rwanda Safari

This small group safari offers an astonishing opportunity to track the rare mountain gorillas of Bwindi National Park in Uganda and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Led by qualified gorilla trackers and guides, this safari will take you face to face with several habituated gorilla families, giving you the chance to observe the behavior of these fascinating creatures in their natural environment.

Highlights

  • Take a boat cruise along the stunning Kazinga channel, host to a varied range of animals and birds.
  • Enjoy the scenery of Uganda and Rwanda in the company of your fellow travellers.
  • Track endangered mountain gorillas in both Uganda and Rwanda.
  • East Africa game viewing including the chance to see elephants, buffalo, leopards and the tree climbing lions of Ishasha.

Trip Overview

This 8 Days Decisive Uganda Rwanda Safari offers an astonishing opportunity to track the rare mountain gorillas of Bwindi National Park in Uganda and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Led by qualified gorilla trackers and guides, this safari will take you face to face with several habituated gorilla families, giving you the chance to observe the behavior of these fascinating creatures in their natural environment.

Trip Summery

Day 1: Arrive Entebbe
Day 2 – 4: Entebbe — Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 4: Queen Elizabeth NP – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Day 5: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Day 6: Transfer from Bwindi – Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda
Day 7: Rwanda Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Day 8: Volcanoes National Park – Kigali

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Entebbe

On your arrival into Entebbe, you will be met by your dedicated safari driver/ guide and transferred to your hotel. You will have the opportunity to explore the small, quiet town of Entebbe; soak up the atmosphere of the local markets filled with clothes and crafts, shop for souvenirs in curio shops, explore the Botanical Gardens on Lake Victoria, or enjoy the wide variety of cuisines on offer.

Spend the night at: Boma Guesthouse (Dinner)

Day 2 – 4: Entebbe — Queen Elizabeth National Park

You will be transferred to Entebbe Airport for your flight to Queen Elizabeth National Park, home to a wide variety of wildlife including elephants, leopard, lions, hippos, buffalo, Uganda kob, baboon, and many species of birds. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon cruise on the Kazinga Channel, with spectacular views of the beautiful Mweya Peninsula and life in local fishing villages, as well as good opportunities for spotting wildlife. Arrive at your camp in the late afternoon.

You’ll be staying at: Ishasha Wilderness Camp B, L, D — Days 2 to 4 (3 nights)

Ishasha Sector

On the third day you’ll discover Ishasha, in the remote southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This unspoilt and ‘off-the-beaten-track’ destination comprises a diverse range of habitats, from deep forest to enormous savannah. Set off shortly after sunrise across the acacia studded plains to encounter elephants, large herds of buffalo, leopard and the famous tree-climbing lions of Ishasha.

Day 4: Queen Elizabeth NP – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

A 3 hour drive through scenic country will bring you to Bwindi Forest National Park, considered the most diverse forest in Uganda. Home to over 120 mammal species, 345 species of birds, 200 species of butterflies and 160 species of trees, Bwindi is one of the richest ecosystems in East Africa, and also contains almost half of the world’s population of the rare Mountain Gorilla. Upon arrival, relax at your lodge and prepare for your first gorilla tracking experience in the morning.

You’ll be staying at: Buhoma Lodge B, L, D — Days 4 to 5 (2 Nights)

Day 5: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

As come face to face with mountain gorillas is a real once-in-a-lifetime experience! You will be accompanied by experienced guides and trackers on an early morning trek into the dense rain forest on the mountain slopes. The mountain gorillas in Bwindi are part of a worldwide population of just 700. The gorillas you are allowed to track belong to one of three habituated family groups. For up to five years each, these groups have undergone an extremely delicate process that has gradually brought them to endure the presence of humans for a brief period every day and allowed a few privileged visitors to interact with them in the wild. Please note that gorilla tracking may be fairly energetic, with treks ranging from 30 mins to six hours or longer.

Day 6: Transfer from Bwindi – Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda

From Bwindi, you will set off on a drive through the ‘Little Switzerland of Africa’ along winding mountain roads and through rural villages to reach the border of Rwanda, Kisoro. On a clear day the Virungas, a row of massive, dormant volcanoes, can be seen standing sentry along the border. Cross over the border and continue on to your next base for gorilla tracking.

You’ll be staying at: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge B, L, D — Days 6 to 7 (2 nights)

Day 7: Rwanda Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

You will be spent tracking the renowned mountain gorillas of Rwanda. The gorillas you will track belong to one of ten habituated family groups. After an early breakfast, you will head to the park where you will be allocated your gorilla family, before setting off on your gorilla tracking escapade. You will be accompanied by experienced guides, many of whom have been involved in the habituation process themselves, who will use their knowledge of the gorillas’ habits to determine the group’s whereabouts.

Day 8: Volcanoes National Park – Kigali

After lunch, you will set off on the 3-hour drive to Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda. Here, you have the option of paying a visit to the Genocide Museum, before heading to the airport for your flight home.

End of the 8 Days Decisive Uganda Rwanda Safari

Accommodation

  • Boma Guesthouse
  • Ishasha Wilderness Camp B, L, D
  • Buhoma Lodge B, L, D
  • Mountain Gorilla View Lodge B, L, D

What is Included

  • Transfer to Entebbe upon arrival
  • Wi-Fi (in main areas of the Guest House and Lodge)
  • AMREF Evacuation Insurance cover
  • Government taxes
  • Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge (Private Cottage) for 3 nights in full board
  • Papyrus Guest House (Garden Room) for 1 night on Bed & Breakfast basis • Snacks for the sundowner on day 3
  • Drinking water in the vehicle (1 liter per person per day) and while at Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
  • All the excursions and activities indicated in the itinerary (canoe ride, walks etc) under the supervision of an experienced English-speaking Walking Guide
  • Support of a private 4×4 vehicle with experienced English-speaking driver-guide, from the morning of day 2 to the late afternoon of day 5 (6 seater)

What is excluded

  • Return Aero Link Flight Entebbe – Kisoro (542 USD), to be reconfirmed at the time of booking
  • All drinks, including the drinks for the sundowner on Day 3
  • Uganda Entry Visa fee
  • 1 Gorilla tracking permit per person, Park/ Forest Fees and Batwa Fees (725 USD)

Price — US $5065 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.

Start date1 Pax2 Pax3 Pax4 Px5 Pax6 Pax
Any date$6485$5065$4620$4315$4210$4100

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

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