11-Day Rwanda-Uganda Safari & Tour

On this 11-Day Rwanda-Uganda Safari & Tour, you will fly into Kigali Airport and overnight. Proceed to Volcanoes National Park for the golden monkey trek before connecting to Uganda via Cyanika Border. In Bwindi, enjoy the gorilla trek and thereafter, head for safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Our next stop is Hoima City (en route Murchison Falls National Park). In Murchison, enjoy the roaring rapids and wildlife encounter in Uganda largest conservation area. To finish the Big 5 list, we head to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for rhino tracking. Finally, drop off in Entebbe.

Day 1: Arrival and Transfer to your Hotel

On day 1 of the 11-Day Rwanda-Uganda Safari & Tour, you will be picked up from Kigali International Airport by our driver guide from Vibrant Holiday Safaris. He/she will welcome you to Rwanda and then head to board the car for the transfer to the booked hotel. You will check in and take your rest – recovering from tiresome flight and adjusting to time difference.

Location: Kigali 

Accommodation Option:

Luxury: Radisson Blu Hotel

Mid-Range: Hotel Des Mille Collines

Budget: Chez Lando

Meal Plan: Dinner

Day 2: Kigali City Tour and transfer to Volcanoes National Park for your 11- Day Rwanda-Uganda Safari & Tour

After breakfast, you will drive around Kigali City for a city tour. Expect visits to places like; the national museum, local markets, art and craft shops, genocide memorial ground. Thereafter, you will transfer to Volcanoes National Park. Volcanoes National Park lies in northwestern Rwanda and borders Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. You will arrive at the lodge, check in and  relax for the night.

Location: Volcanoes National Park

Accommodation Option:

Luxury: Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge

Mid-Range: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge

Budget: La Palme Hotel

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3: Golden Monkey Trekking – Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Just like gorilla trekking, this activity starts early in the morning. It starts with a short briefing from the park ranger at the park headquarters. Thereafter, you will proceed to trek the golden monkeys in the rainforest of the volcanoes National Park. After an actual encounter (that lasts an hour), return to the accommodation for some rest and lunch. After lunch, drive off to Cyanika Border Post. From Cyanika, you will be received by our Uganda-based Professional driver guide who will take over from his Rwanda-based colleague. You will transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park for dinner and overnight.

Location: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Accommodation Option:

Luxury: Gorilla Leisure Lodge

Mid-Range: Buhoma Lodge

Budget: Broadbill Forest Camp

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4: Gorilla Trekking Experience – Batwa Community Encounter

After breakfast, you will move to the rangers post where you will receive some briefing (from a ranger guide) on the dos and don’ts during trekking. Thereafter, you will enter the Bwindi Forest for your adventure. The beauty of this rain forest is spectacular! The area offers dramatic steeply forested landscape and is incredibly dense but crisscrossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists. The time taken and the terrain vary with the movements of these great primates. Once you have located a gorilla group, you will be allowed an hour in their presence. The thrill of spending time observing these gentle but endangered giants is unforgettable. Return to the accommodation for lunch and rest. Later you will visit the Batwa who live near the park for an encounter with them. You will engage with them as you learn about their history and ways of life.

Location: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Accommodation Option:

Luxury: Gorilla Leisure Lodge

Mid-Range: Buhoma Lodge

Budget: Broadbill Forest Camp

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5: Drive to Buhoma for a Nature walk – Afternoon Buhoma community visit

After breakfast, you will drive off to Buhoma sector of Bwindi. Once there, we shall proceed for the Forest walk along the waterfall trail. This is the perfect way to experience the depth of this “impenetrable” forest. Starting from Buhoma – at the north gate, Munyaga river trail gets you to some beautiful pristine waterfalls – a truly rewarding experience. Along the way you will encounter some flora and fauna, black and white colobus monkeys, sometimes blue monkeys among others. Return to the accommodation for lunch and some rest before moving out to encounter the community. This encounter involves cultural dances and also participating in some activities for example traditional cooking, weaving among others. Return back for dinner and overnight.

Location: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Accommodation Option:

Luxury: Gorilla Leisure Lodge

Mid-Range: Buhoma Lodge

Budget: Broadbill Forest Camp

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 6: Transfer to Ishasha sector for Game drive 

Be up early, have breakfast and embark on a transfer to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park – famously known for its tree-climbing lion population. Once there, undertake a game drive in search of this rare species of lions. Should you get the chance to spot the lions up in the tree, the sight is immeasurably unforgettable. Later, you can proceed for an evening game drive in Kasenyi plains.

Location: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Accommodation Option:

Luxury: Ishasha Wilderness Camp

Mid-Range: Ishasha Jungle Lodge

Budget: Topi Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7: Morning game drive and afternoon boat trip on Kazinga Channel

After breakfast, you will proceed for a morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains and be on the look for Cape buffalos, herds of elephants plus lions, leopards (though hard to spot) among others. Then, you will return to the accommodation for some rest time and lunch. After lunch, you will go for a 2-hour boat trip on the Kazinga Channel that connects Lakes George and Edward. During the trip, the sight of wildlife including giant hippos, elephants and crocodiles among others will fascinate you. You will also see many varieties of birds at the water shores. #Optional (no cost): If interested, you may go for a brief late afternoon-to-evening game viewing and then, return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Location: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Accommodation Option:

Luxury: Buffalo Safari Lodge

Mid-Range: Twin Lake Safari Lodge

Budget: Tembo Safari Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 8: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kyambura Gorge and Transfer to Hoima

After breakfast, we shall proceed for Chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura gorge. The gorge is home to habituated Chimpanzees and also other primates including baboons, monkeys and also bird species. Today, you will spend the early part of the day tracking chimpanzees here. Thereafter, you will return to the accommodation for check out. To help shorten the transfer time from Queen to Murchison Falls National Park, we shall embark on a transfer that will see us overnight in Hoima City, that is en route Murchison.

Accommodation Option:

Luxury: Kijungu Hill Hotel

Mid-Range: Kontiki Hotel Hoima

Budget: Lake Albert Safari Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 9: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park for evening game drive

After a relaxed breakfast at the Hotel, you will thereafter embark on a transfer to Murchison Falls National Park. The highlights of this park include the roaring rapids of the Murchison Falls, the rolling plains of Uganda’s largest National Park where you will have the chance of viewing lions, leopards, giraffes, hartebeest, buffalo, and also elephants. Then surely, the concentration of hippos and the Nile crocodiles here will fascinate you. In the afternoon, you will head out for a game drive until evening. Optional (extra cost $40 pp.): You may as well consider a breathtaking night game drive to have a rare encounter of the night life in the wild.

Location: Murchison Falls National Park

Accommodation Option: 

Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge

Mid-Range: Pakuba Safari Lodge

Budget: Murchison River Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 10: Morning game drive and Afternoon boat trip upstream to the falls

Have your breakfast, depart for an early morning game drive across the rolling plains of Uganda’s largest National Park and be on the look for wildlife including: lions, leopards (though hard to spot) among others. For any birder, there are quite a number of birds to sight too during the drive. Thereafter, return to the accommodation for some rest time and lunch. After lunch, you will head out for the boat trip to the base of Murchison Falls where you will also be able to catch sight of more animals including Hippos and Crocodiles and several water birds. Return later to your accommodation and relax for the night.

Location: Murchison Falls National Park

Accommodation Option: 

Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge

Mid-Range: Pakuba Safari Lodge

Budget: Murchison River Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 11: Drive to the top of the falls and then Transfer back to Entebbe with a stopover at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

On this final day of the 11-Day Rwanda-Uganda Safari & Tour, We will have breakfast and then drive to the top of the falls to truly appreciate the beauty and magnificence of the Murchison Falls. From the top, we shall embark on a transfer (not so long) to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Once in Ziwa, you will then proceed for an hour of on-foot rhino tracking. You will then enjoy lunch and then continue with the drive to Entebbe Airport where you will catch your departure flight.

Location: Entebbe

Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch

End of tour

The Package Price Includes:

• Return airport transfers (pick up and drop off)
• Private transport for 11 days in a well-modified safari Extended land-cruiser (4WD,air-conditioned and pop-up roof)
• Fuel for 11 days
• English safari driver guide for 11 days
• Accommodation for 10 nights on Full board (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
• All park entrance fees, activities and all applicable government taxes
• 1 Gorilla Trekking Permit per person in Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park
• 1 Chimpanzee Trekking permit per person in Queen Elizabeth National Park
• 1 Golden Monkey Trekking Permit per person in Volcanoes National Park
• Drinking Water and Fruits Throughout the journey

The Package Price Excludes:

• International and domestic flights
• Accommodation after the trip (Can be arranged on request)
• Travel Visa
• Travel insurance
• Tips
• Laundry service
• Telephone
• Souvenirs and gifts
• Alcoholic and other soft drinks (sodas, special juice orders at the lodge and wines)