8-Day Rwanda-Uganda Safari
On your 8-Day Rwanda-Uganda Safari, you will enjoy the best of what Uganda and Rwanda have to offer. In this tour, you will enjoy a hike on Mount Bisoke, trek the golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park and then trek the famous mountain Gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park. You will spot a number of wildlife and bird species in Queen Elizabeth and Lake Mburo National Park, not forgetting the chimpanzees of Kyambura gorge or Kalinzu forest.
Day 1: Pick up from Kigali International Airport and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
On arrival at Kigali Airport, you will perform the routine clearance process and once done, you will step out to meet your driver guide from Vibrant Holiday Safaris. He will welcome you and then transfer you to Volcanoes National Park. The 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 booked accommodation and take a rest as you await the next day’s activity.
Optional: If time allows, you may consider a Kigali City excursion before transferring to Volcanoes National Park.
Location: Volcanoes National Park
Accommodation Option:
Luxury: Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
Mid-Range: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Budget: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge
Meal Plan: Dinner
Day 2: Hiking at Mountain Bisoke to the summit
If you love hiking and beautiful scenery, Mount Bisoke is just what you have been looking for. Today, you will have breakfast, collect your packed lunch and proceed to the starting point (Kinigi). You will be briefed and thereafter head out with the assigned ranger-guide to hike Mount Bisoke (3,711 meters above sea level). Ascend for 4-5 hours and the descent time is about 3 hours. At the summit, you will be rewarded with the sight of a beautiful crater lake. Return to the accommodation and get some rest.
Optional (extra cost): Depending on your energy level and interest, you may consider the local community for a cultural encounter later today.
Location: Volcanoes National Park
Accommodation Option:
Luxury: Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
Mid-Range: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Budget: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Golden monkey trekking and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
The golden monkey trekking takes place in Volcanoes National Park and at the same time (07h00) as the gorilla trekking. These rare monkey species are also listed as endangered. Volcanoes NP has habituated groups that are available for trekking by visitors. The exercise starts with a short briefing from the park ranger at the RDB office. Thereafter, you will proceed to trek the golden monkeys through the rainforest of the Volcanoes NP. Return to the accommodation for some rest and lunch. After lunch, drive to the Cyanika border post. From Cyanika, you will be received by our Uganda-based professional tour driver-guide who will take over from his Rwanda-based colleague. You will cross the border into Uganda and head to Bwindi from where you will trek the gorillas the next day.
Location: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Accommodation Option:
Luxury: Gorilla Leisure Lodge
Mid-Range: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
Budget: Gorilla Mist Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Gorilla Trekking
Have breakfast and proceed to the rangers’ post. You will receive a briefing on the do’s and don’ts during gorilla trekking. Thereafter, you will enter the gorilla sanctuary for your adventure and encounter. The beauty of this rainforest is spectacular! The area offers a steeply forested landscape and is incredibly dense, but criss-crossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists. The terrain and the time it takes vary according to 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, and get some rest after a strenuous day.
Location: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Accommodation Option:
Luxury: Gorilla Leisure Lodge
Mid-Range: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
Budget: Gorilla Mist Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth with a game drive through Ishasha sector
After an early breakfast, you will embark on a transfer to 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 lion species. Should you get the chance to spot the lions up in the tree, the sight is picturesque and unforgettable. From Ishasha, head to your booked accommodation. Check in and take a rest.
Optional: If interested, you may consider a late afternoon-to-evening game drive in the Kasenyi plains.
Location: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation Option:
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge
Mid-Range: Twin Lake Safari Lodge
Budget: Bush Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Morning Game drive and Afternoon boat Cruise on Kazinga channel
After an early morning breakfast on day 6 of the 8-Day Rwanda-Uganda Safari, you will proceed for a morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains and be on the lookout for Cape buffalos, herds of elephants, as well as lions and leopards (though hard to spot), among others. 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 several birds on 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: Mweya Safari Lodge
Mid-Range: Twin Lake Safari Lodge
Budget: Bush Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Chimpanzee tracking in Kalinzu forest – Transfer to Lake Mburo National Park for Night game drive
After an early morning breakfast, you will drive out to the nearby Kalinzu Forest Reserve. The forest is home to habituated chimpanzees plus other primates including baboons, monkeys and also bird species. Today, you will spend the early part of the day tracking chimpanzees here. Thereafter, transfer to Lake Mburo National Park via Mbarara city. On arrival at Lake Mburo, you will check in and later go for a night game drive to spot the nocturnal wildlife.
Location: Lake Mburo National Park
Accommodation Option:
Luxury: Kigambira Safari Lodge
Mid-Range: Rwakobo Rock
Budget: Eagle’s Nest
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8: Morning Nature Walk – Transfer back to Entebbe International Airport
On the final day of your 8-Day Rwanda-Uganda Safari, you will enjoy an early morning breakfast. Thereafter, you will proceed for a morning bushwalk in the presence of an armed Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger-guide. On this early morning guided walk, you will have the opportunity to encounter at close range zebra, giraffe, eland, topi and other antelope, and Cape buffalo among others. Take the trail to the top of the hills to see Lake Mburo and beyond. Thereafter, return to the accommodation for checkout and then hit the road to back to Entebbe International Airport to catch your departure flight.
Location: Entebbe
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
The Package Price Includes:
- Return airport transfers (pick up and drop off)
- Private transport for 8 days in a well-modified safari Extended land-cruiser (4WD,air-conditioned and pop-up roof)
- Fuel for 8 days
- English safari driver guide for 8 days
- Accommodation for 7 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
- 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)