Empirical Tour and Travel

4.8/5 – 16 Reviews

$4,125 pp (USD)

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*This tour does not accept children under 15.
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Arrival (See Getting There for more details)

Arrival (See Getting There for more details)

  • You'll be collected from the airport.
  • Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Day 1

Entebbe international airport Pick up and transfer your hotel

Entebbe international airport Pick up and transfer your hotel

Upon arrival at Entebbe international airport, you will meet our guide who will be waiting for you.
He will then brief about your activities before you get transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you will be proceeding with Kampala city tour after you check in.

Main Destination:
Kampala (City, Uganda)
Accommodation:
Malakai Eco Lodge
  • Mid-range lodgenear Kampala (City, Uganda)
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Non-alcoholic drinks

Day 2

Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park and Rhino tracking at the Ziwa sanctuary

Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park and Rhino tracking at the Ziwa sanctuary

After your early breakfast, you will set off for the Murchison Falls National Park. As you travel, you will bypass the beautiful countryside of Uganda including the Luwero triangle. The Luwero triangle is where the current government launched a guerilla warfare that brought it to power. You will first visit the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary. White Rhinos became extinct in Uganda’s national parks in 1980. The few that had remained where transferred to the sanctuary for better protection. There are about 18 rhinos in the sanctuary at the moment and there is a plan to reintroduce them in Uganda’s game parks in the future. And then Lunch will be at Amuka lodge before proceeding to the Murchison falls national park. The guide will drive you straight to the top of the Murchison falls. The Murchison falls squeezes through an 8 meter wide gorge before dropping with a thunderous roar. You will also spot the adjacent Uhuru Falls that was formed in 1962 due to heavy flooding.

Main Destination:
Murchison Falls National Park (Uganda)
Best Time To Visit December to February (Easier to spot animals)
High Season June to September (Peak time for Uganda)
Best Weather June and July (Less rain and lower temperatures)

Wildlife in Murchison Falls NP

ChimpanzeeOccasional
ElephantCommon
GiraffeCommon
BuffaloCommon
HippoAbundant
LionOccasional
Show more
ZebraNone
Accommodation:
Pakuba Safari Lodge
  • Mid-range lodge located inside Murchison Falls NP (Uganda)
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Non-alcoholic drinks

Day 3

Early morning Game drive and a boat cruise along the river Nile

Early morning Game drive and a boat cruise along the river Nile

You will wake up very early with your well-Packed breakfast or coffee to take during the game drive along the southern sector of the park. The morning drive will take you through different parts of the park where you will have an opportunity to spot 4 of the big five including leopards, buffaloes, lions and elephants. There are more mammals to be found in the park during the game drive like the Uganda Kob, Hyenas, Jackals, giraffes, Hartebeest, Bushbucks and several other species of antelope. Once done with the morning game drive, you will head back to the lodge for lunch and rest.

In the afternoon, get ready to go for a launch cruise along the river Nile ending at the bottom of the Murchison falls. This section of the Nile has a high concentration of Hippos and crocodiles. The area is a birders' paradise with species like the Fish Eagle, Shoebill, Grey-crowned Crane, Goliath Heron, African Skimmer, Black-headed Gonolek, Long-toed Plover and Saddle-billed Stork call the place home.

Main Destination:
Murchison Falls National Park (Uganda)
Accommodation:
Pakuba Safari Lodge
  • Mid-range lodge located inside Murchison Falls NP (Uganda)
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Non-alcoholic drinks

Day 4

Head to Kibale National Park

Head to Kibale National Park

After your breakfast, you will leave Murchison falls national park for Kibale national park. The journey is long but worthwhile as you will be able to see Uganda’s beautiful countryside, several landmarks and observe the locals going about with their lives. Lunch will be at the beautiful town of Fort Portal. After lunch, will go for a tour of the town and the headquarters of the Tooro Kingdom. Fort Portal stands out because it is located in an area with great weather and lush green vegetation for most of the year.

Main Destination:
Kibale National Park (Chimps)
Best Time To Visit December to February and June to July
High Season June to September (Peak time for Uganda)
Best Weather June to July and December to February (Least rain)

Wildlife in Kibale NP

ElephantOccasional
BuffaloOccasional
LeopardVery Rare
HippoRare
LionRare to None
Show more
ZebraNone
Accommodation:
Primate Lodge Kibale
  • Luxury lodgeinside Kibale NP (Chimps, Uganda)
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Non-alcoholic drinks

Day 5

Chimpanzee tracking at Kibale National Park and transfer to Queen Elizabeth park

Chimpanzee tracking at Kibale National Park and transfer to Queen Elizabeth park

After a breakfast, the driver will take you to the Kibale national park offices for the briefing on chimpanzee tracking. Our guides/Rangers will let you know of all there is to know about tracking chimpanzee. Kibale National Park is the best place to track chimpanzees in the world. The chances of spotting them is very high and there are 4 communities that are habituated. Chimps love to stay on top of trees compared to mountain gorillas. They are also more vocal hence allowing them to be located from kilometers away. Chimpanzee trekking takes between 3 to 5 hours after which, you will head back to your lodge for lunch and rest. Our driver will then transfer you to Queen Elizabeth national park in the evening. The journey takes only 2 hours.

Main Destination:
Queen Elizabeth National Park (Uganda)
Best Time To Visit January to February and June to July (Dry seasons)
High Season June to September (Peak time for Uganda)
Best Weather June to July and January to February (Less rainfall)

Wildlife in Queen Elizabeth NP

ChimpanzeeOccasional
ElephantCommon
LionCommon
BuffaloCommon
HippoAbundant
LeopardOccasional
Show more
ZebraNone
Accommodation:
Parkview Safari Lodge
  • Mid-range lodge located just outside Queen Elizabeth NP (Uganda)
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Non-alcoholic drinks

Day 6

Game drive and launch cruise at the Kazinga Channel of Queen Elizabeth park

Game drive and launch cruise at the Kazinga Channel of Queen Elizabeth park

After your early breakfast, you will go for a morning game drive at the Kasenyi sector of Queen Elizabeth national park in Uganda. This morning game drive allows visitors to spot nocturnal animals retreating back to their dens and also the early risers. Expect to spot leopards, hippos, lions, buffaloes, hartebeests, resident and migratory birds. After your game drive, you will return to have lunch and a rest at your lodge. At 2:00 pm, you will be transferred to the Kazinga Channel for a launch cruise. The Kazinga Channel is a collection point for most of the parks animals and birds. You will be very impressed with the sheer number of game found drinking and grazing along the banks.

Main Destination:
Queen Elizabeth National Park (Uganda)
Accommodation:
Parkview Safari Lodge
  • Mid-range lodge located just outside Queen Elizabeth NP (Uganda)
Meals & Drinks:
  • Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
  • Non-alcoholic drinks

Day 7

Game drive at Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth and Transfer to Bwindi national park

Game drive at Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth and Transfer to Bwindi national park

After your early breakfast, prepare for your second game drive in Queen Elizabeth national park. This time, you will be driven to the Ishasha sector of the park which is famous for Tree Climbing Lions. You will see many other park mammals that you might not have sighted during your visit to other sections of the park. After sporting the tree climbing lions of Ishasha, you will leave the park and embark on the journey to Bwindi impenetrable forest park. Lunch will be taken along the way and expect to arrive in Bwindi impenetrable forest park late in the afternoon. Rest and prepare for gorilla tracking the next day.

Main Destination:
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)
Best Time To Visit June to August and December to February
High Season June to September (Gorilla permits are scarce)
Best Weather June to July and December to February (Less rainfall)

Wildlife in Bwindi NP

Accommodation:
Bakiga Lodge
  • Budget lodgejust outside Bwindi NP (Gorillas, Uganda)
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Non-alcoholic drinks

Day 8

Gorilla tracking in Bwindi impenetrable forest and Visit the Batwa Pygmies

Gorilla tracking in Bwindi impenetrable forest and Visit the Batwa Pygmies

After your breakfast, head for the briefing about gorilla trekking which takes place at the park office at 7:00 am. The head guide will peruse through the requirements and rules for gorilla trekking, what to expect, the gorilla groups and what to see in the park. Bwindi impenetrable forest park has 11 gorilla families with some living near the park offices while others deeper in the forest. The allocation of gorilla families is done based on the overall fitness and age of travelers. Always follow instructions from the guides, stay calm and avoid sudden movements for your good memories and picture.

After the allocated time, you will head back back to your hotel. Later in the afternoon, you will go and visit the Batwa pygmy community who live close to the park. They were relocated by the government after the forest reserve was turned into a park. The Batwa pygmies lived as hunters and gathers for thousands of years in the forest of Bwindi, Mgahinga, Virunga and Volcanoes National Park.

Main Destination:
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)
Accommodation:
Bakiga Lodge
  • Budget lodgejust outside Bwindi NP (Gorillas, Uganda)
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Non-alcoholic drinks

Day 9

Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for bird watching, sightseeing and a boat ride

Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for bird watching, sightseeing and a boat ride

Wake up to have breakfast at your own time and get ready to be transferred to lake Bunyonyi. Lake Bunyonyi is a famous spot for birding tours in Uganda and sightseeing. It is a small lake with over 40 islands and is ideal for honeymooners and those who want a quiet, serene and romantic place. You will go for a boat ride and island hopping as you watch the local fishermen carrying out their activities. You could also visit the punishment island. This is where young girls who had conceived before wedlock were abandoned to die. Most were rescued by men who couldn’t afford bride price.

Main Destination:
Lake Bunyonyi (Uganda)
Accommodation:
BirdNest Resort
  • Mid-range resort located at Lake Bunyonyi (Uganda)
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Non-alcoholic drinks

Day 10

Transfer to Musanze, city tour

Transfer to Musanze, city tour

After your breakfast, hit the road to Rwanda. Don’t expect to be bored because the journey from Uganda to Rwanda rewards visitors with beautiful scenery and amazing countryside. Lunch will be taken along the way and after crossing to Rwanda. After lunch, the driver will continue up to your lodge for check-in and relaxation. You can spend the evening on a nature walk or request the driver to take you for a tour of the town of Musanze. Rest early and prepare for gorilla trekking at the Volcanoes National Park the next day.

Main Destination:
Musanze (City, Rwanda)
Accommodation:
Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge
  • Mid-range lodgejust outside Volcanoes NP (Gorillas, Rwanda)
Meals & Drinks:
  • Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
  • Non-alcoholic drinks

Day 11

Buhanga Eco-park and Iby’iwacu cultural village

Buhanga Eco-park and Iby’iwacu cultural village

After your breakfast, you will head to Buhanga eco-park to meet the volcano national park guide on your way where he is waiting for you to pass you through the rwanda history. Buhanga Eco-park is a small forest of around 31 hectares that is referred to as sacred, and a ritual place where the Kings of Yore in Rwanda were initiated and enthroned for Kingship. It really brings out great beauty of an ecosystem and it’s quite exhausting as you get into the forest walking on stony trails under the covering of tall majestic trees as well as creeping and crawling plants as you are ushered in by beautiful colorful butterflies and various bird species singing in the air.

Later in the late afternoon, you will head out to visit the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village in Musanze which is near the volcanoes national park. The Centre is now known as the Gorilla Guardians Village. It has grown from a simple site where former poachers would sell souvenir to one of the leading cultural centres in East Africa.

Main Destination:
Volcanoes National Park (Gorillas)
Best Time To Visit June to August (It is drier and hiking is easier)
High Season June to September (Permits are scarce)
Best Weather June to October (Sunny, but not too hot)

Wildlife in Volcanoes NP

Accommodation:
Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge
  • Mid-range lodgejust outside Volcanoes NP (Gorillas, Rwanda)
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Non-alcoholic drinks

Day 12

Golden Monkey Tracking and twin lakes of Ruhondo and Burera

Golden Monkey Tracking and twin lakes of Ruhondo and Burera

After your breakfast, we will go for golden monkey tracking, head to the volcanoes national park offices for a briefing on golden monkey tracking. After the briefing, you will go into the forest to track the golden monkeys with the park Rangers. Once you reach their territory, you will see them swinging on top of the trees and coming down to forage for insects. Golden monkeys look very beautiful and cuddly. You should take as many photos as you can and afterwards descend back to the lodge for lunch and rest.

Later in the evening, our driver will take you for a tour around the twin Lakes of Ruhondo and Burera.

Main Destination:
Volcanoes National Park (Gorillas)
Accommodation:
Best View Hotel
  • Mid-range hotelless than 1hr drive from Volcanoes NP (Gorillas, Rwanda)
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Non-alcoholic drinks

Day 13

Transfer to Kigali for a city tour with genocide memorial

Transfer to Kigali for a city tour with genocide memorial

After your breakfast, starting the journey toward Kigali. While traveling, enjoy the beautiful Rwanda countryside with over a thousand hills. Once you reach Kigali, go for a tour of the small but very neat and organized city. Kigali is one of the fastest growing cities in East Africa and is used as an example for other countries to follow. During the Kigali city tour, you will visit the genocide memorial site, the presidential palace museum, the main market and then finish with some shopping from artisan shops.

Main Destination:
Kigali (Rwanda)
Accommodation:
Lebanon Hotel
  • Mid-range hotel located in Kigali (Rwanda)
Meals & Drinks:
  • All meals included
  • Non-alcoholic drinks

Day 14

Transfer to Airport for departure

Transfer to Airport for departure

After you breakfast, we will transfer you to your hotel to depart to your home.
Depending on your departure time, we will continue with Kigali city tour and visit other interesting areas of the city.

Main Destination:
Kigali International Airport (Kigali, Rwanda)
Accommodation:
No accommodation (End of tour)
Meals & Drinks:
  • Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

End of tour (See Getting There for more details)

End of tour (See Getting There for more details)

  • Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
  • You'll be dropped off at the airport.

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Request a Quote

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  • If preferred, you can contact the tour operator directly
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Disclaimer

  • This tour is offered by Empirical Tour and Travel, not SafariBookings.
  • This operator reserves the right to change rates advertised on SafariBookings.
  • If you request changes to this tour, the advertised rates will likely change.
  • The exact order, contents and rates of this tour are subject to availability.
  • If an accommodation is fully booked, the operator will suggest a comparable alternative.
  • Gorilla tracking permits are subject to availability.