14-Day Rwanda & Uganda Safari Combo (Gorillas & Big 5)

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

Arrival in Kigali-Rwanda

Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, our local safari guide welcomes you. After a short transfer to our fine selected hotel in kigali city, we have dinner, before its time to tie up for the night. Our safari guide will take you through the highlights of our upcoming adventure down the earth on an African safari as it prepares you for the coming days as we explore the beauty of Rwanda and wonders of Uganda the Pearl of Africa.

Main Destination:

Kigali International Airport (Kigali, Rwanda)

Accommodation:

Hotel Des Mille Collines

• Luxury hotel located in Kigali (Rwanda)

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Meals & Drinks:

• Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Kigali city tour-Rwanda

After a good breakfast, we set off on a city tour of Kigali. Rwanda is about 1800 meters above sea level and its is spread over 7 hills like Rome. We will visit some wonderful places such as "Kigali Cultural Village" which is a traditional market place where local artisans and food vendors display and sell their wares, Kigali Cultural Village also hosts events, workshops, festivals and music. We will also visit the "Kandt House". The former home of Richard Kandt which has been transformed into a natural history museum since 2006.
Richard Kandt arrived from Germany in Rwanda in 1897 in search of the distant source of the Nile; he was also a naturalist and he studied the Nyungwe forest and discovered species such as the golden monkeys. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel Des Mille Collines.

Main Destination:

Kigali Genocide Memorial (Kigali, Rwanda)

Accommodation:

Hotel Des Mille Collines

• Luxury hotel located in Kigali (Rwanda)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Transfer to Nyanza - Butare

After a good breakfast, we leave Kigali and drive southwest towards Nyungwe National Park. Our first stop is Nyanza, which used to be the political capital and host to the ancient royal palace. This place is completely newly renovated and displays original objects and parts of the history of the Mwami, the king.
We then have a good lunch in Butare, the second city of Rwanda, which is considered the cultural capital, hosting the university and the national museum. We arrive in the late afternoon at Nyungwe National Park in time for dinner and overnight at Nyungwe Top View Lodge.

Main Destination:

Nyanza (Town, Rwanda)

Accommodation:

Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel

• Mid-range hoteljust outside Nyungwe NP (Chimps, Rwanda)

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Chimpanzee Trekking in Nyungwe Forest National Park - Kibuye

After an early 06:00 good breakfast, we head out into the Nyungwe forest for Chimpanzee trekking, we also see the Angolan colobus. Nyungwe Forest covers 1,020 Km2 of green hills, making it the largest virgin tropical montane forest in East Africa. Nyungwe is home to 13 different species of primates, including over 500 chimpanzees, Colobus of Rwenzori, Hoest monkey, silver monkey, and baboon. Nyungwe is also the most important birding site in Rwanda, with over 310 bird species. We return to our lodge for lunch. In the afternoon we continue to Kibuye on Lake Kivu, for dinner and overnight at the fine Mantis Kivu Marina Bay Hotel. Today we drive along beautiful dirt roads through Rwanda's landscape. Enjoy.

Main Destination:

Nyungwe National Park (Chimps)

Best Time To Visit June to September (Dry weather, best chimp trekking)

High Season June to September (Popular gorilla trekking time in Volcanoes NP)

Best Weather June to October (Sunny, but not too hot)

Wildlife in Nyungwe NP

ChimpanzeeCommon

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

LionNone

LeopardNone

CheetahNone

Show more

ElephantNone

GiraffeNone

BuffaloNone

ZebraNone

WildebeestNone

HippoNone

Accommodation:

Mantis Kivu Marina Bay Hotel

• Luxury hotelless than 1hr drive from Nyungwe NP (Chimps, Rwanda)

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Lake Kivu- Volcanoes National Park

After a good breakfast, we take you out on an early boat trip to the island of Idjwi on Lake Kivu.
We then continue our trip to Gisenyi to have lunch. We think this part of the country is exceptionally beautiful. During the afternoon we arrive at the "Volcanoes National Park", at the foot of the eight beautiful Virunga volcanoes, at an altitude of 2,500 meters. Dinner and overnight at Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge.

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

GorillaCommon

ChimpanzeeNone

ElephantRare

BuffaloRare

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

Show more

GiraffeNone

LionNone

LeopardNone

CheetahNone

ZebraNone

WildebeestNone

HippoNone

Accommodation:

Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge

• Mid-range lodgejust outside Volcanoes NP (Gorillas, Rwanda)

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Golden monkey Optional Trekking in Volcanoes NP

After a good breakfast, we arrange a hike to discover and see the golden monkeys. Alternatively, we can go and see Dian Fossey's grave (Gorillas in the mist). We bring water and a packed lunch. In the afternoon we continue the journey to Uganda via the Cyanika border it's a bit exciting to drive through the rolling hills with clear views of Lake Mutanda or Lake Mulehe, for dinner and overnight at Ichumbi Lodge.

Main Destination:

Volcanoes National Park (Gorillas)

Accommodation:

Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge

• Mid-range lodgejust outside Bwindi NP (Gorillas, Uganda)

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Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Mountain Gorilla tracking in Bwindi NP

Early breakfast and then head to the tropical rain forest of Bwindi for a gorilla safari. (Exciting) The activity starts at 08:00 and we follow the ranger guides in groups of a maximum of 8 people. We split into groups depending on the availability of the people available for the gorilla trek that day.
The Bwindi forest in Uganda has about 420 gorillas which makes the forest be home to half of the worlds remaining mountain gorillas. It is not predictable how much time we will spend finding the gorillas. But once we do, we have an hour to observe them and their behaviors while taking pictures and enjoying their everyday life. We bring a packed lunch and water. Dinner and overnight at Ichumbi Lodge.

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

GorillaCommon

ChimpanzeeRare

ElephantRare

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

LionNone

Show more

GiraffeNone

LeopardNone

CheetahNone

BuffaloNone

ZebraNone

WildebeestNone

HippoNone

Accommodation:

Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge

• Mid-range lodgejust outside Bwindi NP (Gorillas, Uganda)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Batwa Trail - Lake Bunyonyi

After a good breakfast, we arrange a hike to discover and see the golden monkeys. Alternatively, we can go and see Dian Fossey's grave (Gorillas in the mist). We bring water and a packed lunch. In the afternoon we continue the journey to Uganda via the Cyanika border it's a bit exciting drive through the scenic valleys of Lake Mutanda or Lake Mulehe, for dinner and overnight at Ichumbi Lodge.

Main Destination:

Lake Bunyonyi (Uganda)

Accommodation:

Lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort

• Mid-range resort located at Lake Bunyonyi (Uganda)

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

LAke Bunyonyi - Ishasha of Queen Elizabeth

After a good breakfast at lake Bunyonyi Eco Resort, we leave Lake Bunyonyi and our journey now takes a whole new shape. From jungle and primates to savannah and "BIG FIVE" safaris. We are heading towards Queen Elizabeth National Park. We arrive at Ishasha for lunch. Now begins our traditional "Game Drive Safari" in the southern region of the park, Ishasha, in search of the "tree climbing lions".
During the warm hours of the day, the lions enjoy resting in the crown of the fig trees. It is exciting to see this spectacular place. We visit possibly Kayonza tea factory to taste the typical Ugandan black tea (if time permits). Dinner and overnight at Bush lodge.
Note: Today the photo journey can be up to 5 hours depending on road conditions.

Main Destination:

Ishasha Sector (Queen Elizabeth NP, 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

GiraffeNone

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

CheetahNone

ZebraNone

WildebeestNone

Wild DogNone

Accommodation:

The Bush Lodge (Banda)

• Mid-range banda located just outside Queen Elizabeth NP (Uganda)

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park

After an outstanding breakfast, we are ready for a Safari Game Drive in the northern sectors and towards Lake George and the village of Kasenyi. If we are lucky, we see lions, elephants, buffaloes, spotted hyenas, waterbucks, Ugandan kobs. Perhaps we will see the leopard, which is shy and rare.
Queen Elizabeth National Park has varied terrain and views of the crater lakes and the Albertine Rift valley, making this area special and unforgettable. We have lunch at the lodge. In the afternoon we take an exciting boat safari along the Kazinga Canal, one of the most popular places in Uganda for its concentration of wildlife, bird life and opportunities for great nature photography.
Here there are lots of hippos, buffalo and elephants while we take a cold berry on the boat.
Dinner and overnight at Bush lodge.

Main Destination:

Queen Elizabeth National Park (Uganda)

Accommodation:

The Bush Lodge (Banda)

• Mid-range banda located just outside Queen Elizabeth NP (Uganda)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Queen Elizabeth- Crater lakes

After a good breakfast, we drive north. We pass through beautiful volcanic areas with crater lakes. We stop at lake Nyambuga view overlooking the crater lakes and feel like "Karen Blixen" for a while. In the afternoon we continue north through sugar cane, tea, banana, coffee and cocoa plantations. At the lodge, it is possible to arrange an evening walk along the forest path for bird watching and primates. Dinner at Chimpanzee Forest Lodge.

Main Destination:

Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary (Kibale NP, Uganda)

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

ChimpanzeeCommon

ElephantOccasional

BuffaloOccasional

LeopardVery Rare

HippoRare

LionRare to None

Show more

GiraffeNone

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

CheetahNone

ZebraNone

WildebeestNone

Accommodation:

Chimpanzee Forest Lodge

• Mid-range guest housejust outside Kibale NP (Chimps, Uganda)

+2 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

After our morning breakfast, we then continue to Murchison Falls National Park driving throughout the tea plantations and the lush green countryside and arrive in time for lunch. In the afternoon there will be a wonderful Safari game drive over the beautiful savannas and the Nile Delta north of Murchison Falls.
This is Hemming way's favorite place in Uganda and this is where he crashed his de Havilland Rapide propeller plane in January 1954 (See link Ernest Hemingway's Plane Crashes | World History Project).
Dinner and overnight at Pakuba Safari Lodge with its beautiful view of the Nile. A paradise simply.

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

LeopardRare

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

CheetahNone

ZebraNone

WildebeestNone

Wild DogNone

Accommodation:

Pakuba Safari Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located inside Murchison Falls NP (Uganda)

+5 Photos

+4 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Safari in Murchison Falls National Park

We get up early and have a cup of coffee. Then we go out on an exciting Safari game drive on Lake Albert's northern shore. We return after 2 hours to have breakfast and relax. After lunch we organize a boat trip along the Nile, up to the Murchison Falls. We see an amazing concentration of wildlife on the beach, including hippos, crocodiles and a variety of bird species, such as African eagles, pelicans, kingfishers, Egyptian geese and more. The boat trip ends with a walk to the top of the falls. Dinner and overnight at Pakuba Safari Lodge.

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
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Rhino tracking & transfer to kampala/Entebbe

After a good breakfast, (our last on this trip), we drive to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for rhino tracking before we head to Kampala. We arrive in the afternoon for some shopping before driving to the airport. Departure from Entebbe airport for evening flight.

Main Destination:

Entebbe International Airport (Entebbe, Uganda)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

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