14-Day Best of Rwanda and Uganda Experience with Gorillas

LionNone

LeopardNone

CheetahNone

ElephantNone

GiraffeNone

BuffaloNone

ZebraNone

HippoNone

Accommodation:

Gisakura Guest House

Budget guest housejust outside Nyungwe NP (Chimps, Rwanda)

+4 Photos

+3 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 3

Undertake chimp trekking and the afternoon canopy walk experience

Sheltering the highest population of chimpanzees in Rwanda (roughly 400), Chimpanzee trekking is a major activity done in Nyungwe Forest National Park. Have your breakfast and transfer to the trekking point where you will first receive some briefing on the dos and don’ts during chimp trekking. Thereafter, enter the forest to encounter these fascinating and human-like primates firsthand in their natural habitat. Return to the accommodation for lunch and some rest before going out again for the canopy walk experience. The two hours walk starts and ends at the park’s headquarters – Uwinka information center. Travelers walk on the built trail which hangs 60 meters above the forest rewarding them with an aerial view of the national park, wildlife, adjacent communities, Virunga volcanoes and attractions in the neighboring countries.

Main Destination:

Nyungwe National Park (Chimps)

Accommodation:

Gisakura Guest House

Budget guest housejust outside Nyungwe NP (Chimps, Rwanda)

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 4

Transfer – Nyungwe to accommodation near (close to) Volcanoes NP

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at the accommodation and then hit the road to Volcanoes NP. Volcanoes National Park lies in northwestern Rwanda and borders Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla NP in Uganda. You will arrive at the booked accommodation and decide to; either take rest – awaiting tomorrow’s activity or consider some activity. #Optional (extra cost): If interested, you may consider moving out for either; twin lakes excursion – canoe trek (60$) or visit to the cultural village (20$) to gain some insight of the traditional Rwanda. Otherwise, stay relaxed – enjoying the facility.

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

GiraffeNone

LionNone

LeopardNone

CheetahNone

ZebraNone

HippoNone

Accommodation:

La Palme Hotel

Mid-range hotelless than 1hr drive from Volcanoes NP (Gorillas, Rwanda)

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 5

Golden monkey trekking Volcanoes NP, transfer to Bwindi - Uganda

Golden monkeys trekking takes place in Volcanoes National Park. These rare monkey species are also listed as endangered and 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 a short rest and lunch. After lunch, drive off to 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 counterpart. You will cross border into Uganda and overnight at a property close to Bwindi National Park where you will undertake the gorilla trekking tomorrow.

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

LionNone

GiraffeNone

LeopardNone

CheetahNone

BuffaloNone

ZebraNone

HippoNone

Accommodation:

Broadbill Forest Camp

Budget tented campjust outside Bwindi NP (Gorillas, Uganda)

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 6

Gorilla trekking Bwindi Forest, return and stay at leisure

Have breakfast and move to the rangers’ post. You will receive some briefing on the dos and don’ts during gorilla trekking. Thereafter, you will enter the forest for your adventure and encounter. 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 (4-8 hours) 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 time with these gentle but endangered giants is unforgettable. Return to the accommodation, and rest after a strenuous trek. *Optional (extra cost): In case you finished early and the body is willing to go out again, you can request your guide to arrange; a community visit, or some short nature walk.

Main Destination:

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)

Accommodation:

Broadbill Forest Camp

Budget tented campjust outside Bwindi NP (Gorillas, Uganda)

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 7

Drive to Buhoma , Bwindi forest hike visiting the Buhoma community

We will have breakfast and then 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 from the local people of the community and also participating in some activities e.g. traditional cooking, weaving among others. Return for dinner and overnight.

Main Destination:

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)

Accommodation:

Ride 4 a Woman Guesthouse

Budget guest housejust outside Bwindi NP (Gorillas, Uganda)

+3 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 8

Game drive (Ishasha) in search of tree-climbing lions, connect north Queen

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast and then, drive off to Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth NP – famously known for its tree-climbing lion population. Once there, undertake a game drive in search of this rare species of lions. The chance of spotting these lions stands at about 60-70% but sometimes they are hard to spot (most especially when they are down in the grassland looking for prey). Should you get the chance to spot the lions up in the tree, the sight is picturesque and unforgettable. From Ishasha (south), exit and head to the booked accommodation in the north sector. Check in and take rest. *Optional (no cost): If interested, you may consider a late afternoon-to-evening game drive/safari in the Kasenyi plains.

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

GiraffeNone

CheetahNone

ZebraNone

Wild DogNone

Accommodation:

Irungu Forest Safari Lodge

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

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 9

Morning game drive and afternoon boat trip along the Kazinga Channel

Be up early and have your breakfast. 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. 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. *Note: After the boat trip, you can decide either to return to the lodge to rest or first proceed for a brief late afternoon game drive and thereafter, return to the lodge.

Main Destination:

Queen Elizabeth National Park (Uganda)

Accommodation:

Irungu Forest Safari Lodge

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

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 10

One more game drive, head to Kibale and do the Bigodi wetland excursion

Be up early and have your breakfast. Proceed for one more morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains and after the sighting on this game drive, we shall embark for a transfer that will see us check in at an accommodation at the edge of the Kibale Forest NP. We hope to have lunch at this property and also rest a bit before going out in the Bigodi. The Bigodi wetland boasts of an extensive array of biodiversity among which are several primates’ species like the black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, L'Hoest's monkey, and baboons. The Bigodi is also a paradise for bird watchers. *Optional (extra cost 230$ pp): If interested, you can consider chimpanzee tracking (Kibale Forest) in place of the Bigodi wetlands excursion. After the beautiful time in the Bigodi (or Kibale Forest), we shall return to the lodge where we will enjoy dinner and then overnight.

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

ChimpanzeeCommon

ElephantOccasional

BuffaloOccasional

LeopardVery Rare

HippoRare

LionRare to None

GiraffeNone

CheetahNone

ZebraNone

Accommodation:

Chimpanzee Forest Lodge

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

+2 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Day 11

Transfer – Kibale Forest (via Hoima) to Murchison Falls National Park

Have breakfast, check out and embark on the journey to Murchison Falls National Park. The highlights of this park include the roaring rapids of the Murchison, the rolling plains of Uganda’s largest National Park where you will have the chance of viewing lions, leopard, giraffes, hartebeest, buffalo, and elephants among others. For birders, Murchison Falls boasts about 450 bird species including the grey parrot, dwarf king fisher and the Goliath heron among others. Expect lunch en route. The drive is quite long but incredibly scenic. The beautiful scenery will amaze you all the way (with very little/no room to be bored). *Detour to visit the top of the falls and thereafter, we head to the accommodation.

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

LeopardRare

CheetahNone

ZebraNone