Arrival
Arrival
Day 1
Arrival at Entebbe International Airport and Transfer to Kampala
Arrival at Entebbe International Airport and Transfer to Kampala
You will have a warm welcome from our tour guide/driver at Entebbe airport (EBB), who will take you to your hotel in Kampala. He will give a briefing about the entire safari and ensure that all the equipment and resources to make the safari successful are in place.
- Main Destination:
- Kampala (City, Uganda)
- Accommodation:
-
Airport Guesthouse Entebbe
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 2
Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for Rhino Tracking
Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for Rhino Tracking
On this day, you will enjoy your breakfast at your hotel in Entebbe OR Kampala set off for Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. I really advise that you make this stopover since it will give you the complete feel of the Big Five in Uganda. With an en-route lunch, you shall make a stopover at the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary, to track the endangered southern white rhinos before continuing to Murchison. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is home to and the breeding place of the endangered southern white rhinos for their reintroduction into the wild, where they existed before being wiped out in the 1980s. It is the only place where they can be spotted in the wild. Then, you'll proceed to Murchison Falls National Park. Marvel at the breathtaking sight of Murchison Falls, where the Nile squeezes through a narrow gorge before plunging 45 meters into the pool. You'll retire to a lodge for an overnight stay, surrounded by the African wilderness's tranquility.
- Main Destination:
- Murchison Falls National Park (Uganda)
- Accommodation:
- Hornbill Bush Lodge
Wildlife in Murchison Falls NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 3
Morning Game Drive, Afternoon Boat Cruise to the Bottom of the Falls
Morning Game Drive, Afternoon Boat Cruise to the Bottom of the Falls
You'll begin your day at 6 am with coffee and a snack. Board a safari vehicle with a packed breakfast for a morning game drive in Murchison Falls NP. You'll spot nocturnal creatures and predators like lions, leopards, and hyenas. Capture sightings of antelopes, giraffes, buffaloes, and hippos. You'll encounter Nubian Giraffes, a highlight of the park. Your guide shares wildlife insights.
After breakfast, you'll continue the game drive until midday. Then, you'll return to the lodge for relaxation and lunch. In the afternoon, you'll embark on a 3-hour boat cruise along the Nile River from Paraa to the falls. You'll marvel at Nile crocodiles, hippos, and aquatic birds. You'll watch elephants and buffalo by the river.
Back at the lodge, you'll enjoy a leisurely evening before a night game drive safari. You'll spot elusive animals like lions, leopards, porcupines, and spotted hyenas. You'll return to the lodge for an overnight stay, cherishing the day's experiences.
- Main Destination:
- Murchison Falls National Park (Uganda)
- Accommodation:
- Hornbill Bush Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 4
Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park and Bigodi Community Walk
Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park and Bigodi Community Walk
You'll wake up early, load bags, and have breakfast before checking out. You'll drive through the park, enjoying the scenery, then visit Murchison Falls. You'll experience the views and reflect on the memories you have had in the park.
Afterward, you'll head to Kibale Forest National Park for chimpanzee tracking. You'll encounter various primate species, including colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, olive baboons, and more.
You'll enjoy views of tea estates, forests, and the shadow of the Rwenzori Mountain en route to Kibale. You'll stop in Fort Portal City for lunch before continuing to your lodge for an overnight stay.
In the afternoon, you'll take a community walk in Bigodi for cultural experiences like visiting African homesteads, learning about banana bonga products, experiencing robusta coffee, meeting traditional healers, witnessing handicraft making, cultural dances, weddings, iron smithing, and milking. You'll check in at your booked lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
- Main Destination:
- Kibale National Park (Chimps)
- Accommodation:
- Kibale Forest Lodge
Wildlife in Kibale NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 5
Chimpanzee Tracking and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Chimpanzee Tracking and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
You'll wake up early and have a quick breakfast before heading to the park headquarters for a briefing on chimp tracking guidelines. Then, you'll venture into the forest with a guide to track chimps and other primates in their natural habitat. Known as the primate capital of the world, Kibale Forest offers encounters with species like L’Hoest monkeys, black-faced colobus monkeys, and baboons. The highlight is observing chimps play, communicate, and eat, typically allowed for an hour. You may also spot forest bird species, butterflies, and flora.
You'll transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park for an evening game drive. You will spot elephants, buffalo, lions, leopards, and warthogs, among others. As the day ends, you'll return to your lodge for a delightful dinner and a peaceful overnight stay, filled with memories of cultural exploration and scenic wonders.
- Main Destination:
- Queen Elizabeth National Park (Uganda)
- Accommodation:
- The Bush Lodge (Banda)
Wildlife in Queen Elizabeth NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 6
Morning Game Drive, Afternoon Boat Cruise and Evening Game Drive
Morning Game Drive, Afternoon Boat Cruise and Evening Game Drive
You'll wake up at 5:30 am, dress in light clothes, and pack essentials like a sweater, extra camera battery, and binoculars. You'll enjoy coffee and grab your packed breakfast before leaving the lodge at 6:30 am for Kasenyi Plains in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Starting early maximizes wildlife sightings as animals are active before temperatures rise. You'll encounter African elephants, buffalo, hippos, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, lions, leopards, African fish eagles, and pied kingfishers. Your guide will help spot animals and share insights.
Around 11:30 am, you'll return to the lodge for lunch, then embark on a 2-hour afternoon boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel. You'll spot Nile crocodiles, monitor lizards, hippos, elephants, and buffaloes as they drink and bathe. After the cruise, you'll head back to the park for an evening game drive to search for more animals, including cats and hyenas, and enjoy the sunset. You'll return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
- Main Destination:
- Queen Elizabeth National Park (Uganda)
- Accommodation:
-
The Bush Lodge (Tent)
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 7
Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via Ishasha Sector
Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park via Ishasha Sector
You'll wake up early in the morning (5:30 am) to prepare yourself. Today, you will have a relatively long journey to Bwindi Impenetrable NP, about 8 hours. You will drive from Queen Elizabeth NP to Bwindi Impenetrable NP via Ishasha sector for tree-climbing lions. You will enjoy your en route lunch, arriving late in the evening, and check in at your booked lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
- Main Destination:
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)
- Accommodation:
- Rushaga Gorilla Lodge
Wildlife in Bwindi Impenetrable NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 8
Gorilla Tracking and Batwa Community Walk in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Gorilla Tracking and Batwa Community Walk in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Prepare for a mountain gorilla trekking adventure by dressing in long trousers, a long-sleeved shirt, waterproof hiking shoes, a waterproof jacket, a round hat, and heavy-duty gloves. After breakfast and packing lunch, you'll meet your guide at the park information center for a pre-trek briefing on dos and don'ts, expectations, and code of conduct.
Grouped with eight trekkers, you'll be assigned a gorilla family to track, accompanied by armed rangers and a guide. You'll trek through the forest, navigating trails for 45 minutes to 6 hours, depending on the gorilla location. Mental and physical readiness are crucial, with the option to choose a family closer to your fitness level.
Upon encountering your gorilla family, you'll spend an hour observing them led by the silverback. Maintain respect, avoid eye contact, and follow the guide instructions for safety.
Afterward, you'll go for the Batwa experience, then return to the lodge for dinner and reflection on the gorilla encounter.
- Main Destination:
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)
- Accommodation:
- Rushaga Gorilla Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 9
Transfer to Volcanoes National Park and Visit Gorilla Guardian Village
Transfer to Volcanoes National Park and Visit Gorilla Guardian Village
You'll wake up in the morning and enjoy your breakfast before starting your journey to Volcano National Park via either Kyanika or Katuna border point into Rwanda. You'll enjoy the scenic beauty of the rolling hills, terraces, and people on your journey with an en route lunch.
Upon arrival, you will visit the Gorilla guardian village for the cultural experience from the people of Rwanda. Ibyiwacu village will welcome you with the traditional drum rhythms and dances from the local people, and feel free to join the performance. You will learn about the Rwanda culture, like marriages, social, economic, and cultural norms. After the experience, you'll drive to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
- Main Destination:
- Volcanoes National Park (Gorillas)
- Accommodation:
- Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge
Wildlife in Volcanoes NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 10
Golden Monkey Tracking and Transfer to Kibuye Town
Golden Monkey Tracking and Transfer to Kibuye Town
Today, you'll wake up early in the morning and prepare yourself for golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park. After breakfast, you'll drive to the Park's Visitor Information center for a briefing and start your journey to the National Park to look for the golden monkeys. The trek will take from 45 minutes to 4 hours. When you find them, you'll spend a maximum of an hour watching them feed, play, and take photos and videos. They are endemic in the Virunga range due to the high altitude, which offers the best conditions for them to live in.
You'll enjoy your en route lunch and transfer to Kibuye town, which borders Lake Kivu, for Napoleon Island for hike. You'll check into your booked lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
- Main Destination:
- Kibuye (Lake Kivu, Rwanda)
- Accommodation:
- Cormoran Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 11
Visit Napoleon Island and Transfer to Nyungwe National Park
Visit Napoleon Island and Transfer to Nyungwe National Park
You'll wake up, prepare breakfast, and embark on the visit to Napoleon Island on Lake Kivu. Napoleon Island is one of the scenic islands located on Lake Kivu, a beautiful freshwater lake shared by Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The island is known for its unique shape, which resembles Napoleon Bonaparte's hat, hence its name.
It's an island that is home to the fruit bat colony, which creates a fascinating experience for the clients.
Afterward, you'll transfer to Nyungwe National Park with an en route lunch. Upon arrival, you'll embark on the tea estate experience, where you will learn about tea growing. You will participate in the tea harvesting using the basket. After the experience, you'll drive to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.
- Main Destination:
- Nyungwe National Park (Chimps)
- Accommodation:
- Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
Wildlife in Nyungwe NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 12
Canopy Walk in Nyungwe National Park and Transfer to Kigali City via Nyanza Palace
Canopy Walk in Nyungwe National Park and Transfer to Kigali City via Nyanza Palace
You'll wake and, after having breakfast, you'll drive to Nyungwe National Park gate for the Canopy Walk. The Canopy Walk in Nyungwe Forest National Park, Rwanda, offers a thrilling adventure high above the lush rainforest, suspended 60 meters above the ground. This 160-meter-long walkway provides breathtaking views of the dense jungle, home to monkeys, exotic birds, and diverse flora.
Afterward, you'll transfer to Kigali City via the Nyanza Royal Palace, located in Nyanza District, which is a historical gem showcasing Rwanda’s monarchy. Visitors explore the King’s traditional hut, Inyambo (royal cows), and a modern palace built for King Mutara III. Together, these attractions offer an exciting mix of nature, adventure, and cultural heritage, making them must-visit sites in Rwanda. You'll check into your booked lodge and enjoy your dinner and overnight stay.
- Main Destination:
- Nyanza (Town, Rwanda)
- Accommodation:
- Hotel des Mille Collines
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 13
Kigali City Tour and Transfer to Kigali City Tour
Kigali City Tour and Transfer to Kigali City Tour
You'll wake up in the morning and get ready for the city tour, visiting the iconic historical Rwanda genocide, Kimironko market for shopping souvenirs, and Nio Art gallery. You will enjoy your en route lunch and later on transfer to Kigali International Airport.
- Main Destination:
- Kigali Genocide Memorial (Kigali, Rwanda)
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
