$5,916 pp (USD)
2 travelers on Start dateArrival
Arrival
Day 1
Arrival – Kigali Memorial & Transfer to Lake Mutanda
Arrival – Kigali Memorial & Transfer to Lake Mutanda
After your arrival in Kigali, visit the Genocide Memorial – a powerful insight into Rwanda’s recent history. Then drive through rolling green hills, tea plantations, and terraced farms towards the Virunga volcanoes. Cross into Uganda via the Cyanika border and descend to scenic Lake Mutanda. This crater lake is surrounded by lush hills and papyrus reeds – home to malachite kingfishers, otters, and monitor lizards. Sunset over the lake with volcano views.
- Main Destination:
- Lake Mutanda (Uganda)
- Accommodation:
- Mutanda Lake Resort
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 2
Golden Monkeys & Sabyinyo Volcano Views
Golden Monkeys & Sabyinyo Volcano Views
Today offers two options: a relaxed nature experience or a physically demanding mountain hike.
Golden Monkey Tracking – Mgahinga NP
This relaxed 2–4 hour walk takes you into the bamboo forests of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park to observe endangered golden monkeys. These playful and colorful primates live in large groups and are easy to photograph in their natural habitat. The trail is gentle, scenic and rich in birdlife, orchids, and giant lobelias. Ideal for nature lovers and photographers seeking a light but memorable primate experience.
Mt. Sabyinyo Volcano Hike – Mgahinga NP
A full-day adventure for fit hikers! This 14 km return trek climbs to 3,645 m across bamboo, montane forest and alpine moorland. The final section includes steep wooden ladders and narrow ridges. From the summit, enjoy views of Uganda, Rwanda and Congo – all at once. A demanding but unforgettable hike for those seeking a true mountain challenge in the Virunga range.
- Main Destination:
- Lake Mutanda (Uganda)
- Accommodation:
- Mutanda Lake Resort
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 3
Transfer to Ruhija – Canoe Excursion
Transfer to Ruhija – Canoe Excursion
Enjoy a morning boat trip across Lake Mutanda. Glide past islands and see fishermen casting nets from dugout canoes. Later, ascend the winding road to Ruhija, a peaceful sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest located at 2,300 m altitude. The area is rich in endemic orchids, tree ferns, and butterflies. Look for black-and-white colobus monkeys and Rwenzori turacos in the canopy.
- Main Destination:
- Ruhija Sector (Bwindi Impenetrable NP, Uganda)
- Accommodation:
- Agandi Lodge
Wildlife in Bwindi Impenetrable NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 4
Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Gorilla trekking in Ruhija begins early morning with a ranger briefing at the park headquarters. Groups are then assigned and accompanied by armed guides into the lush, mountainous terrain of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, part of the Albertine Rift’s eastern edge. The trek is moderately to highly demanding, with steep slopes, dense vegetation, and muddy paths—especially after rain.
Ruhija is home to three habituated gorilla families: Bitukura, known for its peaceful dynamics; Oruzogo, a lively group with many playful youngsters; and Kyaguriro, previously reserved for research and known for its intriguing group history.
What sets Ruhija apart is its high-altitude location (ca. 2,300 m), offering cooler temperatures, breathtaking ridge views, and fewer trekkers compared to other sectors—making it a more intimate and scenic gorilla tracking experience.
- Main Destination:
- Ruhija Sector (Bwindi Impenetrable NP, Uganda)
- Accommodation:
- Agandi Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 5
Drive to Ishasha – PM Game Drive
Drive to Ishasha – PM Game Drive
The Ishasha sector lies in the remote southwestern corner of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This lesser-known region is characterized by vast open savannahs, ancient fig tree groves, and seasonally flooded plains along the Ishasha River. Unlike the central sector around the Kazinga Channel, Ishasha is quieter, more isolated, and wilder – a true hidden gem for safari purists seeking off-the-beaten-path experiences.
Ishasha is world-famous for its tree-climbing lions, a rare behavior seen in only a few places in Africa. These majestic big cats often rest high in the branches of fig trees, especially during the heat of the day. In addition to lions, visitors may spot large herds of Uganda kobs, topis, buffaloes, elephants, and a variety of birdlife. The combination of unique wildlife behavior, open landscapes, and few visitors makes Ishasha one of Uganda’s most authentic and rewarding safari destinations.
- Main Destination:
- Ishasha Sector (Queen Elizabeth NP, Uganda)
- Accommodation:
- Enjojo Lodge (Cottage)
Wildlife in Queen Elizabeth NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 6
Kazinga Channel Boat Safari – Queen Elizabeth NP
Kazinga Channel Boat Safari – Queen Elizabeth NP
Drive to the Mweya Peninsula in the heart of the park. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake Edward and Lake George. This stretch teems with hippos, crocodiles, African fish eagles, pied kingfishers, elephants, and buffaloes. Mweya sits on a ridge above the channel, offering sweeping views over Rwenzori peaks.
- Main Destination:
- Queen Elizabeth National Park (Uganda)
- Accommodation:
- Elephant Hab Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 7
Safari & Chimp Tracking – Queen Elizabeth NP
Safari & Chimp Tracking – Queen Elizabeth NP
Start with a morning game drive through the Kasenyi plains – known for lions, kob antelopes, hyenas, and warthogs. Continue to Kyambura Gorge for a guided chimpanzee trek. This lush forested canyon is home to one of Uganda’s few habituated chimp groups and is also a hotspot for monkeys and giant fig trees.
Chimpanzee Tracking – Kalinzu Forest (Kyambura Alternative)
Kalinzu Forest lies near Queen Elizabeth NP and offers an excellent alternative to chimp tracking in Kyambura Gorge. This lush mid-altitude forest hosts over 300 chimpanzees, of which a habituated group is regularly tracked. The walk is moderate and leads through dense vegetation rich in butterflies, forest birds and medicinal trees. Compared to Kyambura, Kalinzu offers a higher sighting success rate and a more natural, off-the-beaten-path experience.
- Main Destination:
- Queen Elizabeth National Park (Uganda)
- Accommodation:
- Elephant Hab Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 8
Transfer to Murchison Falls NP
Transfer to Murchison Falls NP
Today is a long but scenic drive north, passing tea estates, banana plantations, and traditional homesteads. Enter Murchison Falls NP, Uganda’s largest park, through the southern gate. This vast savannah ecosystem supports over 75 mammal species and iconic Nile landscapes. Relax by the lodge near the riverbank at dusk.
- Main Destination:
- Murchison Falls National Park (Uganda)
- Accommodation:
- Sambiya River Lodge
Wildlife in Murchison Falls NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 9
Safari & Nile Boat Cruise – Murchison Falls NP
Safari & Nile Boat Cruise – Murchison Falls NP
Morning game drive on the northern circuit of the park: giraffes, lions, elephants, Jackson’s hartebeest, bushbucks, and leopards may be seen. In the afternoon, cruise up the Nile to the base of Murchison Falls – the world’s most powerful waterfall. Hippos, Nile crocodiles, bee-eaters, and elephants line the riverbanks.
- Main Destination:
- Murchison Falls National Park (Uganda)
- Accommodation:
- Sambiya River Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 10
Morning Safari & Domestic Flight to Entebbe
Morning Safari & Domestic Flight to Entebbe
Early game drive or optional walk to the top of the falls. Then transfer to Bugungu or Pakuba airstrip for your domestic flight to Entebbe (approx. 1 hour). Arrival in Entebbe and international departure. Optional lunch or dayroom available.
- Main Destination:
- Entebbe (City, Uganda)
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
