Overview
Arrive in Kigali and overnight. Connect to Nyungwe for chimp tracking and a canopy walk. Next is Volcanoes where you will do golden monkey trekking. Cross the border to Uganda’s Bwindi and expect gorilla trekking there. From Bwindi, you will head to Queen Elizabeth via its Ishasha sector, famously known for tree-climbing lions. Your next stop will be Kibale Forest before heading to Murchison Falls. From Murchison, visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and Jinja before ending up in Entebbe.
Trip Highlights
- Start Kigali (Day 1)
- Day 1 Kigali Airport (Kigali)
- Day 2-3 Nyungwe NP (Chimps)
- Day 4 Volcanoes NP (Gorillas)
- Day 5-6 Bwindi NP (Gorillas)
- Day 7-8 Queen Elizabeth NP
- Day 9 Kibale NP (Chimps)
- Day 10-11 Murchison Falls NP
- Day 12-13 Jinja (Town)
- End Entebbe (Entebbe) (Day 14)
Itinerary
On arrival at Kigali International Airport in Rwanda, you will perform clearance and thereafter, proceed (out) to meet the waiting assigned Representative/Tour Driver-guide. He/she will welcome you to Rwanda and then head to board the car for the transfer to the booked hotel. You will check in and take your rest – recovering from jet lag, adjusting to the new location.
Accommodation: (Quiet Haven Hotel-Budget Level) | Meals: Dinner | Transfer Time: Approx. 10-15 minutes.
Main Destination: Kigali International Airport (Kigali, Rwanda)
Mid-range hotel located in or near Kigali
Dinner (Breakfast & lunch not included)
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Morning pick up (after breakfast) by the assigned Tour Driver-guide who will take you around Kigali City for the city tour. *Depending on your interest, the excursion may take you to; the national museum, local markets, art and craft shops, genocide memorial ground. Thereafter, you will transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park. Filled with stunning beauty, Nyungwe in southwestern part of Rwanda is not a place to miss on a Rwanda safari offering memorable wildlife experiences. A visit to Nyungwe takes you through the great natural forest comprising of ancient trees which have all favored the inhabitation of a number of primates including chimpanzees, black & white colobus monkeys among others.
Accommodation: (Gisakura Visitors Center-Budget Level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer Time: Approx. 5-6 hours.
Main Destination: Nyungwe Forest National Park (Chimps)
Budget guest house located just outside Nyungwe NP
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
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.
Accommodation: (Gisakura Visitors Center-Budget Level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer Time: N/A.
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Budget guest house located just outside Nyungwe 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.
Accommodation: (La Palme Hotel-Budget Level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer Time: Approx. 5-6 hours.
Main Destination: Volcanoes National Park (Gorillas)
Mid-range hotel located outside Volcanoes NP
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
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.
Accommodation: (Gorilla Valley Lodge-Budget Level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer Time: 3-4 hours.
Main Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)
Mid-range lodge bordering Bwindi NP without fences
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Have breakfast and move to the rangers’ post. You will receive some briefing (from a ranger-guide) 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 observing these gentle but endangered giants is unforgettable. Return to the lodge and rest. #(extra cost): In case you finished early and the body is willing to go out again, you can request your guide to arrange (depending on interests); a community visit, or some short nature walk.
Accommodation: (Gorilla Valley Lodge-Budget Level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer Time: n/a.
Main Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)
Mid-range lodge bordering Bwindi NP without fences
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Be up early, have breakfast and embark on a transfer to the 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. 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: If interested, you may consider a late afternoon-to-evening game drive/safari in the Kasenyi plains.
Accommodation: (Irungu Forest Safari Lodge-Budget Level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer Time: Approx. 7 hours.
Main Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park (Uganda)
Mid-range lodge located just outside Queen Elizabeth NP
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Be up early and have your breakfast. Proceed for a morning game drive/safari 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. After the boat trip, you can proceed for a brief late afternoon game drive and thereafter, return to the lodge.
Accommodation: (Irungu Forest Safari Lodge-Budget Level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer Time: Approx. N/A.
Main Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park (Uganda)
Mid-range lodge located just outside Queen Elizabeth NP
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
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. After the sighting on this game drive, we shall embark (right away) 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. After the beautiful time in the Bigodi, we shall return to the lodge where we will enjoy dinner and then overnight.
Accommodation: (Chimpanzee Forest Lodge-Budget Level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer time: Approx. 2 hours.
Main Destination: Kibale National Park (Chimps)
Mid-range guest house located just outside Kibale NP
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
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). *You can decide to do a game drive first and then finally, proceed to the booked accommodation. Otherwise, we can go straight to the accommodation, check in and stay at leisure.
Accommodation: (Ikorom Safari Lodge-Budget Level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer Time: 7 hours.
Main Destination: Murchison Falls National Park (Uganda)
Mid-range lodge located just outside Murchison Falls NP
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Have your breakfast, depart for an early morning game drive across the rolling plains of Uganda’s largest National Park and be on the look for wildlife including: lions, leopards (though hard to spot) among others. For any birder, there are quite a number of birds to sight too during the drive. Return to the accommodation for some rest time and lunch. After lunch, you will head out for the boat trip to the base of Murchison Falls. Common sighting along the banks are; Hippos and a few bird species. #Optional (extra cost 15$): If interested, continue with a hike to the top of the falls. The hike may be a strenuous one but the thrill on reaching the top is unforgettable. Return to your accommodation and relax. *Note: It is possible to adjust this day in such a way that; you do morning game drive, 11am boat trip and then another game drive. Take packed lunch with you.
Accommodation: (Ikorom Safari Lodge-Budget Level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer Time: n/a.
Main Destination: Murchison Falls National Park (Uganda)
Mid-range lodge located just outside Murchison Falls NP
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
You will have your breakfast and then drive off to Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary – a successful conservation effort that was set to save the near-extinct rhino population in Uganda. Today, visitors to Uganda have a chance to encounter rhinos thanks to this effort. Once in Zziwa, we will proceed for an hour of on-foot rhino tracking. From the rhino tracking, we will drive off to Jinja where we will overnight. Often referred to as the "adventure capital" of Uganda, Jinja is also famous as the source of the Nile River. If you're an enthusiast for adrenaline packed kind of activity, then Jinja is your one stop destination. It is also a great place to unwind from safari.
Accommodation: (The Haven Jinja-Midrange) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer Time: Approx. 7hrs.
Main Destination: Jinja (Town, Uganda)
Mid-range lodge located in or near Jinja
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
This morning you are at liberty to choose activity of your interest and do. *Note: costs are not included as rates will vary according to one’s choice. If you're an adventurous type, what better way to end your safari than to experience this most exciting, exhilarating adventure on the Nile firsthand? Get wet! Get wild! Get rafting! In fact, no experience is required to undertake this unforgettable adventure on the Nile (150$). But if you're scared of the rapids, you can consider Kayaking and explore the Nile on its calm waters (40$). If being in the water is not your thing, let's go quad biking or mountain biking and have fun in the countryside (125$ & 30$). After enjoying your chosen activity, return to the accommodation and stay at leisure.
Accommodation: (The Haven Jinja-Midrange) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer Time: N/A.
Main Destination: Jinja (Town, Uganda)
Mid-range lodge located in or near Jinja
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
This morning you can enjoy a relaxed breakfast. Thereafter, we shall check out and transfer to Entebbe Airport where you will catch flight out (14:00 or later). #Optional (extra cost): In case you have time and interested, you can consider an excursion to some touristic sites in and around Kampala City before being dropped off at the airport or hotel of your booking. Thank you for choosing and travelling with us (Home to Africa).
Accommodation: Recommended on Request | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch | Transfer Time: Approx. 4 hours.
Main Destination: Entebbe International Airport (Entebbe, Uganda)
No accommodation (End of tour)
Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Cost Includes Title
- Park fees
- (For non-residents)
- Gorilla permits
- (One per person, non-resident)
- Chimp permits
- (One per person, non-resident)
- All activities
- (Unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation
- (Unless listed as upgrade)
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation
- (Unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- Meals
- (As specified in the day-by-day section)
- Drinking water
- (On all days)
Cost Excludes
- International flights
- (From/to home)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips
- (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
- Personal items
- (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- Some meals
- (As specified in the day-by-day section)