The 7 Days Rwanda Uganda safari is a full-week African expedition taking you through the magical encounters with great apes and also abundant savanna wildlife. This unique itinerary introduces you to iconic primate parks, specifically Volcanoes National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Bwindi and Volcanoes National Park were established primarily to shelter the endangered mountain gorillas. Bwindi National Park is found in the Southwestern side of Uganda and has over 21 habituated gorilla families and Volcanoes NP is Rwandan national Park lying in the Northwestern part of the country. At Volcanoes, there are 12 habituated gorilla families and your gorilla trekking adventure begins at Kinigi.
In the two gorilla safari parks, expect to enjoy a double gorilla trekking experience, golden monkey tracking (Rwanda) and chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park. This tour also encompasses game drives and boat cruise in the savanna dominated Queen Elizabeth National Park. This is Uganda’s 2nd biggest park and holds significant faunal species including African bush elephants, cape buffaloes, lions (tree climbing lions), civets, serval cats and 625 bird species.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Go explore Kigali city & drive to Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast, meet with your driver guide for a short briefing about this iconic trip that combines Rwanda and Uganda experiences. Begin your day by exploring Kigali capital city with the local guide. This includes paying a visit to key areas like Kigali (Gisozi) genocide memorial site, Kimironko market and more. After the Kigali city tour, get to the restaurant or hotel for lunch and later, continue to Volcanoes NP in Ruhengeri.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Five Volcanoes Boutique Lodge
- Midrange: Le Bambou Lodge/Da Vinci
- Budget: Kinigi Guesthouse
Day 2: Set off for golden monkey tracking from Kinigi & transfer to Ruhija in Bwindi
Rise early to enjoy a delicious breakfast prepared by professional chef at your lodge in Volcanoes NP. Drive from Kinigi via Cyanika border to Ruhija area, the Eastern sector of Bwindi National Park. Check in at the lodge pre-booked for you, relax, dine and retire for the night.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge
- Midrange: Bakiga Lodge
- Budget: Gift of Nature Lodge/Broadbill Forest Camp
Day 3: Ruhija Gorilla Trekking Experience in Bwindi & Batwa community visit
Leave the lodge for briefing at Ruhija sector in Eastern side of Bwindi and get insight into the guidelines for gorilla trekking. The park official will also allocate to you any of Ruhija sector’s habituated gorilla groups –Bitukura, Mukiza group, Oruzogo and Kyaguriro. At 8:00am, you will start your trek through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in search of mountain gorillas in the wild.
Your adventure through Bwindi Forest in search of Ruhija gorillas takes between 2 and 6 hours inclusive of an hour of up close and personal encounter with these large apes in their habitat. Take as many pictures as you can then begin walking back to the briefing location to be awarded a gorilla trekking certificate. From here, proceed to the lodge to relax till evening when you will be accompanied to the Batwa community or Bakiga village.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge
- Midrange: Bakiga Lodge
- Budget: Gift of Nature Lodge/Broadbill Forest Camp
Day 4: Bwindi to Ishasha –enjoy a game drive & boat cruise on Kazinga Channel
Leave Ruhija area for Ishasha sector, Southern Queen Elizabeth National Park. At Ishasha, expect to have the best of a game drive with an experienced guide. This side of the park is known for its tree climbing lions, topis and varied bird species.
After, proceed up to the Northern section, check in at the lodge for early afternoon lunch then catch up with the boat cruise on Kazinga channel. The Kazinga boat cruise excursion will run for 2-3 hours and comes with mesmerizing sights of hippos, crocodiles and aquatic birds. The rest of the evening will be enjoyed at the lodge.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge
- Midrange: Elephant Plains
- Budget: Simba Camp
Day 5: Game drive along Kasenyi & transfer by road to Kibale Forest National Park
Have breakfast and after, begin your morning game drive via Kasenyi plains with an experienced guide. Today’s game viewing includes exploring the Northern section of Queen Elizabeth NP and you will enjoy sights of African bush elephants, lions, antelopes, birds, leopards –on lucky day; hyenas and others. From Kasenyi Plain game drive, drive off to Kibale National Park if you already check out.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Kyaninga Lodge
- Midrange: Primate Lodge
- Budget: Chimpanzee Guesthouse
Day 6: Morning Kibale chimpanzee tracking & Bigodi wetland nature walk
Road transfer to Kanyanchu Visitor Centre for briefing about guidelines for chimpanzee tracking. The tourism official will assign you a park guide and by 8:00am, be ready for actual search for chimpanzee community in the wild. The chimp trek will run for 2-4 hours and covers an hour of observing how the chimps behave and taking pictures. After, get back and you will enjoy lunch then proceed to Bigodi to be led by local guide on Bigodi swamp walk. Explore more primates at Bigodi include colobus monkeys, l’hoest monkeys and also birds.
Accommodation
- Luxury: Kyaninga Lodge
- Midrange: Primate Lodge
- Budget: Chimpanzee Guesthouse
Day 7: Departure from Kibale NP to Kampala or Entebbe
Breakfast early morning and after, check out of the lodge. Your driver guide will pick you up and today, you will be driving to Kampala or Entebbe via Fort Portal tourism city.
End of safari
Inclusions
- Chimp, golden monkey and gorilla permits
- All trip activities except if indicated optional
- Bottled water
- Accommodation and all meals as per the itinerary
- Travel by road
Exclusions
- Tips
- Insurance
- Shopping
- Laundry services
- Telephone
- Visas
- Passports, etc
