13 Days Best of Uganda and Rwanda Safari

On this day, you will enjoy your breakfast at your hotel in Entebbe (or Kampala) then set off for Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. This stop over will give you the complete feel of the “big five” in Uganda. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is home and breeding place for the endangered southern white rhinos for their re introduction into the wild where they existed before being wiped out in the 1980s. Here you will track the endangered southern white rhinos. Then 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. Retire to a lodge for an overnight stay, surrounded by the African wilderness’s tranquility.

• Safari Lodge: Pakuba Safari Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast| Lunch| Dinner

Begin your day at 6 am with coffee and a snack, gearing up for adventure. Board a safari vehicle with packed breakfast for a morning game drive in Murchison Falls National Park. Spot nocturnal creatures and predators like lions, leopards, and hyenas. Capture sightings of antelopes, giraffes, buffaloes, and hippos. Encounter nubian giraffes, a highlight of the park. Your guide shares wildlife insights.

After breakfast, continue the game drive until midday, then return to the lodge for relaxation and lunch. In the afternoon, embark on a 3-hour boat cruise along the Nile River from Paraa to the majestic falls. Marvel at Nile crocodiles, hippos, and aquatic birds. Watch elephants and buffaloes by the river. Back at the lodge, enjoy a leisurely evening before a thrilling night game drive safari. Spot elusive animals like lions, leopards, porcupines, and spotted hyenas. Capture the magic of the nighttime wilderness. Return to the lodge for a restful overnight stay, cherishing the day’s experiences.

• Safari Lodge: Pakuba Safari Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast| Lunch| Dinner

Wake up early and have breakfast before checking out. Drive through the park, enjoying the scenery, then visit Murchison Falls. Experience the breathtaking views and reflect on the beautiful memories you have had in the park.
Afterward, head to Kibale Forest National Park for chimpanzee tracking. You might also encounter other primate species including colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, olive baboons, and more.

Enjoy views of tea estates, forests, and the shadow of the Rwenzori Mountain en route to Kibale. Stop in Fort Portal City for lunch before continuing to your lodge for an overnight stay. In the afternoon, take a community walk in Bigodi for cultural experiences like visiting African homesteads, learning about banana bonga products, experiencing chimpanzee robusta coffee, meeting traditional healers, witnessing handcraft making, cultural dances, weddings, iron smithing, and milking. After check-in at your booked lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

• Safari Lodge: Turaco Treetops
• Meal Plan: Breakfast| Lunch| Dinner

Wake up early and have a quick breakfast before heading to the park headquarters for a briefing on chimp tracking guidelines. Then 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 – you are typically allowed to watch them for an hour. You may also spot forest bird species, butterflies, and flora.

Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park for an evening game drive. You may spot elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, warthogs among others. As the day ends, return to your lodge for a delightful dinner and a peaceful overnight stay, filled with memories of cultural exploration and scenic wonders.

• Safari Lodge: Buffalo Safari Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast| Lunch| Dinner

Wake up at 5:30 am, dress in light clothes, and pack essentials like a sweater, extra camera battery, and binoculars. 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. Encounter African elephants, buffaloes, 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, return to the lodge for lunch, then embark on a 2-hour afternoon boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel. Spot Nile crocodiles, monitor lizards, hippos, elephants, and buffaloes as they drink and bathe. After the cruise, head back to the park for an evening game drive to search for more animals, including cats and hyenas, and enjoy the sunset. Return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

• Safari Lodge: Buffalo Safari Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast| Lunch| Dinner

Wake up early in the morning (5:30am) to prepare yourself. Today, you will have a relatively long journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park about 8 hours. You will drive from Queen Elizabeth NP to Bwindi Impenetrable NP via Ishasha sector tp search for tree climbing lions. You will enjoy your enroute lunch arriving late in the evening and check in at your booked lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

• Safari Lodge: Rushaga Gorilla Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast| Lunch| Dinner

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, 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. Trek through the forest, navigating trails for 45 minutes to 6 hours depending on gorilla location. Mental and physical readiness is crucial, with the option to choose a family closer to your fitness level.

Upon encountering your gorilla family, spend an hour observing them led by the dominant silverback. Maintain respect, avoid eye contact, and follow guide instructions for safety. Afterwards, you will go for the Batwa experience then return to the lodge for dinner and reflection on the memorable gorilla encounter.

• Safari Lodge: Rushaga Gorilla Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast| Lunch| Dinner

Wake up in the morning and enjoy your breakfast before starting your journey to Volcanoes National Park via either Kyanika or Katuna boarder point into Rwanda. Enjoy the scenic beauty of the rolling hills, terraces and people on your journey with an en route lunch. On arrival, you will visit the Gorilla Guardian Village for a 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, cultural norms. After the experience drive to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

• Safari Lodge: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast| Lunch| Dinner

Today wake up early in the morning and prepare yourself for golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park. After breakfast drive to the park’s Visitor Information Center for briefing and then start your journey to the national park to look for the golden monkeys. The trek will take from 45 mins to 4 hours and when you find them, spend a maximum of an hour watching them feed and play, take photos and videos. They are endemic in Virunga ranged due to high altitude which offer the best conditions for them to live in. Enjoy your en route lunch and transfer to Kibuye town that borders Lake Kivu. Check in to your booked lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

• Safari Lodge: Cormoran Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast| Lunch| Dinner

Wake up, prepare for breakfast and embark on a 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 which is home to a fruit bat colony – a fascinating experience for visitors.

Afterwards transfer to Nyungwe National Park with en route lunch. Upon arrival embark on a tea estate experience where you will learn about the tea growing and you will participate in the tea harvesting using the basket. After the experience drive to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

• Safari Lodge: Nyungwe Top View Lodge
• Meal Plan: Breakfast| Lunch| Dinner

Wake up and after have breakfast then drive to Nyungwe National Park for a 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.

Afterwards transfer to Kigali City via the Nyanza Royal Palace, located in Nyanza District, 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. Check in to your booked lodge and enjoy your dinner and overnight stay.

• Safari Lodge: Des Collin Hotel
• Meal Plan: Breakfast| Lunch| Dinner

Wake up in the morning and get ready for the city tour visiting the iconic historical Rwanda genocide memorial, Kimironko market for shopping souvenirs and Nio Art gallery. Enjoy lunch en route and later on transfer to Kigali International Airport.