12 Days Rwanda – Uganda Combined Gorilla Safari, Wildlife Tour
Enjoy this customised 12-Day safari to Uganda and Rwanda, combining gorilla trekking, game safaris, a boat cruise, cultural tours, chimpanzee trekking, and forest walks with African Jungle Adventures.
Trip Summary
Day 1: Arrival & transfer to Parc National des Volcans
Day 2: Gorilla Tracking in Rwanda
Day 3: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
Day 4: Lake Bunyonyi to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Day 5: Second Gorilla Tracking Expedition in Uganda
Day 6: Bwindi Forest – Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 7: Chimpanzee tracking & Game drive
Day 8: Queen Elizabeth – Kibale Forest National Park
Day 9: Chimpanzee tracking – Kibale Forest
Day 10: Cultural Tour and depart for Kampala
Day 11: Transfer to Ngamba Island
Day 12: Forest walk and departure
Day 2: Gorilla Tracking in Rwanda
Day 3: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
Day 4: Lake Bunyonyi to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Day 5: Second Gorilla Tracking Expedition in Uganda
Day 6: Bwindi Forest – Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 7: Chimpanzee tracking & Game drive
Day 8: Queen Elizabeth – Kibale Forest National Park
Day 9: Chimpanzee tracking – Kibale Forest
Day 10: Cultural Tour and depart for Kampala
Day 11: Transfer to Ngamba Island
Day 12: Forest walk and departure
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kigali, transfer to Parc National des Volcans
Upon arrival in Kigali, you will meet your driver / guide at the airport and then transfer to Parc National des Volcans. Depending on your arrival time, we can take a tour of Kigali city and visit the Genocide memorial site, local markets, and local art and crafts, among others. The 2-hour journey to PNV goes through the beautiful terraced hillsides that characterise much of Rwanda’s landscape. Dinner and overnight stay in Mountain Gorilla View Lodge.
Day 2: Gorilla Tracking in Rwanda
Wake up early and prepare for today’s incredible experience of Gorilla tracking. We shall assemble at Park Headquarters with a packed lunch and attend a briefing on the ‘Dos’ and ‘Don’ts’ for when with the gorillas. Tracking gorillas takes 2-7 hours, depending on their movements. You will stay with these Giant apes for 1 hr for observation and photographing. Descend to the hotel for a rest, and if the evening is free, we can have a walk to nearby communities, interact with them and learn more about their culture. Dinner and overnight stay in Mountain Gorilla View Lodge.
Day 3: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
Have breakfast, depart PNV for Lake Bunyonyi in Uganda, famous for its beautiful islands and prolific birdlife, settle into Arcadia Cottages, and relax as we wait for lunch. Join a canoe ride in the afternoon to experience excellent birdwatching, and visit the beautiful Islands of Lake Bunyonyi. Dinner and overnight at Arcadia cottages, Bird Nest Resort or Bunyonyi Rock Resort on the shores of Lake Bunyonyi.
Day 4: Lake Bunyonyi to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Take breakfast and drive through the Switzerland of Africa, with roads winding through many hills and valleys and distant views of the volcanoes. The journey rewards you with beautiful scenic views. Arrive by lunchtime and have lunch at Gorilla Forest Camp. Take an evening walk through nearby Batwa (Pygmy) communities for entertainment and to learn more about local cultures. Return for dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Second Gorilla Tracking Expedition in Uganda
After early breakfast, we shall proceed to the park offices with a packed lunch for a briefing about the ‘Dos’ and ‘Don’ts’ while with gorillas. Tracking can take 2-8 hours, depending on their movements. Tracking involves walking up steep and densely forested hills before finally coming across the gorillas camouflaged in the vegetation. You will stay with these Giant apes for 1 hour for observation and photographing. Relax in the evening as we wait for dinner, then spend the night at Gorilla Forest Camp or Mahogany Springs Lodge.
Day 6: Bwindi Forest – Queen Elizabeth National Park
Take breakfast and set off to Queen Elizabeth Park. The journey takes you through beautiful rolling hills and the Ishasha sector for Tree-climbing-Lions in the south of Queen Elizabeth. Have lunch at Mweya safari lodge. Proceed for a launch cruise along the Kazinga channel, famous for the highest concentration of Hippos in Africa. Birdlife is prolific, with over 610 species, and hundreds of Nile crocodiles. You will also see herds of elephants and buffalo drinking water on the channel. The boat provides a clear platform for photographing. Dinner and overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge or Buffalo Safari Lodge.
Day 7: Chimpanzee tracking and Game safari
Have an early breakfast, then drive to nearby Kyambura Gorge to track the fast-moving, elusive wild chimpanzees, one of man’s closest relatives. Kyambura Gorge harbours the only family of habituated chimpanzees in Africa. Chimpanzee tracking safaris depart from Fig Tree Camp each morning at 08:00 Hrs and in the afternoon at 13:00 Hrs. The chimp population is quite mobile, and the walk is enchanting. Other primates include Red-tailed monkeys, Vervet monkeys, Black-and-white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, and Giant forest hogs. Return to the lodge for lunch and proceed for an evening game drive along the Mweya peninsula before sunset. Dinner and overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge or Buffalo Safari Lodge.
Day 8: Queen Elizabeth – Kibale Forest National Park
Wake up early for a cup of tea or coffee and take a morning game drive to Kasenyi plains to catch up with early risers and predators returning to their hideouts. You will be exposed to a wide variety of animals, including elephants, buffalo, Warthogs, several Antelope species, Lions, leopards, and more. Return to your lodge for a full breakfast and relax as we wait for lunch. Dinner and overnight at Kyaninga Lodge or Papaya Lake Lodge.
Day 9: Chimpanzee tracking
Have an early breakfast and assemble at Kibale Park headquarters for a briefing on chimpanzee trekking. The trek will expose you to other primates such as Colobus Monkeys, Giant forest hogs, Vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, Grey-cheeked mangabeys, and Olive Baboons, as well as over 350 bird species. Return for lunch; relax as we wait for an evening cultural walk to nearby communities OR nature walk to Bigodi swamps for more primates, birds, and antelopes. Dinner and overnight at Kyaninga Lodge or Papaya Lake Lodge.
Day 10: Cultural Tour and depart for Kampala
Breakfast at the lodge and drive to Fort Portal, visit Toro King’s Palace, Karambi Tombs, “Amabeere ga Nyinamwiru” cultural site, share historical stories about the Chwezi Empire, lunch in Fort Portal town, and set off to Kampala with lots of scenic viewing en route. Dinner and overnight stay at Kampala Forest Cottages or Skyz Hotel Kampala.
Day 11: Transfer to Ngamba Island
Breakfast at the hotel, then for a city tour in Kampala, visit Kasubi Tombs, Bahai Temple, or Nakasero Fruit Market before connecting to Entebbe for a boat/ferry to Ngamba Island. This is by 2pm to arrive by 3pm. Take a walk to feed the chimpanzees, enjoy them playing, and have dinner & overnight in luxury tents.
Day 12: Forest walk and departure
Breakfast followed by a memorable, enjoyable, and informative forest walk. Depending on your scheduled departure flight, you will be transferred to Entebbe Airport.
End of the Safari
Tour Inclusions
Gorilla trekking permits
Chimpanzee permit
Boat cruise
Park entrance fees
Golden Monkey permit
Bottled drinking water
Ground transport
Full-time English guide
Accommodation and meals
Miscellaneous
All activities in the itinerary
Tour exclusions
Alcoholic beverages
Tips
Porters
Extra activities
Visa fees
International flight
