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12 Days Rwanda Congo Uganda Safari

12 DAYS RWANDA CONGO UGANDA SAFARI

This 12-day package is a fantastic slice of adventure and riveting experiences leading visitors to the authentic highlights of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Murchison falls’ power and breathtaking appearance while passing through a narrow gorge of 7 meters to fall 45 meters below and Queen Elizabeth Park’s tree climbing lions are simply breathtaking, while the Volcanoes National Park golden monkeys and Gorilla Guardian’s village will leave you awe-inspiring and Congo’s Mount Nyiragongo will leave you longing to see more of its spectacularly large Lava Lake (in fact the largest in the entire World). Just be ready to completely immerse and lose yourself in the natural beauty of Mother Nature as well as leisurely strolls around surrounding communities/villages.

Our professional driver guide is conversant with the astounding stops that any itinerary would ever require and all of them will be discovered during our 12 days Rwanda Congo Uganda safari.

Brief itinerary

Day 1: Entebbe: Welcome to Uganda

Day 2: Drive to Fort Portal, to Kibale Forest National Park

Day 3: Kibale Forest National Park adventures: Chimpanzee trekking & Wetland walks.

Day 4: To the magical Queen Elizabeth National Park, western side of Uganda.

Day 5: Queen Elizabeth tours: Game viewing and Kazinga boat cruise experience.

Day 6: To Ishasha sector, to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Day 7: Bwindi: Gorilla trekking experience and stop at Lake Bunyonyi.

Day 8: Lake Bunyonyi: Boat ride and journey to Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda.

Day 9: Volcanoes National Park tours: Golden monkey tracking and drive to Gisenyi area.

Day 10: Cross the border via Gisenyi-Goma to Virunga National Park, Mount Nyiragongo ascent.

Day 11: Virunga National Park tour: Mount Nyiragongo descent and drive to Gisenyi area.

Day 12: Drive to Kigali and short city excursion, departure.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Entebbe: Welcome to Uganda

For most visitors, Entebbe is simply the entry point to Uganda, and what a grand and magical entrance it is. This beautiful Town was the first Capital of Uganda and offers travellers with a relaxed and welcoming ambiance, thanks to its exceptional tourist sites, breathtaking architecture, cool breeze of Lake Victoria and stunning neighborhoods, Here, explore the main art and craft markets, the Botanical garden, the zoo (now Uganda Wildlife Education Center), cafes and restaurants. These places provide the great feel of Uganda and after this tour, be driven to Kampala (the largest and current Capital City of Uganda). After checking in and settling into your Hotel, the remainder of the day will be spent soaking up the ambiance of the City and later dinner as well as overnight.

Accommodation;
  • Serena Hotel or Sheraton Hotel Kampala (upmarket).
  • Fairway Hotel or Humura Hotel (standard).
  • Yellow Haven or Hotel Ruch (basic).
Meals:

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 2: Drive to Fort Portal, to Kibale Forest National Park

Today you will embark by a 4X4 safari vehicle from the Capital out into the stunning Kibale Forest National Park, via Fort Portal Town. As you venture out towards the western side of the country, you will be treated to the magnificent views of Rock bounders, vast tea plantations and the beautiful skyline of the countryside, until Nakayima ancestral tree on Mubende Hill. Here only mysteries will be uncovered, then off you go on with the journey and eventually reach Fort Portal where the vehicle will stop and you enjoy lunch.

Continue to the safari destination and settle into your booked Safari Lodge with a cold bath and enjoy phenomenal views of the jungles at the comfort of your Lodge. After the 5-6 hours’ journey, there is no better way to end the day than a mouth-watering meal and confortable night sleep.

Accommodation;
  • Crater Safari Lodge or Primate Lodge (luxury).
  • Chimps Nest or Chimpanzee Guesthouse (standard).
  • Lake Nkuruba Nature Reserve & Campsite or Rwenzori View Guesthouse (basic).
Meals:

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3: Kibale Forest National Park adventures: Chimpanzee trekking & Wetland walks

In the morning, you will either move or be driven to the Visitor Center at Kanyanchu for briefing. Go through the guidelines of trekking and watching these Great Apes, brief history of the Park and the activity and expectations. Take a guided walk through the forest searching for the Great Apes and it takes 1-4 hours before they are finally located. Besides offering unrivalled chimpanzee trekking experiences, Kibale Forest is also a birder’s Paradise, so keep your camera and binoculars close. Afterwards, enjoy picnic lunch and get back to the Lodge to freshen-up.

Afterwards, you will hop in the 4X4 safari vehicle and drive gown to Bigodi wetland Sanctuary. This is another fantastic birding hot spot in the country and later have a relaxed night and delicious dinner at the Lodge.

Accommodation;
  • Crater Safari Lodge or Primate Lodge (luxury).
  • Chimps Nest or Chimpanzee Guesthouse (standard).
  • Lake Nkuruba Nature Reserve & Campsite or Rwenzori View Guesthouse (basic).
Meals:

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 4: To the magical Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda

Today you will leave Kibale Forest National Park behind and enjoy the ride towards Queen Elizabeth National Park. Have the best of your journey, arriving in the afternoon. The game drive begins from the entrance gate while heading to the Lodge and also watch landscapes changing until you get there. After lunch, spend the rest of day 14 unwinding as well as savouring on jaw-dropping view from the comfort of your room’s balcony/terrace/or veranda.

Accommodation;
  • Mweya Safari Lodge or Jacana Safari Lodge (upmarket).
  • Bush Lodge or Enganzi Lodge (standard).
  • Tembo Safari Lodge or Mweya Hostels (basic).
Meals:

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5: Queen Elizabeth tours: Game viewing and Kazinga boat cruise experience

After a wonderful breakfast at the Lodge, there will be pick-up by your safari driver for the adventure that starts from within the Lodge’s premises. This three to four-hour adventure involves driving through different game tracks in the northern side of Queen Elizabeth National Park that weave around breathtaking attractions, landscapes and animals. Lions, Uganda Kobs, Cape buffaloes, leopards, Oribis, Olive baboons, Hippos, leopards, Defassa waterbucks, elephants, spotted hyenas, bushbucks, duikers, serval cats and so much more should be expected. At the end of this rewarding wildlife encounter, the driver takes you back to the Lodge for lunch and rest.

On arrival at the Mweya jetty at 2:00pm, jump into the boat to start cruising through Kazinga Channel, spotting different animals especially Hippos and crocodiles accompanied by elephants, Kobs and warthogs. Birds are also popular during this boat cruise. The drive back to the Lodge is at sunset to allow you dine and slumber with memories from the adventure.

Accommodation;
  • Mweya Safari Lodge or Jacana Safari Lodge (upmarket).
  • Bush Lodge or Enganzi Lodge (standard).
  • Tembo Safari Lodge or Mweya Hostels (basic).
Meals:

Full board.

Day 6: To Ishasha sector, to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Early in the morning, you will check-out of the Lodge and take a game drive then set off from the northern to southern sector of Queen Elizabeth Park. The drive is about one hour with lots of animals especially Topis, Uganda Kobs, buffaloes, elephants, warthogs and so much more, and if you are lucky, the tree climbing lions will be seen. Stop at Savannah Resort in Kanungu for lunch. However, your journey to Bwindi starts here and arrival is late afternoon, where a delicious meal and rest will be planned for the evening

Accommodation;
  • Silverback Lodge or Buhoma (Luxury).
  • Lake Kitandara Camp or Engagi Camp (standard).
  • Buhoma Community Rest Camp or Bwindi view Bandas (basic).
Meals:

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 7: Bwindi Adventure: Gorilla trekking experience and stop at Lake Bunyonyi

Get prepared for jungle exploration, because it’s time to discover the beauty of the Bwindi Impenetrable forest on a guided gorilla trek accompanied by a professional Ranger guide. After breakfast at the Lodge and briefing at the Park Headquarters, start walking at your own pace as you visit several hot spots of the forest for several mammals, reptiles, birds and butterflies.

As you hike for 1-4 hours, reach the allocated gorilla group with vibrant composition and gorilla behavior. Endless photos and information is enjoyed during the allocated one hour, before returning back to the Lodge for a hot meal.

In the afternoon, proceed with your exploration of south-western Uganda with a stop at Lake Bunyonyi. A community/village walk will be reserved for the evening, filled with art and crafts of famous artists, traditional dance performances and so much more. Dine and rest at a top Lodge on the shores of Lake Bunyonyi, the second deepest African Lake.

Accommodation:
  • Birdnest @Lake Bunyonyi or Arcadia Cottages (luxury).
  • Bunyonyi Overland Resort or Bunyonyi Safari Lodge (standard).
  • Bushara Island Camp or Byoona Amagara Retreat (basic).
Meals:

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 8: Lake Bunyonyi: Boat ride and journey to Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

Relish your last hours in Lake Bunyonyi by undertaking a boat ride with sights of beautiful birds, animals especially otters as well as spectacular Islands of different sizes and histories that will take your breath away. Afterwards, have lunch and the safari driver will take you towards the Uganda-Rwanda border at Cyanika where you will proceed to Volcanoes National Park. Get there in the evening and settle into your accommodation within the trendy outskirts of Volcanoes Park for diner and overnight.

Accommodation;
  • Virunga Lodge or Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (luxury).
  • Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge or Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge (standard).
  • Villa Gorilla or Muhabura Hotel (basic).
Meals:

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 9: Volcanoes National Park tours: Golden monkey tracking and drive to Gisenyi area

Early in the morning, the driver will pick you again from your Lodge and transfer to Kinigi Park Headquarters. Briefing and registration will be conducted on getting there to allow you venture into the jungles to search for the endemic primates of Virunga Conservation Area (golden monkeys). Start the search slowly in the company of an expert Park Ranger who through this rich information will provide introduction to the Park as it offers everything magical. Enjoy guided walks with rich views of numerous exotic animals and birds that call this Protected Area home, such as black and white colobus monkeys, bushbucks, red-tailed monkeys and Albertine Rift endemic birds.

One hour will be provided at the end of the trek to allow you watch and take photos of these playful creatures, before returning back to the Lodge for the freshly-prepared meal. Afterwards, leave Volcanoes National Park for Gisenyi area, on the shores of Lake Kivu to unwind and rejuvenate.

Accommodation;
  • Lake Kivu Serena Hotel (luxury).
  • Gorillas Lake Kivu Hotel (standard).
  • Inzu Lodge (basic).
Meals:

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 10: Cross the border via Gisenyi-Goma to Virunga National Park, Mount Nyiragongo ascent

Proceed to Goma Town in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo very early in the morning. Cross via the Grande Barriere Border crossing with a stop at the Virunga tourism Office to acquire your Nyiragongo hiking permit and Congo tourist visa at the adjacent passport control office. Be at Kibati Ranger Post by 10:00am for the commencement of the hike through 5 magnificent phases. Meet different animals and birds along the way during this 4-6 hours’ hike towards the World’s largest Lava Lake on the peak of this active Volcano. There will be occasional breaks to rest, take photos as well as picnic lunch, and you will be there by 5:00pm for photography.

Accommodation;
  • Nyiragongo summit shelters.
Meals:

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 11: Virunga National Park adventure: Mount Nyiragongo descent and drive to Gisenyi area

Breakfast will be served by 5:00am to allow you prepare for descent starting at 6:00am, Be treated to panoramic views of the stunning Lake Kivu, other Virunga Volcanoes and the nearby Goma Town. Return back to Kibati Ranger Post and meet your driver at the base of the Mountain (Kibati Ranger Post) and continue to unwind on the shores of Lake Kivu (Gisenyi area).

Accommodation;
  • Lake Kivu Serena Hotel (luxury).
  • Gorillas Lake Kivu Hotel (standard).
  • Inzu Lodge (basic).
Meals:

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 12: Drive to Kigali and short city excursion, departure

Have a delicious breakfast and start the journey back to Kigali City for 3-4 hours while enjoying the jaw-dropping views of the rolling hills and be there for the short City excursion. Time permitting, make stops at the genocide site, Craft centers and others. You will say Murabeho Mwirirwe! For goodbye.

What’s included on this 12-day Rwanda Congo Uganda safari?

  • 11 nights’ accommodation in different places.
  • Meals per the itinerary.
  • Hotel pick-up and drop-off.
  • Gorilla permits for Uganda.
  • Mount Nyiragongo climbing permit.
  • Rwanda Golden monkey tracking permit.
  • Bottled water.
  • Border crossings.
  • Relevant Government taxes.
  • Services of an expert English speaking driver.
  • 4X4 Safari drive.
  • Game drives.
  • Park entrance fees.
  • Boat rides.

What’s not included on the 12 days Rwanda Congo Uganda safari?

  • Optional adventures.
  • Visa fees.
  • Medical and travel insurance.
  • Other personal expenses like shopping, laundry fees, telephone calls, gratuities, to mention but a few.