20 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari
Mumwe African Skimmer Safaris offers remarkable African trips in East Africa, where tourists are taken exploring the endless beauty of the region. This 20 days Uganda Rwanda adventure is a somewhat long safari to get you to the top safari destinations in the two countries. Highlights of the trip are gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, wildlife viewing in national parks of Uganda and Rwanda and then Lake Bunyonyi canoe ride and other activities. 20 days on the roads of Rwanda and Uganda is an awesome trip for any kind of travelers including a couple, family, group and solo traveler.
Day 1: Arrival and transfer to the lodge/ hotel in Entebbe or Kampala
Our tour guide will warmly welcome you once you arrive at Entebbe airport (EBB) and he will take you to your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala.
Lodge Options: Lake Victoria hotel / Boma hotel / Central Inn
Accommodation type: Luxury / Mid-range / Budget
Day 2: Transfer to Murchison falls with a stopover at Ziwa for rhinos tracking.
After resting overnight, you will wake up and enjoy your breakfast at your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala, then set off for Ziwa Rhino sanctuary. It is very important that you make this stop over since it will give you a wonderful experience of seeing the “Big five” in Uganda. With an en-route lunch, you shall make a stopover at the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary to view the endangered rhinos before continuing to Murchison. You shall then proceed to Murchison Falls National Park and the driver/guide will transfer you to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Safari lodges: Paraa safari lodge / Kabalega wildness / Redchill rest camp
Accommodation type: Luxury / Mid-range / Budget
Day 3: Morning game viewing drive and afternoon boat cruise to the bottom of falls
This beautiful day starts with a morning game drive towards the Albert and Victoria Nile where tourists get a chance to see a great deal of wildlife and birds. Along the way, look out for herds of elephants, giraffes, antelopes, the Uganda Kobs, buffaloes, waterbucks, lions, and several bird species. Later on in the afternoon after lunch, embark on a launch cruise to the bottom of the falls. This 3 hour cruise from Paraa is a rewarding trip that exposes visitors to various wildlife species including hippos, crocodiles, elephants (though quite occasional along this side) and lots of birds that may include the African fish eagles and pied kingfishers. You will then hike to the top of the falls to watch the top of the falls. There a lot of flora and fauna to see there. You will then return to the lodge for dinner and the overnight.
Safari lodge options: Paraa safari lodge / Kabalega wildness / Redchill rest camp
Accommodation type: Luxury / Mid-range / Budget
Day 4: Transfer to Kibale forest national park.
After a healthy breakfast, you will be transferred to Kibale National Park, the capital of primates. It is home to 13 species of including chimpanzee, baboons and black and white colobus monkeys, bushbaby, galagos among others. You will enjoy an en-route lunch. Upon arrival at the park, you will check in at your lodge for dinner and thereafter rest.
Safari lodge options: Primate Lodge / Kibale safari lodge / Chimpanzee guest house
Accommodation type: Luxury / Mid-range / Budget
Day 5: Chimpanzee tracking and Community walk
On this day, you will wake up early and enjoy an early morning breakfast. Head to the park headquarters for briefing regarding chimpanzee tracking including the code of conduct while in the forest. Thereafter, you will be guided through the forest and search for the chimps. You have a great chance of coming across other primates in their natural habitant for this is the primate capital of the world. You could encounter various forest primates like the L’hoest, black faced colobus monkeys, baboons and other forest species. The chief highlight of the day and the activity is chimp tracking to see chimpanzees.
When you finally spot them, you will enjoy their games, interactions, the hoots and other communication. You have 1 hour is usually with the Chimps. You may also be rewarded with wonderful sightings of forest bird species like the African broadbill, Ross’ and great blue turraco, butterflies and flora. You can either enjoy a picnic lunch in the park or return to your lodge for lunch. After having lunch at the park, the driver / guide will take you for the Bigodi tour. This wetland sanctuary near Kibale forest is famed for the colobus monkeys, blue monkeys and a wealth of bird life like the African Broad-bill and the great blue turraco.
Safari lodge options: Primate lodge / Kibale safari lodge / Chimpanzee guest house
Accommodation type: Luxury / Mid-range / Budget
Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park.
After enjoying a relaxed breakfast, you will transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park.
Safari lodge options: Mweya safari lodge / Enganzi lodge / Mweya hostel
Accommodation type: Luxury / Mid-range / Budget
Day 7: Morning game drive and an afternoon boat cruise
Wake up early in the morning and set off for morning game drive in the Northern area where the place is dominated by savannah grasslands that hoist a variety of game. You are likely to see herds of Elephants, buffaloes and antelopes plus sight Leopards and lions. Other animals that can be seen are the bush pigs and the warthogs. This part of the park provides a good view of numerous craters. Game drive takes about 4 hours.
Return for lunch at the lodge and go for in the afternoon boat cruise on Kazinga channel. This is very rewarding with the aquatic animals like crocodiles, hippos and lots of bird species like black bee carmine bee eaters and black bee eaters, Lesser Swamp-Warbler, Striated Heron among others. This takes 3 hours.
Safari lodge options: Mweya safari lodge / Enganzi lodge / Mweya hostel
Accommodation type: Luxury / Mid-range / Budget
Day 8: Game drive in Ishasha sector – tree climbing lions
After having breakfast at the lodge, your driver will get you driving you to Ishasha sector specifically for a game drive that will give you a chance to see tree climbing lions.
Safari lodge options: Ishasha wildness / Ishasha jungle lodge / Ishasha river camp
Accommodation type: Luxury / Mid-range / Budget
Day 9: Transfer to Bwindi Forest National park via Ishasha.
On this day, you will wake up early and have breakfast, then set off for the impenetrable park. Along the way to Bwindi, you will enjoy sightseeing of community home steads. Arrive at Bwindi and warm up for the long awaited memorable experience for the following day. Check in at the lodge, and prepare for the next day.
Safari lodges options: Gorilla resort / Silverback lodge / Buhoma rest camp
Accommodation type: Luxury / Mid-range / Budget
Day 10: Gorilla tracking in Bwindi, a Life-time memorable experience
Your next activity is what you have been waiting for! After an early morning breakfast, you will be guided to the park/sector offices for briefing about the gorilla trackers code of conduct from the park’s guides. Thereafter, you will get ready, along with your packed lunches to embark on the lifetime memorable experience in the impenetrable forest for gorilla trekking. No one is sure of the time you may spend in the forest looking for the gorillas but when you finally spot them that will be the best moment of the trip ever. The trek may be tough and slippery if it’s a rainy day. However, it all can’t spoil the excitement of viewing the gorillas at the end of the forest trek. For birder lovers, you will see for various beautiful species of forest birds.
Safari lodges options: Gorilla resort / Silverback lodge / Buhoma rest camp
Accommodation type: Luxury / Mid-range / Budget
Day 11: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
After breakfast at the lodge, we will make a scenic transfer through the beautiful terrains of the rolling hills with terraced landscape to Lake Bunyonyi. Following a strenuous hike in Bwindi, most clients will prefer to relax at Lake Bunyonyi. The spot offers a scenic and enjoyable relaxation experience. Dinner and an overnight stay at the lodge near Lake Bunyonyi.
Safari lodges options: Birdnest resort / Bunyonyi safari lodge / Overland resort camp
Accommodation type: Luxury / Mid-range / Budget
Day 12: Border crossing from Uganda to Rwanda
Transfer to Rwanda and drive to Volcanoes national park. Highlight activity in the park is gorilla tracking. The groups of gorillas in Rwanda are easier to track and so will reward you with a more interesting experience without much trouble. The company safari guide will drive with you to your lodge for dinner and the peaceful wild overnight.
Safari lodges options: Gorilla view lodge / Lebabou lodge / Kiningi guest house
Accommodation type: Luxury / Mid-range / Budget
Day 13: Gorilla tracking in Volcanoes national park or Visit Diana fossey tomb
After enjoying a very early breakfast, the driver guide gets ready to drive you to the park headquarters for briefing session of gorilla tracking. Tracking in Rwanda is a much rewarding experience especially when combined with a visit to the Dian Fossey cave.
Brief update about Dian Fossey: she was an American zoologist who had committed all her life to Gorilla conservation and habituation in Rwanda. She is famously known for her work in habituating gorillas (with details in – “Gorillas in the Mist movie”). Dian F was murdered in Rwanda in the Volcano Mountains believably by gorilla poachers and was buried in a cave beside “Digit” her Gorilla friend who passed on in 1977. After the briefing from the ranger guides at the park, you will proceed with gorilla trekking through the light mountain forest on the slopes of the Virunga ranges. After the long hike and watching the mountain gorillas, the driver will return with you to your lodge for your tasty dinner and wonderful overnight.
Safari lodges: Gorilla view lodge / Lebabou lodge / Kiningi guest house
Accommodation type: Luxury / Mid-range / Budget
Day 14: Travel to Lake Kivu for relaxing
Lake Kivu is the largest lake in Rwanda. It is like a giant inland sea with interesting lakeside towns. Kibuye, two hours from Kigali, is one of the best places in the country for retreat. It is good for activities like for swimming, canoeing and water-skiing. Gisenyi is another wonderful place for relaxation.
Dinner and a cool overnight at the booked lodge
Safari lodges: Lake Kivuserena hotel / Paradise hotel deluxe rooms / Paradise hotel standard rooms
Accommodation type: Luxury / Mid-range / Budget
Day 15: Full day relaxation at Gisenyi beach
Enjoy a full day relax at your hotel near the beach. You can go for a boat ride, boats can be hired from Kivu. This will enrich the leisure.
Lodge options: Lake kivuserena hotel / Paradise hotel deluxe rooms / Paradise hotel standard rooms
Accommodation type: Luxury / Mid-range / Budget
Day 16: Head to Nyungwe forest for chimpanzee tracking
After enjoying breakfast, your safari driver will drive you to Nyungwe national park in the southern part of the country.
Safari lodge options: Nyungwe forest lodge / Nyungwe hotel / Nyungwe guest house
Accommodation type: Luxury / Mid-range / Budget
Day 17: Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe and forest walk.
You will rise up early for a yummy breakfast and head out with packed lunch. Embark on the adventure of tracking chimpanzees and later in the afternoon, go for bird watching as a forest walk. You may opt to stay at the lodge and rest.
Safari lodges: Nyungwe forest lodge / Nyungwe hotel / Nyungwe guest house
Accommodation type: Luxury / Mid-range / Budget
Day 18: Transfer to Kigali city
After having breakfast, the safari driver will drive you to Kigali, one of the most beautiful cities on the continent.
Lodge options: Kigali Serena hotel / Garr hotel-deluxe
Accommodation type: Luxury / Mid-range / Budget
Day 19: Kigali city tour, Visit genocide memorial centre.
Following an early morning breakfast, you will drive to Kigali for a city tour. You will visit the museum and genocide memorial centers and then go make some craft shopping and later on return to the hotel for a peaceful overnight.
Safari lodges: Kigali Serena hotel / Des-miles Colines hotel / Garr hotel
Accommodation type: Luxury / Mid-range / Budget
Day 20: Departure at Kigali Airport
Enjoy a healthy breakfast at your lodge in Kigali and thereafter check out. Then proceed for your flight at Kigali airport.
END OF THE TOUR
The itinerary will include the following:
- Gorilla Permit for each person in Uganda
- Gorilla permit for each person in Rwanda
Safari vehicle 4WD tourist car - Fuel for the entire trip
- Park entrance fees in all the parks
- Bird watching while on tour
- Kigali city tour
- Visiting Lake Kivu in Rwanda
- Guided game viewing in all parks
- Launch cruise in all National parks
- All meals included on the itinerary and enroute lunches
- Chimpanzee permits for Kibale national park
- Chimpanzee permits for Nyungwe national park
- Canoe ride at Lake Bunyonyi
- Packed drinking water in car full time
- Services of English speaking driver guide
- Accommodation for the 19 nights on full board meals
- Airport /Hotel transfers
THE SAFARI EXCLUDES
- Air ticket and visa fees
- Soft sodas and alcoholic drinks
- Extra activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- And any other personal items or expenses
