12 Days Rwanda, Congo, and Uganda Safari
This 12 Days Rwanda, Congo and Uganda Safari features both lowland gorilla trekking and Mountain gorilla trekking, Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe forest national park, and savannah wildlife safari in Queen Elizabeth national park
Rwanda is the smallest East African country with fewer attractions in East Africa however Rwanda outstands as one of the best tourist destination in East Africa offering visitors a variety of experiences from wildlife, primates to cultural experiences. Rwanda has only 3 national park best visited throughout the year and these national parks cover at least a minimum period of 7 days enjoying the Country’s beauty. Visiting Rwanda should be one of the top destinations for anyone on their travel guide list to Africa. Quarter of mountain gorillas are said to be found in Volcanoes national park as it shares with Virunga national park in the democratic Republic of Congo while half of the mountain gorillas in the world are found in Bwindi forest of Uganda. Volcanoes national park is best for gorilla trekking in Rwanda and it is also closer to Uganda Rwanda border an easier way of combining Uganda and Rwanda safari packages. Rwanda has the oldest montane rainforest in East Africa called Nyungwe forest national park, best destination for chimpanzee trekking and other primates like the colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys to mention a few.
The Eastern Lowland gorillas in the Democratic Republic of Congo are one of the short and magical primate experiences in the Democratic Republic of Congo. There are about 4,000 remaining lowland gorillas and these can only be found in Kahuzi beiga national park, and Maiko national park however those in Kahuzi beiga are the only ones accessible for visitors. This park, Kahuzi Biega national park, has 2 dormant volcanoes within it including; mount Kahuzi (3,308 m) and Mount Biega (2,790 m) with 2 sectors; Highland (Open for visits) and the lowland (closed for visits). Kahuzi Biega national park has only 3 guerrilla groups habituated for visit by the tourists however; the park doesn’t only have lowland gorillas but a number of other animals like the Forest Hog, the forest Elephant, Antelopes and the bush duikers.
Queen Elizabeth national park is the second largest wildlife national park located in the western part of Uganda in Rubirizi district near Kasese district. Queen Elizabeth national park has a massive biodiversity with landscape including bushland, savannah, wetland and lush vegetation. The park covers an area of 1,978 square kilometres and was first founded in 1952 as Kazinga national park however later after the visit of Queen Elizabeth 11; it was renamed Queen Elizabeth national park. The park inhabits about 95 mammal species including the big 4 game (Lions, Leopards, buffaloes, and Elephants), other animals including; hyenas, hippos, waterbucks, Oribi to mention a few and over 600 bird species. Queen Elizabeth national park is surrounded by 2 lakes including Lake Albert and Lake Edward which support water activities like boat cruises, and fishing activities. Queen Elizabeth national park is located in the western part of Uganda, covering a distance of about 335Kms from Kigali-Rwanda crossing via Katuna border.
Bwindi Impenetrable national park on the other hand is the most visited primates’ national park for gorilla trekking experience located in the south western part of Uganda close to Rwanda-Uganda border at the edge of the Rift Valley and it is one of Uganda’s oldest national park with diverse rainforest of over 25,000 years ago and contains about 400 plant species. Bwindi Impenetrable national park inhabits half of the remaining endangered mountain gorillas in the world and it is divided into 4 sectors including; Buhoma sector which is the oldest trekking sector, Rushaga sector which has the largest number of gorilla families, Ruhija sector and finally Nkuringo sector. Bwindi forest also shelters some species of mammals including the forest elephants and the different species of antelopes. The park is also rich with different bird species including Albertine Rift endemics.
Safari highlights
Day 1: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest national park – Canopy walkway
Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking and cross to Bukavu – Congo border
Day 3: Lowland Gorilla tracking tour in Kahuzi Biega – DR Congo
Day 4: Return to Rwanda – transfer to Volcanoes national park
Day 5: Golden Monkey tracking – community tour
Day 6: Drive back to Kigali
Day 7: Fly to Uganda
Day 8: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable national park
Day 9: Gorilla trekking experience
Day 10: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park – Ishasha game drive
Day 11: Lion tracking/morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise.
Day 12: Transfer back to Kampala
Detailed safari
Day 1: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest national park – Canopy walkway
Depending on your location in Kigali, you will be met by our safari guide and embark on your journey to Nyungwe forest national park which is a 6-7 hours’ drive from Kigali with en-route early lunch. Proceed to the park and connect for the 2 pm canopy walk experience. You will go on a walking trail that will take you to the Canopy Walk-a swing bridge 50 meters in length that is suspended from large trees; you will be able to see the amazing rainforest with a bird’s eye view, spotting wildlife moving below you. Proceed to check-in your booked lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay at Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel for mid-range option, Gisakura Visitors’ Centre for budget option/Nyungwe One and Only Hotel for luxury
Day 2: Chimpanzee tracking and cross to Bukavu – Congo border
Enjoy breakfast and go for briefing about the endangered chimpanzees before entering the forest in search of the active and playful fellows in Nyungwe forest with your backpack. The Chimpanzees are much easier to spot as they jump from one tree to another, chattering and laughing. Chimpanzee tracking usually takes about 3-5 hours depending on their location. On finding them, spend an hour while taking pictures and videos.
After lunch, continue on a scenic journey to cross to Bukavu in Congo with wonderful views of the hills in Rwanda through the tropical forest of Nyungwe National park and a clear view of Lake Kivu. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Elizabeth for budget option/Orchid Hotel for Luxury/Panaroma Hotel for mid-range
Day 3: Lowland Gorilla tracking tour in Kahuzi Biega – DR Congo
In the morning, you will head for the memorable adventure of tracking the lowland gorillas in KahuziBiega National park. Tracking lowland Gorillas is very amazing, lowland Gorillas differ from the mountain gorillas, the lowland gorillas are bigger in size, usually takes 1-4 hours tracking the lowland Gorillas. The lowland Gorillas stay in bigger families as compared to mountain gorillas; you will not regret the safari effort once you meet the amazing Gorillas! Later in the afternoon drive back to your hotel. Dinner and overnight at hotel as above
Day 4: Return to Rwanda – transfer to Volcanoes national park
After breakfast, meet your driver again and cross back to Rwanda where you will meet your Rwanda guide to transfer back to Rwanda. At the border your will meet your driver guide in Rwanda. Thereafter connect to Volcanoes national park which is a full day drive and upon arrival, proceed to check-in your reserved lodge for relaxation dinner and overnight stay at Hotel Muhabura for budget option/Le Bambou Gorilla lodge for mid-range option/5 Volcanoes Gorilla Lodge for luxury
Day 5: Golden Monkey tracking – community tour
After early morning breakfast, transfer to the park headquarters for briefing from the park warden about the endangered golden monkeys. After connect to the tracking starting point and enter the forest to search for the rare golden monkey. This activity can take about 1-5 hours and is done at closer view of the other primates in the park like the red tailed monkeys, Vervet monkeys among other. After viewing the rare golden monkeys for an hour while taking pictures and studying their behaviours.
Later afternoon/evening, connect to visit Iby’wacu Cultural Village-a Non-Profit umbrella organization that aims at improving the lives of reformed poachers and communities around Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park through provision of conservation incentives, supporting community enterprise development and livelihood based projects. It’s a rewarding place where you will be guided around the place as you enjoy the Kinyarwanda traditions including the Intore dance, traditional ceremonies and a guided community walk. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay at booked lodge as above
Day 6: Drive back to Kigali
After breakfast, transfer back to Kigali city and connect for a Kigali city tour visiting the Kigali genocide memorial site, Kiromonko market and other optional places as advised by your guide with en-route lunch while waiting for your covid 19 test. Dinner and overnight stay at at Des Mille Collins Hotel – Mid-range option/Step Town Motel for budget option/Kigali Serena Hotel for luxury
Day 7: Fly to Uganda (Book own flight)
Depending on your flight time, you will be dropped off at Kigali airport for your onward flight to Uganda. Upon arrival at Entebbe airport, you will be picked up and transfer to your hotel for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay at Via Via Guesthouse for budget/Best western Garden Hotel for mid-range/Protea Entebbe Hotel for luxury
Day 8: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable national park
After breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up to transfer to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park located in the western part of Uganda with approximately 540km from Kampala by road. You will have a stopover at the equator for photography and the experiment and another stopover in Mbarara town for lunch. Proceed to Bwindi arriving in the evening. Dinner and overnight stay at Rushaga Haven Lodge for budget/Buhoma Haven Lodge for mid-range/Mahogany Springs Lodge for luxury
Day 9: Gorilla trekking experience
Enjoy early morning breakfast and transfer to the park headquarters with your packed lunch for briefing by the ranger guides and later head into the forest for your trek. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi takes 2 to 8 hours depending on the movement of the gorillas. These primates roam the park freely and there is no way of telling where they will be for a particular day. On finding them, you will be allowed 1 hour to view and take photos of these gentle primates, enjoy your lunch packs and meet your driver / guide and transfer back to your lodge.
The time after trekking can be spent on a village tour or lazing off at the lodge as you savoir the memories of your gorilla trek in Bwindi and prepare for the next day. Dinner and overnight at Lodge as above
Day 10: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park – Ishasha game drive
After breakfast, transfer to Queen Elizabeth national park. It’s a 5-6 hours’ drive with en-route lunch and stop in Ishasha sector for chances of spotting the tree climbing lions before your proceed to your lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay at Pumba Safari Cottages for budget/Elephant Hub Lodge/Parkview Safari lodge for mid-range/Elephant Plains lodge for luxury
Day 11: Lion tracking/morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise.
You will wake up early, have breakfast and embank for an early morning lion tracking experience where you will get to see the lions with en-route game drive in the Kisenyi region for other animals like antelopes, buffaloes, elephants, warthogs and waterbucks just to mention a few.
You will then return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, you will go for a launch cruise along Kazinga channel where you will get an opportunity to see a number of bird species, elephants and buffalos, hippos and crocodiles at the lake shores. Return and relax at lodge as above
Day 12: Transfer back to Kampala
Wake up early and enjoy your breakfast. Later meet with the guide/driver and transfer back to Kampala/Entebbe. This journey takes 6 hours with en-route lunch and stop at Equator. Arrive in Entebbe, you will be dropped at the hotel you advise or proceed to the airport for your return flight back home. End of 12 Days Gorilla safari.
