12 Day Uganda Rwanda Tour

12 Day Uganda and Rwanda wildlife / Gorilla Trekking Adventure

Uganda and Rwanda are among the most magnificent African countries and this 12 day Uganda Rwanda gorilla trekking tour will leave no doubt in you. You will explore the best these 2 countries have to offer, ranging from Murchison Falls in the upper reaches of the Nile, continue through the vast green plains / Savannah parks to the highlands of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in south western Uganda for mountain gorilla trekking. And finish with soft hilly landscape of Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, where the famous American researcher Diane Fossey spent close to 20 years studying and habituating the mountain gorillas . We will explore the untouched nature and rich cultural heritage of both sides with 4×4 customized safari vehicles with pop-up roof for excellent game viewing and photographing and experienced drivers.

Landmarks:

♦ Victoria Nile – visiting Murchison Falls in combination with a boat cruise
♦ Kibale National Park – For Chimpanzee, birds and other primates
♦ Tracking gorillas in Bwindi National Park where half of the population lives freely in their natural habitat
♦ Big game viewing in Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks
♦ Bisoke volcano hike and gorilla trekking in Rwanda

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1. Arrival in Kampala – Entebbe International Airport (EBB)

Arrival at Entebbe International Airport in the morning, Meeting at the airport and transfer to Cassia Lodge in Buziga or Kampala Serena Hotel to relax. Follows a short familiarization tour of the capital of Uganda (Kampala) – a pulsating city located near Lake Victoria, dinner and overnight.

Day 2. Kampala – Murchison National Park

Travel the scenic route in the northwest in Budongo forest, the western part of the East African Rift Valley and Lake Albert. We will be able to enjoy the spectacular beauty of the Nile special place situated above the spectacular waterfalls that fall from 150 meters height creating a thunderous roar and a beautiful rainbow, dinner and overnight at Paraa Lodge, Murchison River Lodge or Red Chilli Camp.

Day 3. Murchison Falls National Park Exploration

During the early morning safari / game drive, you can see elephants, lions, buffaloes, Rothschild giraffes, antelopes, water bucks, hyenas and if you are lucky, leopards. Lunch and take an afternoon boat safari to the base of the falls, with the ability to monitor the hippos, crocodiles, elephants and many more. Bird life is prolific with over 350 species and these including the rare shoebill.

Day 4. Murchison Falls – Kibale National Park

Travel by car through the western part of the East African Rift valley through small towns like Hoima to Fort Portal, as we pass through lush landscapes, traditional farms and villages. Lunch in enroute, dinner and overnight at Kyaninga Lodge / Chimpanzee Guest House, Kibale Primate Lodge.

Day 5. Kibale National Park Exploration

Drive to Kibale park headquarters for a briefing, then enter the forest where we will observe the unique representatives of primates. Chimpanzees, red colobus, blue monkeys, red-tailed, baboons and gray-cheeked mangabeys to droop from the branches of trees in the dense forest. Chimps tracking is the main activity. Lunch and take a nature walk in Bigodi swamps for more primates, birds and interaction with the local community.

Alternatively, we can go for chimpanzee habituation experience, a full day activity with Chimpanzees and other primates in the forest.

Day 6 Kibale – Amabere Ganyinamviru – Queen Elizabeth National Park

Breakfast and visit a historiacl and cultural sites in Fort Portal such as “Amabeere ga Nyinamwiru” and Tooro King’s Palace, lunch and continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park by following the mystical Rwenzori mountain ranges during most part of the journey. Along the way we may see elephants, leopards, buffaloes, hyenas, warthogs and many types of antelopes. Dinner and overnight stay at Mweya Lodge, Kyambura Game lodge or Simba safari camp.

Day 7. Queen Elizabeth National Park exploration

Breakfast followed by early morning game drive to see animals like African lions, elephants, buffalo, warthog, leopards, hyenas, mongooses, water bucks, antelopes and many smaller animals and birds. In the afternoon, we will enjoy a two-hour boat trip on the Kazinga Channel that links Lake George to Lake Edward in perhaps the densest concentration of hippos and many bird species in Africa.

Day 8. Kyambura Gorge – Bwindi National Park

After breakfast drive to Cyambura gorge to track the elusive group of chimpanzees and other primates. We continue to Bwindi National Park, a home for half of the population of mountain gorillas in the world, dinner and overnight at Silverback Lodge, Gorilla Resort, Gorilla Mist Camp or Chameleon Hill Lodge.

Day 9. Mountain Gorilla Trekking – Community Walk

Breakfast, assemble at the park headquarters for a briefing, enter the gorilla habitat with guides and armed rangers.  Bwindi is known for its charming gorillas whose movements determine the route and duration of transition. They are shy and peaceful gentle giants and offers a life time experience in the heart of Africa.
Time permitting, we take  a walk through traditional village to interact with the Batwa people (Pygmies) and enjoy authentic dance.

Day 10. Transfer to Rwanda

Panorama trip to Rwanda through picturesque rolling hills with terraced slopes. Ride on a winding road, stopping for lunch at Kisoro. We pass the border between Rwanda and Uganda at Cyanika continue to Ruhengeri on the edges of Parc National Des Volcans, dinner and overnight at Mountain gorilla View Lodge, Sabyinyo or Kinigi Guest House.

Day 11. Diane Fossey / Golden monkeys / Gorillas

After breakfast we make a transition in the footsteps of the late Diane Fossey on the slopes of Mt. Bisoke and visit Karisoke research center near the grave of Dian Fossey. Fantastic views, lush wooded slopes and exceptional nature. Alternatively, we can go for golden monkey tracking or take another gorilla trek. In the afternoon / evening, we leave for the capital Kigali.

Day 12. Kigali – Departure

Kigali city tour, visit craft shops where you can purchase local artwork and souvenirs, Gisozi genocide museum, and depending on your departure flight, you will be transferred to Kanombe Airport.

End of the tour