This 12 days’ safari will give you an over view of the nature and wildlife of Uganda and Rwanda. Start the safari visiting the Rhinos at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary after which you proceed to the top of the falls in Murchison falls national park. Kibale national park which is home to 13 primate species with the main attraction being chimpanzees will be your next destination. After the experience with chimpanzees in Kibale you will visit “the medley of wonders” – Queen Elizabeth national park for a range of wildlife and beautiful scenery of crater lakes. Next will be the Bwindi impenetrable national park for the ultimate gorilla trekking experience and Lake Bunyonyi for a down time recouping the energies. End the safari in Volcanoes national park meeting the cheeky golden monkeys.
Day 1 – Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary | Encounter the Rhinos in Uganda
Depart for Murchison falls National Park right after an early breakfast. Enjoy the views of the scenery of Uganda along the way and colorful roadside markets. Stop at the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary to learn about the conservation of Rhinos at this sanctuary and watch them as they graze and go about in this vast sanctuary. After this, proceed to the park and visit the top of the falls.
Day 2 – Murchison Falls | Wildlife and Nile river
Murchison Falls National park is the biggest park in Uganda offering amazing game viewing. Start early with a game drive on the Northern bank of River Nile. Watch the different animals and birds in their natural habitat. During the game drive look out for bush bucks, water bucks, buffaloes, giraffes, elephants, lions, hartebeest, leopards, Uganda kobs and bird species.
In the afternoon, join in a relaxing boat ride. Look out for animals coming to water and those resident /semi residents like Hippos, crocodiles, and monitor lizards.
Day 3: Kibale Forest | Primate Capital of the World
Today we depart for the home of Chimpanzee in Kibale National Park. Kibale forest is home to 13 species of primates with the main attraction being chimpanzee tracking and bird watching. The journey to this tropical forest passes villages and colorful road markets.
Have a visit to the Amabere Ganyina mwiru caves in Fort portal town and enjoy the stories about these fascinating caves with waterfalls.
Day 4: Kibale Forest | Meet the Chimpanzees and visit Bigodi Village
Today after breakfast, embark on the chimpanzee trekking activity. Chimpanzees share 98.7% of man’s DNA and are referred to as man’s closest relatives. The trek starts with a briefing from your ranger guide about your chimpanzee trek. This experience offers you an opportunity to view these primates in their natural habitat. After locating the chimpanzees, you are allowed to spend one hour watching them.
In the afternoon, take a walk in the Bigodi community and interact with the locals. Get a coffee experience, banana beer making experience, basketry and listen from the medicine man about how he deals with different diseases.
Day 5: Queen Elizabeth Park | A Wilderness Experience
After that exhilarating experience with the chimps in their natural habitat, journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park passing through Crater lakes region (depending on road condition) and enjoying views of the Rwenzori mountain ranges. Have a stopover at the Rwenzori Sculptors gallery depending on your interest.
Visit the Katwe salt mines.
Day 6: Queen Elizabeth Park | Game drive and Boat Safari
After an early breakfast we leave for a game drive joining the lion research team on lion tracking and supporting their work. The car is customized for game viewing, enjoy the exotic and rare species which include Elephants, Lions, Leopards, Buffaloes and Uganda Kobs etc.
In the afternoon take boat safari on Kazinga Channel – towards Lake Edward with different animals on its banks and beautiful species of birds.
Day 7: Bwindi Forest | Home to mountain gorillas
Leave after breakfast for Bwindi impenetrable National Park. The park is home to several bird species, butterflies, primates and mammals. The drive takes you through beautiful scenery of terraced hills of Kigezi highlands. The locals terrace these hills as they prepare gardens for especially planting potatoes.
Day 8: Bwindi Forest | Gorilla trekking in Uganda
Hike the impenetrable forest in search of the endangered mountain gorillas. First, you will listen to a briefing from the ranger guide. After this, you are allocated a gorilla family to track and you join other people in this group. The trail head for some of the gorilla groups are away from the briefing point so your guide will drive you to starting point. Enjoy the day in the impenetrable forest, you have up to one hour with the gorillas once you locate them. You are advised to keep reasonable silence while watching them.
Day 9: Volcanoes park | Rwanda’s wilderness
After the ultimate gorilla trek in Bwindi impenetrable national park you will transfer to Volcanoes national park today. Enjoy the varying scenery of Uganda and Rwanda along the way. On arrival you will check in to your lodge and relax as you look forward to tomorrow’s activities.
Take a canoe ride on Lake Mutanda to visit and learn about the history of the people in this location. You will have an opportunity to visit some of the islands. After this experience, proceed to Volcanoes national park in Rwanda.
Day 10: Volcano Park | Golden Monkey & Gorilla Guardians Village
After an early morning breakfast, we travel to the briefing point where the golden monkey trekking starts. A ranger guide will lead you to hike up in search of the golden monkeys, which are found in the Virunga Volcanoes. The golden monkeys are amazing creatures to watch as they jump from tree to tree. They are very active unlike the gorillas, so you will move a distance following them.
In the afternoon – visit the gorilla guardians village for a brief history of the Rwandan people and a replica of the kings palace and customs. Enjoy engaging in some of the activities like arrow shooting, basketry, herbs etc.
Day 11: Kigali | City tour
After breakfast, transfer to Kigali for a city tour. The Kigali city tour takes you to the major historical and cultural sites of Rwanda. You will visit Kandt house or museum of natural history where Dr. Richard Kandt the first German colonial resident of Rwanda resided. We drive through the older commercial and residential areas with a major stop at Kigali genocide memorial site commemorating the 1994 Rwandan Genocide. We have opportunities to visit the craft centers where you are able to purchase souvenirs from your stay in Rwanda in turn supporting families of the women involved in making the items.
Have lunch will be at a local restaurant where you will have a taste of Rwandan traditional food. You are free to choose a cosmopolitan restaurant for a more diverse menu. Retire to your hotel for overnight.
Day 12: Departure
We hope you had a fantastic time exploring Uganda and Rwanda. You will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight.
***END OF YOUR SAFARI***
This 12 Days Uganda – Rwanda Group safari will allow you to have an up-close experience with the different primates’ in Uganda – Mountain gorillas and Chimpanzee. You will also have many wildlife experiences in the different parks while on game drives or boat safaris. Engage with communities when you take on some of their experiences. The minimum age for trekking is 15 years for mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. You will be moving by road and having stopovers for stretching, washroom, photography and lunch depending on your needs.
Transfers
All your transfers are arranged from the first day to the last day. We arrange these to all the activities and lodges as mentioned in the itinerary. We however do not organize airport transfers. If this is something you want from us, let us know so that we arrange it at an extra cost.
Lodges
We partner with ideally located accommodations in the mid-range level of comfort and amenities. The lodges have been inspected for health and safety protocols. They offer great service.
Physical Level: Moderate to Difficult
This is an active safari – requiring to be out in the forest and volcanoes walking/ hiking for hours. You need to be relatively fit to enjoy this experience. The treks can be as easy as 1 hour hike or as difficult as 4-6 hour hikes. Most of the elevations are above 2000m asl in above sea level.
Dates for this group safari
20th – 31st March 2023
12th – 23rd June 2023
18th – 29th September 2023
16th – 27th October 2023
27th November – 8th December 2023
Cost
| 2 Pax | USD $5456 per person |
| 4 Pax | USD $4484 per person |
| 6 Pax | USD $4147 per person |
| Single Room Supplement | USD $655 |
Book Now
Price is based on current trekking permits fees. Should the government increase the permits, you will be informed and expected to top up to compensate for increased permit fees.
Booking and Cancellation Policy
A deposit of $2000 is required at time of booking with full payment expected 30 days before start of your safari. This is used to purchase the permits and confirm with the lodges.
Deposit can be paid via bank transfer or credit card – please contact us to send you details. If you pay using credit cards, include 4% which is surcharge from the bank.
The paid deposit for this group tour is non-refundable.
If the group tour is full and someone from the waiting list can take your spot, your deposit will be refunded minus a 15% cancellation fee.
We are not responsible for cancellations due to medical or other reasons.
Should cancellation be required due to severe weather, an alternate date will be scheduled at no additional charges.
No money will be refunded if you withdraw after the tour has started.
We are not responsible for any fees associated with non-refundable air travel, we highly recommend you purchase travel insurance.
Included in price
- 4×4 Vehicle for all the transfers indicated in itinerary
- English speaking driver guide
- Full board accommodation
- Water while in vehicle – 1 liter per person per
- 1 Chimpanzee permit per person
- 1 Colobus monkey permit per person
- 1 Gorilla trekking permit per person
- 1 Golden monkey trekking permit per person
- Canopy walk
- Applicable government taxes
- AMREF Evacuation Insurance Cover
Does not include:
- Airfare to and from Kigali, Rwanda
- Passport and entry Visa fees
- Bottled drinks with meals
- Items of personal nature such as laundry, phone calls, alcoholic beverages, souvenirs etc.
- Gratuities for local guide/ porters and drivers
- Trip cancellation insurance or any other travel insurance
BOOK NOW
This trip is available for booking now – please fill out this form. You can also request this itinerary and pricing as a private tour for you and your friends or family. Our safari experts will advise you in case you need to add on activities to this itinerary and maybe change the lodges.
Email: sales@kagerasafaris.com
Telephone: +256-392-176513
WhatsApp: +256-782477992
