15 Days in Uganda and Rwanda Safari
Uganda and Rwanda are two countries located along the Western arm of the Rift Valley.
Characterized by different landscapes, but unified by the presence of the green color and green hills.
They offer two different experiences of the African landscape and culture.
You will follow the river Nile at Murchison Falls in Uganda, move southwards along the Albertine rift escarpment down to the hills and lakes of Rwanda.
This tour is a full immersion in the true nature, the forests and biodiversity.
Choose between luxury, midrange and budget for accommodation
Day 1: Entebbe / Kampala
On the arrival at Entebbe International Airport you will be met by our representative who will transfer you to Kampala for the overnight.
Day 2: Murchison falls on the river Nile.
Leave Kampala driving northwest towards Murchison Falls National Park.
Stopover at Ziwa Rhino sanctuary for a nature walks to see the rare rhinos in the wild. Lunch in Masindi.
Proceed to the Park, the largest protected area in Uganda.
Stopover at the “Top of the fall” to enjoy the marvelous falls from above. Dinner and overnight.
Day 3: The boat cruise on the river Nile
Today is a bit relaxed starting with a game drive to view and take photographs of elephants, buffalos, waterbucks.
Including giraffes, Uganda kobs, lions, if you are lucky the leopards, plus a variety of bird species.
Lunch at the lodge. Proceed for a boat cruise along the Nile to the bottom of the mighty Murchison falls.
This is an opportunity to see hippos, crocodiles along the riverbanks and many water birds.
Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: In the shadow of the Mountains of the Moon
The journey today is quite long from Murchison Falls heading southwest via the Albertine Escarpment of the great Western Rift Valley.
Drive through Hoima and reach Fort Portal, the capital of the Tooro kingdom.
Situated in the shadow of the fabled “Mountains of the Moon,” the Rwenzoris. Have lunch.
In the late afternoon you proceed to Kasenda craters. Dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Shift to Queen Elizabeth National Park, the Pearl of Uganda
After breakfast, transfer to Queen Elizabeth National park, checking in around midday.
Have lunch, relax and at 3pm go for the launch cruise along Kazinga channel, for solitary Buffalo,
Hippo and other animals at the edge of the channel as they cool off.
European migrant birds like the terns and gulls congregate here in large flocks. Dinner and overnight.
Day 6 of 15 Days in Uganda and Rwanda Safari: Game drive and chimpanzees of Kyambura Gorge.
We will spend the whole day in this same park, starting with an early morning game drive along Kasenyi trail famous for lions.
others are elephants, buffaloes, leopards and many more. Back to the lodge for lunch.
Drive to Kyambura gorge for a forest walk to look for the habituated chimpanzees and other primates.
This gorge is 16 km long on the Rift Valley and 100 meter deep.
After the primate walk, drive to ishasha sector of the park, famous for the tree climbing lions, .
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 7: Ishasha game drives and transfer to Bwindi
Early morning game drive in search for the tree climbing lions with lunch en-route.
Then transfer to Bwindi for gorilla treking. Dinner and overnight.
Day 8: Bwindi Mountain Gorilla tracking and Transfer to Ruhengeri
After an early breakfast and briefing from the guides, set off for the gorilla tracking in the forest sanctuary. The activity starts at 8.00am.
You need to carry packed lunch, drinking water, and rain jacket.
And jungle boots while the rangers will provide you with a walking stick.
The time taken to find the gorillas varies according to the movements of these marvelous primates.
An encounter with an earth shaking 350 pound silver back or a baby gorilla is very exciting and an unforgettable experience!
After the activity you transfer to Ruhengeri for dinner and overnight.
Day 9: Scenic view at Gisenyi and Transfer to Cyangugu
Gisenyi is a pretty town located on the shores of Lake Kivu, the main water body of Rwanda.
You descend the escarpment down to the lake, with fantastic views of the Volcanoes.
You will be transferred to Nyungwe for dinner and overnight.
Day 10: Primates/ Chimp tracking in Nyungwe Forest
After an early breakfast, you enter Nyungwe forest for the trekking in search.
For the numerous troops of Angolan Colobus monkeys or tracking the chimpanzees.
Nyungwe is a vast, uncontaminated mountain rain tropical forest over 1000 sq km in size.
And you will be amazed by such intense, green mountain vegetation.
It is home to 13 species of primates, over 275 species of birds, 100 varieties of orchids.
Ensure you take packed lunch and water with you. Return for dinner and overnight.
Day 11: Kigali and the culture of Rwanda
We will drive to Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda. Stopover in Gikongoro for a tour of the Genocide Memorial of Murambi.
Lunch in Butare, where it is possible to find the best Rwandan, original handicraft, which you cannot find in other countries of Africa.
Butare hosts the biggest university and the national cultural museum, worthy the visit.
Stopover in Nyanza for a tour of the royal palace of the traditional kings of Rwanda, the Mwami.
Arrival in Kigali for dinner and overnight.
Day 12: Kigali City tour and Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
After breakfast, visit the Kigali museum memorial for the genocide and the art and craft market
As well as Nyamata genocide tombs before transferring back to Uganda.
Dinner and overnight at
Day 13: Boat ride and Transfer towards Lake Mburo
Early morning boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi to various islands on the lake for bird viewing.
Sight-seeing and discovering the sites of the Bakiga culture. You then drive to Lake Mburo National park with lunch en-route.
Dinner and overnight in Mbarara.
Day 14: Game drive and Boat ride then back to Kampala
Enjoy an early morning game drive along the trails of Lake Mburo National park to see Zebras, kobs, bird species, and other attractions.
Have breakfast and enjoy the boat ride along Lake Mburo National park to see hippos, birds etc.
Have lunch and transfer to Kampala for the overnight.
Day 15: City tour and departure
Reserved for city tour around Kampala. You will visit the important cultural and religious sites.
Have lunch and prepare to leave for Entebbe International airport for your flight back.
Smart team will be there to say good bye and to wish you a pleasant flight.
Taking back an unforgettable experience and treasurable memories of a country gifted by nature.
Day 1:
Accommodation:
Praim Nile Inn Guest House, Sandrina Comfort Cottages, Buziga Shelter Lodge
Day 2, 3:
Accommodation:
Paraa Safari Lodge
Murchison Falls Uganda • 12.6 km away
Murchison River Lodge
Murchison Falls Uganda • 18.3 km away
Red Chilli Rest Camp
Murchison Falls Uganda • 13.5 km away
Sambiya River Lodge
Day 4:
Accommodation:
Mountains of the Moon Hotel,
Nyaika Hotel, Kalya Courts Hotel
Day 5, 6:
Accommodation:
Queen Elisabeth Bush Lodge
Queen Elizabeth National Park• 3.9 km away
Kyambura Gorge Lodge
Queen Elizabeth National Park• 10.4 km away
Wildtracks Overland Camp
Queen Elizabeth National Park• 18.4 km away
Enganzi Game Lodge Limited
Queen Elizabeth National Park• 10.8 km away
Day 7:
Accommodation:
Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park• 10.1 km away
Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park• 8.8 km away
Karungi Camp
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park• 10.1 km away
Rushaga Gorilla Camp
Day 8:
Accommodation:
Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Virunga Hotel, Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge
Day 9, 10:
Accommodation:
Nyungwe Forest Lodge, Nyungwe National Park Campsite, One & Only Nyungwe House
NYUNGWE TOP VIEW HILL HOTEL
Day 11:
Accommodation:
Amani Lodge, Eden Lodge, Gisa Stay 101
Day 12:
Accommodation:
Heras Country Resort, Kings Hotel Kabale, Bunyonyi Overland Resort
Day 13:
Accommodation:
Mburo Safari Lodge, Rwakobo Rock, Mihingo Lodge
Day 14:
Accommodation:
Praim Nile Inn Guest House, Sandrina Comfort Cottages, Buziga Shelter Lodge
Day 15:
No accommodation
Included?
- Airport Transfer to and from Entebbe Airport
• Ground transport per private 4wd vehicles
• English speaking guide/driver
• Full board Accommodation in places mentioned in the Itinerary, based on your preference; luxury/classic, midrange or budget.
• Meals as described in the itinerary
• Bottled mineral water in the vehicle
• National Park entrance fees and ranger fees
• Permit for chimp tracking.
• Gorilla permit (USD $600 per permit per person)
• Government taxes
Duration
15 days
Destination Covered
Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Nyungwe Forest National Park, Kampala and Kigali
Best Suited
All, Budget, Families, Groups, Honeymoon, Luxury, Solo travelers
Note:
• We require a 40% deposit of the total tour cost upon confirmation of the safari in low season period to secure gorilla permits.
• In peak seasons from July to September we require a deposit of 50% of the total tour cost for the clients to safeguard the reservations and gorilla permits.
• The balance should be deposited 2 weeks prior to the arrival.
• For bookings coming one month before departure we shall require the full payment of the tour costs.
• The payment is made by international money transfer to the company bank account in Uganda.
Cancellations:
All cancellation penalty depends on the number of days before tour departure:
• Before 60 days: Full refund
• Between 60 days and 25 days: Refund of 60% of the deposit
• Between 29 days and 15 days: Refund of 25% of the deposit
• Less than 15 days: No refund
• There is no refund of any unused portion of your safari once commenced.
• Please note that Gorilla Permits in Uganda are not refundable when already booked, as this is the policy of Uganda Wildlife Authority.