Uganda & Rwanda Tour

Day one: Arrival

On arrival at the airport, you will be welcomed by a professional guide from Afrikan Wildlife who will then take you to the Hotel in Kampala. Overnight at Hilton Hotel, Serena Hotel or Sheraton Hotel (High end), Hotel Africana (medium end), Ivy Hotel (basic accommodation).

Day Two: 2nd July: Kampala – Gulu (Approx. 6 – 7 hours)

After breakfast, drive north of the country to Gulu via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola to track the Rhinos. In Uganda, Rhinos were depleted in the early 1980s, after a period of civil wars and severe poaching. This sanctuary has now been established to breed black and white rhino in phase one and two to restore Rhino populations in Uganda so that they can be re-introduced to their natural habitats. Then have lunch at the sanctuary or on the way to Gulu. Dinner and overnight in Boma Hotel or Churchill Hotel. (Medium) Full Board.

Day Three: Gulu – Kidepo (Approx. 6 hours)

After breakfast, you will proceed to Kidepo Valley National Park. The park lies in the rugged and Semi-arid valley of Karamoja. This is Uganda’s most remote National Park which borders Sudan in the north. The park also suffered the same fate of poaching like other Ugandan Parks which left some game herds depleted. But the park has recovered for the last 2o years of stability with 80 species of mammals and a bird list of 475 species and amongst the host of dry eastern “specials” not found in any other Ugandan park like Karamoja Alpalis and Black-breasted barbet. Dinner and overnight at Apoka Lodge or N’ga muro Wilderness Camp. (High end) Full Board.

Day Four: Kidepo Valley

After breakfast, you will go for an early morning game drive to the kidepo valley plains where you may have chances of viewing Lions, Giraffe, Hartebeest, Buffalo, and Elephant, Bohor Reedbuck as well as many of the other mammals of the park. Later in the afternoon, you can go for the evening game drive or go for optional nature walk. Dinner and overnight at Apoka Lodge or N’ga muro Wilderness Camp. (High end) Full Board.

Day five: Kidepo – Gulu (Approx. 6 hours)

After breakfast, you depart Kidepo with packed lunch for Gulu arriving in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight in Boma Hotel or Churchill Hotel. (Medium) Full Board.

Day Six: Gulu – Murchison Falls.   

After breakfast, set off to Murchison falls arriving in the afternoon. On arrival, you may decide to rest in your room or go for the evening game drive. Dinner and overnight at Chobe lodge Paraa Lodge (High end) Nile Safari Camp, Murchison River Lodge. (Medium range)  Full Board.

Day Seven: Murchison Falls

After breakfast, you will go for an early morning game drive where you may have chances of viewing Lions, Giraffe, Hartebeest, Buffalo, and Elephant, Bohor Reedbuck as well as many of the other mammals of the park. For the bird lovers, you can come across the Sported Morning Thrush, Silverbird, Buff-bellied Warbler, Black-headed Batis, Black headed Gonolek, Vitelline masked weaver, Green winged Pytilia, Blue-naped Mouse bird, Secretary Bird, Black Chested Snake Eagle, Tawny and Marshal Eagles, Northern and Southern Carmine Bee-Eaters and many others.  In the afternoon, go for a boat trip to the foot of Murchison Falls where the Nile thunders through a small 7-meter gap, or down river to the delta where the Nile empties into Lake Albert. The banks of the Nile are home to many species. You may see huge Nile Crocodiles, Hippos and other wildlife that may come down to drink from the river. Dinner and overnight at Chobe lodge Paraa Lodge (High end) Nile Safari Camp, Murchison River Lodge. (Medium range)  Full Board.

Day Eight:  Murchison Falls – Kibale. (Approx. 8-10 hours)

After breakfast, depart Murchison Falls to Kibale Forest National Park. This park is known for the highest number of primate species in Africa. The activity starts in the morning hours, and there is also another lot for the afternoon depending on the time of your booking and itinerary. When tracking chimpanzees, you may come across other primates including phoestes, Red-Colobuses, Blues, Red-tailed and grey cheeked Mangabeys in the canopies of the dense forest and birds, butterflies and many small insects. The guides provide explanations about primates and other forest’s fauna and flora, ensuring that your walk is both informative and enjoyable. Dinner and overnight at Cyaniga Lodge or Ndali Lodge (High end) or Chimpanzee Forest Lodge.(Medium range) Full Board.

Day Nine: Kibale National Park.

This morning you will go for the morning Chimpanzee tracking in the forest, When tracking chimpanzees, you may come across other primates including phoestes, Red-Colobuses, Blues, Red-tailed and grey cheeked Mangabeys in the canopies of the dense forest and birds, butterflies and many small insects. The guides provide explanations about primates and other forest’s fauna and flora, ensuring that your walk is both informative and enjoyable. Later in the afternoon, you will go for a guided walk through Bigodi Swamp. This Wetland is managed by the Kibale Association for Rural and Environmental organization formed in 1992 with the aim of achieving social and economic development for local communities. This swamp is a home to about 137 bird species. Dinner and overnight at Cyaniga Lodge or Ndali Lodge (High end) or Chimpanzee Forest Lodge. (Medium range) Full Board

Alternatively

You can decide to go for chimp habituation and be part of the habituation team that goes to study the behavior of the Chimps in order to make them get used to human beings. Being part of the team that observe the way Chimps nest, feed, climb trees, react to human presence, caring for the young ones is unforgettable experience. This activity starts very early at 6:00am to 6:00pm. You spend the whole day in the forest observing Chimps.

Day Ten: Kibale – Semiliki Game Reserve (Approx. 3 – 4 hours)

After your breakfast, depart Kibale and proceed to Semiliki Game reserve while enjoying the rolling hills of Bundibujo and the meandering drive arriving in the afternoon. You can rest in your room or go for the evening game drive.  Semiliki National Park protects an extension of the vast Ituri forest and forms part of a forest continuum that stretches across the Democratic Republic of Congo to the Zaire River. Dinner and overnight at Semiliki safari Lodge, Semiliki River Lodge, Ntoroko Lodge. Full Board

Day Eleven: Semiliki Game Reserve

An early breakfast, then go for the morning game drive to view the Buffalo, Elephant, , waterbuck, Kobs, Sitatunga, White-bellied Duiker or Dwarf antelope. You are also likely to spot the lively and agile squirrels such as Fire-footed Rope or Red-legged sun Squirrel. For the bird lovers, Semiliki National Park is one of the richest area for forest birds in Africa. This include some of the continent’s most spectacular and sought-after birds like the Congo Serpent Eagle, Long-tailed Hawk, Nkulengu Rail, Black-wattled Hornbill, Lyre-tailed Honeyguide among others. In the afternoon, you will go for the boat on Lake Albert or for the evening nature walk. Dinner and overnight at Semiliki safari Lodge, Semiliki River Lodge, Ntoroko Lodge. Full Board

Day Twelve: Semiliki Game Reserve – Queen Elizabeth National Park (Approx. 4 – 5 hours)

After breakfast, drive to Semiliki National Park for the nature forest walk visit the hot springs then proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park arriving in the afternoon. Relax at the hotel or go for the late evening game drive. Dinner and overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge, Katara Lodge, Kyambura Game Lodge (High end) or Ihamba Game Lodge, Kingfisher (Medium range) or Hippo Hill, Simba safari lodge (low budget). Full board

Day Thirteen: Queen Elizabeth National Park

This morning, you will have a game drive to the Kasenyi area to look for Lion prides and other wildlife like, waterbuck,Oribi and  Uganda Kob that mate around this area returning at the Lodge for breakfast. Queen Elizabeth is the Uganda’s most popular and certainly one of the most scenic. It stretches from the crater-dotted foothills if Rwenzori range in the north, along the shores of Lake Edward to the remote Ishasha River in the south, incorporating a wide range of a variety of habitats that range from savanna and wetlands to gallery and lowland forest. This gives the park the diversity of bird species of over 550 and a list of 95 mammal species.

Then go for the afternoon boat trip along the Kazinga Channel. Here Hippos huff and spray mere feet away from the boat, Buffalos linger in the shallows, a tremendous variety of birds grace the grasses on the shores.  Great White and Pink-Backed Pelicans, Great and Long-Tailed Cormorants, Open-Billed Stork, African Jacana, Malachite and Pied Kingfishers are commonly seen. Dinner and overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge, Katara Lodge, Kyambura Game Lodge (High end) or Ihamba Game Lodge, Kingfisher (Medium range) or Hippo Hill, Simba safari lodge (low budget). Full board

Day Fourteen: Queen Elizabeth – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. (Approx. 4 – 5 hours)

After breakfast, you will depart Queen Elizabeth and head for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park passing via Ishasha which is fame for the tree climbing lions arriving in the afternoon.

Best known for its Mountain Gorillas, the Montane Forest also attracts spectacular birds. There are 23 of the 24 Albertine Rift endemics including the African Green Broadbill, Bar Tailed Trogon and other beautiful forest species. You may decide to relax in the afternoon or take a nature walk (at an extra cost of $20 P.P) which will lead you to the Munyaga Waterfall and a chance to see primates such as the Grey Cheeked Mangabey Blue Monkeys and others species. Spend the night at Volcano Lodge, Gorilla Forest Camp (High end) or Mahogany Spring, Buhoma Lodge, Syliva Back Lodge (Medium range) Buhoma Bandas (low budget). Full Board.

You have to get enough rest to get ready for the following day’s gorilla tracking because it is quite challenging because of the terrain depending on the group you track.

In the Southern Section, Dinner and overnight at Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Volcanoes Safaris (High end) or Nkuringo Gorilla campsite, Kimbla-Mantana, Buhoma Lodge (Medium range) or Bwindi view Rest camp, Wagtail Eco Safari Camp (Basic accommodation)

Day Fifteen: Gorilla Tracking – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

This morning you will have to wake up very early to get ready for Gorilla tracking. The guide will drive you to the headquarters for briefing before you set off in the interior of the forest. Do not forget to take your lunch boxes and all the necessary gear to track the rare Mountain Gorilla, perhaps one of the most exciting wildlife experiences on this Planet. There are now only 650 left in the world. The tracking may take between 3 and 6 hours but it’s well worth the effort. There are always park guides with you who interpret the flora and fauna and the lifestyle of the Gorillas. The rainforest is spectacular as it offers a dramatic, heavily forested and dense landscape crisscrossed by numerous animal trails, allowing access for tourists. Recorded mammals here include the endangered mountain gorilla, the rare golden monkey, buffalo, elephants, black-fronted duikers, bushbucks, leopards, giant forest hogs as well as other animals. Spend the night at Volcano Lodge, Gorilla Forest Camp (High end) or Mahogany Spring, Buhoma Lodge, Syliva Back Lodge (Medium range) Buhoma Bandas (low budget). Full Board.

In the Southern Section, Dinner and overnight at Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Volcanoes Safaris (High end) or Nkuringo Gorilla campsite, Kimbla-Mantana, Buhoma Lodge (Medium range) or Bwindi view Rest camp, Wagtail Eco Safari Camp (Basic accommodation)

Day Sixteen: Bwindi – Mburo (6 – 7 hours)

After breakfast, depart Bwindi National Park for Lake Mburo National Park arriving in the afternoon. Go for the evening game drive or for the boat trip on Lake Mburo.  Lake Mburo is an extension of the north-western Tanzanian Plains and eastern Rwanda with big herds of Zebra, Impala, Eland and other savannah mammals. For birders, this is one of the best places to find African Fin foot, Papyrus yellow warbler, papyrus gonolek, Bush Shrike, Brown-chested plover, Southern ground hornbill, Spot-flanked and many others. Overnight at Mihingo Lodge,, Rwakobo Rock ( High end) or Arcadia Cottages, Kimbla Mantana, Mburo Safari Lodge (Medium range)  or UWA tents and Bandas (Low budget). Full Board.

Day Seventeen: Lake Mburo – Rwanda (7 – 8 hours)

After morning breakfast, you will depart Lake Mburo with the packed lunches for Rwanda via Katuna Border and then proceed to Kigali city. Dinner and overnight at Serena Hotel, Hotel Des Mil Coline (High end) or Lemigo, Top Tower,(Medium range) Bed and Breakfast

Day Eighteen: Kigali – Akagera National Park (3 – 4 hours)

After breakfast, transfer to Akagera National Park having lunch where recommended by the guide. You can relax or do boat ride on Lake Ihema: Overnight at Akagera Game Lodge. Full Board.

Day Nineteen: Akagera National Park:

After early breakfast, go for the Game drive in the south and north of the park, take with you the packed lunch returning in the afternoon. Overnight at Akagera Game Lodge. Full Board

Day Twenty: Akagera – Butare (6 – 7 hours)

Depart Akagera for Butare and visit the Cathedral of Kabgayi and other many historical sites on route. Visit the ancient King’s palace at Nyanza and National Museum in Butare. When time permits, you can also visit the women drumming group. Overnight at Ibis hotel. Full board

Day Twenty one: Butare – Nyungwe National Park: (4 – 5 hours)

After breakfast, depart Butare and head for Nyungwe Forest arriving in the afternoon. Later in the evening, visit tea plantation or the market. Overnight at Nyungwe Forest Lodge. (High end) or Gisakura guest house (Low budget) Full board

Day Twenty two: Chimp Tracking

You need to wake up very early to go for Chimp trekking in the forest returning in the afternoon. Overnight at Nyungwe Forest Lodge. (High end) or Gisakura guest house (Low budget) Full board

Day Twenty three: Nyungwe – Kibuye

After breakfast, transfer to Kibuye and en- route you can visit Bisesero genocide memorial, Kibuye church and Nyange school genocide memorial. Then in the evening, take a boat tour to Amahoro Island, the Island of Peace. Overnight at a recommended hotel in Kibuye.

Day Twenty Four: Kibuye – Lake Kivu:

After your breakfast, drive around Gisenyi town, visit the fishing village, hot springs, visit DRC-Rwanda border (Gisenyi town) and relax at the lake side in the evening. Overnight at Serena Hotel or Stepp Hotel. Full board.

Day Twenty Five: Lake Kivu – Ruhengeri

When you are done with breakfast, head for Ruhengeri. Then in the afternoon, experience traditional dancers and learn about Rwandan drumming, singing and dancing, women Cooperatives producing handicrafts out of banana fiber and acquire lessons in sorghum and banana beer production. Dinner and overnight at Mountain Gorilla View, Sylva Back Lodge, Virunga Volcanoes Lodges (High end) or La Palme, (Medium range) or Kinigi guest House (Basic accommodation

Day Twenty Six: Gorilla Tracking

The guide will transfer you to the headquarters at Kinigi where you will be briefed and allocate the gorilla group. After briefing, the guide will drive you to the starting point in the forest for Gorilla trekking. Returning in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight at Mountain Gorilla View, Sylva Back Lodge, Virunga Volcanoes Lodges (High end) or La Palme, (Medium range) or Kinigi guest House (Basic accommodation

 Day Twenty Seven: Ruhengeri – Kigali

You will depart Ruhengeri to Kigali visiting Ntarama and Nyamata Genocide Memorial, the genocide memorial center in Kigali and later catch your flight back home