17 Days Uganda, Rwanda & DRC Safari

We know many of our clients travel from across the globe. You may choose to spend the day at leisure recuperating from the journey. There is a lot one can do today like

• Jet Ski


• Canoe Rides


• Speed Boats


• Fishing


• Pro line


• Sun downer cruise

Alternatively, you can do a City Tour of Kampala.

All optional activities at Clients’ own cost

Journey time: 5–6hrs

Depart Kampala very early for Murchison Falls National Park: Optional Activity

En-route to Masindi 3 hours’ drive out of Kampala, take a stop at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to track Rhinos before proceeding to the National Park.

Upon entrance into the park, visit the top of the falls; here you will spot a permanent rainbow right from the top as you feel the loud sound of the waterfall.

The view is rewarding as it explains why Murchison Falls is famously known as one of the world’s strongest waterfalls. And soon after experiencing the perfect scenery, proceed to the ferry dock and crossover to access your lodge so as check in and enjoy your leisure.

OVERNIGHT : Bakers Lodge/Parra Safari Lodge/ Pakuba Safari Lodge

After an early breakfast, you will have a game drive through the delta circuit, reputably known for high concentrations of wildlife. This 4-5 hour game drive will reward you with stunning views of the savanna and other plant vegetation of the acacia and borassus palm trees propagated by elephants all the way from Congo.

Expect a wide variety of wildlife including; Lions, hippos, waterbucks, leopards, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, hyenas, oribis, Uganda Kobs, baboons and patas Thereafter, next is an afternoon launch cruise on the Nile; offering you a chance to experience a variety of wildlife as you enjoy the stunning views along the world’s longest river. In addition to taking you close to the base of the waterfall, the 3 hour launch trip follows a stretch of the Nile with a compelling African atmosphere. Game viewing is excellent and the birdlife on the banks is so captivating.

After the launch cruise, return to your lodge and stay at leisure with dinner in progress.

OVERNIGHT : Bakers Lodge/Parra Safari Lodge/ Pakuba Safari Lodge

Journey time: 8hrs: 10mins

Early in the morning, after your breakfast, you will depart for Kibale National Park with your lunch stopover in Hoima.

Kibale National Park contains one of the most varied tracts of the tropical rain forest in Uganda. Forest cover, interspersed with patches of grassland and swamp, dominates the northern and central parts of the park on an elevated plateau. Upon your arrival you will drive straight to your Lodge and recuperate from the long journey.

OVERNIGHT : Primate Lodge/ Papaya Lake Lodge/ Kyaninga Lodge

At 795 sq.km, this is home to over 351 tree species some over 200 years old, famous for 13 primate species including Chimpanzees, 70 mammals species & over 375 bird species. In the morning, start of the day with breakfast and get ready for the day’s exciting activities.

At 8:00am start Chimpanzee tracking where you will see various bird species (great blue turaco), and more primates like the black and white colobus monkey, you will also view more animals to include bushbucks and mongoose.

In the afternoon, pay a visit to Bigodi Community where you will be interacting freely with the locals. Then proceed to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a nice spot for birds; to include; African hobby, great blue turaco, Black kite, Swamp flycatcher, Scarlet-chested bird, Grey-crowned crane, Herons, Weaver birds and many more. Later on, in the evening, you will return to your lodge.

OVERNIGHT : Primate Lodge/ Papaya Lake Lodge/ Kyaninga Lodge

Journey time: 2 hrs: 10mins

Queen Elizabeth National Park is famous for diverse ecosystems which include sprawling Savannah, shady humid forests, sparkling lakes, wetlands and amazing craters. Ideal for big game, primate species to include Chimps and over 600 bird species. It has superb scenic views of Kazinga Channel, the Rwenzori Mountains and crater lakes which are home to a wide variety of birds.

After your breakfast enjoy a leisurely morning, and later on start off your journey to ‘’a medley of wonders’’. On arrival after a stopover at the equator, you will check into your lodge for lunch, refreshment and leisure.

In the evening go for a Dusk Game Drive; and get a chance to see animals like bushbucks, elephants, warthogs, hippos and more. Thereafter, return to your lodge for a dinner.

Overnight : Buffalo Safari Lodge/ Mweya Safari Lodge/ Mazike Valley Lodge
Meal Plan : Full Board - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Start off the day with a tasty breakfast and then get deeper into the highlights of this amazing park. Dawn Game Drive; explore the park’s flora and fauna to include elusive bird species and a wide variety of animals like elephants, buffaloes, hippos, impalas, waterbucks, Kobs, warthogs and many more. Don’t miss out the scenic views of the crater lakes like Nyamunuka which is medicinal to the animals.

Katwe Community ; Interact with the people and learn about salt mining by local means from Lake Katwe as they share their cultural experiences. After here, return to your lodge for a lunch.

Launch cruise; this is the main activity after lunch where you will spot a number of birds like; the African fish eagle, pelicans, flamingos, Hammerkop, egrets, the African fin foot, pied kingfishers, marabou storks, vultures, kites and many more, together with animals like hippos, buffalos, warthogs, crocodiles, waterbucks and more as most of them visit to water and cool off. This boat cruise is spiced up with stunning views of the Mweya peninsular and a local fishing village along the lake shores.

Overnight : Buffalo Safari Lodge/ Mweya Safari Lodge/ Mazike Valley Lodge

Meal Plan : Full Board - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Journey time: 4 hrs: 25mins

After breakfast and a leisurely morning, you will have a transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park through the Southerly Ishasha Sector, this will offer you a chance to see the tree climbing lions as this is the only place where can be found. On arrival, check into your lodge and recuperate from the journey.

At 331 sq.km, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to half the world’s mountain gorillas, over 346 bird species, 202 butterfly species, 400 plant species, 63 tree species, 120 mammal species & 27 frog species. Here is the chance to meet and interact with the shortest people (Batwa) of the mountains.

Overnight : Trackers Safari Lodge/ Mahogany Springs Lodge/ Haven Buhoma Lodge

After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for briefing at exactly 8:00am and tracking will commence in the next 30 min after registration and briefing by the ranger guides.

Gorilla tracking is a very captivating and unforgettable experience which more than repays the effort needed to reach Bwindi. This starts at 8:30am and can last a few hours to a whole day depending on where the gorillas were left the previous day. After gorilla tracking, return to your lodge and have your lunch.

In the evening you may opt for a community tour where you will meet and interact with the shortest people (Batwa) of the mountains; learn about their way of life such as; hunting skills, medicinal knowledge, child upbringing, cuisines, art and crafts and many more interesting aspects.

Overnight : Trackers Safari Lodge/ Mahogany Springs Lodge/ Haven Buhoma Lodge

Journey time: 3hrs: 52mins

After an early breakfast, depart Bwindi for Volcanoes National Park in Musanze, Rwanda. You will travel through Cyanika Boarder on a scenic drive, arrive at your hotel/lodge and have lunch.

Volcanoes National Park lies in northwestern Rwanda and borders Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. The national park is home to the rare and endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys with five of the eight volcanoes of the Virunga Mountains (Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo). At 160sq.km, covered in rainforest and bamboo, the park was the base for the zoologist Dian Fossey.

After lunch you will be discovering the culture and history of Rwanda by way of engaging in the below activities:

Visit Iby’Iwacu cultural village; this visit will give you a chance to meet local people, in their community, with a taste of Rwanda’s culture and traditions. The local people will present to you all the aspects of their traditions and beliefs as you share the heritage treasures including traditional lifestyles, activities, artefacts and their ways of living.

Later in the evening, return to your hotel/lodge and spend your leisure time with dinner in a peaceful night.

OVERNIGHT : Mountain Gorilla View Lodge / Sabyinyo Silverback lodge – Or Similar (Full Board)

Have an early breakfast & then transfer to the park headquarter for golden monkey trekking. The golden monkeys are little known & endangered species. They react & interact differently & will keep on playing hide-and-seek much to the delight of the visitor.

After spending time with the golden monkeys with lunch, you will be at be heading to Gisenyi.

OVERNIGHT : Hillview Hotel Kivu/ Kivu Serena Hotel – Or Similar (Full Board)

Meal Plan : Full board

After an early breakfast proceed to the border and clear with customs for entry into the Democratic Republic of Congo

Today is real adventure where you spend a day hiking the live volcano Nyiragongo. At 3468 meters, Nyiragongo, one of the world’s most beautiful and active volcanoes, towers above the thick jungles of Virunga National Park. A five-hour hike to the rim of the 1.2 km wide crater reveals the fiery lava lake deep inside. Sitting on the edge of the crater at night, the red boiling lava and smoking caldera will mesmerize any visitor. The trek includes a walk through lush forest and lava fields with a steep incline near the top, and includes an overnight stay in the Nyiragongo Crater Cabanas on the volcano rim. The stunning views both day and night make this an unforgettable experience. Later stay for overnight in tents at the rim of the giant crater high above the active lava lake.

Packing list - Sleeping Bag, Food (lunch, dinner, breakfast),Water (3 liters p.p. minimum), Any other drinks required, Change of dry clothes, Rain gear, Good walking shoes, Warm Clothes (sweater, jacket) it’s very cold up there. Sun cream, warm Hat, Torch, Camera.

Overnight : Bandas
Meal Plan : Full Board

After breakfast descend by 0700hrs arriving at the trail head before lunch Continue down to be transferred to the Grande Barriére (Congo border) to clear with customs.

Spend the rest of the day in Gisenyi at leisure.

OVERNIGHT : Hillview Hotel Kivu/ Kivu Serena Hotel – Or Similar (Full Board)

Meal Plan : Full board

Journey time: 5 Hours

After breakfast, depart from Gisenyi to Nyugwe through Kibuye. This is one of the most scenic drives during this trip.

On arrival, check in to your lodge and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

OVERNIGHT : Nyungwe Forest Lodge

Early in the morning take part in the Chimpanzee trekking, where you will come close to one of the habituated families here.

Spend some time with the Chimps learning about their unique behaviors far apart from other animals, and then proceed with your adventure by way of taking a fun filled Canopy walk through the tropical rain forest, as this park is well known as a hiker’s paradise, with 13 hiking trails of over 130 kilometers. You will also explore the ancient rainforest and the many habitants found in the forest. Discover its wildlife, birds, primates, plants, flowers, butterflies and the various trees.

You will also have the opportunity to do the canopy walk.

OVERNIGHT : Nyungwe Forest Lodge

In the morning after your breakfast, you will be transferred to the airfield to catch your next domestic flight to Kigali. Upon arrival take some time to do souvenir shopping or a simple tour of the city as you wait for your next home departure flight.

Later on, be transferred to Kigali International Airport to check in for your home departure flight.

END OF SAFARI

DISCLAIMER: The journey time stated in the itinerary is an estimation and it is subject to variation depending on traffic and road conditions.