Day 1: Entebbe
Your adventure begins with your arrival at Uganda’s Entebbe International Airport where you are met by a tour representative and transferred the short distance to The Boma Hotel in Entebbe Town. With a population of more than 40 million, Uganda is a country of great cultural diversity and is one of the 5 countries that make up the East African Community.
Your hotel is follows in a midrange category. It is set near Africa’s largest lake – Lake Victoria and makes the ideal start to your tour. Complete with complimentary Internet access and an in-house restaurant, there is also a swimming pool if you want to have a workout after a long journey.
Other Accommodation Options:
- 2 Friends Beach Hotel – Midrange
- Airport Guest House – Budget
- Hotel No. 5 – Luxury
- Lake Victoria Serena Resort and Spa – Luxury
Meals Include:
Day 2: Kibale Forest
After relaxed breakfast at around 8.30 am, you will be met by your driver-guide, who will accompany you throughout your stay in Uganda. He will drive you to Kibale Forest National Park, a journey of approximately 6 hours, stopping for a lunch at restaurant en route in the beautiful town of Fort Portal. The drive will take you past tea plantations, through rolling hills, open savannahs and colourful rural villages. Arriving at your lodge, you can relax and unwind after your journey.
Accommodation Options:
- Chimpanzee Forest Lodge – Midrange/Budget
- Kibale Forest Camp– Midrange/Budget
- Primate Lodge– Luxury
- Crater Safari Lodge– Luxury
Meals Include:
Day 3: Kibale Forest & Bigodi Village
After breakfast today you’ll be driven to the Kibale National Park visitor centre for a briefing about your morning of chimpanzee trekking adventure. The trek departs the briefing point (Kanyanchu) at 8.00am. Although it is not guaranteed you will see the chimpanzees, there is a 97% success rate of seeing them — far higher than any other place which offers chimpanzee trekking in Uganda, Rwanda or Tanzania.
Kibale Forest has one of the highest concentrations of primates in East Africa and your hike will offer good chances of seeing red-tailed monkeys, red colobus monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, blue monkeys, Vervet monkeys, and grey-cheeked mangabeys. If you are lucky to find yourself in the company of the chimps, you’ll have an hour to enjoy their human-like behaviour and take photos to your heart’s content!
Once your chimp trek is wrapped up, you will to your lodge for lunch and relaxation. In afternoon, you will go for a walk in the nearby Bigodi Village.
Accompanied by a guide who can tell you everything about the traditional customs and lifestyle of the inhabitants, you will follow the village path and visit a primary school, traditional homesteads, learn about the crops and listen to the story telling of a Mzee (elderly man). This activity is an initiative of the inhabitants of Bigodi Village and the revenues are shared by the local community.
Day 4: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Today, a leisurely drive of about 2 hours will take you through Kibale Forest, Kasese Town and across the equator to your next stop. Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s premier wildlife destination. This park is home to more than 600 bird species, 10 species of primates – including chimpanzees, and 95 different types of mammals. The route to your accommodation may feel like an unofficial safari.
Keep a look out for African elephants, buffalo, hippos, warthogs, Nile crocodiles, leopards, spotted hyenas, and lions. On arrival you will enjoy a delicious lunch at the lodge before going out for an afternoon game drive.
Accommodation Options:
- Pumba Safari Cottage – Budget
- Bush Lodge– Midrange/Budget
- Enganzi Game Lodge – Midrange
- Elephant Plains Camp – Luxury
- Park View Lodge – Semi Luxury
Meals Include:
Day 5: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Wake up for another amazing day in Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park with another 4×4 safari Game Drive. Be on the lookout for any sightings you may have missed yesterday, and if you are really lucky, you might be able to spot leopards or lions.
This afternoon, you also have the opportunity to see the park from another perspective with a leisurely cruise down the hippo-filled Kazinga Channel, linking Lake Edward to Lake George. You’ll be accompanied by local guides who will fill you in on everything you could want to know about the landscape and the animals who live within it – be on the lookout for hippos basking on the shore, as well as Nile crocodiles, herds of elephants and fantastic waterbirds.
Accommodation Options:
- Pumba Safari Cottage – Budget
- Bush Lodge– Midrange/Budget
- Enganzi Game Lodge – Midrange
- Elephant Plains Camp – Luxury
- Park View Lodge – Semi Luxury
Meals Include:
Day 6: Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast this morning, this morning, you will make your way to Ishasha, the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Here you will meet some local residents to learn more about rural life in Uganda. Visit a local organic farm, medicine garden and homestead and learn how its owner is tackling human-wildlife conflict with his anti-crop raiding techniques.
You will also meet a local Mukiga woman who will share her story while showing you how to sort, pound and grind millet to make porridge and other Bakiga meals. This part of the park is famous for its tree climbing lions, so be on the lookout as you make the game drive towards your lodge.
Accommodation Options:
- Enjojo Lodge– Midrange/Budget
- Ishasha Wilderness Cam– Luxury
Meals Include:
Day 7: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Today, you will depart Queen Elizabeth National Park on your way to the southwest tip of Uganda. On this short game drive, you will look out for elephants, buffalo, Ugandan kobs, topis, and waterbucks. When you arrive at the southwestern corner of Uganda, you’ll be based in Rushaga Sector of Bwindi, which provides access to 9 of Bwindi’s 24 gorilla families.
Accommodation Options:
- Ichumbi Lodge- Budget
- Rushaga Gorilla Camp – Midrange
- Mutanda Lake Resort- Midrange
- Gorilla Safari Lodge – Luxury
Meals Include:
Day 8: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Joined by a local ranger guide, hike through the rugged mountainous landscape of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park to encounter rare Mountain Gorillas. No more than 8 visitors per day can visit any one habituated family and visits are strictly controlled to minimize disturbance or the chances of transmission of disease to the animals.
Gorilla trekking in the dense forest jungle can sometimes be wet, muddy and uncomfortable. The terrain is by no means easy either, so it can be pretty difficult and often humid, but the thrill in coming across a habituated family of wild gorillas, dominated by a great male silverback, more than outweighs any difficulty. You need to be prepared and fit enough for round walk of around 2 to 6.
You can usually get very close to the mountain gorillas, which are placid, shy and gentle, and watching their movements is like seeing a mirror image of yourself. Be mesmerized as you watch them eat, sleep, groom and play – the giant silverback surveying the scene as the smaller ones laze in the trees or play like children. Your visit with the gorillas will last one unforgettable hour.
Day 9: Kigali/Nairobi
After breakfast this morning, it’s time to make the journey to Kigali city of Rwanda (approximately 4 hours). You will be dropped off at Kigali International Airport for your short flight to Nairobi this evening (approximately 1.5hrs). On arrival at Nairobi Airport you will be met and transferred to your Nairobi hotel. Check-in, freshen up and get a good night’s rest.
Accommodation Options:
- Four Points By Sheraton – Luxury
- Giraffe Manor – Luxury
- Hemingways Nairobi – Luxury
- Tamarind Tree Hotel – Midrange
- Crowne Plaza Nairobi – Midrange
Meals Include:
Day 10: Nairobi/Lake Nakuru National Park
After, an early breakfast, depart Nairobi for Lake Nakuru which is known for harbouring flocks of pink flamingos and a wonderful variety of bird species. Arrive at your safari lodge inside or near Lake Nakuru National Park in time for lunch, and seek out the resident white rhinos, black rhinos, hippos, zebras, giraffes, lions, leopards, and buffaloes on a late afternoon wildlife drive.
Accommodations Options:
- The Cliff – Luxury
- Sarova Woodlands – Luxury
- Lake Nakuru Lodge – Midrange
- Flamingo Hill Camp – Midrange
- Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge – Midrange
Meals Included:
Day 11: Lake Nakuru National Park
Enjoy a delicious breakfast today and set out on morning and afternoon safaris through the picturesque Lake Nakuru National Park, searching for rhinos, buffalo, impalas, lions, and more. Drive along the salty shores of Lake Nakuru and discover a mind-boggling variety of birds.
Day 12: Lake Nakuru National Park/Lake Naivasha
This morning attend a talk given by a representative of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS)—a government institution dedicated to managing Kenya’s wildlife—about the issues surrounding poaching and wildlife conservation. Later drive southward through the Great Rift Valley to Lake Naivasha, a massive freshwater lake encircled by olive trees and grassy banks. Take a relaxing boat cruise on the lake, watching for hippos and buffalo; and peer through your binoculars to spot lovebirds, ibis, and the iconic African fish eagle. Step ashore at Crescent Island—a peaceful wildlife sanctuary located in the middle of the lake— and enjoy a guide leisurely walk in search of zebras, wildebeest, and giraffes.
Accommodations Options:
- Chui Lodge – Luxury
- Kiboko Luxury Camp– Luxury
- Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge – Midrange
- Lake Naivasha Crescent Camp – Midrange
Meals Included:
Day 13: Lake Naivasha/Masai Mara
Enjoy a delightful breakfast today and embark on a drive the legendary Masai Mara National Reserve. On arrival, settle into your comfortable tented camp or lodge, located inside the reserve. Head out for an afternoon game drive through vast, acacia-dotted plains, driving past throngs of wildebeest, zebra, and giraffes; and keep an eye out for lions, and the rest of the African “big five animals.” In the evening, relax at the camp or lodge and enjoy scenic views of the rolling plains.
Accommodations Options:
- Mara Serena Lodge – Luxury
- Mara Leisure Camp – Luxury
- Ashnil Mara Camp – Luxury
- Jambo Mara Lodge- Midrange
- Mara Sopa Lodge – Midrange
- Base Camp Masai Mara – Midrange
Meals Included:
Day 14: Masai Mara
Today, undertake an early morning game drive to see the animals that traversed the savanna during the night. Watch ungulates like gazelles, topis, and impalas, waterbucks, and eland antelopes—as well as their stealthy predators—at one of their most active times of the day. Proceed your exploration on a late afternoon game drive, discovering the breathtaking landscapes of Masai Mara.
Optional activity
You can opt for balloon ride over the Masai Mara Plains at sunrise today. If you have pre-booked this experience you will be picked up before dawn and driven to the launch site for a safety briefing from your pilot. Then you will glide through the dawn, sometimes at tree height, to get some amazing photo opportunities. Sometimes you will ascend, getting an overview of the vastness of the plains and of the early morning movements of the teeming herds.
After landing, you’ll enjoy a bush breakfast, and then be returned to your camp or lodge. In the afternoon, you can take a game drive or visit a nearby Maasai Village to learn about the fascinating culture of Masai People.
Day 15: Masai Mara/Serengeti
Today, after an early breakfast, have your packed lunch and drive to Tanzania/Kenya Border at Isebania. After clearing with immigration, change the vehicle and proceed the famous Serengeti National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), one of the best-known reserves in Africa, and probably the world. The Serengeti has become world-famous for its annual wildebeest migration, an iconic and dramatic scene in wildlife documentaries for decades, and a true bucket list experience, and the main reason we are here! Arrive with an introductory game drive to your pre-booked lodge or camp.
Accommodations Options:
- Serengeti Serena Lodge– Luxury
- Serengeti Kati Kati Camp- Midrange
Meals Included:
Day 16: Serengeti National Park
Immerse yourself in the splendor of the Serengeti. Explore the park’s iconic creatures when you set out in a 4×4 on morning and afternoon safaris through the golden savannah grasslands. With luck, you will spot all of Africa’s “big 5”—lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo.
Day 17: Serengeti National Park/Ngorongoro
You will grab some picnic lunch as you take a final game drive through the Serengeti. But now you are on your way to the Ngorongoro Crater. On route, you’ll make a detour to the anthropological wonder of Olduvai Gorge. The archeological site is a living fossilized record of early man’s tool-making and early development and is not to be missed.
As you come to the Ngorongoro Crater’s rim, you will pause and take in the vast thriving world below you, an area of some 264 square kilometers with crater walls of about 600 m (1,968 feet). Continue to your lodge and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Accommodations Options:
- Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge– Luxury
- Ngorongoro Crater Lodge– Luxury
- Rhotia Valley Lodge- Midrange
Meals Included:
Day 18: Ngorongoro Crater
If you arise early, you can be treated to a spectacular sunrise at the crater’s rim. And now you’re off for a full day game drive inside Ngorongoro Crater. Spanning more than 20km in diameter, the Ngorongoro is the largest non-flooded volcanic caldera in the world and is inhabited by some 300,000 animals. Set out on a game drive into the Ngorongoro Crater and observe the biodiversity and resident wild animals in this incredibly important location to the conservation and protection of global wildlife. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the heart of the world’s largest caldera encircled by unique flora and fauna.
Day 19: Karatu/ Lake Eyasi
After breakfast this morning, you will make your way to Lake Eyasi, a huge seasonal soda lake. Lake Eyasi has been home to the Hadzabe tribal people for over 10,000 years and is one of the few places in Africa where traditional tribal life continues without modern influence.
Today’s visit to the Hadzabe lands offers incredible insight into this ancient culture and a chance to learn about their way of life today. You will have the opportunity to meet members of the community and join in on daily activities like hunting, gathering and traditional dance. You will also learn about their unique ‘click’ language, which is thought to be one of the oldest languages still in use today.
Accommodations Options:
- Lake Eyasi Safari Lodge- Midrange
Meals Included:
Day 20: Arusha
Today you will a leisurely breakfast and learn more about the Hadzabe People. In the afternoon, you will head to Arusha, where your safari ends. An overnight hotel in Arusha can be booked, at an additional expense or be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure flight.
End of 20-Day Uganda, Kenya & Tanzania Safari
What’s Included
- Accommodation as indicated in the itinerary
- Meals: 19 breakfasts, 18 lunches, 19 dinners
- Transport: 7 4×4 safari vehicles, plane, boat.
- Arrival transfer
- Wildlife safari drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Masai Mara National Reserve, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Nakuru, Lake Manyara, and the Serengeti
- Boat cruise on Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Ishasha – Community Tourism Project Visit
- Boat trip on Lake Naivasha and wildlife walk on Crescent Island
- Bigodi Village Walk
- Entrance to Olduvai Gorge Museum
- Lake Eyasi – Hadzabe Bushmen Visit
- Internal flight
- Border crossing fees
- All national park entrance fees
- Mountain gorilla trek with permits
- Chimpanzee trekking permits
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
What’s Not Included
- Airfare to and from destination
- Minimum medical and emergency evacuation insurance
- Trip cancellation insurance or any other travel insurance
- Visas
- Any activity not described in What’s Included
- Meals on your own
- Gratuities
Day 1: Welcome to the Pearl of Africa!
On the first day of the trip, arrive at Entebbe International Airport in Uganda. Post your immigration and customs; you will be greeted by our company representative who will safely transfer you to the nearby hotel in Entebbe City for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay. Entebbe is a relaxed town relaxed town on the beautiful shores of Lake Victoria – Africa’s largest lake.
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Hotel No.5/Protea Hotel Entebbe/Lake Victoria Serena Resort
Midrange: 2-Friends Beach Hotel/Boma Hotel/Karibu Guest House
Budget: Airport Guest House
Meal Plan: Dinner
Day 2: Trip to Kibale Forest & Guided Bigodi Wetland Walk
Today, after you have had your delicious breakfast, our driver guide will meet and have a briefing about your 14 Days Uganda to Rwanda Safari. After that, you will be taken on a scenic drive of about 5 hours past rolling hillsides, towns, villages, rainforests, tea plantations, and crater lakes towards Fort Portal.
Fort Portal rests in the shadow of the snow-capped Mountains of the Moon and is famous for the many tea plantations. From this lovely town, you will continue to Kibale Forest National Park. Upon arrival, you enter a completely different world; a primate world! Kibale is one Africa’s most primate-rich rainforests. The primeval forest hosts 13 different primate species including chimpanzees, red-tailed, black-and-white colobus, red colobus, blue monkeys, and Uganda mangabeys.
Kibale is also a stellar bird-watching destination, with a checklist of 375 bird species that includes the glamorous likes of great blue turaco, double-toothed barbet and papyrus Gonolek. Kibale is surrounded by tea plantations, beautiful crater lakes, papyrus swamps and quite rural villages. Today you can decide to go for a guided walk around the lodge or explore beautiful volcanic crater lakes around the park.
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Crater Safari Lodge/Kyaninga Lodge/Primate Lodge
Midrange/Budget: Kibale Forest Camp/Chimpanzee Forest Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest & Bigodi Village or Wetland Walk
Chimpanzee trekking is an awesome adventure. You wake up at around dawn, enjoy a hearty breakfast and transfer to the park visitor center for a briefing. At 8 am, you into the lush Kibale Forest in company of range guides who hack a trail through the forest undergrowth.
They employ their deep knowledge of the chimps’ behaviors to track their location and bring you to them. More than 1,500 chimpanzees reside in Kibale Forest and there is a chimp community that was habituated in the 1990s and has been located 99% of the time during treks.
Chimpanzees are fascinating creatures. These forest-dwelling apes share nearly 99% of their DNA with humans, and despite their hairier coat and more stooped posture, they are recognizably human-like, both in appearance and behaviorally. Once you find them, you will have one hour to watch them grooming, foraging, arguing, swinging through the trees and tending to their young.
After the chimpanzee tour, you will have your lunch and some time to relax. In afternoon, you will go for a community based guided tour of the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.
During this walk, you’ll learn more about this community-run initiative that aims to conserve the unique biodiversity and environmental values of the wetlands. Alternatively, you can decide to go for a Village Walk. Accompanied by a guide who can tell you everything about the traditional customs and lifestyle of the inhabitants, you will follow the village path and visit a primary school, traditional homesteads and listen to the story telling of a Mzee (elderly man). Both activities are an initiative of the inhabitants of Bigodi Village and the revenues are shared by the local community.
Accommodation: As on day three
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4-7: Cross the Equator into Queen Elizabeth National Park for Exciting Game Viewing | 3 Nights
After your breakfast today, check-out from the lodge and be taken on a leisurely drive of about 2 hours through Kibale Forest, Kasese Town and across the equator to your next stop.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most popular safari destination. This is partly due to its closeness to the country’s gorilla trekking hubs, but also reflects its status as one of East Africa’s most biodiverse protected areas.
Here you’ll find massive freshwater lakes, swathes of equatorial rainforest, tracts of rolling savannah and brackish crater lakes nestled below the snowcapped Rwenzori Mountains. Four of the Big 5 are present (no rhino). The bird checklist of over 600 species is the most of any national park in East Africa.
Morning, afternoon, and evening game drives through the park are most rewarding, with elephants, buffalo, spotted hyenas, antelopes and lions being regular sightings. Thrilling game drives are not the only way you get to explore this Uganda’s premier national park.
The Kazinga Channel is the lifeblood of the park and attracts many animals to its water, including one of the world’s densest concentrations of hippos year-round. A Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel is included in your itinerary, offering a great wildlife viewing alternative.
A dash of culture is also sprinkled into your tour of Queen with a visit to the Omwani Women’s Coffee Cooperative – a community-based initiative that offers vocational training and an alternative, but sustainable, source of income to local women and their families. A highlight of this cultural experience is sure to be sampling the best cup of Uganda coffee, the beans of which are grown, harvested and processed by these amazing women.
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge/Elephant Plains Camp/Kyambura Gorge Lodge
Midrange: Park View Lodge/Bush Lodge/Enganzi Lodge
Budget: Bush Lodge/Pumba Safari Cottage
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7-10: Track Gorillas & Golden Monkeys in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park | 3 Nights
Begin your day with a hearty breakfast and then take a light aircraft flight from Queen to Kisoro. Here, a comfortable short road transfer sees that you arrive at Mount Gahinga Lodge by late morning. This is a luxury lodge that occupies one of the most beautiful locations in Uganda.
Nestled in the foothills of the majestic Virunga Volcanoes, you’ll enjoy the most picturesque views of the three mighty extinct volcanoes from the setting of a gorgeous landscape of gardens. During your stay at Mount Gahinga Lodge, you’ll be treated to the interesting history of the Batwa Pygmy People at the lodge’s heritage site. The Batwa Cultural Experience comprises a demonstration-based herbal garden, a small collection of traditional huts and a short trail that demonstrates the lifestyle of the Batwa.
But the real draw card of your stay is the opportunity to venture into Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in search of rare mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. Gorilla trekking is a fascinating and life-changing wildlife adventure. Spending time with these gentle giants and watching them interact within their natural environment is an unforgettable experience. Golden Monkeys are a little harder to track down, but there is no better feeling of accomplishment than when you finally spot these energetic endangered creatures as they leap from tree to tree.
Accommodation: Mount Gahinga Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 10-13: Mountain Gorillas, Diane Fossey’s Grave & Ellen DeGeneres | 3 Nights
Bid farewell to the “Pearl of Africa” as you cross the border into the “Land of a Thousand Hills”: Rwanda. Here, you will stay at comfortable safari lodge near Volcanoes National Park for the next three nights.
There are only a handful of places in the world where you can encounter wild gorillas face-to-face. Uganda and Rwanda are the two premier destinations to do so. And since you got to experience trekking with gorillas in Uganda, it is only right that you get to tick it off in Rwanda too.
Gorilla trekking adventuress in Volcanoes National Park is one of the best wildlife adventure activities on the African continent. History enthusiasts, animal lovers and conservationists alike will love hiking through the park to visit the Diane Fossey Grave, as well as her former Karisoke Research Center. Not only will you gain a deeper understanding of the incredible life of Diane Fossey and her unwavering passion for gorillas, but you will also be rewarded with wonderful views of Volcanoes National Park.
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Singita Kwitonda Lodge/ Bisate Lodge/Virunga Lodge
Midrange: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge/Gorilla Solution Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 13: Hotel Rwanda and the Genocide Memorial & Museum in Kigali | 1 Night
After breakfast at the lodge, you will leave for the final destination on this epic 14 Days Uganda to Rwanda Safari: Kigali city. You will arrive in this beautiful and clean city in time for lunch at Hôtel des Milles Collines – film connoisseurs and history buffs will recognised it as the historic hotel in Hotel Rwanda movie. It was in this very hotel that 1,268 Rwandans were saved from the horrific 1994 genocide taking place throughout the country.
Keeping with the theme of the day, your trip will proceed with a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial Museum to learn more about this tragic event in Rwanda’s history, as well as pay respect to those who lost their lives. Your day will end with an overnight stay at a comfortable Hotel in Kigali city.
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: The Retreat/Kigali Serena Hotel/Heaven Boutique Hotel
Midrange: Dove Hotel/Hotel Chez Lando
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 14: Say Goodbye to Rwanda!
Your 14 days Uganda & Rwanda Safari ends here in Kigali city. Enjoy your final breakfast in Africa before being transferred to Kigali International Airport (KGL) to catch your departure flight home.
Day 1: Welcome To The Pearl Of Africa!
Your fantastic 12-day Uganda Rwanda Primates & Wildlife Tour starts as soon as you touch down at the Entebbe International Airport.
You’ll be met by our company representative who will help load the bags into our comfortable vehicle before you set off for your booked hotel situated nearby.
Depending on your time of arrival, there might be a chance for an optional excursion to one or more of the nearby attractions. These include the extensive National Botanical Gardens, the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre, and the Uganda Reptiles Village.
The National Botanical Gardens is a lakeside paradise of blooms, lush vegetation, gnarled old trees native to Uganda, birds, and troops of stunning colobus monkeys.
Accommodation options to choose from:
Luxury: Hotel No. 5/ Lake Victoria Serena/ Protea Hotel
Midrange: The Boma Hotel / 2 Friends Beach Hotel /Karibu Guesthouse
Budget: Airport Guesthouse
Meal Plan: Dinner
Day 2: Transfer To Kibale Forest
After breakfast at the hotel, your private transfer vehicle will take you on a scenic drive of about 5 hours to your next destination. Travel through the central part of Uganda, passing the rural towns of Mityana, Mubende, and Kwenjojo on the way.
You’ll arrive at the town of Fort Portal, situated at the base of the legendary Mountains of the Moon. After lunch, you continue along the rolling hillside past beautiful Crater Lakes and tea plantations to your lodge/camp near Kibale Forest in the afternoon.
In the afternoon you set off on a scenic walk in the crater lakes area of the park. Walking in this tranquil area provides beautiful views of the forests, plantations, and mountains, and maybe even sightings of monkeys and other creatures.
You walk to a local village where you are treated to a unique cultural experience in the evening. Dinner is served back at our accommodation, followed by leisure time to soak up the peace and quiet.
Accommodation options to choose from:
Luxury: Crater Safari Lodge/Ndali Lodge/Primate Lodge/Kyaninga Lodge
Midrange: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge Cottage/Kibale Forest Camp Self-Contained Tents
Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge Main house/Kibale Forest Camp non-elf-Contained Tents
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 3: Chimp Trekking & Bigodi Swamp Walk
After an early breakfast, you’ll be transferred to the Kibale National Park visitor center for a briefing about your chimpanzee trekking.
The trek departs from Kanyanchu at 8.00 am, and while it’s not guaranteed you’ll see the chimps, there’s a 95% success rate of seeing them is far higher than any other location which offers chimpanzee trekking in Uganda or Rwanda.
On your forest hike, you’ll have good chances of seeing red-tailed monkeys, red colobus monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, olive baboons, Vervet monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, and a variety of rare forest birds on the way.
If you’re lucky to find yourself in the company of the chimps, you’ll spend an hour with these majestic primates as you marvel at how similar they are to humans.
After your amazing Chimp trek, you’ll return to the starting point where you’ll enjoy your packed picnic lunch. After lunch, you will go for a community-based guided tour of the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. During this walk, you’ll learn more about this community-run initiative that aims to conserve the unique biodiversity and environmental values of the wetlands.
Accommodation options to choose from:
Luxury: Crater Safari Lodge/Ndali Lodge/Primate Lodge/Kyaninga Lodge
Midrange: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge Cottage/Kibale Forest Camp Self-Contained Tents
Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge Main house/Kibale Forest Camp non-elf-Contained Tents
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 4: Cross The Equator Into Queen Elizabeth National Park
It’s only a 3-hour drive from Kibale to Queen Elizabeth National Park, so have a lie-in and a leisurely breakfast, and then get on the road again. Pass through rich farmland, traveling on the slopes of the Ruwenzori Mountains – Africa’s tallest mountain range.
Cross the equator before reaching the renowned Queen Elizabeth National Park. “Queen”, as the locals and those in the know call the park is Uganda’s premier wildlife destination, with 95 mammal species and over 600 bird species calling the region home.
When you arrive check in to your hotel, have lunch, and relax for a bit before heading into the park for an afternoon game drive.
Soak up the stunning landscapes, and there’s an excellent chance you’ll see amazing wildlife including masses of elephants, buffalos, antelopes, and possibly if you’re lucky, a leopard.
Accommodation options to choose from:
Luxury: Elephant Plains Camp/Kyambura Gorge Lodge/ Mweya Safari Lodge
Midrange: Park View Safari Lodge/Bush Lodge/ Enganzi Game Lodge
Budget: Pumba Safari Cottages/Bush Lodge non-self-contained tents
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 5: Game Drive & Boat Cruise
A morning game drive through the park’s Kasenyi Plains is most rewarding, with elephants, buffalo, leopards, Uganda kobs, spotted hyenas, and lions being regular sightings. Thrilling game drives aren’t the only way you get to explore this famous Uganda national park.
The Kazinga Channel is the lifeblood of Queen Elizabeth National Park and attracts a varied range of wildlife to its water, including one of the world\s densest concentrations of hippos year-round. An afternoon Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise is included in your safari itinerary, providing a great game-viewing alternative.
Accommodation options to choose from:
Luxury: Elephant Plains Camp/Kyambura Gorge Lodge/ Mweya Safari Lodge
Midrange: Park View Safari Lodge/Bush Lodge/ Enganzi Game Lodge
Budget: Pumba Safari Cottages/Bush Lodge non-self-contained tents
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 6: Crater Drive & Coffee Tour Experience
After breakfast at 7.00 am, embark on a scenic crater drive. Drive around the rims of extinct volcanic explosion craters that are filled, with lakes, forests, and grassland. Explore the Katwe Salt Lake where a local community has been extracting salt for over 600 years.
Lake Katwe salt extraction project is one of the living examples of man and biosphere reserves or conservation areas in the whole world where man harmoniously co-exists with wildlife. Learn about the traditional salt mining process before heading back to the lodge for lunch and some relaxation.
In the afternoon, go for another cultural experience at Kyambura. Visit the Omwani Women’s Coffee Cooperative – a community-based initiative that offers vocational training and an alternative, but sustainable, source of income to local women and their families.
A highlight of this cultural experience is sure to be sampling the best cup of coffee in Uganda, the beans of which are grown, harvested, and processed by these amazing women.
Accommodation options to choose from:
Luxury: Elephant Plains Camp/Kyambura Gorge Lodge/ Mweya Safari Lodge
Midrange: Park View Safari Lodge/Bush Lodge/ Enganzi Game Lodge
Budget: Pumba Safari Cottages/Bush Lodge non-self-contained tents
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 7: Track Tree-Climbing Lions & Transfer To Bwindi
Day seven of the 12-day Uganda Rwanda Primates & Wildlife Tour takes you south through one of the most stunning parts of Uganda on the way to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Leave your lodge and travel via the Ishasha section of Queen Elizabeth National Park. You have a short game drive of about 1-2 hours in search of the tree-climbing lions Ishasha is famous for, keeping an eye out for huge herds of buffalos, a variety of birds, and other wildlife as you go.
Then, drive up into the highlands, a fertile region of tea plantations and rainforest-covered mountains and gorges.
It is here in the ancient Montane rainforest that half of the world’s population of endangered mountain gorillas survive today. These incredibly lush highland rainforests are home to an amazing array of primates, insects, small creatures, and exotic birds.
Accommodation options to choose from:
Luxury: Gorilla Forest Camp/Buhoma Lodge/Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge
Midrange: Haven Lodge Buhoma/Gorilla Mist Camp/Agandi Eco-Lodge
Budget: Trekkers Tarven Cottages/Buhoma Community Rest Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 8: Gorilla Trekking
After breakfast, you’ll take a short drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park’s office headquarters, where you’ll meet the excellent local guides and trackers leading you into the forest on your gorilla trekking encounter. Beforehand, you’ll be given an informative talk on trekking etiquette, and you’ll be assigned a mountain gorilla family.
The terrain in Bwindi can be wet, muddy, steep, and slippery, but your experienced leader will ensure that the group progresses at a pace that is comfortable for everyone.
There will also be frequent stops to take in the views, hydrate, rest, take plenty of photographs, and generally just enjoy yourself. All fatigue will be forgotten once the gorillas are found, and you watch in awe while these gentle giants go about their daily routine.
After 60 minutes fly by, you will step away from their realm, have a picnic lunch, and trek back to the park offices where you will be rewarded with a gorilla trekking certificate. After that, you will return to the lodge for a shower, a change of clothes, and a well-deserved relaxing afternoon. In the late afternoon, you may opt to visit the nearby community of Batwa people, the original dwellers of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Accommodation options to choose from:
Luxury: Gorilla Forest Camp/Buhoma Lodge/Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge
Midrange: Haven Lodge Buhoma/Gorilla Mist Camp/Agandi Eco-Lodge
Budget: Trekkers Tarven Cottages/Buhoma Community Rest Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 9: Drive to Volcanoes National Park
Wake up to the beautiful views of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest where you came face-to-face with the endangered mountain gorillas the day before.
You’ll have breakfast in this lush and peaceful setting, before crossing from Uganda into Rwanda. Your picturesque drive will take you through the undulating hills of Rwanda, known as ‘The Land of a Thousand Hills’.
En route, you will stop to admire the serene twin crater lakes Burera and Ruhondo. After this, it will be time to head to the town of Ruhengeri, now called Musanze, and your lodge for the next two nights.
In the evening, you will visit Iby’iwacu village, where the villagers have convinced a group of ex-poachers to turn their back on their former lifestyle and create a traditional dance group that performs for visitors on a cultural village tour.
Accommodation options to choose from:
Luxury: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Bisate Lodge
Midrange: Da Vinci Lodge
Budget: Muhabura Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 10: Gorilla or Golden Monkey Trekking
There are only 3 places in the world where you can encounter rare mountain gorillas face-to-face. Uganda and Rwanda are the best destinations to do so.
And since you got to experience trekking gorillas in Uganda, it’s only right that you get to tick it off in Rwanda too. Gorilla trekking expeditions in Volcanoes are one of the best wilderness adventure activities on the African continent.
You may also choose to do golden monkey tracking instead of gorilla trekking. Golden Monkeys are a little harder to track down, but there’s no better feeling of accomplishment than when you finally spot these sprightly endangered creatures as they leap from tree to tree.
Accommodation options to choose from:
Luxury: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Bisate Lodge
Midrange: Da Vinci Lodge
Budget: Muhabura Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 11: Diane Fossey Hike & Transfer To Kigali
History fans, animal lovers, and conservationists alike will love hiking through Volcanoes National Park to visit the Diane Fossey Grave, as well as her former Karisoke Research Center.
Not only you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the incredible life of Diane Fossey and her unwavering passion for gorillas, but you’ll also be rewarded with wonderful views of Volcanoes.
On your return, you’ll stop at the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Diane Fossey Gorilla Fund before departing for the final destination on this epic 12-day Uganda Rwanda Primates & Wildlife Tour; Kigali. You’ll arrive in this beautiful city in time for lunch and relaxation.
Accommodation options to choose from:
Luxury: Serena Hotel Kigali/Radisson Blu/Milles Collines Hotel
Midrange: Hotel Chezlando
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 12: Kigali City Tour & Departure
After a leisurely breakfast, you will check out from the lodge to start your morning Kigali city tour. You’ll visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial to learn more about this tragic event in Rwanda’s history, as well as pay respect to those who lost their lives.
Keeping with the theme of the day, your trip will continue to Milles Collines Hotel – film connoisseurs and history buffs will recognize it as the historic hotel in Hotel Rwanda.
It was in this very hotel that 1,268 Rwandans were saved from the genocide taking place throughout the country. After lunch here, you will be transferred to Kigali Airport to catch your departure flight home. Safe Travels!
Day 1: Kigali
Welcome to Kigali, capital city of Rwanda and the starting point for your adventure. You will be picked from the Kigali International Airport and transferred to your overnight hotel.
Your accommodation for the next two nights is no ordinary hotel – the Hotel des Mille Collines is famous for sheltering and consequently saving more than 1000 people during the Rwandan genocide of 1994. If you arrive to Kigali early, perhaps take to the streets to explore this flourishing city in the midst of a great revival.
Head to Nyamirambo, the Muslim quarter, to try some giant grilled tilapia, or stop by a local cafe and discover why Rwandan coffee is considered some of the world’s best. This evening, join your leader and small group for dinner at a lively East African restaurant popular with the locals. Enjoy live music, cocktails, incredible views and an authentic shared dining experience full of regional flavour.
Other Accommodation Options
Luxury: The Retreat/Kigali Serena Hotel/Heaven Boutique Hotel
Midrange: Hotel Chez Lando
Meal Plan: Dinner
Day 2: Kigali
This morning, head out of the city for a sobering visit to the Ntarama Church. Your leader will explain how this memorial marks the spot where 5000 people were tragically slaughtered during the horrific Genocide. Reminders of lives lost remain in the church, including clothes and even bones. Continue to the Nyamata Genocide Memorial Centre, a former church where an incomprehensible 50,000 people were murdered.
Your leader will discuss how the Tutsis sought refuge in churches, only for them to turn into death traps. Then, visit the Genocide Museum, a powerful yet confronting experience and important in understanding the tragedy and the resilience of the Rwandan people. This afternoon, re-energize with some local Rwandan treats before taking a tour of the thriving city and its vibrant market with your leader. The evening is free for you to enjoy.
Accommodation Options
- Hotel des Mille Collines
- The Retreat
- Kigali Serena Hotel
- Heaven Boutique Hotel
- Hotel Chez Lando
Day 3: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
After breakfast, leave Kigali and head across the border to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in Uganda (approximately 4 hours).
Arrive at the Gorilla Heights Lodge, your feature stay accommodation for the next three nights. Sitting high on the Nteko Ridge, the lodge offers up magnificent views of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, home to half of the world’s mountain gorilla population. Gaze out across the jagged Virunga Volcanoes that straddle Uganda’s borders with DR Congo and Rwanda.
The lodge is solar-powered and works closely with the local people. Here, you will experience genuinely warm Ugandan hospitality. There is no better spot for soaking in your wild surroundings and searching for mountain gorillas. This evening will be a truly special experience as you are joined by a field veterinarian from the Gorilla Doctors for a fireside chat.
This organization is dedicated to saving the mountain and eastern lowland gorilla species using veterinary medicine and science. They offer medical interventions to protect these endangered Great Apes from human-induced or life-threatening trauma or disease. You will learn more about their fascinating work during this unique and exclusive experience.
Day 4: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Wake up early and take a short walk to the park headquarters where you will be briefed on today’s gorilla trek by the Uganda Wildlife Authority guides.
The trek can be difficult, wet and uncomfortable at times but the incredible biodiversity of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and the chance to see rare mountain gorillas makes it so worthwhile. We recommend investing in the help of local porters who can carry your pack and provide expert, local one-on-one assistance along the trek. Not only does it make for a more comfortable trek, it also provides valuable employment opportunities to locals.
Gorilla trekking is highly controlled, with few gorilla trekking permits available each day. Once you encounter a family of gorillas you will be able to stay with them for one hour – watch them groom each other and play, all under the watchful eye of a giant silverback male.
Coming face to face with a family of mountain gorillas is sure to be a life-changing experience that will be etched on your mind forever. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the lush wilderness of the rainforest. At the end of the day the comforts of the hotel beckon, along with a chance to reflect on a memorable day. Freshen up with a hot shower and enjoy a hearty dinner by the crackling fireplace.
Other Accommodation Options
Luxury: Buhoma Lodge/Gorilla Forest Camp
Midrange: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge/Haven Lodge Buhoma
Budget: Gorilla Conservation Camp/Buhoma Community Lodge
Day 5: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast on the terrace overlooking the forest. The day is free for you to do as little or as much as you please – your leader will be able to help tailor a day that best suits your interests. For those seeking another encounter with the majestic mountain gorillas, there is the option for a second day of trekking.
You may wish to simply relax at the lodge, take in the views from the outdoor pool, or enjoy a luxurious treatment at the spa. This evening, join your group and leader for dinner at the terraced restaurant overlooking the mountains.
Day 6: Kigali
After breakfast, you will depart the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and begin the drive to cross back over the border into Kigali city (approximately 4 hours). After arriving at the capital, your adventure will come to an end.
Day 1: Kigali
Welcome to Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda since it gained independence in 1962. Most associate Rwanda with the tragic 1994 genocide, but this is a country that has been striving to rebuild its economy for years and offers so much to the adventurous traveller. And though the past won’t, and shouldn’t, be forgotten, the future of tourism in Rwanda is looking bright because it’s welcoming people, an abundance of lakes, mountain gorillas, and the beautiful Virunga Volcanoes.
Accommodation Options
Luxury: The Retreat/Kigali Serena Hotel/Heaven Boutique Hotel
Midrange: Hotel Chez Lando
Meal Plan: Dinner
Day 2: Musanze
After a good breakfast this morning, your tour guide will take you to the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre, which was opened in 2004 to mark the 10th commemoration of the horrific genocide against the Tutsi tribe. The centre serves as a museum detailing the history and consequences of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda and a place for people to grieve for lost family and friends.
In afternoon, you will embark on a 3 hour drive to Musanze Town– the gateway to the legendary Volcanoes National Park, the home of mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. On arrival, you will visit The Gorilla Doctors Offices; the only organisation in the world dedicated to saving the endangered Mountain Gorilla and Eastern Lowland Gorilla species one gorilla patient at a time using veterinary medicine and science. The Gorilla Doctors monitor the health of gorilla families to ensure the early detection of injury and disease, and stage medical interventions when gorillas suffer from human-induced or life-threatening disease or trauma.
Accommodation Options
Luxury: Singita Kwitonda Lodge/Bisate Lodge/ Sabyinyo Lodge
Midrange: Tiloreza Volcanoes Ecolodge/Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Musanze
After a relaxed breakfast, you will take a tour to The Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. This research centre also leads the world in protecting and studying gorillas while helping communities build their conservation capabilities. Learn about the life of Dian Fossey and the conservation of endangered the highly mountain gorillas of Rwanda.
There are a variety of optional activities to do in Musanze, including tracking Golden Monkeys in the Virunga Mountains, hiking Mount Bisoke, trekking to Dian Fossey Grave site, trekking Mountain Gorillas, Cave exploration, canoeing on the Mukungwa River or visiting the Gorilla Guardian Village (Iby’iwacu Cultural Village). You can even visit Redrocks Rwanda, where you will learn about how local banana beer is made and be treated to some dancing, drumming and basket-weaving demonstrations.
Accommodation Options
Luxury: Singita Kwitonda Lodge/Bisate Lodge/ Sabyinyo Lodge
Midrange: Tiloreza Volcanoes Ecolodge/Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
After early breakfast today, you will depart Rwanda and cross the border into Uganda, making your way to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. This will be a drive of about four hours. When you arrive at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, you will be based in a lodge/camp which provides access to 24 different gorilla families in the forest.
Accommodation Options
Luxury: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp/Buhoma Lodge/Gorilla Heights Lodge
Midrange: Haven Lodge Buhoma/Gorilla Mist Camp
Budget: Gorilla Conservation Camp/Buhoma Community Rest Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Gorilla Trek in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Join a local guide and trackers as you hike through the rugged, mountainous terrain of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in search of mountain gorillas. A quick lock of eyes with these Great Apes is a truly primal moment and visits are strictly controlled to minimize disturbance.
Make no mistake, gorilla trekking is no walk in the park – it is called Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for a good reason. It can be wet, muddy, difficulty and uncomfortable, but the indescribable excitement at coming across a family of mountain gorillas is worth the effort. Spend a mesmerizing hour with the gorillas as they groom, eat, play, and sleep, as the male silverback watches over them, then return to the lodge for dinner and to reflect on this incredible experience.
Accommodation Options
Luxury: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp/Buhoma Lodge/Gorilla Heights Lodge
Midrange: Haven Lodge Buhoma/Gorilla Mist Camp
Budget: Gorilla Conservation Camp/Buhoma Community Rest Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Queen Elizabeth National Park
It is with very intense memories that you leave Bwindi Impenetrable Forest behind you. Not only will the experience with the protégés of Dian Fossey (‘Gorillas in the mist’) be remembered for life, but also the beauty, strength and unique appearance of Central African nature.
Today’s drive is truly beautiful and typifies the diversity of Uganda. You drive past rainforests, crater lakes and coffee plantations until you arrive at the savannah of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The southern part (Ishasha) is known for its tree-climbing lions and of course you will make a short safari in this area before driving to the northern part of the park. Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to over 600 bird species, 10 species of primates – including chimpanzees, and 95 different species of mammals. The drive to your accommodation in the northern sector may feel like an unofficial safari game drive. Keep a look out for African buffalos, African bush elephants, hippos, Common warthogs, Nile crocodiles, Leopards, Spotted hyenas, Giant Forest Hogs, Lions and Monkeys.
Optional Activity:
If time allows, you will have a chance to meet some locals near Ishasha to learn more about African rural life in Uganda. You will visit a local organic farm, medicine garden and homestead and learn how its owner is tackling human-wildlife conflict with his anti-crop raiding techniques. You can also meet a local Mukiga woman who will share her story while showing you how to sort, pound and grind millet to make porridge and other Bakiga meals.
Accommodation Options
Luxury: Elephant Plains Camp/Mweya Safari Lodge
Midrange: Park View Lodge/Enganzi Lodge/Bush Lodge
Budget: Pumba Safari Cottages/Bush Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Wake up for another thrilling day in Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park with another 4×4 Game Safari Drive. Be on the lookout for any sightings you may have missed yesterday, and if you are really lucky, you might be able to spot Giant Forest Hogs, Leopards or Lions.
In afternoon, you will have the chance to see the park from a different perspective with a boat cruise down the Kazinga Channel, linking Lake Edward to Lake George. This channel of water is home to some of the world’s densest concentration of hippos and countless waterbirds.
You will be joined by a local guide who will fill you in on everything you could want to know about the landscape and the animals who live within it.
Accommodation Options
Luxury: Elephant Plains Camp/Mweya Safari Lodge
Midrange: Park View Lodge/Enganzi Lodge/Bush Lodge
Budget: Pumba Safari Cottages/Bush Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8: Safari in Queen and transfer To Kibale Forest
In the morning, after breakfast, you will take another safari and then set sail for the Kibale Forest National Park. You drive a beautiful route past banana plantations, villages and a constant view of the Rwenzori Mountains. Kibale Forest is one of the most primate-rich rainforests in Africa. There is 13 different species of primates that live in the primeval forest, including over 1500 chimpanzees – our closes genetic ancestors. The protected nature reserve is located at an average altitude of 1300 meters and is surrounded by tea plantations in the north and papyrus swamps in the south. In addition to the primate species, there are also many special bird species in the forest and swamp of Bigodi.
Accommodation Options
Luxury: Kyaninga Lodge/Crater Safari Lodge/Primate Lodge
Midrange/Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge/Kibale Forest Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 9: Chimpanzee Trekking and Bigodi Swamp Walk
It’s chimpanzee tracking day! Be at the park visitor centre for 8 am for your briefing, and then head out into the Kibale Forest with your ranger guide for this incredible chance to see chimpanzees in the wild. If you are lucky, they will come down to the forest floor, and you will be able to get within just a few metres of them. Read about the experience in full in What Happens on a Chimpanzee Trekking Safari in Uganda.
If you just do the morning, then in the afternoon you can relax at your hotel, take a walk around the area, or if you are still hungry for more wildlife, head into the community-run Bigodi Swamp Sanctuary for a nature hike and a chance to see more African birds and monkeys.
Accommodation Options
Luxury: Kyaninga Lodge/Crater Safari Lodge/Primate Lodge
Midrange/Budget: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge/Kibale Forest Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 10: Last Day in Uganda
Enjoy one last breakfast at Kibale Forest before making the journey to Entebbe. This will be a drive of about 5 hours. In Entebbe you can eat a pizza (at Lake Victoria) before you are dropped off at the airport for the return flight. If you would like to spend more time here, just speak to us.
Accommodation: Not Included
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Day 1: Arrival In Kigali
On arrival at Kigali International Airport in Rwanda you will be met by our company representative and whisked off to visit some of Kigali’s main attractions. Depending on your arrival time we could incorporate the following into your visit:
- The Caplaki Handicrafts market – the perfect place to browse for Rwandan souvenirs
- The Kimironko City Market for colourful and tasty food or
- The Gisozi Genocide Memorial & Education Centre – a vivid testimony to the people of Rwanda.
A light lunch at a cozy Kigali restaurant will round off your Kigali adventure before you’re transferred to Ruhengeri – the home of gorilla trekking. The three-hour drive is a scenic one that passes through the beautiful, terraced hillside that has become characteristic of Rwanda’s landscape. Eventually, you’ll reach the base of the Virunga Volcanoes, where your safari accommodation will be.
Here you will have the chance to freshen up, explore your surroundings and later indulge in a delicious dinner at the lodge’s restaurant.
Accommodation:
Luxury: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Bisate Lodge/Virunga Lodge
Midrange: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge/La Palme Hotel
Budget: Muhabura Hotel
Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking
Enjoy an early breakfast and be driven to the Volcanoes National Park offices to meet with your gorilla trekking guides. They will brief you on the rules and regulations of gorilla trekking and assign you to your gorilla family.
Your gorilla trekking adventure starts in the general direction of the last sighting of your assigned gorilla family group. The trek usually takes between 1 and 6 hours.
And you could hike to altitudes above 2,300 metres (7,500 feet). The landscape in Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda can be muddy and slippery at times. But your expert guides and porters will ensure that the group progresses at a pace that is comfortable for everyone. You will have frequent stops and opportunities to take in the views and take photographs.
Temperatures usually vary from 15oC to 29oC and are rarely below 14oC or above 31oC. Although the gorilla trekking adventure can be physically demanding, the beauty of the forest and surrounding scenery always makes trekking a worthwhile experience.
Once the gorillas are found, all fatigue is forgotten – and replaced by the joy and amazement of watching the gorillas go about their daily routine. The gorilla group is likely to be chilled out, eating wild celery, indulging in grooming, or participating in some other primal social activity.
After the quickest one hour of your life, you will return from your gorilla trek to the lodge for a shower, a change of clothes, lunch and an afternoon of leisure.
Optional Activity:
In the evening, you may choose to visit the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village, a replica village of what traditional life was like back in the day for many Rwandans. You will have an opportunity to mingle with the local community and spectate or participate in many activities such as hunting skills, traditional dance and music.
Accommodation:
Luxury: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Bisate Lodge/Virunga Lodge
Midrange: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge/La Palme Hotel
Budget: Muhabura Hotel
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Departure Day
On the final day of the 3 Days Gorilla Tour in Rwanda, you will have the option to trek through the rainforests to observe the endangered Golden Monkey. This adventure is much tamer and more easy-going than a gorilla trek and will provide you with the unique opportunity to come face-to-face with these mischievous primates.
After, you will return from your golden monkey trek to the lodge for a shower and a change of clothes before taking a slow drive back to Kigali. On arrival, you will be transferred to Kigali International Airport for your departing flight back home or connection to your next destination. Safe Travels!
End of the Tour
Inclusions
- Transportation in 4×4 safari vehicle
- English-speaking driver/guides
- Accommodation and meals as stated in the programme
- One-person rate includes the single-room supplement
- Rwanda gorilla permit
- All park guide fees, park fees, and government taxes
- Mineral water while on safari
Exclusions
- International flights and departure taxes
- Excess weight fees
- Visas
- Travel and medical insurance
- Iby’iwacu Cultural Village visit
- Rwanda golden monkeys permit
- Other activities not mentioned in the program
- Driver/guide or local escort gratuities
- All drinks (beers, sodas and water from the hotels)
- Telephone bill
- Items of a personal nature
- Laundry
- Porters
- Gratuities
Day 1: Welcome To Kigali, Rwanda
On arrival at Kigali International Airport (KGL) you are met by our company representatives. You must arrive in Kigali city before 1pm. If your flight does not arrive before 1pm, you need to arrive one day earlier and book one night’s pre-tour accommodation as well as an arrival transfer. Please ensure you have read the visa information for Rwanda on your pre-departure information before you depart as you’re required to apply for your visa before arrival.
On arrival take a heart-wrenching visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial & Museum – the final resting place of more than 250,000 victims of the mass atrocity that took place in Rwanda in 1994. The Museum was opened in 2004 to mark the 10th anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide.
While the genocide occurred as a result of a complex series of factors, it can only be seen as an absolute tragedy to Rwanda and its people. Time spent at the museum is sure to be emotionally moving, but it is an important way to understand the sheer courage and resilience of the people of this beautiful, tiny nation.
Afterwards embark on a 3 hour drive through the verdant rolling hills of Rwanda as you head towards the gorillas. Your accommodation is located in the town of Musanze (formerly Ruhengeri).
The small Rwandan town of Ruhengeri is the gateway to Volcanoes National Park, one of the last remaining sanctuaries for endangered mountain gorillas.
Accommodation Options
Luxury: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Bisate Lodge/Virunga Lodge
Midrange: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge/La Palme Hotel
Budget: Muhabura Hotel
Meals
Included activities
- Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
- Kigali – Genocide Memorial Tour
Day 2: Gorilla Trek In Volcanoes
Today, have an early breakfast and start transfer to the park offices where you are briefed on your gorilla trek by the guides of Volcanoes National Park.
This 160-km2 national park protects Rwandan portion of the Virunga Mountains. It includes a range of 6 extinct and 2 active volcanoes that straddle the border with Uganda and DR Congo.
Bamboo forest is scattered with alpine moorland, grassland and marshland. In this national park, there are 12 habituated gorilla families.
Volcanoes National Park is one of the last remaining sanctuaries for the mountain gorilla.
No more than 8 per day can visit any one habituated family and visits are strictly controlled to reduce the likelihood of disturbance or transmission of disease to the gorillas,
Gorilla trekking in the dense forest can sometimes be wet, muddy and uncomfortable. The landscape is by no means easy either, so it can be a bit difficult and often humid, but the sheer adventure in encountering a habituated family of gorillas, dominated by a great silverback male, more than outweighs any difficulty.
You need to be well prepared and relative fit to hike up to 4 hours – up and down hill, as it may take anything between 1 and 4 hours to reach your designated gorilla family.
The trackers have already set out and located the mountain gorilla family by the time you start your gorilla trek, so your actual time of trekking can usually be predicted when you set off. You can get very close to the mountain gorillas, which are calm and gentle, and watching their movements is like seeing a mirror image of yourself.
Your visit with the gorillas will last one memorable hour.
As lunch can only be taken upon return to your lodge, it is suggested that you bring some energy giving snacks to keep you going throughout the morning. At the end of the day the comforts of the lodge beckon, along with a chance to reflect on what is sure to be a truly memorable day.
Accommodation Options
Luxury: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Bisate Lodge/Virunga Lodge
Midrange: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge/La Palme Hotel
Budget: Muhabura Hotel
Meals
Included activities
- Volcanoes National Park – Mountain gorilla trek
Add on activities
- Ruhengeri – Village walk
- Iby’iwacu Cultural Village tour
Day 3: A Variety Of Optional Activities
Today is a day of numerous trekking options. You may choose to do another gorilla tree or see the rare golden monkeys.
For those who loved the book and/or movie ‘Gorilla’s in the Mist’, the Dian Fossey tomb hike is a good choice. Over the course of the morning you follow in the footsteps of Dian Fossey on your way to her grave, as well as the graves belonging to many poached mountain gorillas including famous Digit. You will be guided around the area where Old Karisoke Research Station was set up by a national park guide. While very little of the station remains, the setting is incredible and one can imagine the incredible life that Dian Fossey led in these isolated mountains.
For a more leisurely but equally unique adventure, tracking golden monkeys is highly recommended. In June 2003 the national parks department first allowed permits to walk the trails in search of these rare and beautiful primates. This hike takes you to the edge of the forest and watching these unique monkeys play and interact is a fascinating experience.
Accommodation Options
Luxury: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Bisate Lodge/Virunga Lodge
Midrange: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge/La Palme Hotel
Budget: Muhabura Hotel
Meals
Add on activities
- Volcanoes National Park – Dian Fossey’s Memorial
- Volcanoes National Park – Golden Monkeys Trek
- Volcanoes National Park – Full Day Mt. Bisoke Hike
- Volcanoes National Park – Nature walk Rwanda
- Ruhengeri – Village walk
- Volcanoes National Park – Additional gorilla trek and permit
- Iby’iwacu Cultural Village tour
- Musanze cave exploration
- Canoeing on Twin Lakes
Day 4: Drive Back To Kigali
Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda is a great place to explore on foot – from its market places to the notorious Hotel Rwanda. This morning you will transfer back to Kigali for a city tour before then being transferred to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight.
Meals
Included activities
End of the Gorilla Safari
Inclusions
- Meals: 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners
- Transport: Car
- Accommodation: Hotel (1 night), Lodge/Camp (2 nights)
- Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
- Kigali – Genocide Memorial Audio Guide
- Volcanoes National Park – Mountain gorilla trek & permit
- Kigali – City Tour
Exclusions
- Add on/optional activities
- Your Rwanda Visa
- Tips
- Laundry services
- Other Beverages/ drinks
- International flights
- Extra meals not mentioned in the program
- Inoculations and personal insurance
- Items of personal nature such as telephone, postage, laundry, etc.
Day 1-3: Your Journey Begins In Kigali | 2 Nights
Land in beautiful Kigali city after your international flight and you will be met by our company representative who will offer a comfortable transfer to the first stop on your safari itinerary -Serena Hotel.
After check-in, you will enjoy a delightful dinner before settling in for a good night’s sleep to prepare for the adventure ahead. The luxurious and stylish Serena Hotel reflects both modern and historic Rwanda.
Modern amenities, comforts, and conveniences are perfectly complemented by traditional Rwandese art and culture. Being a famous attraction in Kigali city, Serena hotel is the ideal stop-over before the next leg of your journey – gorilla trekking adventure.
Other accommodation Options
Luxury: Radisson Blu Hotel/Hotel Milles Collines
Midrange: Hotel Chezlando
Meals
Day 2: Kigali City Tour & Relaxation
On day two of your 6 Days Rwanda Gorilla, Community & Conservation Safari, you will have a chance to explore the streets of Kigali city. You will visit attractions in Kigali city like the Nyandungu Eco Park and the Nyambirambo Women Cooperative.
After the city tour, you will drive back to the Serena Hotel for some rest and relaxation. You can lounge by poolside, enjoy a drink from a Cafe and bar, or treat yourself to massage or treatment at the health spa.
Other accommodation Options
Luxury: Radisson Blu Hotel/Hotel Milles Collines
Midrange: Hotel Chezlando
Meals
Day 3: Visit Kigali Genocide Memorial & Travel To Volcanoes
On day three of your 6 Days Rwanda Gorilla, Community & Conservation Safari, you will have one last breakfast at Serena Hotel before setting off on the Kigali City Tour. You will visit the heart-wrenching visit Kigali Genocide Memorial & Museum. The memorial the final resting place of over 250,000 victims of the mass atrocity that took place in Rwanda in 1994.
A laid-back lunch rounds off your Kigali adventure and embark on a drive to Ruhengeri (Musanze Town) near Volcanoes National Park – the home of gorilla trekking.
The 3-hour drive is a scenic one taking you through the beautiful, terraced hillside that has become characteristic of Rwanda’s landscape. Eventually, you will arrive at the base of the Virunga Volcanoes, where Virunga Lodge will be your home away from home for the remainder of your Rwanda safari holiday.
When staying at Virunga Lodge, you will be treated to luxury, comfort, and incredible views of the peaks of the Virunga Volcanoes and surrounding volcanic lakes. The lodge is ideally located at the foot of the Virunga Volcanoes, making it the perfect base from which to easily access trails and paths for gorilla trekking.
Other accommodation Options
Luxury: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Bisate Lodge
Midrange: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge/La Palme Hotel
Budget: Muhabura Hotel
Meals
Day 4: Gorilla Trekking In Volcanoes
Day four of your 6 Days Rwanda Gorilla, Community & Conservation Safari will no doubt be the highlight of your trip. You will embark into the wild montane rainforests of Africa in search of the rare giant Mountain gorillas that reside deep in the dense wilderness.
Many consider gorilla trekking as a life-changing activity. Spending up to an hour observing these gentle giants in their natural environment is an experience that words fail to do justice.
To participate in gorilla trekking you will need to be fairly fit, in good health, and able to withstand the humid, muddy conditions of a rainforest hike.
Your journey will consist of a professional guide and tracker leading you down the forest’s secret paths in search of a habituated gorilla family. After, you’ll be taken back to the lodge, where you can indulge in good food and luxurious yet comfortable accommodation.
Other accommodation Options
Luxury: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Bisate Lodge
Midrange: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge/La Palme Hotel
Budget: Muhabura Hotel
Meals
Add on activities
- Ruhengeri -Village walk
- Iby’iwacu Cultural Village tour
Day 5: Golden Monkey Tracking In Volcanoes
On day five, you’ll have another trek through the rainforests to observe the endangered Golden Monkey. This adventure is much tamer and more easy-going than a gorilla trek and will provide you with the unique opportunity to come face-to-face with these mischievous primates.
After, you’ll head back to the lodge for lunch and be given the chance to freshen up before an optional afternoon visit to the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund – the world’s largest and longest-running organization dedicated to gorilla conservation.
Other accommodation Options
Luxury: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge/Bisate Lodge
Midrange: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge/La Palme Hotel
Budget: Muhabura Hotel
Meals
Add on activities
- Visit to the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund
- Volcanoes National Park – Dian Fossey’s Memorial
- Volcanoes National Park – Full Day Mt. Bisoke Hike
- Volcanoes National Park – Nature walk Rwanda
- Ruhengeri -Village walk
- Volcanoes National Park -Additional gorilla trek and permit
- Iby’iwacu Cultural Village tour
- Musanze cave exploration
- Canoeing on Twin Lakes
Day 6: Drive Back To Kigali
All good things must come to an end. One last breakfast sees you off before a leisurely drive back to Kigali International Airport to catch your departure flight back home. Safe Travels!
Meals
Day 1: Kigali
Arrive in Rwanda’s capital, Kigali at any time. Your arrival transfer is included.
Accommodations: Hotel des Mille Collines (or similar)
Meals Included: Dinner
Day 2: Kigali/Volcanoes National Park
After breakfast today, you will visit Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre and pay your respects to the victims of the genocide that happened in Rwanda in 1994, learning about this tragic chapter of the country’s past. After that, you will take a community walk in the lively Nyamirambo neighbourhood and enjoy a local lunch at the Nyamirambo Women’s Centre.
In afternoon, you will embark on a 3 hour drive to the north of Rwanda and settle into your pre-booked lodge, located at the edge of Volcanoes National Park and offering stunning views of the soaring peaks.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (or similar)
Day 3: Volcanoes National Park
You will have an early breakfast today and transfer to Volcanoes National Park offices for a briefing from the park ranger guides. Thereafter, you will embark on a trek in lush, jungle-covered hills with a park ranger to track a unique, endemic and endangered primate species—the golden monkey.
Observe these curious, playful creatures in their natural environment; then visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Karisoke Research Center. Tour the public exhibit and enjoy immersive activities, like a 360-degree theatre and replica of Dian Fossey’s original cabin. Also meet with some of the organization’s gorilla experts and hear their experiences and stories working for the largest gorilla conservation organization in the world, and have the chance to ask them questions.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (or similar)
Day 4: Volcanoes National Park
Enjoy another early morning breakfast before transferring to the park offices for a gorilla trekking briefing which starts at 8.00 am. After the briefing, you will embark on an unforgettable trek through the jungle alongside a local park ranger guide to search for rare mountain gorillas. When you come across a family of gorillas, witness their fascinating social behaviour up close. Note that the gorilla treks can vary in length and difficulty depending on the location of the gorilla family. Return to your lodge for lunch, followed by a visit to a local village to catch a glimpse of daily African rural life in Rwanda.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge (or similar)
Day 5: Akagera National Park
Have a relaxed breakfast today and head back to Kigali for lunch. After lunch continue your drive east to savannahs of Akagera National Park. Armed conflict between 1990 and 1994 devastated this part of Rwanda, and many years of neglect and misuse followed. Yet dedicated work by the local communities resulted in the return of wildlife to the park’s wetlands, savannas, and forested hills. Learn more about this fascinating conservation success story in a behind-the-scenes visit to the African Parks offices here. Later, check into your comfortable lodge overlooking beautiful Lake Ihema.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Mantis Akagera Game Lodge (or similar)
Day 6: Akagera National Park
Today, rise up before sunrise and enjoy a hearty breakfast before setting out for an early morning safari game drive in search of the “big five animals.” Keep an eye out for elephants, buffalos, rhinos, lions, leopards, hyenas, and antelopes grazing freely here.
You will come back to the lodge for lunch and some free time to rest or take a dip in the pool. In the afternoon, you will glide along Lake Ihema by boat, watching for hippos and crocodiles. Spot more wildlife, such as elephants and buffalo, as they gather at the lakeshore to drink water. Keep an eye out for a variety of birds including shoebills, herons, kingfishers, fish eagles, and storks.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Mantis Akagera Game Lodge (or similar)
Day 7: Akagera National Park to Kigali
Have your packed breakfast and head out for your final safari drive in Akagera National Park in the early hours when animals are most active. Look for giraffes, zebras, impalas, baboons, leopards, and lions. Later in the morning, you will depart through the northern edge of Akagera and drive back to Kigali city for your departure flight.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodations: Hotel des Mille Collines (or similar)
Day 1: Kigali
Welcome to Rwanda’s capital, Kigali and the starting point for your 13 Days Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya Safari adventure. You will be picked from the Kigali International Airport (KGL) and transferred to your overnight hotel.
Your place of stay for the next two nights is no ordinary accommodation – the Hotel des Mille Collines is famous for sheltering and consequently saving more than 1000 people during the horrific genocide that happened in Rwanda in 1994.
If you arrive early in Kigali city, perhaps take to the streets to explore this thriving city in the midst of a great revival. Tour Nyamirambo, the Muslim quarter, to try some giant grilled tilapia, or visit a local cafe and discover why Rwandan coffee is considered some of the world’s best.
Other Accommodation Options
Luxury: The Retreat/Kigali Serena Hotel/Heaven Boutique Hotel
Midrange: Hotel Chez Lando
Meal Plan: Dinner
Day 2: Kigali
Wake up to a healthy breakfast and head out of the city for a sobering visit to the Ntarama Church. Your leader will explain how this memorial marks the location where 5000 people were tragically killed during the Genocide. Reminders of lives lost are still in the church, including clothes and even bones. Proceed to the Nyamata Genocide Memorial Centre, a former church where an incomprehensible 50,000 people were murdered. Your guide will tell you how the Tutsis sought refuge in churches, only for them to turn into death traps.
After that, you will visit the Kigali Genocide Museum, a powerful yet confronting experience and important in understanding the tragedy and the resilience of the Rwandan people. This afternoon, you can re-energize with some local Rwandan food before taking a tour of the beautiful city and its vibrant market with your guide. The evening is free for you to enjoy.
Accommodation Options
- Hotel des Mille Collines
- The Retreat
- Kigali Serena Hotel
- Heaven Boutique Hotel
- Hotel Chez Lando
Day 3: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Enjoy a delicious breakfast at your hotel in Kigali and then leave Kigali. Take a scenic drive of about 4 hours across the border to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda.
Upon arrival, check into the Gorilla Heights Lodge, where you will spend the following three nights. The lodge, which is perched above Nteko Ridge, provides breathtaking views of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, which is home to half of the world’s mountain gorillas. Take in the view of the jagged Virunga Volcanoes that straddle Uganda’s borders with Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. Gorilla Heights Lodge uses solar energy and works closely with the local community. You’ll experience genuinely warm Ugandan hospitality. There is no better spot for soaking in your wild surroundings and searching for mountain gorillas.
In the evening, you will have a truly special experience as you are joined by a field veterinarian from the Gorilla Doctors for a fireside chat. This organization is devoted to saving the mountain and eastern lowland gorilla species using veterinary medicine and science. They offer medical interventions to protect these endangered apes from human-induced or life-threatening trauma or disease. You will learn more about their fascinating work during this unique and exclusive experience.
Other Accommodation Options
Luxury: Buhoma Lodge/Gorilla Forest Camp
Midrange: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge/Haven Lodge Buhoma
Budget: Gorilla Conservation Camp/Buhoma Community Lodge
Day 4: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Have an early breakfast and take a short walk to the park office where you will be briefed on today’s gorilla trekking adventure by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) guides.
The gorilla trek can be relative difficult, wet and uncomfortable at times but the exceptional biodiversity of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and the chance to see rare mountain gorillas in their natural environment makes it so worthwhile. We recommend hiring local porter who can carry your pack and offer expert, local one-on-one assistance during the trek. Not only does it make for a more comfortable trek, it also offering valuable employment opportunities to locals and boost their confidence in sustainable tourism.
Gorilla trekking is highly controlled. There are few gorilla trekking permits available every day. Once you find a family of gorillas you will be allowed to stay with them for one hour – watch them groom each other and play, all under the watchful eye of a giant silverback.
Coming face to face with wild gorillas is sure to be a life-changing experience that will be etched on your mind forever. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the lush rainforest wilderness. The rest of the day is for you to relax at the lodge, along with a chance to reflect on a memorable day. Freshen up with a hot shower and enjoy a hearty dinner by the crackling fireplace.
Day 5: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast on the terrace overlooking Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The day is free for you to do as little or as much as you want – your guide will be able to help tailor a day that best suits your interests. If you are interested in another encounter with the endangered mountain gorillas, there is the option for a second day of gorilla trekking. You may wish to just relax at the lodge, take in the views from the outdoor swimming pool, or enjoy a luxurious spa treatment. This evening, enjoy dinner at the terraced restaurant overlooking the Virunga Mountains.
Day 6: Kigali
After breakfast, you will leave Bwindi and start the journey to cross back over the border into Kigali. After arriving at the capital, your afternoon is free to relax or explore as you please.
Day 7: Nairobi
Enjoy a good breakfast today and then transfer to Kigali International Airport for your flight to Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya. You will be picked up from the airport for a short transfer to your pre-booked hotel. If you arrive early, you can spend the afternoon exploring the artistic and cultural displays at Nairobi Gallery, or relaxing by the swimming pool at your home for the night – a swish central hotel complete with bold pan-African art, a sauna and steam room, and super friendly staff. After some rest, you will head out with your guide to a colourful local restaurant offering traditional favourites with a modern touch. Enjoy platters and tasty sides like samosas, fried plantains and tilapia.
Accommodation: Sarova Panafric Hotel or similar
Day 8: Lake Naivasha / Lake Nakuru
After Breakfast, head off to Great Rift Valley of East Africa. Your first stop will be at the Eden Project, a nonprofit NGO that works in developing countries to rebuild natural landscapes destroyed by deforestation. Eden works closely with communities experiencing extreme poverty resulting from the deforestation and destruction of the land that sustains them. Visit the site for an hour. Learn how they work alongside the local community to produce, plant, and protect tens of millions of trees every month, creating jobs to support them in restoring their local environment and economy long-term.
Next, make your way to Elsamere, the former home of the writer Joy Adamson, whose 1960 book ‘Born Free’ helped bring wildlife conservation into the mainstream. The house is a veritable museum dedicated to the works of Joy and George Adamson, with several photos of Elsa, the lioness that started it all. Take on a boat cruise on Lake Naivasha, the highest lake in the Great Rift Valley and home to many hippos. Later, enjoy a high tea lunch on the very grounds Joy cherished for so many years, with the lake as a serene backdrop.
After lunch, proceed to your Lake Nakuru lodge, arriving in the early evening. From your lodge, admire the remarkable views of Lake Nakuru and the surrounding park, alive with the call of birds and rich in wildlife. What better way to take it all in than from your lodge’s infinity pool.
Accommodation: Sopa Lodges Nakuru or similar
Day 9: Lake Nakuru National Park
Savour a scrumptious breakfast and explore Lake Nakuru National Park by four-wheel drive vehicle (4×4) – the park’s lake is its stunning centrepiece.
Mornings can be cold here so you are advised to bring warm clothes. You might see why this great soda lake has been described as the world’s greatest ornithological spectacle; great seas of flamingos often turn the landscape a sweeping shade of pink.
Flooding in recent years has unfortunately caused a decrease in birdlife; however the park boasts considerable numbers of other wildlife species, including waterbuck, bushbuck, reedbuck and gazelle. African Leopards are also to be found here, and the chances of sighting one are significant. After a morning game drive, you will return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation. In the afternoon, you will head back out for another game drive. Keep your eyes open for one of the most endangered creatures of Africa, the elusive black rhino. While white rhino sightings are fairly common, spotting a black rhino is a real treat.
Day 10: Masai Mara National Reserve
After a hearty breakfast today, travel southwest to the Masai Mara, one of Africa’s finest game reserves. Cross the Great Rift Valley floor and pass by the remote region of Loita Hills, home of the legendary Maasai people. This is one of the few places where they still practice their traditional way of life with little influence from the western world. Stop at Tepesua Village where you will be welcomed by Maasai Warriors through traditional song and dance.
Meet your Maasai guide, take a walk around the community village and enjoy a captivating talk full of insights into this ancient Maasai culture. The Tepesua Village offers support, safety and economic growth through the ‘Tepesua Widows Income Project’. Here, widowed women sew eco-friendly handicrafts that they sell to locals and visitors. Learn about African rural village life and be shown around a traditional Maasai home and cattle enclosure.
After that, continue to your lodge in Masai Mara National Reserve where you will stay for the next three nights. Here, you can watch beautiful sunsets and share stories over the bonfire – or cocktails in the plush lounge area – before retiring to your luxury digs.
Accommodation: Sopa Lodges Masai Mara or similar
Day 11: Masai Mara National Reserve
Today, you will discover more of Masai Mara by 4×4 with further game drives from morning to the afternoon. You will depart for an early morning game drive with your packed picnic lunch at hand since you will drive to the furthest part of the game reserve.
Witness the wonderful variety of wildlife that inhabits the Mara. Zebra, Wildebeest, and Gazelle are plentiful, and you might even spot predators (Lions, Hyenas, Cheetahs and Leopards) keeping a casual eye on their movements. Giraffes, Elephants, and Elands are also commonly seen, along with plenty of bird life. Masai Mara is known for its rolling plains and riverine woodlands.
As the sun starts to set, stop and take a moment to soak it all in with a drink in hand – there is few better ways to wrap up a day of wildlife viewing in one of the world’s most magical places. As dusk falls, a variety of animals might be visible in the vicinity of your lodge also. You will return to lodge late in the evening and freshen up before settling in for dinner.
Day 12: Masai Mara National Reserve
The morning is yours to do as you please. You may like to sit back with a cup of coffee on your private deck, keeping an eye out for animals in the game reserve, or forgo a sleep-in in favour of an early morning game drive or walking safari.
If you would like to view the Mara from a different perspective, a sunrise hot air balloon safari is a truly unforgettable experience. A hot air balloon ride can be booked ahead of time or on the ground if available and the suppliers are committed conservationists, with a portion of the incomes from every flight going straight to worthy conservation projects within the park. You will be collected before dawn and glide through the sunrise, sometimes at tree height, making the most of the amazing photo opportunities. Sometimes you’ll ascend to get an overview of the vastness of the Masai Mara plains and the early-morning movements of the teeming animal herds. In the afternoon, regroup for another exciting 4×4 game drive in the park.
Day 13: Nairobi
Depart Masai Mara and return to Nairobi. You can expect to arrive in the late afternoon, at which point your adventure will come to an end. If you would like to extend your stay in Nairobi, additional accommodation can be booked in advance.