14-Day Customized Safari Holiday & Tour of Rwanda, Uganda

Morning pick up (after breakfast) by the assigned Tour Driver-guide and we will embark on a transfer closer to Nyungwe Forest National Park. Filled with stunning beauty, Nyungwe in southwestern part of Rwanda is not a place to miss on a Rwanda safari offering memorable wildlife experiences. But this afternoon, we will proceed to experience a different side of the area that is not wildlife focused but unique too. We will arrive at the booked accommodation, check in and enjoy lunch with some rest. At around 3pm, we will head to Gisakura Tea Estate for a 2–3 hour “crop-to-cup” experience involving tea picking, processing demonstrations, and tastings. Enjoy this interactive, guided walk through the lush fields. Experience tea firsthand. Thereafter, we will return to the facility to freshen up, enjoy dinner and the overnight rest.

Accommodation: (Maravilla Kivu Resort-Budget Level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer Time: Approx. 5-6 hours.

Sheltering the highest population of chimpanzees in Rwanda (roughly 400), Chimpanzee trekking is a major activity done in Nyungwe Forest National Park. Have your breakfast and transfer to the trekking point where you will first receive some briefing on the dos and don’ts during chimp trekking. Thereafter, enter the forest to encounter these fascinating and human-like primates firsthand in their natural habitat. Return to the accommodation for lunch and some rest before going out again for the canopy walk experience. The two hours walk starts and ends at the park’s headquarters – Uwinka information center. Travelers walk on the built trail which hangs 60 meters above the forest rewarding them with an aerial view of the national park, wildlife, adjacent communities, Virunga volcanoes and attractions in the neighboring countries. 

Accommodation: (Maravilla Kivu Resort-Budget Level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer Time: N/A

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast and then, embark on a transfer closer to Volcanoes NP. Volcanoes National Park lies in northwestern Rwanda and borders Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla NP in Uganda. We will arrive at the accommodation in time for lunch and some rest. At around 3 or 4pm, we can go out for either; the visit to Dian Fossey Museum in Musanze, just outside Volcanoes National Park Rwanda. The visit will take you through Dian’s research center at Karisoke where you will observe some of her final works. Or, consider the twin lakes tour instead, where you will enjoy a traditional boat ride, showcasing Rwanda’s natural beauty and rich local culture. 

Accommodation: (La Palme Hotel-Budget Level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer Time: Approx. 5-6 hours.

Our day will start early with a quick breakfast (coffee + accompaniment) between 6 and 6:30am. We will then head to the park headquarters for briefing starting at 7am. From the briefing (i.e. about 7:30am), in the company of ranger-guide(s), we shall embark on this unforgettable adventure. Get ready for a lively, uplifting adventure that offers a completely different yet equally special perspective of Volcanoes National Park. The golden monkeys are an absolute joy to watch. They’re quick, curious, and incredibly charming — leaping through the bamboo, grooming each other, and darting around with so much personality. Unlike the stillness and quiet awe of gorilla trekking, this experience is energetic, animated, and full of movement. After a great hour with the golden monkeys, return to link up with your guide. You will board the car and drive off to Cyanika Border Post. From Cyanika, you will be received by our Uganda-based Professional Tour Driver-guide who will take over from his Rwanda-based counterpart. You will cross border into Uganda and overnight at a property close to Bwindi National Park, where you will undertake the gorilla trekking tomorrow. 

Accommodation: (Gorilla Mist Camp-Budget Level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer Time: 4-5 hours.

Have breakfast, pick up the lunch box and move to the rangers’ post. You will receive some briefing (from the Park Authority) on the dos and don’ts during gorilla trekking, including assigning participants to a group. The actual trek into the forest begins at 8am in the company of your ranger-guide(s) and other participants assigned. The high altitude here combined with steep, rugged (sometimes muddy) terrain makes gorilla trekking physically demanding but rewarding. One moment you’re descending, and the next, you are ascending to a higher elevation. The time taken (3-8 hours) vary with the movements of these great primates. Once you have located a gorilla group, you will be allowed an hour in their presence. The thrill of spending time observing these gentle but endangered giants is unforgettable. At the end of the trek, you will be awarded a certificate of completion that you can keep as a reminder of this lifetime experience. Return to the accommodation, and rest after a strenuous trek. #Optional (extra cost): In case you finished early and the body is willing to go out again; you can discuss with your guide and see what possibilities are there then make a choice.

Accommodation: (Gorilla Mist Camp-Budget level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer Time: n/a.

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast and then, drive off to Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth NP – famously known for its tree-climbing lion population. Once there, undertake a game drive in search of this rare species of lions. The chance of spotting these lions stands at about 60-70% but sometimes they are hard to spot (most especially when they are down in the grassland looking for prey). Should you get the chance to spot the lions up in the tree, the sight is picturesque and unforgettable. Beyond lions, you can easily spot large herds of elephants, buffaloes, topis, and Uganda kobs. Keep an eye out for leopards, spotted hyenas too and a number of bird species. After an extensive and satisfying excursion, we shall proceed to the accommodation to check in and then, have the evening at leisure – absorbing the Ishasha’s atmosphere. 

Accommodation: (Enjojo Lodge [Safari Tent]-Budget Level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer Time: Approx. 4-5 hours.

This day is flexible. If there was no good sighting yesterday, we can return to the field again in search of the tree-climbing lions (i.e. give it another try) before heading North. But with a good (satisfactory) sighting, we will have breakfast, check out of the lodge and be on our way to the accommodation situated in Northern Queen. Upon arrival on the other side, we will check in and wait for lunch. At about 3pm, we can move out for a game drive in the Kasenyi plains – vast savannah safari destination known for high wildlife densities including lions, herds of elephants, buffalos, and Uganda kobs. The area offers exceptional game drives, birding, and scenic photography, with opportunities to see leopards too. Alternatively, you could choose to go for the Queen’s breathtaking explosion crater drive (instead). For scenery lovers, this is a must-do. The drive stretches about 27kms with some of the most picturesque features including the attractive Lake Kitagata, the impressive Kyemengo crater, sweeping views of the Rift Valley escarpment and the Kazinga channel.

Accommodation: (Enshama Game Lodge-Budget Level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer Time: Approx. 3 hours.

Be up early and have your breakfast. Proceed for a morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains – a vast savannah space in the Queen Elizabeth National Park known for high wildlife densities including lions, herds of elephants, buffalos, and Uganda kobs. The area offers exceptional game drives, birding, and scenic photography, with opportunities to see leopards too. After a satisfactory sighting, return to the accommodation for some rest time and lunch. After lunch, you will go for a 2-hour boat trip on the Kazinga Channel that connects Lakes George and Edward. During the cruise, you get to enjoy an up-close view of large Hippo pods, Nile crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants, and numerous bird species, including the African Skimmer. From the boat ride, we shall return to the facility to freshen up and stay at leisure, enjoying the facility’s service.

Accommodation: (Enshama Game Lodge-Budget Level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer Time: n/a

Be up early and have your breakfast. Proceed for one last morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains and after a satisfying encounter, we shall embark (right away) for a transfer that will see us check in at an accommodation at the edge of the Kibale Forest NP. We hope to have lunch at this property and also rest a bit before going out in the Bigodi. The Bigodi excursion is a 2-3 hours guided tour of a remarkable conservation area, situated right at edge of the well-known Kibale National Park. The walk here offers an intimate, immersive community-led experience spotting primates such as Red-tailed Monkeys, Black-and-white Colobus, and L’Hoest’s monkey, along with birds like the Great-blue Turaco and Papyrus Gonolek to mention but a few. *Optional (Additional $285 per person): If interested, then consider chimpanzee tracking instead of the Bigodi excursion. Please, note that permit for chimp tracking needs to be purchased prior to the actual date and always sold on first come first serve basis with limited slots per day. After the beautiful time in the Bigodi (or Kibale Forest), we shall return to the lodge where we will enjoy dinner and then overnight.

Accommodation: (Chimpanzee Capital Safari Lodge-Budget Level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer time: Approx. 2 hours.

Have breakfast, check out and embark on the journey to Murchison Falls National Park. The highlights of this park include the roaring rapids of the Murchison, the rolling plains of Uganda’s largest National Park where you will have the chance of viewing lions, leopard, giraffes, hartebeest, buffalo, and elephants among others. For birders, Murchison Falls boasts about 450 bird species including the grey parrot, dwarf king fisher and the Goliath heron among others. Expect lunch en route. The drive is quite long but incredibly scenic. The beautiful scenery will amaze you all the way (with very little/no room to be bored). *Detour to visit the top of the falls and thereafter, we head to the facility. *Info: A shallow game drive en route the accommodation is possible.

Accommodation: (Ikorom Safari Lodge-Budget Level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer Time: 7 hours.

Today you will have a full packed game viewing opportunity in the park. Murchison Falls NP is a home to different wildlife species such as; Buffalos, Jackson hartebeests, elephants, Lions, Giraffes, leopards, Hyenas, among others. They are widely spread all over the Savannah grasslands, grazing or hunting for prey. These make the park’s landscape so amazing for game viewing/game driving. *To avoid the long drive back to the lodge, we can proceed to Red Chilli and enjoy hot lunch there. After the lunch, we can move back for the second leg of our game viewing. After a satisfying day’s encounter, we shall head back to the lodge to freshen up – awaiting dinner and the overnight stay. #Optional (extra cost 35$ pp): If interested, you may consider the 11am boat trip upstream towards the falls. Common sightings along the banks are: Hippos, crocodiles and a few bird species.

Accommodation: (Ikorom Safari Lodge-Budget Level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer Time: Approx. 25-30 minutes to/from the gate.

Enjoy breakfast, check out of the facility and head to explore Murchison in yet another game drive. Be on the look for Murchison’s inhabitants such as; Buffalos, Jackson hartebeests, elephants, Lions, Giraffes, leopards, Hyenas, among others. After a satisfying sighting, we shall embark on the drive to Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary – a successful conservation effort that was set to save the near-extinct rhino population in Uganda. Today, visitors to Uganda have a chance to encounter rhinos thanks to this effort. Once in Zziwa, we shall check in and have some rest. At around 4pm, move out to explore the Zziwa on a guided nature walk. Walking through this Sanctuary enables one to get a glimpse of the diverse and plentiful wildlife that call this place home. Besides wildlife sighting, you simply get to breathe in the pristine fresh air and soak in wonderful scenery. Just being close to nature. Thereafter, return to the lodge for dinner.

Accommodation: (Zziwa Guesthouse-Budget Level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer Time: Approx. 3 hours.

After breakfast, we shall move to the visitors’ center/briefing point. From there, we shall receive the ranger-guide and proceed for an hour of on-foot rhino tracking. From the rhino tracking, we will embark on the transfer to Entebbe, where will enjoy one last meal together and then finally connect to the airport to catch flight (recommended for 18:00 or later). Thank you for choosing and travelling with us (Home to Africa). *Optional (extra cost): If having a late-night flight, you can consider excursion in the Entebbe Botanical Gardens as well to sight a few primates, birds, and plant species or consider the sunset cruise on Lake Victoria. 

Accommodation: Recommended on Request | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch | Transfer Time: Approx. 4 hours.