15-Day Immersive Tour and Adventure in Uganda and Rwanda

Have breakfast, and then drive off to Kampala (via the express). Visit Kalerwe Market, one of Kampala’s largest, bustling open-air markets, located along Gayaza Road, roughly 5km from the city center near the Northern Bypass. From Kalerwe, continue to the hotel in the City Center. After checking in, move out (on foot) to enjoy lunch in one of Kampala’s nice spots e.g. Baguma Restaurant. After lunch, visit (on foot) Craft market along Buganda Road, Nakasero Market and finally, walk back to the hotel. *Info: Any cost during the market visit is not included.

Accommodation: (Hotel Ruch Kampala-Budget Level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (at a local spot), Dinner | Transfer Time: 1 to 2 hours depending on the day’s traffic.

If you’re looking for the ultimate adrenaline adventure, look no further than rafting on the Nile in Jinja. Our day will begin at 6:30am when we shall embark on a 2-hour’s road trip to Jinja. Once there, proceed for an unforgettable white-water rafting on the world’s longest river for a fulfilling adventure. The white-water rafting goes through some of the best grade three & five rapids with spectacular leaps and drops. Enjoy the scenery of forested islands and the roar of the rapids. Wooden canoes with locals congregate in the calm waters anxious to see the rafts in action. What better way to start your safari than to experience firsthand this most exciting, exhilarating adventure on the Nile? Get wet! Get wild! Get rafting! In fact, no experience is required to undertake this unforgettable adventure on the Nile. After all the funs in Jinja, we shall embark on a return to Kampala for an overnight stay.

Accommodation: (Hotel Ruch Kampala-Budget Level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer Time: Approx. 2-3 hours depending on the day’s traffic.

Enjoy breakfast and drive (about 1 hr) to Mityana. Our destination is Entanda Cultural Center, a community-based initiative that offers an authentic visitor experience in a non-staged environment. Through active participation, visitors are able to learn a lot of things and they return home with bountiful knowledge and lessons for use in the future. Visitors explore, learn and enjoy. For your visit, we are planning food preparation and dining accompanied by some music performance to crown the moment. Be ready to be actively involved. At about 3pm, we shall embark on the journey that will see us overnight at the edge of Kibale NP.

Accommodation: (Chimpanzee Capital Safari Lodge-Budget Level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (at the cultural village), Dinner | Transfer Time: 5-6 hrs.

Today is one special day that will see us get up-close with human’s closest relation with the wild. Our day will start with a quick breakfast and then we shall head the briefing. All treks start with a safety and conduct briefing at the Kanyanchu headquarters and thereafter, you will begin the walk/trek through the lush tropical rainforest guided by experienced rangers who locate the chimps by their vocalizations and nests. While looking for chimpanzees, you may also spot other primates, such as red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus, and L’Hoest’s monkeys. Once you locate the chimpanzees, you will have a full hour in their presence. From the chimps, return to the facility to gain some rest. Later (around 3 or 4pm), move out to visit the Bigodi community to experience the local lifestyle. *Expect the banana beer, coffee roasting & tasting. If interested in nature, go for the Bigodi wetland excursion. 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, along with birds like the Great-blue Turaco and Papyrus Gonolek to mention but a few. Finally, return to the facility to freshen up and rest.

Accommodation: (Chimpanzee Capital Safari Lodge-Budget Level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer Time: n/a.

As you may have realized, every day brings us something different. Today, our next stop is the Ndali Vanilla Estate. Read (some more). While visiting a vanilla farm, you will learn how the Vanilla is taken care of, right from planting, weeding, up to how it is harvested and processed. The visit also provides a chance to meet and interact with the real native Batooro and Bakiga locals as you see them busy in the farm yard. Crown your visit by buying some on the farm products that will remind you of the great time you have had. From Ndali, transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park where we will proceed for game viewing in search of wildlife such as lions, leopards, herds of elephants, buffalos, among others.

Accommodation: (Enshama Game Lodge-Budget Level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer Time: 2 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

Enjoy breakfast and then, proceed for another morning game drive – along the Kasenyi plains. Be on the look for Cape buffalos, herds of elephants plus lions, leopards (though hard to spot) among others. From Kasenyi, continue to the Ishasha sector – famously known for its tree-climbing lion population. Rest a bit and then go for an Afternoon-to-evening game drive in search of tree-climbing 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 head back to the accommodation to freshen up.

Accommodation: (Enjojo Lodge [Safari Tent]-Budget Level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer Time: Approx. 2-3 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 to Bwindi. But with a good (satisfactory) sighting, we will have breakfast, check out of the lodge and be on our way to the accommodation situated at the edge of Bwindi National Park. Once at your accommodation, we recommend staying at leisure as you save the energy, prepare the body for the long-awaited gorilla encounter tomorrow. *Optional (extra costs): But if you prefer to be active (i.e. doing something), you can consider the community visit to gain a little insight into the lifestyle of the community in this area. In case you arrived in Bwindi with ample time available, you can do a warm-up for Gorilla trek by taking on a forest walk along one of the trails. 

Accommodation: (Buhoma Community Rest Camp-Budget Level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer Time: Approx. 3 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: (Buhoma Community Rest Camp-Budget level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer Time: N/a.

We will enjoy a relaxed breakfast and then, check out and transfer to Cyanika Border Post where you will be received by our Rwanda-based Tour Driver who will be taking over from his Uganda counterpart. You will transfer closer to Volcanoes National Park – a premier destination spanning northwestern Rwanda, offering world-renowned mountain gorilla trekking and golden monkey viewing across five dramatic Virunga volcanoes. Depending on interest, visit Dian Fossey Museum in Musanze or explore twin lakes on a boat tour. The Museum features interactive, informative exhibits on mountain gorilla conservation, a 360-degree theater, and a replica of Dian Fossey’s forest cabin. Alternatively, the twin lakes boat tour offers a more relaxing, tranquil excursion as you enjoy breathtaking landscapes, complimented by a symphony of birdlife and an alluring backdrop of the Virunga Volcanoes.  

Accommodation: (La Palme Hotel-Budget Level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer Time: Approx. 4-5 hours.

Golden monkeys trekking takes place in Volcanoes National Park. These rare monkey species are also listed as endangered and Volcanoes NP has habituated groups that are available for trekking by visitors. The exercise starts with a short briefing from the park ranger at the RDB Office. Thereafter, you will proceed to trek the golden monkeys through the rainforest of the volcanoes NP. Return to the accommodation for some rest and lunch. Later, move to Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village. Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village (now often called the Gorilla Guardian’s Village) is a top-rated, community-driven cultural experience located near Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. It offers tourists a unique opportunity to engage with local, formerly poaching communities, featuring activities like becoming “king” for a day, traditional dance performances, banana brewing, and archery. 

Accommodation: (La Palme Hotel-Budget Level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer Time: Approx. 25 minutes to briefing point.

After a relaxed breakfast at the facility, you will embark on a drive to Gisenyi, where you will check in at your reserved hotel and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, you will proceed to Lake Kivu. Framed by the lush, terraced hills of the Albertine Rift, it is celebrated for its deep emerald waters, safe swimming (no hippos or crocodiles), and the scenic towns of Rubavu and Karongi. Exploring this lake by boat offers a tranquil and breathtaking experience allowing you to take in the views of the surrounding hills observe diverse bird species and witness captivating sunsets. The day concludes with dinner and an overnight stay at your hotel in Gisenyi.

Accommodation: (Palm Beach Resort–Budget Level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer Time: Approx. 1 hour’s drive.

After a relaxed breakfast at the facility, you will embark on a drive to Cyimbiri. Cyimbiri is a prominent coffee-producing area located on the shores of Lake Kivu in Rwanda, renowned for offering authentic “crop-to-cup” coffee experiences along the Congo Nile Trail. This tour typically covers the entire coffee production chain, from harvesting and sorting (depending on the season) to washing, drying, and traditional roasting. Visitors can participate in farm activities and roast coffee using traditional methods over an open fire. The experience culminates in brewing and tasting fresh, locally produced Arabica coffee. After a very well-spent time in the coffee plantation, head to the accommodation and relax.

Accommodation: (Cormoran Lodge-Budget Level) | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Transfer Time: Approx. 1 hour’s drive.

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast and then check out. Transfer from Lake Kivu to Kigali. Explore Kigali City on foot like a local. The excursion in Kigali includes visiting a local market and a craft shop where you can buy souvenirs to take with you. Schedule your flight out for 20:00 or later so that we have ample time in Kigali. Thank you for choosing and travelling with us (Home to Africa).

Accommodation: Recommended on request | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch | Transfer Time: Approx. 2 hours.