8 DAY BEST OF RWANDA-UGANDA GORILLA AND WILDLIFE SAFARI

Upon your arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our guide to Rwanda. You’ll be briefed about the safari and then driven to your hotel in Kigali. Depending on your arrival time, you may take an optional city tour visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial, Kimironko Market, or local art galleries. You will have relaxation, dinner and overnight stay at the hotel After an early breakfast, you’ll drive to Volcanoes National Park for your Mount Bisoke hiking adventure. Upon arrival, you will register and attend a briefing led by park authorities, where guides and rangers will be assigned to your group. From there, a short drive takes you to the trailhead at the base of Mount Bisoke. The hike begins at around 8:00 AM, ascending through dense bamboo forests and lush volcanic vegetation, with chances of spotting golden monkeys, birds, and other wildlife. The trek to the summit takes approximately four to six hours, depending on your pace and weather conditions. Reaching the summit at 3,711 meters rewards hikers with breathtaking views of the stunning crater lake that lies at the peak of Mount Bisoke, along with panoramic sights of Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the surrounding Virunga ranges. After spending time at the summit, you will begin the descent, which takes about two to three hours back to the trailhead. The hike is moderately challenging, with steep and muddy sections, making sturdy hiking boots, rain gear, and a walking stick essential. The experience concludes with a transfer back to your accommodation in Musanze, leaving you with unforgettable memories of Rwanda’s volcanic beauty.

Today, you’ll return to the park headquarters for Golden Monkey trekking. After a short briefing by park authorities, you will proceed to the trailhead located at the base of the Virunga Mountains. The golden monkeys live in the bamboo forests on the lower slopes of the volcanoes, making this trek relatively easy compared to gorilla trekking. The trek usually lasts between two to four hours, including time spent observing the monkeys as they leap through the bamboo, and interact. After completing the trek, you will return to your lodge, for lunch and some rest and later begin your transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. The scenic drive takes approximately four to six hours, depending on the border crossing. Along the way, you will pass through picturesque countryside, rolling hills, and rural communities, offering a glimpse of local life. Upon arrival at Bwindi, you will check in at your lodge, where you can relax and prepare for the next day’s gorilla trekking adventure.

After an early breakfast, report to the park headquarters for a pre-trek briefing. You’ll be assigned a gorilla family group and ranger guides before setting off into the ancient forest. Gorilla trekking can take anywhere from 2 to 6+ hours depending on the group’s location. Once found, you’ll have one magical hour to observe these gentle giants in their natural setting. Return to the lodge for a late lunch and relaxation, or opt for a community visit to the Batwa pygmies.

After breakfast at your lodge in Bwindi, you will depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park, heading to the famous Ishasha Sector, known for its rare tree-climbing lions. The scenic drive takes approximately 4 to 5 hours, passing through rolling hills, local villages, and beautiful landscapes. Upon arrival in Ishasha, you will embark on a game drive in search of the iconic lions often seen resting in fig and acacia trees. The area is also home to buffaloes, elephants, Uganda kobs, and a variety of birdlife. After the game drive, you will proceed to your lodge for check-in and relaxation, surrounded by the wilderness of the park.

After morning breakfast, you will start your day with a morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park, offering the chance to spot a wide variety of wildlife, including elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, lions, and, with luck, leopards. The Kasenyi Plains are particularly known for their rich concentration of animals and excellent game viewing opportunities. After the game drive, you will return to the lodge for lunch and some rest. In the afternoon, you will enjoy a relaxing boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway that connects Lake Edward and Lake George. The boat cruise provides excellent views of hippos, crocodiles, and large herds of elephants and buffaloes coming to drink along the shores, along with countless bird species such as pelicans, kingfishers, and African fish eagles. The cruise is one of the highlights of the park, offering incredible photographic opportunities and a unique perspective of the wildlife. After the cruise, you will return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

The day begins with an early breakfast, followed by a transfer to Kibale National Park for chimpanzee trekking. After a briefing at the park headquarters, you will set off into the tropical rainforest in search of habituated chimpanzee families. The trek takes between 2 to 4 hours, depending on the location of the chimpanzees, and along the way, you may encounter other primates such as red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, and various bird species. Once the chimpanzees are located, you will spend up to one hour observing them as they feed, play, groom, and interact in their natural habitat. After the trek, you will return to the lodge for lunch and some rest. In the afternoon, you will visit the nearby Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a guided nature walk. The wetland is known for its rich biodiversity, including several monkey species, and an impressive variety of birdlife, with the great blue turaco being a highlight. The excursion is led by community guides and offers insights into both the area’s ecology and local culture. After the walk, you will return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast at your lodge, you will embark on a scenic drive back to Entebbe, marking the end of your safari adventure. The journey takes approximately 5 to 6 hours, passing through h beautiful countryside, small towns, and lush plantations, with an opportunity to stop for lunch along the way. Upon arrival in Entebbe, you will be dropped off at your hotel or at Entebbe International Airport for your onward flight.