This 33 Days Uganda, Rwanda, Congo & Burundi Safari takes you all around East Africa to visit popular spots.
Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport.
Following your 12:15 pm arrival either on January 13th or 20th, our company representative together with the guide will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to your Hotel in Entebbe where you will relax for the day and enjoy dinner and stay overnight at 2 Friends Beach Hotel
Day 2: Personal Day of Leisure.
This day will be spent at leisure without a guide or any arranged activity. All 3 meals of the day will be provided at 2 Friends Beach Hotel and stay another night.
Day 3: Transfer to Ngamba Islands.
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the pier at Entebbe for a boat ride to Ngamba Island for a half day excursion to see the orphaned Chimpanzees. You will have a 30 minutes briefing from the CSWCT offices in Entebbe. The boat takes about 45 minutes across to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary.
The sanctuary is a home to 39 orphaned chimpanzees and on arrival, you will be given a brief introduction on the sanctuary after which you will go watch the chimpanzees as they feed from the Visitors platform. After return to the pier with a boat, visit UWEC and be transferred back to your Hotel for dinner and overnight stay at 2 Friends Beach Hotel
Day 4: Mabamba Swamp & Transfer to Kampala.
After an early breakfast, we will head out to the Mabamba Wetlands on the shores of Lake Victoria. This is one of the few remaining swamps in the country protected by the local communities.
It is an extensive papyrus swamp, with a labyrinth of channels and lagoons, and is home to several pairs of Shoebills, Uganda’s most famous avian resident. This charismatic monotypic species is certainly among the most sought-after birds in Africa, and we’ll make special efforts today to find it by paddling through the channels by boat.
There will of course be a good selection of classic East African water birds to observe along the way like Pink-backed Pelican, Long-tailed Cormorant, Squacco Heron, Yellow-billed Duck, Malachite Kingfisher, Long-toed Plover, Blue-headed Coucal and Blue-breasted Bee-eater among others.
Bird your way back to Entebbe looking out for birds like African open billed Stork, Grey Kestrel, African Green Pigeon, Great Blue Turaco, Ross’s Turaco, Red-headed Lovebird, Swifts, Sunbirds, Weavers, Finches among other birds. Reach the bay and transfer to your lodge in Kampala. Dinner and overnight at Cassia Lodge
Day 5: Transfer to Jinja – (source of the Nile and Sunset cruise).
Have breakfast and your guide will be ready to transfer you to Jinja with a smooth drive through the famous Mabira forest and Lugazi as you take in the scenic landscapes characterized by tea and sugarcane plantations. Arrive Jinja and visit the source of the Nile River where you will do a boat ride to the true source of the Nile where water splashes like a fountain.
Later proceed to the hotel and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, you will go for a boat cruise and explore the might River Nile, taking in all its beauty. The cruise lasts about 2 hours and you will return to the loge well in time for dinner and overnight stay at Gately on the Nile.
Day 6: Depart for Murchison Falls National Park.
Start your day by having a heavy breakfast at your Hotel in Kampala. The guide will then pick you up and transfer to Murchison Falls National Park which is Uganda’s largest park. The park is a habitat for animals like elephants, buffaloes, giraffe sand a variety of antelopes. En route, you will visit the famous Luweero triangle and also stop over for lunch in Masindi Town.
Proceed and reach the famous which was named after the magnificent Murchison falls. Upon arrival, Visit the Top of the falls where water thunders through different rapids from a 7-metre gap to fall over 40 meters Gorge below. Dinner and overnight stay at Murchison River Lodge
Day 7: Game Drive and Launch Cruise along the Albert Nile.
After an early breakfast, you will go for a game drive on the Northern Bank of River Nile. The activity takes about 3-5 hours and Wildlife in the Park includes elephants, Rothschild giraffes, buffaloes, lions, Hartebeest, Uganda kobs, Oribis and waterbucks. After the drive you will return to the lodge for lunch and in the afternoon go for a launch cruise on the Albert Nile which will give you an exciting panoramic view at the bottom of the mighty Murchison falls.
Along the cruise, you will encounter crocodiles, hippos, and birds on the river banks like kingfisher, cormorants, bee-eater and the rare shoebill stork. Dinner and overnight at Murchison River Lodgeas above.
Day 8; Transfer to Kibale National Park.
Early morning after breakfast, you will set out for your long journey to Kibale Forest National Park. This Park is a home to almost 13 primate species. These include red colobus and L’Hoest’s monkey and many more. You will have lunch in Kagadi. Proceed with the journey to Kibale forest. Dinner and overnight stay at Chimpanzee Forest guest house
Day 9: Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Swamp Walk.
After breakfast, you will set out for chimp tracking within the Kibale Forest. During your search, expect to see a lot of primate species like chimpanzees, monkeys and other animals like the forest elephants, bush pig and duiker, warthogs, reptiles and amphibians as well as a colorful variety of butterflies.
Return to the Lodge for lunch. After lunch go for a nature walk in the Bigodi swamp area and look out for most of the water loving bird species. The forest /Park has almost 335 species of birds and therefore a good place for birders. Return to the Lodge for dinner and overnight stay at Chimpanzee Forest guest house as above.
Day 10: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Have breakfast and depart Kibale National Park heading to Queen Elizabeth national park. You will have a stopover in Fort portal town and go for an exciting visit to Amabere Ga Nyinamwiru stalagmites site, caves and the waterfall plus a rewarding hike to the crater lakes followed by lunch.
Proceed with the drive to Queen Elizabeth national park arriving late afternoon. Enjoy the evening at leisure, admiring the landscape. Dinner and overnight stay at Park View Safari Lodge
Day 11: Game Drive and Launch Cruise.
Early in the morning after breakfast, you will set out for the game drive in search for early risers in the Kasenyi area. The park has diverse eco-system of grassy plains, rivers, crater lakes, forests, swamps and lakes. These are a home to various types of wildlife and a game drive in Queen Elizabeth will reward you with views of animals such as lions, antelopes, buffalos, elephants, waterbuck, Uganda Kob and other types of antelopes.
Return to your Lodge for lunch and after, go for a 3 hours launch cruise along the Kazinga Channel and into Lake Edward. This cruise will let you pass through a place of the highest concentration of hippos and you may also see many animals drinking at the water’s edge. The cruise also offers good platform for photography, bird watching and game viewing. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight at Park View Safari Lodge as above.
Day 12: Explore Ishasha – Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Today, you will have your breakfast early and drive to the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth national; park known as the Ishasha sector which is famous for tree-climbing lions. You will do a game drive here and count on your luck to spot the tree climbing lions among other game. This section of the park is less explored and hosts large numbers of elephants, buffalos and other game. Dinner and overnight stay at Enjojo Lodge.
Day 13: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
This morning, you will have breakfast, check out and embark on your journey to Bwindi impenetrable forest passing through the Ishasha sector to boost your chances of seeing the rare tree climbing lions. The lions can be seen up on the fig trees. However, it’s not a guarantee that the lions will be seen.
Sometimes it depends on the luck and time of reaching the area. You will have lunch in the Ishasha sector and after you will proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in preparation for your next day Gorilla trek. Dinner and overnight stay at Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge.
Day 14: Gorilla Trek in Bwindi Forest Park.
Early in the morning after breakfast and a briefing from the UWA officials, set off for the gorilla tracking. This is a once life time experience and unforgettable adventure. The ranger guides will lead you into the thick forest and start your search for the endangered Mountain Gorillas. You will move up and down the rugged terrain until you finally meet these harmonious creatures that will entertain you with performances for about 1 hour.
The activity can take 2 -7 hours since the gorillas roam the park freely. On finding them, you will be allowed up to a maximum of 1 hour to see and photograph the gorillas; this is an awesome and exciting moment. En-route, there are other types of the primates such as the monkeys, birds and more. Return to the starting point for your gorilla trekking certificate and transfer back to the lodge where you will spend the evening relaxing. Dinner and overnight stay at Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge as above.
Day 15: Transfer to Kisoro / Mgahinga National Park.
Have breakfast at leisure and transfer to Kisoro – the base town for Mgahinga national park arriving in time for lunch. In the afternoon, you will go for a canoe ride on Lake Mutanda and visit Sagitwe hill – giving you 360 degrees view of Kisoro town and the nearby areas. Dinner and overnight stay at Travelers Rest Hotel.
Day 16: Golden Monkey Tracking.
You will have early morning breakfast and transfer to the park headquarters at Ntebeko for briefing and embark on Golden monkey tracking along the bamboo trails of Mgahinga national park. After tracking, return to the lodge for lunch and spend the evening at leisure admiring the terraced Kigezi hills or go for an optional tour like a walk to the Congo boarder. Dinner and overnight stay at Travelers Rest Hotel as above.
Day 17: Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla Park.
Have early morning breakfast and drive to the park headquarters at Ntebeko for briefing and later hike your way into the forested mountain in search of the Nyakagezi gorilla family that is found in this park. The trek can last between 2 to 6 hours and return to the lodge where you will relax. Dinner and overnight stay at Travelers Rest Hotel as above.
Day 18: Transfer to Musanze / Ruhengeri.
Have breakfast at leisure and cross into Rwanda through the Cyanika boarder. Visit the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo en-route and proceed to Musanze where you will relax for the evening. Dinner and overnight at Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge.
Day 19: Golden Monkey Trekking.
Breakfast will be served early and drive back to the park headquarters as above. Receive briefing and go for Golden monkey trekking. Tracking is done in Volcanoes national park, but less strenuous compared to Gorilla trekking. It lasts 2 to 5 hours and return to the lodge and relax. Dinner and overnight stay at Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge.
Day 20: Dian Fossey Trekking.
Breakfast will be served early and drive back to the park headquarters with packed lunch for briefing and embark on the Dian Fossey trek to Karisoke where her grave is found and the Karisoke research institute. The trek is quite challenging and lasts between 2 to 8 hours. Dinner and overnight stay at Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge.
Day 21: Musanze Caves & Transfer to Gisenyi.
Breakfast will be served early and drive back to the park headquarters as on day 2 above. Receive briefing and go for Golden monkey trekking. Tracking is done in Volcanoes national park, but less strenuous compared to Gorilla trekking. It lasts 2 to 5 hours and transfer to Gisenyi to catch a glimpse of Lake Kivu and enjoy the evening by the lake. Dinner and overnight stay at Paradis Malahide Resort.
Day 22: Explore Gisenyi.
Have breakfast at leisure and head out to explore Gisenyi with a boat cruise on Lake kivu to the Island and visiting the surrounding local markets. Dinner and overnight stay at Paradis Malahide Resort.
Day 23: Nyiragongo Hike.
Wake up to an early breakfast and cross the border by 8:30am and proceed to katabi to begin your Nyiragongo hike with overnight at the summit shelter where you will take in rewarding views of the lava lake. Meals and drinking water will be provided.
Day 24: Transfer to Goma.
Descend Nyiragongo and meet up with your driver / guide at the base by 11:00 am and transfer to Goma town as your base for Virunga national park. Dinner and overnight stay at Lac Kivu Lodge
Day 25: Gorilla Trekking in Virunga National Park.
Have your breakfast early and drive to Bukima for briefing and Gorilla trekking in Virunga national park. The experience is unique every time but you are only allowed 1 hour maximum with the Gorillas in every location. After trekking, transfer back to Goma and spend the evening relaxing at the lodge. Dinner and overnight at Lac Kivu Lodge
Day 26: Transfer to Bukavu.
Have breakfast at leisure and depart Goma for Bukavu arriving in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight stay at CoCo Lodge
Day 27: Lowland Gorilla Tracking in Kahuzi Biega National Park.
In the morning, you will head for the memorable adventure of tracking the lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park. Tacking lowland Gorillas is very amazing, lowland Gorillas differ from the mountain gorillas, the lowland gorillas are bigger in size, usually takes 1-4 hours tracking the lowland Gorillas.
The lowland Gorillas stay in bigger families as compared to mountain gorillas; you will not regret the safari effort once you meet the amazing Gorillas! After tracking, you will go for a nature walk in the KahuziBiega Park and visit Tshibati waterfalls, visit Bukavu town, Mbayo tea plantations, the research centre and the surrounding traditional homes. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight at CoCo Lodge as above.
Day 28: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park
Have breakfast and depart Bukavu for Nyungwe forest national park arriving in time for lunch. Have lunch and relax at the lodge while admiring the vast tea plantations or go for an optional nature walk in Nyungwe forest with lots of monkeys and birds. You can also do the canopy walk for $60 per person. Dinner and overnight stay at Nyungwe Top Hill View Lodge
Day 29: Transfer to Bujumbura.
Wale up to an early breakfast and embark on the journey to Bujumbura arriving in the afternoon and visit Agasumo ka Mwaro”Mwaro Falls” a place where Burundians were worshipping their god”Kiranga” before Christianity.
Have lunch at the site and drive back in the afternoon to Bujumbura for overnight at Club du Lac Tanganyika.
Day 30: Rusizi National Park – Bujumbura City Tour – Rumonge Fishermen.
After breakfast,you will visit Rusizi national park where a possible boat ride in RusiziRiver will let you explore closer the hippo, numerous birds and the joining point between Rusizi River and Lake Tanganyika. Continue your trip to the south, driving at the shores of the Lake Tanganyika, visit of Livingstone memorial, and drive to Rumonge to visit of the local villages of fishermen of Rumonge Port. Beach relaxation.
Drive back to Bujumbura for overnight at Club du Lac Tanganyika.
Day 31: Safari From Gitega to Gishora
Have breakfast and then start the day by visiting the drum sanctuary of Gishora. Perched on the top of a hill at 7 km from Gitega, Gishora houses two ritual drums that were never beaten – Murimirwa (the one for whom we cultivate) and Ruciteme (the one for whom we clear the forest).
The two names are intimately linked to the farming vocation and refer clearly to the fertility, characteristic of the king. Also look out for the ordinary drums which the Batimbo normally had to drum on special occasions.
Take time to visit the Gishora drum sanctuary. The site recreates an architectural complex of the Royal palace.
Lunch break at Gitega city and thereafter visit Gitega city – the second largest town of Burundi that hosts the National Museum with its ethnographic and archaeological collections. Transfer back to Bujumbura for overnight at Club du Lac Tanganyika
Day 32: Transfer to Kigali
Have breakfast and an early start on your journey to Kigali city arriving in the afternoon and unwind at the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at Step Town Motel
Day 33: City Tour & Departure.
Have breakfast at leisure and enjoy a city tour of Kigali visiting the Kaplaki crafts village and the genocide memorial site. Have lunch and transfer to the airport for your onward flight marking the end of the tour.