16 Days Gorilla and Wildlife Holidays to Uganda and Rwanda.

Uganda Rwanda gorilla and wildlife holidays for 16 days, begins off with Ngamba island, Murchison Falls National Park, Kibale Forest National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, gorilla tracking in Bwindi Forests Uganda and Pac Des Volcans in Rwanda.

It combines both Uganda and Rwanda, you discover what both countries have to offer, and you track gorillas in both countries

Tour Highlights
  • Pickup from Entebbe airport Uganda 
  • Transfer to Ngamba Island Tour for Chimpanzee tracking
  • Head to Kampala then transfer to Murchison Falls National Park 
  • Murchison Falls National Park for wild life game views and boat safaris
  • Transfer from Murchison Falls National Park to Ndali lodge in Fort portal
  • Leave for Kibale Forest National Park for chimpanzee tracking swamp walks at areas around Bigodi
  • Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
  • Game drive and Launch cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park
  • Chimpanzee tour at Kyambura gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park
  • Transfer from Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in south western Uganda
  • Gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
  • Transfer from Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to Rwanda
  • Tracking gorillas at Kinigi park in the Verunga Ranges
  • Dian Fossey hike for your excursion to slopes of the Bisoke volcano and tracking golden monkeys
  • Tour Lake Kivu
  • Departure and Transfer to Kanombe airport

gorillas-Bwindi-forests-uganda

Day 1-Arrival: Commence your 16-day gorilla and wildlife holiday adventure in Uganda and Rwanda by arriving at Entebbe International Airport

Upon your arrival, a representative or guide from gorilla safaris Uganda will greet you at the airport and provide transportation to the Entebbe hotel or lodge of your choosing.

Day 2- Embark on a journey to Ngamba Island to witness the Chimpanzee Orphanage and participate in Chimpanzee Tracking.

Begin your day with breakfast before meeting your tour guide, who will take you to the pier at Uganda Wildlife Education Center (UWEC) landing site for a boat transfer to Ngamba Island. There are two half-day excursions available: one departs at 9:00 am, and the other at 12:00 pm. The choice is yours to make, subject to availability, so advanced booking is required. Enjoy the scenic ride on Lake Victoria, the largest lake in East Africa. At Ngamba Island, you will see various conservation zones such as savannah, wetlands, and tropical forests replicated. The boat ride to the Chimpanzee Sanctuary takes around 45 minutes, during which you will cross the Equator.

Upon arrival at the sanctuary, home to 39 orphaned chimps, you will receive a briefing about its history and mission. Then, you will witness the chimpanzee feeding time from the visitor’s platform, where you can observe these primates interact with their keepers and with each other. It’s fascinating to see their different personalities, with some being greedy and others not. In the relatively short time you will be there, you’ll be amazed by the unique characteristics of each individual, with some whistling for food and others clapping. While reintroducing the orphaned chimpanzees back into the wild would be the ideal option, it is not possible due to various reasons, making the sanctuary the next best alternative.

After this incredible experience, you will return to the mainland and be transferred to your lodge.

Day 3: Make your way to Kampala, and from there, you will be transferred to Murchison Falls National Park.

After departing from Kampala, stop for lunch at Masindi before continuing on to Murchison Falls National Park to witness the magnificent falls. Prepare to be amazed as the powerful Nile River cascades down a seven-meter drop and then tumbles 45 meters below. You can view the series of cascades from various points up to the culmination. It’s truly a wonder to behold! Finally, enjoy dinner and overnight at your accommodation.

Accommodation options available (all on full board basis)

Budget  Red Chillis camp

Moderate  Sambiya River Lodge

Up Market  Paraa Lodge / Nile safari Lodge

Day 4: Embark on a transfer to Murchison Falls National Park to experience wildlife game viewing and boat safaris on the river Nile.

Rise early in the morning to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea before embarking on a thrilling 3-4 hour game drive on the northern bank of the Nile River. Prepare to spot various game species that call this park home, such as Rothschild Giraffe, Elephant, Jackson Hartebeest, Lions, Waterbucks, and a diverse array of Savannah woodland birds. Return to your lodge after the game drive for a mid-morning breakfast and some relaxation time before lunch.

In the afternoon, it’s time for a private boat ride along the Nile River to get up close and personal with aquatic game and avian species. Get a unique glimpse of a family of hippos, crocodiles, and other fascinating animals. Keep your eyes peeled for the legendary shoeBill stork and other bird species if you are a bird enthusiast. After this memorable experience, head back to your lodge for dinner and overnight accommodations.

You can choose from a range of accommodation options, all of which offer full board basis:

  • Budget: Red Chilli camp
  • Moderate: Sambiya River Lodge
  • Up Market: Paraa Lodge/Nile Safari Lodge.

Day 5: Depart from Murchison Falls National Park and make your way to Fort Portal.

After enjoying an early breakfast, depart from Murchison Falls and embark on a scenic journey through the Albertine rift via Hoima, until you reach the verdant countryside of Fort Portal. Take a break for lunch along the way and arrive at your destination in the late afternoon.

Enjoy a delectable dinner and spend the night at one of the various accommodation options available, all of which offer full board basis:

  • Budget: Chimps Nest Lodge
  • Moderate: Rwenzori View House
  • Luxury: Ndali Lodge/Mountains of the Moons Lodge.

Day 6: Embark on a journey to Kibale Forest National Park where you will have the opportunity to go chimpanzee tracking and explore the swamp areas around Bigodi.

After an early breakfast, set out for Kibale Forest National Park, which is renowned for having the highest concentration and diversity of primates in East Africa. Embark on a guided chimpanzee walk in the evergreen tropical rainforest in search of hot springs, black-and-white colobus monkeys, wild chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, and a variety of butterfly species. Enjoy a hearty lunch and then proceed to the Bigodi area for a swamp walk, where your guide will offer insights into the flora and fauna you’ll encounter. Finally, you’ll be transferred back to your lodge.
Accommodation options available (all on a full board basis) include
Kyaninga Lodge (up-market)
Primate Lodge (moderate)
Kibale Forest Camp (lowest price).
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.

Day 7: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park to enjoy the scenic and exotic wild game at the park

Embark on a scenic journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park, which typically takes between 2 to 4 hours. Along the way, enjoy a game drive that offers fantastic views of the park’s savanna wildlife, including antelopes, birds, and majestic acacia trees. Take a break to explore the stunning crater lakes region and visit the Katwe salt mines, where you can witness the traditional salt mining methods used in Uganda. Afterwards, head to your accommodation for a delicious dinner and a well-deserved overnight stay. Accommodation options are available to suit your preference and budget, ranging from the budget-friendly Albertine River Camp and Simba Safari Camp to the luxurious Mweya Safari Lodge, Kyambura Wildlife Reserve, and Jacana Safari Lodge.
All accommodations offer full-board basis.

Day 8: Go for a game drive and Launch cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, embark on a morning game drive in search of the diverse wildlife in Queen Elizabeth National Park. You will have a chance to spot elephants, tree climbing lions, buffaloes, kobs, hyenas, warthogs, and many species of birds. The game drive also provides stunning views of Lake Edwards, Lake George, and the great Kazinga channel. Return to the lodge for mid-morning breakfast and then have lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel. This natural channel connects Lake Edward and Lake George and is home to the highest concentration of hippos in Africa. Keep an eye out for the numerous bird species, including both typical and migratory birds. Dinner and overnight will be at your lodge.
Accommodation options available (all on full board basis) include
Budget Albertine River Camp and Simba Safari Camp
Moderate Hippo Hill Luxury Tented Camp
Up-market Mweya Safari Lodge, Kyambura Wildlife Reserve, and Jacana Safari Lodge.

Day 9: Chimpanzee tour at Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, head to Kyambura Gorge for a chimpanzee trekking experience. Driving through grassland, you will soon reach the impressive ravine of the tropical rainforest, over 100 meters deep. Embark on a trek in search of the elusive chimpanzees, and enjoy the opportunity to observe the diverse bird and butterfly species that inhabit the area. Knowledgeable rangers will guide you through the gorge and provide interesting information about the ecosystem. Return to the lodge for lunch and spend the rest of the day at leisure, before having dinner and spending the night at your accommodation. Options include the budget-friendly Albertine River Camp or Simba Safari Camp, the moderate Hippo Hill, or the up-market Mweya Safari Lodge, Kyambura Wildlife Reserve or Jacana Safari Lodge.

All accommodations offer full board

Day 10: Transfer from Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in south western Uganda.

This morning, you will leave for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. You will drive through the seasonal southern sector of Queen Elizabeth known as Ishasha. Here we will take lunch by the Ishasha River if time permits and after searching for the famed Ishasha tree-climbing lions before continuing to Bwindi, home to the few remaining mountain gorillas. If you are tracking gorillas in the southern part of Bwindi , you will not be able to drive via this sector to shorten the drive between Kisoro and Queen Elizabeth national park. Bird life and primate life in the Bwindi national park is quite superb, and there is an incredible variety of flora. Some bird watchers refer to Bwindi as a bird heaven! It holds 348 species of birds and supports 24 of 26 Albertine Rift Endemics that occur in Uganda; and seven red data book species. Once continuous with the forests of the Virunga Volcanoes (Dian Fossey’s stomping ground), Bwindi is now an ecological island, surrounded by cultivation on the rich volcanic soils. Accommodation options available (all on full board basis) Budget :Buhoma Community Bandas (self contained cottages) Moderate: Lake Kitandara Camp, Engagi lodge Up Market – Gorilla Forest camp/ Gorilla resort camp Clouds lodge.

Day 11: Go for Gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

After having an early breakfast and packing your lunch and trekking gear, including a raincoat, ankle-level hiking boots, gloves, long-sleeved shirt, and trousers, you will proceed to the starting point for a briefing by a ranger guide. You will then enter the gorilla sanctuary for a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife adventure – gorilla tracking. The dense rainforest is incredibly beautiful, with a dramatic steeply forested landscape criss-crossed by numerous animal trails that allow access to visitors. The time and terrain involved in the trek vary with the movements of the giant apes. Tracking these gentle and endangered giants is a thrilling and emotional experience that will be long savored. Observing the M group or the N group is an exhilarating experience that you won’t find anywhere else. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay. Accommodation options available (all on a full board basis) include
Buhoma Community Bandas (self-contained cottages) for budget travelers, Lake Kitandara Camp or Engagi Lodge for moderate travelers, and Gorilla Forest Camp, Gorilla Resort Camp, or Clouds Lodge for upmarket travelers.

Day 12 Transfer from Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to Rwanda

Following breakfast, embark on a scenic drive across the Uganda-Rwanda-Cyanika border. Along the way, stop for a delicious lunch before finally reaching your lodge. Check in and spend the rest of the day at your leisure, indulging in the comfort and amenities of your chosen accommodation. Enjoy a sumptuous dinner before retiring for the night.

Accommodation options available (all on full board basis):

Budget – Kinigi Guest House / Muhavura Lodge

Moderate – Mountain Gorilla Nest Lodge / Mountain Gorilla View Lodge

Up Market – Virunga Volcanoes Lodge.

Day 13: Tracking gorillas at Kinigi Park in the Verunga Ranges

Start your day with an early breakfast, then proceed to the Kinigi park headquarters for briefing, group allocation and orientation. From there, you will embark on a drive or walk to the trail heads, where your trek through the hills to the bamboo zone will begin. Hiking and tracking gorillas can take anywhere from 3 to 10 hours. Once you find the gorillas, you will have an hour to observe and stay with them. After your encounter with the gorillas, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation options available (all on full board basis)

Budget: Kinigi Guest House/Muhavura Lodge

Moderate: Mountain Gorilla Nest Lodge/Mountain Gorilla View Lodge

Up Market: Virunga Volcanoes Lodge.

Day 14: Go for the Dian Fossey Hike for your excursion to the slopes of the Bisoke volcano and tracking golden monkeys

After breakfast, embark on a thrilling excursion to the slopes of the Bisoke volcano for the Dian Fossey hike. The trek takes you to the former Karisoke center where you will visit the grave of Dian Fossey, an American primatologist who dedicated her life to the conservation of mountain gorillas. The hike offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and a chance to explore the lush forested slopes. The trek to the grave typically takes 2-3 hours. Alternatively, those who opt for the Golden monkey tracking will be treated to another exciting primate encounter. Return to the lodge to freshen up before continuing your adventure.

Day 15: Tour Lake Kivu

Enjoy a morning breakfast before embarking on a serene boat ride on the lake. This is an excellent opportunity to spot various bird species and observe different aquatic animals along the lake shore.

Accommodation:
Up-market: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel
Moderate: Lake Kivu Gorilla Lodge
Low Budget: Kivu Sun Hotel.

Day 16: Departure and Transfer to Kanombe airport at Kigali Rwanda

After breakfast, we will drive you to Kigali and transfer you to Kanombe airport for your departure flight back home.to end our:16 days gorilla and wildlife holidays in Uganda and Rwanda.
 

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    Included

    • Transportation by 4WD safari van
    • Fuel expenses
    • Accommodation while on safari as per the itinerary
    •  driver/guide
    • Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner) while on safari,
    • 1 soft drink per meal i.e. a soda or mineral water at/during lunch and dinner,
    • Park entrance fees
    • Chimpanzee Trekking Permit
    • Ranger fees

    Excluded

    • Local and international flights
    • Personal Travel insurance
    • Visa Fees to Uganda
    • Drinks cigarettes
    • Tips
    • Souvenirs and any other items of personal nature.supplements you can contact us: