Our 15-day trip brings you the best of Uganda and Rwanda: where the savannah meets the rainforest. Expect to see the animals of the savannahs (lion, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, hippo, leopard) and up to 16 primate species, including gorillas and chimps!!!This trip specifically includes the most important and well known national parks of Uganda and Rwanda: Murchison Falls National Park, Kibale Forest National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi National Park, Lake Bunyonyi and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
Day 1: Entebbe – Kampala
Upon arrival at Entebbe International airport, you will be met by your guide, briefed about your upcoming journey and transferred to your lodge.
Day 2: Kampala – Murchison Falls National Park
Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park. In Murchison Falls we visit the top of the falls if time allows. On our way we visit the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. This is the only place in Uganda where you can see the white Rhino.Murchison Falls is one of the most beautiful national parks of Uganda. One of the main attractions is the Nile, with the spectacular Murchison Falls, where the whole Nile is forced through a narrow gorge and falls 60 meters. Expect to see elephants, giraffes, lions, hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes and maybe leopards.
Day 3: Murchison Falls National Park
Spend the morning on a game drive in Murchison’s breath-taking wildlife and scenery, including 4 of the ‘Big 5’, with only rhino missing. In the afternoon you will embark on a boat cruise to see one of the planet’s great sights, Murchison Falls themselves, where the mighty Nile River squeezes through a 7m wide gorge creating the world’s most powerful water flow and the trademark rainbow. During this three hour cruise you will also get to see the fantastic array of wildlife on the river bank.
Day 4: Murchison Falls National Park- Hoima
Early morning game drive or boat trip on the Nile to the delta into Lake Albert or visit Budongo Forest for a jungle walk. In the afternoon we drive to Hoima town.
DDay 5: Hoima – Kibale Forest
After breakfast we drive to Kibale Forest. You can make a walk around the lodge in the afternoon. During this walk it is possible to see monkeys and birds. It is also possible to make a night walk through the forest to see the animals of the night, like bush babies (both activities optional).Kibale Forest is a spectacular jungle, with 13 primate species! Including chimps, baboons, black and white colobus, red colobus, grey cheeked mangabey and L’Hoest monkey.
Day 6: Kibale Forest
Chimpanzee tracking in the morning or in the afternoon. For people interested in primates and birds and willing to make another walk we can make a community walk in the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary as well. It is also possible to visit the local people or the crater lakes.
Day 7: Kibale Forest – Queen Elizabeth National Park
Transfer to the Queen Elizabeth National Park. On our way we pass the equator where we will make a stop. Game drive in the afternoon.Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the best places in Uganda to see lions. Expect to see elephants, lions, many hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes and maybe leopards.
Day 8: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Game drive in the morning. Boat trip on the Kazinga Channel in the afternoon.The Kazinga Channel is one of the highlights of Uganda and has the highest concentration of hippos in the world.
Day 9: Queen Elizabeth National Park – Ishasha
After breakfast we drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park to the Ishasha sector in the South. Game drive in the afternoon in search of the tree climbing lions.In Ishasha there are 4 prides of lions that climb the trees. Unique in the world! The other attraction of Ishasha are the Topis, not found anywhere else in this National Park.
Day 10: Ishasha – Bwindi Impenetrable
Today we drive to Bwindi Impenetrable. On our way we pass through interesting villages and have some breath taking views of the mountains.Bwindi Impenetrable is a unique jungle, with many monkey species. Bwindi is one of the 2 places in the world where you can find Mountain Gorillas! (Driving time depends on the area in Bwindi we stay)
Day 11: Bwindi Impenetrable
Gorilla tracking!!! Early morning departure with your ranger to search for one of the world’s most interesting and endangered animal, the Mountain Gorilla! You will spend one hour with one of our closest relatives. An experience you will never forget.
Day 12: Bwindi Impenetrable – Lake Bunyonyi
Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi; the deepest and most beautiful lake in Uganda. We sleep on one of the beautiful islands. Possible activities: make a nature walk, go for a birding walk, go for canoeing, take a swim or visit the local community (all activities optional).
Day 13: Lake Bunyonyi – Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda)
Transfer to the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. It is possible to visit a pygmy village on the way (optional).Volcanoes National Park is part of the Virunga Mountains, covering 3 countries: Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. Together with Bwindi this is the only place in the world to see the Mountain Gorilla’s.
Day 14: Volcanoes National Park
Optional activities for today: Do a second gorilla tracking (must be booked in advance to be sure), visit the golden monkeys, make a nature walk in the national park, climb a volcano, visit Dian Fossey’s Grave, or visit the Twin Lakes, Lake Ruhondo and Lake Burera (all activities optional).
Day 15: Volcanoes National Park – Kigali
Transfer to Kigali. Make a city tour or go for shopping if time permits. Afterwards transfer to Kigali airport for your departure.