Overview of the 10 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Rwanda Gorilla Tour Wildlife Safari

The 10 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Rwanda Gorilla Tour Wildlife Safari is a detailed gorilla and wildlife encounter in Uganda and Rwanda. The safari incorporates culture and history. Taking you through Murchison Falls, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi and Volcanoes National Parks, the 10 Days Safari brings you closer to primates than ever before with the possibility of encountering the two (2) big apes including gorillas and chimpanzee. It also features the Big five of Land animals namely; Rhinos, Elephants, Buffaloes, Lions and Leopards. The safari incorporates the Batwa Culture, the recreational encounter on Lake Bunyonyi and Lake Kivu and the historical tours at Gisozi genocide museum in Kigali.

Safari Highlights of the 10 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Rwanda Gorilla Tour Wildlife Safari

• Day 1 of the 10 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Rwanda Gorilla Tour Wildlife Safari: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park. Visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary en route
• Day 2 of the 10 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Rwanda Gorilla Tour Wildlife Safari: Do morning game drive and afternoon Nile launch cruise and hike to the top of the falls
• Day 3 of the 10 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Rwanda Gorilla Tour Wildlife Safari: Transfer to Kibale National Park. Whole day drive
• Day 4 of the 10 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Rwanda Gorilla Tour Wildlife Safari: Do chimpanzee trekking in the morning, afternoon Bigodi wetland walk and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Day 5 of the 10 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Rwanda Gorilla Tour Wildlife Safari: Do morning game drive and afternoon Kazinga Channel launch cruise
• Day 6 of the 10 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Rwanda Gorilla Tour Wildlife Safari: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Drive through Ishasha sector in search of tree climbing lions
• Day 7 of the 10 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Rwanda Gorilla Tour Wildlife Safari: Do gorilla trekking and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation
• Day 8 of the 10 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Rwanda Gorilla Tour Wildlife Safari: Do sun rise boat cruise and transfer to Volcanoes National Park – Rwanda
• Day 9 of the 10 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Rwanda Gorilla Tour Wildlife Safari: Do gorilla trekking and transfer to Gisenyi – Lake Kivu
• Day 10 of the 10 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Rwanda Gorilla Tour Wildlife Safari: Transfer to Kigali and visit the Gisozi genocide memorial

Description of the 10 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Rwanda Gorilla Tour Wildlife Safari

Day 1 of the 10 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Rwanda Gorilla Tour Wildlife Safari: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park. Visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary en route

Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park 311km from Kampala about 5 hours’ drive excluding stops en route, You drive through impressive flat stretches of Nakasongora district before branching off at Nakitooma for 7km to Ziwa Sanctuary to track white Rhinos which are only found here in the whole of Uganda. You retreat from the activity, settle for lunch at Kabalega dinner and continue to Murchison Falls National Park arriving in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Pakuba Safari Lodge (Midrange / Standard) or Heritage Safari Lodge (Budget / Basic).

Day 2 of the 10 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Rwanda Gorilla Tour Wildlife Safari: Do morning game drive and afternoon Nile launch cruise and hike to the top of the falls

Drive to the park’s northern section for a morning game drive offering impressive wild game viewing encounter.  The 3 – 4 activity takes you through the designated park tracks including Buligi, Queen, Albert and the entire delta area with possibilities of encountering the lions, elephants, Rothschild giraffes, Leopards, Jackson’s Hartebeest, waterbucks, Oribis, Kobs among others.  The open savannah grassland intercepted with scattered borasus palms also present a unique landscape worth viewing. Retreat from the activity and return to the lodge for relaxation and lunch after which you gather at Paraa jetty for afternoon boat cruise to the bottom of the falls. The 3 hour boat encounter opens you to the thrilling Nile waters in their relaxed flow as they join the Albert delta. The views of Hippos, Nile crocodile and shoebill stork might impress you along the adventure. Upon arriving on the bottom of the falls, you will embark on the hike to the top of the world’s powerful waterfall. The Nile River which is the longest in the world forces itself to pass through a less than 8m ravine before falling 43m below to what has been termed the devils cauldron forming a plume of spray marked by a thunderous roar and trade mark rain bow. During the hike, you will enjoy the sounds of the Nile as it splashes its head on the impermeable rocks that have stood in its way for centuries past. Retreat from the activity and connect to the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Paraa Safari Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Pakuba Safari Lodge (Midrange / Standard) or Heritage Safari Lodge (Budget / Basic).

Day 3 of the 10 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Rwanda Gorilla Tour Wildlife Safari: Transfer to Kibale National Park. Whole day drive

After breakfast, embark on the transfer to Kibale National Park driving through impressive countryside landscapes of Bulisa, Hoima and Kagadi. You enjoy impressive views of the Albertine rift where Lake Albert is located. A lunch stop can be made in Hoima and you arrive in Fort Portal in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Ndali Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse (Midrange / Standard) or Rwenzori View Guesthouse (Budget / Basic)

Day 4 of the 10 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Rwanda Gorilla Tour Wildlife Safari: Do chimpanzee trekking in the morning, afternoon Bigodi wetland walk and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Gather at Kanyanchu Tourism Center at 8am for briefing about the chimpanzee trekking conduct. You head to the forest of Kibale which provides shelter to 13 primate Species including the chimpanzees. The hike through impressive forested landscapes of Kibale with lush forest cover filed with counts of birds and primates. The chimp trekking activity tends to last 2 – 5 hours with one hour of direct encounter with the chimps. You marvel at these species as the munch fruit, socialize, mate, patrol, hunt and make their pant hooting calls. You take as many photos for lasting memories and retreat from the activity and get back to the starting point for a short relaxation where you can also take your packed lunch. After this encounter, you transfer to Bigodi wetland sanctuary for an afternoon wetland walk. The walk through this eco community initiative exposes you to the impressive wetland ecosystem with swamp dwelling animals like Sitatunga and impressive bird species like the Great Blue Turaco. After this exploration, embark on the drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park 157km about 3 hours’ drive through impressive scenic views of the Rwenzori Mountains. Arrive at the lodge in the evening for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Enganzi Game Lodge (Midrange / Standard) or Pumba Safari Cottages (Budget / Basic).

Day 5 of the 10 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Rwanda Gorilla Tour Wildlife Safari: Do morning game drive and afternoon Kazinga Channel launch cruise

Drive to the rolling plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park with its extensive savannah grassland for amazing game viewing experience after breakfast. The drive through the Kasenyi tracks enables you to explore a range of game including the elephants, lions, buffaloes, leopards, water bucks, side stripped jackals among other species. The activity tends to last 3 – hours after which you will return to the lodge for relaxation and lunch. In the afternoon, you gather at Mweya jetty for an afternoon boat cruise starting at 2pm for Marasa and 3pm for UWA with the interval of 2hours to make a round trip for another turn. The encounter offers you opportunity of encountering the Nile crocodiles, the Hippos and water birds along the channel. The wild game also tends to come to the channel shores to quench their thirst. Retreat from that and do a game drive along the channel track as you connect to the lodge for overnight.

Accommodation: Mweya Safari Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Enganzi Game Lodge (Midrange / Standard) or Pumba Safari Cottages (Budget / Basic).

Day 6 of the 10 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Rwanda Gorilla Tour Wildlife Safari: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Drive through Ishasha sector in search of tree climbing lions

Embark on the drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the south of Queen Elizabeth National Park. You undertake a game drive in Ishasha sector in search of tree climbing lions that tend to lie on fig tree branches overlooking their prey in the plains. Continue on the drive to Bwindi for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Chameleon Hill Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Gorilla Mist Camp (Midrange / Standard) or Broadbill Forest Camp (Budget / Basic)

Day 7 of the 10 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Rwanda Gorilla Tour Wildlife Safari: Do gorilla trekking and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation

Gather at the respective park headquarters for briefing at 8am after which you will head to the mist in search of the critically endangered mountain gorillas.  The hills of Bwindi and its deep saddles are soaked by dense forest cover with mature trees and thick undergrowth that have earned it the Impenetrable name.  Hiking through these landscapes is very impressive too and a rewarding experience of its own. The activity tends to last between 2 – 8 hours inclusive of one hour direct encounter with these ancient apes. You marvel at them as they forage and socialize. Your pictures are the memorabilia that you can always look at to refresh the memories of this unforgettable experience. Retreat from the activity and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Birdnest @Lake Bunyonyi Resort (Upmarket / Luxury), Lake Bunyonyi Eco-resort (Midrange / Standard) or Byoona Amagara Island Retreat (Budget / Basic)

Day 8 of the 10 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Rwanda Gorilla Tour Wildlife Safari: Do sun rise boat cruise and transfer to Volcanoes National Park – Rwanda

Undertake a recreational boat cruise after a relaxed breakfast to explore the lake of a thousand Islands. You cruise amidst the scenic Kigezi Highlands and the views of a range of Islands that are within the lake. Lake Bunyonyi has 29 Islands. You retreat from 4 – 5 hour activity and retreat to the lodge for lunch after which you embark on the transfer to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda driving along magical views of the Virunga Volcanoes before arriving at the lodge for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Mount Gorilla View Lodge (Upmarket / Luxury), Hotel La Palme (Midrange / Standard) or Muhabura Hotel (Budget / Basic)

Day 9 of the 10 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Rwanda Gorilla Tour Wildlife Safari: Do gorilla trekking and transfer to Gisenyi – Lake Kivu 

Gather at Volcanoes National Park headquarters Kinigi after breakfast at your place of stay to catch up with briefing at 8am local time. If you arrive early before, you have an opportunity to attend to the impressive Kinyarwanda dance performance and drinking a hot cup of Rwandan coffee till the briefing time. You attend to briefing our respective gorilla groups allocated to you on spot and then embark on the drive to trail heads of each gorilla family. You head to the slopes of the volcanoes in search of these critically endangered apes. You have one hour with them gain at them as they forage, socialize and the silverback demonstrating its manhood. The encounter tends to last 2 – 8 hours depending on the gorilla movements and the gorilla family allocated to you. Retreat from the activity and transfer to Gisenyi – Lake Kivu 110km about 2 hours’ drive. Arrive on the romantic beaches of Lake Kivu which is the largest lake in Rwanda. You have options of undertaking a sun set boat cruise, swimming or other water sports like wind surfing. Alternatively, you can do sun bathing on the shores. Retire from dinner, relaxation and overnight.

Accommodation: Serena Hotel Lake Kivu (Upmarket / Luxury), Hotel Gorillas Lake Kivu (Midrange / Standard) or Paladise Malahide (Budget / Basic)

Day 10 of the 10 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Rwanda Gorilla Tour Wildlife Safari: Transfer to Kigali and visit the Gisozi genocide memorial

Following your breakfast at the lodge, embark on the transfer to Kigali city. Upon arrival, you will tour the Gisozi genocide memorial to pay tribute to the counts of Rwandese that lost their lives during the bloody genocide that befell the country in the year 1994. The Gisozi site is a collection of the remains of some of the victims. There is a detailed themed interpretation of the entire genocide occurrence. Retreat from the activity to mark the end of your safari.

End of the 10 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari Rwanda Gorilla Tour Wildlife Safari

Getting There

General Safari Inclusions

• Chimpanzee Permit (for chimpanzee trekking safaris)
• Gorilla Permit (for gorilla trekking safaris)
• Full Board Accommodation on Safari
• Transportation in either 4X4 Safari Van or 4X4 Safari Land Cruiser all with Pop up roof & AC
• Fuel
• Professional English Speaking driver guide. Any other foreign language speaking guide can be arranged on request.
• Entrance fees to the tourist sites including Protected areas mentioned
• Activity fees of the tourist activities mentioned
• Bottled water while on safari
• Border crossing fees (for cross border safaris)

General Safari Exclusions

• General tips for the driver guide, site guides and service staff at the lodges
• Laundry Services
• Other Beverages / drinks of personal nature like Alcohol
• International Flights (Arranged on request)
• Domestic Flights (Arranged on request)
• Visas
• Optional Activity fees
• Other extras not mentioned in the Itinerary
• Airport Transfer (Arranged on request)
• Accommodation in Kampala or Kigali unless it is part of the Itinerary (Arranged on request)