Explore East Africa on this 14 Days Uganda and Rwanda birding and Wildlife safari with Superfine Safaris Limited. Discover and enjoy an encounter with the endangered mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, big game and notable bird species in Uganda and Rwanda on this 14 Days customized safari. Highlights include spotting shoebill storks, tracking mountain gorillas through Bwindi National Park, chimpanzees in Kibale Forest and taking an aerial canopy walk through Nyungwe Forest.
The 14 Days safari starts in Entebbe Uganda ending in Kigali Rwanda
Itinerary Summary
Arrival & relax
Day 1: Mabamba Wetland & Botanical Gardens Experience
Day 2: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park en route Rhino Tracking (5 hours’ drive)
Day 3: Birding Game drives & Bottom of the Falls boat cruise
Day 4: Drive to Kibale Forest National Park
Day 5: Chimpanzee trekking & Bigodi Wetland walk
Day 6: Semliki Birding Safari
Day 7: Head to Queen Elizabeth NP & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Day 8: Ishasha Game Drive to Bwindi
Day 9: Gorilla Trekking Tour and community visit
Day 10: MuBwindi Birding & Transfer to Volcanoes NP – Rwanda
Day 11: Golden Monkey Tracking & Nyungwe Forest
Day 12: Igishigishi hiking trail & Canopy Walk – Transfer to Kigali enroute Nyanza palace
Day 13: Birding in Nyabarongo swamp & Kigali City Tour
Day 14: Relax & Departure
Detailed Itinerary
Arrival & relax at the hotel
Pre arrival and relax at the hotel
Day 1: Mabamba Wetland & Botanical Gardens Experience
Head out for a birding excursion at the Mabamba wetland, home to the shoebill and several other bird species. Return to your hotel for a lunch break, then go birding in the Botanical Gardens. Overnight at: The Boma Hotel; Bed & Breakfast
Day 2: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park en route Rhino Tracking (5 hours’ drive)
After breakfast, you will transfer to Murchison Falls National Park with an en-route stopover at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for Rhino tracking. There are several bird species you will spot while exploring the sanctuary. Later, proceed to the park with a visit to the top of Murchison Falls. Overnight at Pakuba Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Game drives & Bottom of the falls Boat cruise
Early today, drive to the northern part of the park where you will see numerous wild animals grazing, hunting and browsing. Some of the animals to see include Lions, Elephants, Giraffes, Buffalos, Uganda kobs, Leopards, Waterbucks and warthogs among others. The drive also offers chance to see some birds which the driver guide will help you trace.Later, have a lunch break, and in the afternoon, have a boat cruise to the bottom of the falls. This 2-hour boat cruise offers great birding and overall wildlife viewing opportunities. Overnight at Pakuba Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Drive to Kibale Forest National Park
Set off on the 6-7-hour scenic drive southwest to Kibale Forest National Park, also referred to as the “Primate Capital of the World”. Arrive at your lodge in the afternoon for a brief birding excursion around the lodge. Overnight at: Turaco Treetops Lodge.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Chimpanzee trek & Bigodi wetland walk
Today, you have an early morning breakfast and with packed lunch transfer to Kanyanchu visitor information centre for chimpanzee trekking experience. Enjoy an hour with the endangered chimpanzees which rank as mans close relatives. The forest is also home to colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys and other monkey species which you might see on your chimpanzee trek. Have a lunch break, and in the afternoon, go for a guided walk in Bigodi wetland which is home to numerous bird species, primates and reptiles. Overnight at Turaco Tree Tops
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 6: Semliki Birding Safari
Head to Semliki National Park, East Africa’s only lowland tropical rainforest, located in Bundibugyo district. Get there early enough for a full-day birding excursion. Later, return to your lodge for the night. Overnight at: Turaco Treetops Lodge; Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 7: Head to Queen Elizabeth NP & Kazinga boat cruise
Depart for Queen Elizabeth NP via the Twin Lakes of Ndali and Kasenda. You will arrive in time for a lunch break and in the afternoon have a Kazinga Channel boat cruise, where you will see several bird species. The banks of Kazinga channel shelter numerous bird species and aquatic wild animals which will amaze you. Also, the cruise reward you with scenic views of wild animals grazing and browsing in the areas nearby.
Overnight at: Acacia Wilderness Mweya
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8: Ishasha Game Drive to Bwindi
Have breakfast and go on a game drive exploring places you missed the previous day. The drive through ishasha sector is a chance to see the famous tree climbing lions seen up in the acacias and fig trees. You will also come across other wild animals such as Lions, Buffalos, Elephants, Uganda kobs and Waterbucks among others Later, head to Bwindi, home to mountain gorillas. Overnight at: Bakiga Lodge; Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Day 9: Gorilla Trekking Tour and community visit
Undertake your extraordinary gorilla trekking adventure on this day. Led by experienced Rangers and guides, this gorilla trek through the thick vegetation leads to one of the habituated gorilla families and provides a chance to spend quality time with them. After 1-4 hours of searching, you will meet the mountain gorillas and spend one hour watching, learning, and taking photos. The afternoon leads you to the local community to learn about the local cultures, traditions, and customs through a guided walk. Overnight at: Bakiga Lodge. Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 10: MuBwindi Birding & Transfer to Volcanoes NP – Rwanda
Head out for an early birding excursion in the MuBwindi Swamp where you will see several bird species. Return for a transfer to the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Visit the Ellen of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund to learn about the mountain gorilla conservation journey. Overnight at Davinci Gorilla Lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 11: Golden Monkey Tracking & Nyungwe Forest
Start with an early breakfast and head out for golden monkey tracking. Return for a relaxed drive to Nyungwe Forest, Rwanda’s best birding destination. Overnight at Munazi Lodge
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 12: Igishigishi hiking trail & Canopy walk – Transfer to Kigali enroute Nyanza Palace
Enjoy an early breakfast and drive to the Uwinka Reception Centre for registration and a briefing by park guides. At 8:00am, begin the approximately 2.1 km Igishigishigi Trail, one of Nyungwe National Park’s most popular hikes. The trail takes about 1.5–2 hours and passes through lush montane rainforest filled with giant tree ferns, colorful birds, butterflies, and occasional primates.
The highlight is crossing the famous Canopy Walkway, suspended about 60 metres above the forest floor and stretching approximately 160 metres across the forest canopy. From the bridge, enjoy spectacular views of Nyungwe’s ancient rainforest, rolling hills, and distant mountains.
Later on, depart Nyungwe for Kigali via Rwanda’s beautiful southern countryside. After approximately 2½ hours of driving, arrive at the King’s Palace Museum in Nyanza.
Explore the beautifully reconstructed traditional royal residence, learn about Rwanda’s pre-colonial monarchy, and visit the famous long-horned Inyambo royal cattle, whose caretakers still perform traditional songs and ceremonies. Allow 45–60 minutes for the visit before continuing north.
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Nyanza or Huye before resuming the drive.
You will then continue the scenic journey through Rwanda’s “Land of a Thousand Hills,” passing tea plantations, villages, and rolling landscapes arriving in the afternoon
Dinner and overnight at the Five to Five Hotel Kigali
Meal plan : Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 13: Birding in Nyabarongo swamp & Kigali city Tour
After morning breakfast at depart from the hotel headed to Nyabarongo wetland. The wetland is located 30-40 minutes’ drive from Kigali city. Birds to see include Papyrus Gonolek, White-winged Swamp Warbler, Papyrus Canary, Carruthers’s Cisticola, White-collared Olive back, Northern Brown-throated Weaver, Malagasy Pond Heron, African Jacana, Spur-winged Goose, Yellow-billed Duck and Black Crake among others.
Return to Kigali for lunch at your hotel and in the afternoon go for a city tour to explore the beauty of this small city. Visit the Kigali genocide memorial centre to commemorate the victims of the 1994 Rwanda genocide. You will also visit the kimironko market, the main source of fresh foods and fruits in Kigali. Other places to visit include the Kigali convention centre, Inema art gallery and craft shops according to the available time.
Dinner and overnight at Five to Five Hotel Kigali
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 14: Relax & Departure
This is the last day of our East African safari. Have a relaxed breakfast and relax your body and mind from the previous busy days. Have lunch and transfer to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight
End of Safari.
Inclusions;
- Uganda gorilla permits
- Park Entrance fees
- Chimpanzee tracking permits
- 13 nights’ accommodation, plus meals.
- Full-time English-speaking birding guide
- Ground transport with a 4WD safari vehicle.
- Ranger fees.
- All activities included in the itinerary.
- Bottled water.
- Relevant Government taxes and levies.
Exclusions;
- Gratuities to the driver, Lodge/Hotel staff, Park rangers, and porters.
- Porter fees.
- Visa fees.
- Domestic and International airfares.
- Laundry fees.
- Souvenir shopping.
- Cigarettes and drinks.
- Telephone expenses.