15 Days Rwanda & Uganda Wildlife Safari

Get your travel bags ready and join this 15-day Rwanda and Uganda Wildlife safari, taking you to explore some of the top travel destinations in each country. This 15-day multi-country trip begins in Rwanda- Kigali, Africa’s cleanest City, followed by a visit to Nyungwe Forest National Park –home to the best canopy walkway and zipline experiences, and Volcanoes National Park for gorilla treks. Then cross the border to enjoy the highlights of spectacular Uganda, including chimpanzee tracking, gorilla trekking, game drives, boat cruises, and so much more, before ending the safari in Entebbe/Uganda. Superfine Safaris Limited is your ultimate guide on this 15 Days of exploration

Highlights

• Enjoy a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel.
• Zipline or explore the Canopy walkway in Nyungwe Forest National Park.
• Go road tripping through the countryside areas of Uganda and Rwanda.
• Enjoy game viewing safaris in Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks.
• Trek through Kibale Forest for mankind’s closest relatives in the animal Kingdom.
• Trek through Volcanoes and Bwindi National Parks to enjoy face-to-face encounters with the endangered mountain gorillas.
• Explore Kigali City’s rich historical and cultural scene by visiting the genocide Museum and browsing through the Art and Craft.
• See lots of Africa’s Big Game such as Rhinos, Hippos, African bush elephants, Cape buffalo, antelopes, and many others.

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Kigali, Rwanda

Day 2: Kigali City- Nyungwe Forest National Park.

Day 3: Ziplining and the Nyungwe Canopy walk, and afternoon tea plantation tours.

Day 4: Nyungwe-Volcanoes National Park.

Day 5: Volcanoes Gorilla Trekking adventure and afternoon visit to Gorilla Guardian Village.

Day 6: Cross into Uganda – Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Day 7: Bwindi Gorilla trekking adventure and Batwa experience.

Day 8: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest-Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Day 9: Queen Elizabeth morning and afternoon safaris.

Day 10: Queen Elizabeth National Park- Kibale Forest National Park.

Day 11: Kibale chimpanzee tracking safari and visit to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.

Day 12: Kibale Forest- Murchison Falls National Park.

Day 13: Murchison Morning and afternoon adventures.

Day 14: Drive to Kampala/Entebbe via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for Rhino Tracking.

Day 15: Depart Entebbe/Uganda.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Kigali, Rwanda

Welcome to the heart of Africa! This multi-national wildlife safari kicks off in Rwanda with your arrival at Kigali City. Upon arrival at the Airport, your private guide will pick you up and transfer you to the Hotel. The adventure begins immediately, as after checking in, you will go on the City excursion. As you explore the City, check out the Art and Craft galleries, Museums, and local markets. After the tour, you will transfer back to your accommodation for the night.

Accommodation at: The Retreat by Heaven (luxury), Hotel Des Mille Collines (midrange), or Flame Tree Village (budget).

Meal Plan: Meals on the visitor’s account.

Day 2: Kigali City- Nyungwe Forest National Park

No trip to/or through Rwanda would be complete without exploring the Kigali Genocide Museum, to learn about the painful 1994 genocide that shaped the current unity and Peace in the Land of a Thousand Hills. After the City Tour, stop for a coffee/tea break and start the journey to southwestern Rwanda, to the spectacular Nyungwe Forest National Park. A lunch break will be at Nyanza, before continuing to your Lodge and arriving in the evening for your next adventures.

Accommodation at: One & Only Nyungwe House (luxury), Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel (midrange), or Gisakura Guesthouse (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 3: Ziplining and the Nyungwe Canopy walk, and afternoon tea plantation tours

The excitement on your 15-day Rwanda and Uganda Wildlife safari continues this morning when you head out for an invigorating adventure. For this excursion, you will undertake two activities- Ziplining and Canopy walk. Start with the traditional Zipline ride (over 1.85 kilometers) over the Valley, forest, and other areas. The second adventure is the canopy walk with views of primate species, birds, and tree species. Both activities are guaranteed to get the adrenaline pumping.

Afterward, have lunch at the Lodge and enjoy a more leisurely one to two-hour tea plantation tour. This is a wonderful opportunity to experience tea growing, harvesting/picking, and processing. During the tour, you can ask as many questions as possible and even have a taste of the aromatic tea.

Accommodation at: One & Only Nyungwe House (luxury), Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel (midrange), or Gisakura Guesthouse (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 4: Nyungwe-Volcanoes National Park

Your safari guide will pick you up in the morning for the 6-hour ride to Volcanoes National Park in the Northern Province of Rwanda. This 16000-hectare Protected Area is the first National Park in Rwanda (it was created in 1925) and is famous for its 35% of the World’s mountain gorilla population. Visitors have an opportunity to track one of the 12 habituated gorilla families, and many other activities.

Have lunch on arrival, and spend the remainder of the evening touring the nearby local community or relaxing at the Fire while preparing for the next day’s adventures.

Accommodation at: One & Only Gorilla’s Nest (luxury), Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (midrange), or Kinigi Guesthouse (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 5: Volcanoes Gorilla Trekking adventure and afternoon visit to Gorilla Guardian Village

The 5th day of this 15-day Rwanda and Uganda wildlife safari starts with a hearty breakfast, as you head to Kinigi Park Headquarters for a briefing. Later, your safari guide will drive you to the trailhead and then embark on the 3-6-hour search for the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. A moderate physical fitness, a pair of hiking boots, long safari pants, and a rain jacket are required for this gorilla trek. You will spend one hour in the presence of the Giant Apes as the Ranger guides interpret these Giant Apes and take photos. Afterward, return to the Lodge for lunch and afternoon adventures.

In the afternoon, visit the Gorilla Guardians’ Village, which relies on tourism to support itself. The majority of the people here are reformed poachers ready to share their traditional cultures and livelihoods with visitors. Listen to the traditional healer, prepare traditional dishes with a family, and take part in their local dances and songs, as well as traditional dances.

Accommodation at: One & Only Gorilla’s Nest (luxury), Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (midrange), or Kinigi Guesthouse (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 6: Cross into Uganda – Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Start your day with breakfast and leave Rwanda, the “Land of a Thousand Hills,” for Uganda, the “Pearl of Africa”. Cross the border and drive to the lush Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site covering an area of 331 square kilometers. It shelters almost half the World’s population of the endangered mountain gorillas living in four sectors/regions.

Accommodation at: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Lodge (luxury), Engagi Lodge (midrange), or Ride 4 a woman Guesthouse (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 7: Bwindi Gorilla trekking adventure and Batwa experience

Experience the majesty and unique behavior of the endangered mountain gorillas through this Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Adventure. After briefing from the Park Headquarters on the guidelines to be followed while searching for the Giant Apes, hit the trails not on a vehicle but on foot. At 8:00 am, start walking through the village gardens, into the jungle while being escorted by an armed Ranger and a guide. The walk should last anywhere between one and six hours, climaxing with a one-hour encounter while maintaining a distance of at least 7 meters from the Giant Apes. Watch and take photos of them as they play, eat, interact with each other, rest, groom each other, and after one hour, return to the Lodge for lunch.

Then, head for the Batwa cultural experience to learn about the lifestyle of the ancient inhabitants of the African forests, to learn about how they hunted, harvested honey, built huts, and made fire from sticks, before they were evicted from Bwindi Forest to make way for conservation. When dinnertime rolls around, you can take advantage of Uganda’s incredible culinary scene.

Accommodation at: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Lodge (luxury), Engagi Lodge (midrange), or Ride 4 a woman Guesthouse (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 8: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest-Queen Elizabeth National Park

After enjoying a leisurely morning in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you will check out of your Lodge and transfer north to the pristine Queen Elizabeth National Park. The drive takes about three and a half hours, and upon arrival, you will check into your Safari Lodge.

Lunch will be at the Lodge. Afterwards, head for a game drive through the varying landscapes comprising ancient craters carved into the gently rolling hills. You will come across Elephants, buffaloes, Uganda Kobs, Topis, and Hippos, among others.

Accommodation at: Elephant Plains Lodge (luxury), Mweya Safari Lodge (midrange), or Simba Safari Camp (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 9: Queen Elizabeth morning and afternoon safaris

Wake up early and embark on two wildlife safaris today. The first one begins at dawn with a cup of coffee/tea with crackers. Later, head deep into this spectacular Savanna National Park and explore its phenomenal ecosystems that include dry savannah, woodland, marshland, swamp, Lakes, and others. These ecosystems are shelters for a wide array of wildlife species such as leopards, lions, spotted hyenas, Hippos, Cape buffaloes, African bush elephants, Topis, and others. Morning is a perfect time to see nocturnal species, as that’s when many animals are at their most active.

Return to the Lodge at around 10:00 am for a full breakfast. After this break to relax and siesta, you will wait for lunch.

In the afternoon, it will be time to get back in the 4X4 Safari vehicle for your boat ride along the Kazinga Channel. It is interesting to know that one of the best areas to spot animals in Queen Elizabeth National Park is along the Kazinga Channel, where you will see Nile crocodiles, Hippos, and lots of birds in the water during the 2-hour boat trip. Often, small herds of elephants, buffaloes, and antelopes flock to the banks to drink.

Return to the Lodge in the evening, where you will find a roaring fire and a delicious meal to close your day.

Accommodation at: Elephant Plains Lodge (luxury), Mweya Safari Lodge (midrange), or Simba Safari Camp (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 10: Queen Elizabeth National Park- Kibale Forest National Park

After breakfast, you will board the safari vehicle for the 3-hour drive to Kibale Forest National Park via the spectacular Crater route. Upon arrival, you will check into your Lodge and head out for a crater tour, which offers breathtaking views of the beautiful area.

Accommodation at: Kyaninga Lodge (luxury), Isunga Lodge (midrange), or Kibale Forest Camp (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 11: Kibale chimpanzee tracking safari and visit to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary

Kibale Forest National Park is a fascinating Protected Area covering approximately 795 square kilometers and sheltering over 13 primate species, hence the name “Primate Capital of the World”. It is home to over 1500 of Uganda’s 5000 chimpanzees, and on this day, you will get a chance to meet some of them.

In the morning, your private safari guide will transfer you to the Park Headquarters at Kanyanchu for a mandatory briefing before entering the forest to search for the Great Apes. While on this walk, you will see more than chimpanzees. Look out for other primate species, birds, and large mammals, and after one to four hours, you will begin hearing chimpanzee hoots/calls, and get introduced to them. You will have one hour to watch them display several behaviors that include play, rest, eat, or courtship. Later, leave the forest and head for your next activities.

Depending on the location of your Lodge, you will either have lunch at a nearby Lodge or return to the Lodge of your stay for lunch.

Your adventure continues in the afternoon with a visit to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a guided walk, which will introduce you to some of the 8 primate species and over 200 bird species that call this swamp home. This 2-hour walk will be done by the local guides and ends with a short tour of the community to learn about their day-to-day lives, such as banana beer brewing etc.

Accommodation at: Kyaninga Lodge (luxury), Isunga Lodge (midrange), or Kibale Forest Camp (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 12: Kibale Forest- Murchison Falls National Park

Today. You will drive 8 hours north from Kibale Forest to Murchison Falls National Park, located in the northwestern side of the country. This route follows the Albertine region, and throughout the drive, enjoy the wide vistas of escarpments, cliffs, the far-flung Rwenzori Mountain ranges, homesteads, and fertile plains. You will have a lunch break and arrive at your Lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation at: Nile Safari Lodge (luxury), Pakuba Safari Lodge (midrange), or Heritage Safari Lodge (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 13: Murchison Morning and afternoon adventures

After breakfast, get back on the road for a Murchison game drive. While wildlife sightings aren’t 100% guaranteed, you will certainly spot some of the Uganda Kobs, Olive baboons, Jackson’s hartebeests, African bush elephants, Cape buffaloes, Topis, and warthogs that call this Park home. There are also rare sightings of spotted hyenas, lions, leopards, and more. At the end of your 3-4-hour game drive, you will return to the Lodge for a proper breakfast and  lunch.

After a relaxing lunch, continue your day’s Murchison adventure with a boat ride to the bottom of the falls. The guides will help you identify the animal and bird species during the 2-hour boat trip, which includes Elephants, Buffaloes, and Nile crocodiles. You will also see a plethora of birds that include African fish eagles, Great white pelicans, Pink-backed pelicans, Flycatchers, and Kingfishers. End the day with a campfire and dinner at the Lodge.

Accommodation at: Nile Safari Lodge (luxury), Pakuba Safari Lodge (midrange), or Heritage Safari Lodge (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 14: Drive to Kampala/Entebbe via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for Rhino Tracking

In the morning, you will leave Murchison Falls National Park and make your way back to Kampala. You will go by road, with a stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a 2-hour Rhino tracking adventure. This will increase your chances of sighting the Big Five Game, since this is the only place to see Uganda’s Rhino population in the wild. Lunch will be en route, and once in the City, you will check into your Hotel and spend the remainder of the day relaxing and taking in the views.

Accommodation at: Kampala Serena Hotel (luxury), Latitude 0 Hotel (midrange), or Yellow Haven Lodge (budget).

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.

Day 15: Depart Entebbe/Uganda

Spend your last morning in Uganda enjoying a hearty breakfast at the Hotel. Later, at the appropriate time, your private driver will pick you up and transfer you to the Airport, where you will catch your flight home. See you again!

Our 15-day Rwanda and Uganda Wildlife safari package includes;

• All site entry fees- National Parks, Museums, Ziwa Sanctuary, and others.
• All relevant Government taxes and levies.
• Border crossing fees.
• Bottled water.
• Ground transportation with a 4WD Safari vehicle.
• Gorilla trekking permit/s.
• Chimpanzee permit.
• Services of an experienced English-speaking guide.
• All village tour fees as indicated on the itinerary.
• Boat ride on the Kazinga Channel.
• Ziplining and Canopy walk fees.
• Airport and Hotel transfers as long as they are within the safari period.
• 14 nights’ accommodation and meals as indicated.

Our 15-day Rwanda and Uganda Wildlife safari package excludes;

• Visa fees (can be arranged on request).
• Porter fees.
• Travel and medical insurance.
• Domestic and International flights (can be arranged on request).
• Telephone expenses.
• Souvenir shopping.
• Gratuities to the guide/s, rangers, porters, and Lodge staff.
• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
• Laundry services.
• Extra activities that aren’t indicated on the itinerary.
• Extra costs resulting from the cancellation of the safari.