12-Day East African Safari - Rwanda & Uganda

On arrival at Kigali International Airport in Rwanda, you will be received by one of our representatives/guides who will welcome you to Rwanda and brief you about your safari. Thereafter, you will be transferred to your accommodation for relaxation and an overnight stay. Accommodation: (Reserved Hotel or Lodge) | Meals: Dinner | Drive Time: Approx. 10-15 minutes.

You will have a morning pick up (after breakfast) by the assigned tour driver-guide who will take you around Kigali for the city tour. You can expect an excursion to places like the National Museum, local markets, art and craft shops, and the Genocide Memorial grounds. Thereafter, you will transfer to Nyungwe National Park. Filled with stunning beauty, Nyungwe in the southwestern part of Rwanda is not a place to miss on a Rwanda safari offering memorable wildlife experiences. A visit to Nyungwe takes you through the great natural forest comprising ancient trees which have all favored the inhabitation of a number of primates including chimpanzees, and black and white Colobus monkeys among others. Optional: En route, you may make a stop to visit the Kings Palace Museum.

Sheltering the highest population of chimpanzees in Rwanda (roughly 400). Chimpanzee trekking is a major activity done in Nyungwe Forest National Park. You'll have breakfast and transfer to the trekking point where you will first receive some briefing on the dos and don'ts during chimp trekking. Thereafter, you'll enter the forest to encounter these fascinating and human-like primates firsthand in their natural habitat. You'll return to the accommodation for lunch and some rest before going out again for the canopy walk experience. The two-hour walk starts and ends at the park's headquarters - the Uwinka Information Center. Travelers walk on the built trail which hangs 60 meters above the forest rewarding them with an aerial view of the national park, wildlife, adjacent communities, Virunga Volcanoes, and attractions in the neighboring countries.

You will enjoy a relaxed breakfast at the accommodation and then hit the road to Volcanoes National Park. Volcanoes National Park lies in northwestern Rwanda and borders Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. The drive is a bit long but incredibly scenic, passing through villages, and lush green countryside. You won't get bored at all. With a strenuous day ahead, you will reach and just check into your accommodation and relax. Later, you'll enjoy your dinner plus an overnight stay.

Golden monkey trekking takes place in Volcanoes National Park at the same time 7:00 a.m. as gorilla trekking. These rare monkey species are also listed as endangered and Volcanoes National Park has habituated groups that are available for trekking by visitors. The exercise starts with a short briefing from the park ranger at the RDB Office. Thereafter, you will proceed to trek the golden monkeys through the rainforest of the Volcanoes National Park. You'll return to the accommodation for some rest and lunch. After lunch, you'll drive off to Cyanika Border Post. From Cyanika, you will be received by our Uganda-based professional tour driver-guide who will take over from his Rwanda-based colleague. You will cross the border into Uganda and stay overnight at a property close to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park where you will undertake the gorilla trekking the next day.

You will have breakfast and move to the rangers' post. You will receive some briefing (from a ranger guide) on the dos and don'ts during gorilla trekking. Thereafter, you will enter the gorilla sanctuary for your adventure and encounter. The beauty of this rainforest is spectacular! The area offers a dramatic steeply forested landscape and is incredibly dense but crisscrossed by numerous animal trails allowing access to tourists. The time taken and the terrain vary with the movements of these great primates. Once you have located a gorilla group, you will be allowed an hour in their presence. The thrill of spending time observing these gentle but endangered giants is unforgettable. You will return to the accommodation and take some rest after a strenuous day.

You will wake up early, have breakfast, and embark on a transfer to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park - famously known for its tree-climbing lion population. Once there, you will undertake a game drive in search of this rare species of lion. Should you get the chance to spot the lions up in the tree, the sight is picturesque and unforgettable. From Ishasha (south), you will exit and head to the booked accommodation in the north sector. You will check in and take a rest. Optional: If interested, you may consider a late afternoon-to-evening game drive/safari in the Kasenyi plains.

You will wake up early and have your breakfast. You will proceed for a morning game drive/safari in the Kasenyi plains and be on the lookout for Cape buffalos, herds of elephants plus lions, and leopards (though hard to spot) among others. You will return to the accommodation for some rest time and lunch. After lunch, you will go for a 2-hour boat trip on the Kazinga Channel that connects Lakes George and Edward. During the trip, the sight of wildlife including giant hippos, elephants, and crocodiles among others will fascinate you. You will also see many varieties of birds on the water shores. Optional: If interested, you may go for a brief late afternoon-to-evening game viewing and then, return to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

You will reach Kibale Forest National Park in time for lunch and some rest before proceeding out for the Bigodi wetlands excursion. The Bigodi is a fascinating area that boasts of an extensive array of biodiversity among which are several primate species like the baboon, and black and white Colobus monkey. The Bigodi is also a paradise for bird watchers. Among the major bird species within the wetland is the great blue turaco. Later, you will relax and stay overnight at the booked accommodation.

After your morning breakfast, your driver will take you to the park information Centre where you will be briefed together with other guests about what to do and not to do while trekking chimpanzees. Thereafter you will set out to look for the chimpanzees in the forest and experience unforgettable. Trekking might take 2 to 6 hours of which it is based on the location of chimpanzees. If time allows, you will visit the various Twin Crater lakes in the afternoon and have a community walk. At the end of the day, you would have received a great African experience since you will see how these people live, do their day-to-day activities among other things. Head back to the lodge, have dinner & Overnight.

On this day, have breakfast and take pleasure in a morning game drive, then after Lunch, you will have a boat Trip towards the White Nile for 3-4 hours to experience sightings of a great deal of wildlife and birds. Along the way, look out for herds of elephants, giraffes, antelopes, the Uganda Kobs, buffaloes, waterbucks, and several bird species. You will head back to the hotel for dinner and relax.

We will have breakfast and then drive to the top of the falls to truly appreciate the beauty and magnificence of the Murchison Falls. From the top, we shall embark on a return journey to either Kampala or Entebbe. Drop off will be either at your booked hotel or direct to the Entebbe Airport (if flying out). Thank you for travelling with us. (Tafari Safaris).