13 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari Adventure

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in Entebbe

For today, you will be arriving to Entebbe where you will be welcomed by a professional safari guide who will take you to your safari lodge in Kampala or Entebbe. If your flight comes in earlier to the schedule, you can go on a motorbike known as Boda Boda to Kampala City and try the local delicacies including the famous Kampala Rolex. The first things you will notice will be Lake Victoria and palm trees shimmering and warm breezes.

Overnight

• Budget Airport Guesthouse Entebbe
• Standard Boma Hotel Entebbe
• Luxury Protea Hotel by Marriott Entebbe

Day 2 Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park

The day the Nile comes to life. Depart for Murchison Falls. Drive through the rolling countryside and stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary if time permits. Arrive and check into your lodge. Down by the river, you may hear the distant grunts of hippos. Dinner overlooking the Nile River.

Overnight

• Budget Fort Murchison
• Standard Pakuba Safari Lodge
• Luxury Paraa Safari Lodge

Day 3 Safari and Boat Cruise on the Nile

A day that broadens your idea of scale. Look for oribi, giraffes, and lions grazing with elephants on the game drive through the savanna. In the afternoon, take a guided boat cruise to the base of Murchison Falls where you will witness water crashing through a gap only slightly wider than a jeep. Stargazing dinner back at the lodge.

Overnight

• Budget Fort Murchison
• Standard Pakuba Safari Lodge
• Luxury Paraa Safari Lodge

Day 4 Drive to Kibale Forest National Park

The drive is a mix of deep samanna from the previous day and the thick forest amazing savanna. After breakfast, head southwest. Upon arrival at the forest lodge, check-in and either rest or explore the garden. The air begins to cool to below the temperature of the forest while smelling damp earth.

Overnight

• Budget Chimpanzee Guest House
• Standard Turaco Treetops
• Luxury Kyaninga Lodge

Day 5 Chimpanzee Tracking and Drive to Bwindi

Surprisingly on this day, chimps were anthropomorphically judging your presence For some people, listening to their mellifluous tunes from the upper parts of the trees is already a reward. Aside from that, you have a brief introduction where they monitoring you, during your introduction, a chimp will be gaze at you from a fig tree as if confused as to why people would travel this far.

Complete the morning activities. Around noon, head south to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Dinner is served in complete darkness to the sounds of buzzing insects.

Overnight

• Broadbill Forest Camp – Budget
• Mahogany Springs Lodge – Standard
• Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp – Luxury

Day 6 Gorilla Trekking and Encounters with Batwa Culture

This day is the batwa walk accompanied with lunch then sightseeing. Every major accomplishment comes with a journey. You can reminisce while walking. Of course, make sure to capture all the sights for recollection purposes. A glance behind more than restores the body, and all-consuming fatigue blankets the figure while a sense of gratitude washes the spirit.

Overnight

• Broadbill Forest Camp – Budget
• Mahogany Springs Lodge – Standard
• Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp – Luxury

Day 7 Transfer To Kigali

This becomes reality for you, starting-off with discovering new places. Moving southwards to Rwanda reveals totally different places. Marked by neat small-scale settlements containing banana trees. Then head towards the hotel in Kigali. Order a cold drink paired with Rwandan brochettes and sip slowly as you enjoy them. Heaven Restaurant hints that it’s high time some food was consumed. The end of the last journey coincides with the start of the new.

Overnight

• Budget Five to Five Hotel Kigali
• Standard Heaven Boutique Hotel
• Luxury The Retreat by Heaven

Day 8 Kigali City Tour and Transfer to Volcanoes

A round tour of the beautiful landscapes of an enchanting country worthy to be praised. Contemplate in peace at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a site of sacred remembrance. Kimironko Market is a must for fresh fruits and vibrant fabric stalls. Take the route heading northwest in the afternoon. The closer you get to Volcanoes National Park the more the descending mist reveals surprising sights. Have warm dinner beside the fire waiting for your second encounter with the gorillas.

Overnight

• Budget La Locanda
• Standard Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
• Luxury Bisate Lodge

Day 9 Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes

Spectacular scenes and wildlife not provided anywhere else on earth. The day starts with validation of the gorilla permit and brief. Bamboo forest hiking is challenging as it is filled with mud and roots. Imagine a scenario where a silverback pauses during your guide’s break and glances at you. Everything freezes. One hour that redefines your perception of time. After that, freshen up with hot showers, followed by lunch, and relax. An ancient dinner and quiet reminiscence about the rather timeless experience.

Overnight

• Budget La Locanda
• Standard Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
• Luxury Bisate Lodge

Day 10 Golden Monkey Trekking or Cultural Visit

Just as stunning, but more agile and active. Golden monkey trekking allows you to observe small, faster copper-colored furry creatures as they frolic in the trees. Alternatively, you may visit Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village and learn some local skills and tales. Free time allows you to relax at the lodge in the afternoon. You will have dinner followed by an early night before the east drive the next day.

Overnight

• Budget La Locanda
• Standard Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
• Luxury Bisate Lodge

Day 11 Transfer to Akagera National Park

The change from green, volcanic mountains to stretching golden plains. Breakfast then departure. Some flowers and trees surround the highway on either side which is made of hills and valleys. Arrive at the lodge with an overview of Lake Ihema and check in for lunch. Partake in a sunset game drive to view giraffes, impalas, and elephants if you are lucky, while they are served stargazed. Dinner by the water.

Overnight

• Budget Akagera Rhino Lodge
• Standard Ruzizi Tented Lodge
• Luxury Magashi Camp

Day 12 Full-Day Guided Safari Akagera

Broad-leaved habitats and large mammals will receive primary focus. Depart before dawn for a chance to view lions at rest within the grasses, buffalo along the roads, and zebras feeding. Picnic lunch at the lake and explore Akagera’s astonishing bird life such as fish eagles, herons, and kingfishers. Return to camp and recount lantern-lit stories over dinner.

Overnight

• Budget Akagera Rhino Lodge
• Standard Ruzizi Tented Lodge
• Luxury Magashi Camp

Day 13 Driving Kigali, Return and Departure

One final morning enjoying nature’s beauty. Breakfast in the open overlooking the savanna. Memories streamed in as one drives back to Kigali. If time allows, a final stop at the market. Feeling as though the world has opened up, transfer to the airport.

Overnight

Not applicable (departure day).