12 Days Best of Uganda–Rwanda Wildlife Safari

Detailed Safari Itinerary Day 1 – Arrival in Entebbe, Uganda Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your professional safari guide and transferred to your hotel overlooking the shores of Lake Victoria. Take time to relax after your international flight or enjoy an optional evening walk along the lakeside before your adventure begins. Accommodation: Protea Hotel Entebbe or similar Meals: Dinner ________________________________________ Day 2 – Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park After breakfast, begin your journey north to Uganda’s largest protected area, Murchison Falls National Park. The scenic drive passes lush countryside, vibrant trading centers, and traditional villages. Upon arrival, visit the spectacular Top of the Falls, where the mighty River Nile forces itself through a narrow seven-meter gorge before crashing 43 meters below in one of Africa’s most powerful waterfalls. Watch for baboons, monkeys, and colorful birdlife along the route. Driving Time: Approximately 6–7 hours Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge / Murchison River Lodge Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner ________________________________________ Day 3 – Morning Game Drive & Nile Boat Cruise Begin the day with an early morning game drive across the northern plains, home to abundant wildlife. Possible sightings include: • Lions • Elephants • Rothschild's giraffes • Buffaloes • Uganda kobs • Jackson’s hartebeests • Oribis • Hyenas • Leopards (occasionally) In the afternoon, embark on a memorable boat safari along the Victoria Nile to the base of Murchison Falls. Hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, and numerous water birds line the riverbanks, providing outstanding wildlife viewing and photography. Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner ________________________________________ Day 4 – Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park Today’s scenic drive takes you southwest through Uganda’s picturesque countryside toward Kibale Forest National Park, often referred to as the primate capital of East Africa. Pass tea plantations, crater lakes, rolling hills, and charming rural communities before arriving at your forest lodge nestled among tropical landscapes. Accommodation: Turaco Treetops or similar Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner ________________________________________ Day 5 – Chimpanzee Trekking & Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary After an early briefing, venture into Kibale Forest in search of wild chimpanzees. Accompanied by expert guides, follow forest trails while learning about the ecology of this biodiverse ecosystem. Watching chimpanzees communicate, forage, and swing effortlessly through the trees is an unforgettable experience. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided walk through Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, renowned for its rich birdlife, monkeys, butterflies, and successful community-based conservation initiatives. This excursion offers an authentic glimpse into local livelihoods while supporting sustainable tourism. Accommodation: Turaco Treetops Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner ________________________________________ Day 6 – Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park After breakfast, continue to Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda’s most diverse wildlife reserves. The journey offers spectacular views of crater lakes, rolling hills, and the distant Rwenzori Mountains before arriving at your lodge overlooking the savannah. Spend the evening relaxing while enjoying panoramic sunset views. Accommodation: Buffalo Safari Lodge Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner ________________________________________ Day 7 – Kasenyi Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Safari Set out early across the famous Kasenyi Plains in search of wildlife during the cooler morning hours. Look for: • Lions • Elephants • Buffaloes • Waterbucks • Uganda kobs • Warthogs • Hyenas • Leopards (with luck) In the afternoon, board a boat for a cruise along the Kazinga Channel, one of Africa’s richest wildlife waterways. Expect to encounter enormous pods of hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants drinking at the shoreline, buffalo herds, and hundreds of bird species including pelicans, kingfishers, and African fish eagles. Accommodation: Buffalo Safari Lodge Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner ________________________________________ Day 8 – Ishasha Sector & Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Travel through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, famous for its rare tree-climbing lions that lounge on massive fig tree branches. Continue through the breathtaking Kigezi Highlands to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Enjoy stunning mountain scenery throughout the drive. Accommodation: Kaara Lodge / Buhoma Lodge Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner ________________________________________ Day 9 – Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Today is one of the greatest highlights of your safari. Following a briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers, hike into the ancient rainforest in search of a habituated mountain gorilla family. The trek may take between two and eight hours depending on the gorillas’ movements, but the reward is extraordinary. Spend one unforgettable hour observing these gentle giants as they feed, groom, play, and interact within their natural habitat. The experience is both emotional and deeply inspiring. Accommodation: Kaara Lodge Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner ________________________________________ Day 10 – Transfer to Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda After breakfast, cross the Uganda–Rwanda border and continue through the spectacular Virunga region. As Rwanda’s famous rolling hills unfold before you, enjoy magnificent views of volcanoes, terraced farms, and picturesque villages. Arrive at Volcanoes National Park and spend the afternoon relaxing while surrounded by one of Africa’s most beautiful mountain landscapes. Accommodation: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner ________________________________________ Day 11 – Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park & Relaxation at Lake Kivu Embark on your second gorilla trekking adventure, this time within Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. Experiencing gorillas in both Uganda and Rwanda provides fascinating insight into different conservation approaches and habitats while offering another intimate encounter with these endangered primates. Later, drive to the tranquil shores of Lake Kivu, where palm-lined beaches and crystal-clear waters provide the perfect setting to unwind after your trekking adventures. Relax at your lakeside resort, enjoy the sunset, or take an optional boat ride on the lake. Accommodation: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel or similar Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner ________________________________________ Day 12 – Kigali City Tour & Departure After breakfast, travel to Kigali for a guided city tour showcasing Rwanda’s remarkable transformation. Visit: • Ellen DeGeneres Gorilla Conservation Campus • Kigali Genocide Memorial (optional) • Local craft markets • Kigali city viewpoints • Cultural centers and artisan shops Depending on your flight schedule, transfer to Kigali International Airport for your onward journey. Depart with unforgettable memories of gorillas, chimpanzees, spectacular wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, and the warm hospitality of Uganda and Rwanda. Meals: Breakfast