Overview
Take part in this amazing 10 days Uganda and Rwanda combo gorilla tour where you enjoy double gorilla trekking that will take in Bwindi national park and Volcanoes national park. Apart from gorilla trekking, the safari allows you to encounter culture of East Africa and wildlife including the big five animals in Akagera national park.
Visit Kibale National Park in Uganda for Chimpanzee tracking, game drives and boat cruises on Queen Elizabeth National Park as you encounter hot air ballooning tour in Akagera national park. This experience rewards you with a panoramic view of the surrounding.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Pick up from Kampala / Entebbe and transfer to Kibale NP
Your safari driver / guide will pick you from the any agreed point in either Kampala or Entebbe and transfer to Kibale National Park. This park is located in western Uganda covering an area of about 765 square kilometers a home to 13 primates including chimpanzees. The drive takes about 6 to 7 hours and on arrival, head to the lodge for leisure evening.
Day 2: Chimpanzee trekking, proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Head to the briefing point after breakfast and on this point, be told about the dos and don’ts to follow such as don’t make noise in the forest you will be chasing away attractions, keep a distance from these beautiful creatures, don’t mimic, don’t use flash light camera and more others.
Trekking will begin with the help of a park ranger and guides. The experience creates everlasting memories upon meeting the chimpanzees as they jump from one tree to another, breast feeding, searching for food and more.
After being rewarded with a certificate of trekking chimpanzees, immediately start the drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park with scenic views of Rwenzori Mountain Ranges, crater lakes and banana plantations. Arrive and take park in the evening optional activity like visiting the local community before checking in the lodge booked.
Day 3: Game drive and boat cruise
Take a morning game drive where you encounter early riser like the lions, spotted Hyenas, leopards, cheetahs and more of elephants, buffalos, warthogs and also birds like Grey Kestrel, Helmeted Guineafowl, African Crake, Lesser Flamingos, Eurasian Mash Harrier, Pallid Harrier, Avocet, Montagu’s Harrier, Common Greenshank, Little Stint, Gull-billed tern and more.
In the afternoon, take a remarkable boat cruise on Kazinga channel where you are entitled to spot animals like crocodiles, hippos, buffalos, elephants, Uganda Kobs and more of the birds like king fishers, African fish eagle, flamingos (seasonal), African broad bill, martial eagle, and more. Head back to the lodge for dinner.
Day 4: Travel to Bwindi NP via Ishasha sector
Leave Queen Elizabeth national park and head to Bwindi in the morning passing through Ishasha sector in the park. This sector is known to be a home of tree climbing lions which can also be spotted in Lake Manyara national park in Tanzania. The drive to Bwindi is so scenic with views of the endless savannah plains, rolling hills, tea plantations and more. Arrive and head to the lodge.
Day 5: Gorilla trekking and optional activity
Wake up excited to meet human closest relatives – the mountain gorillas. Your day begins with breakfast at the lodge, drive for briefing at the park offices followed by trekking in the forest.
Bwindi forest is termed as impenetrable forest which means that you need strong shoes and attire to pass through.
Trekking will begin and while on the trail, expect to meet different small primates, birds and if you are lucky enough meet large mammals like elephants, duikers, bushbucks and many more. Spend a maximum of an hour in front of these gentle giants while capturing memories.
Day 6: Cross to Volcanoes national park in Rwanda
Wake up on breakfast followed by a transfer to Volcanoes national park a home to endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. Crossing the Katuna border seems to be hectic but the safari driver guide will help you to pass through the immigration offices smoothly. Arrive and head to the lodge booked for your meals and overnight stay.
Day 7: Gorilla trekking
This day will be one of the memorable days and most exciting since it will not be so different from that on Bwindi national park. Breakfast will be served followed by a drive to the briefing point. Meet the park rangers together with Porters and park warden on this point. Attend briefing where guidelines to follow will be told, cross checking gorilla trekking permits, knowing the requirements needed for trekking and many more others.
Trekking will begin with a help of park rangers, porters and tour guides while spotting other attractions like birds, flora, waterfalls and more. Meeting a gorilla family rewards you with an hour spent in their presence learning about their behaviors. Take photos and the head back to the offices of the park to be rewards with the certificate. He’d back to the lodge for leisure evening.
Day 8: Transfer to Akagera national park via the twin lakes
Leave Volcanoes national park in the morning head to Akagera national park passing through the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo.
While here, enjoy the beautiful scenery while taking part in a canoe ride.
Proceed to Akagera the only savannah national park in Rwanda homing the big five animals and the rare shoebill stork. Arrive and head to the lodge booked for your meals and accommodation.
Day 9: Full day in Akagera savannah plains
Take a full day exploring the beautiful Akagera national park by undertaking a sunrise game drive, boat cruise and hot air balloon safari. On this day, expect to meet animals like hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffalo, zebras, warthogs, giraffes, Hyenas, leopards, lions, cheetahs and more. This will not leave out the different bird species such as African Wattled Plover, Giant Kingfisher, Senegal Lapwings, Squacco Herons and more.
Day 10: Drive back to Kigali and departure flight
On your last day of this safari, have an optional game drive in Akagera National Park which will be followed by a transfer to Kigali city. Be dropped off at the airport to mark end of your 10 days safari.
