10 Days Explore Uganda-Rwanda Safari

10 Days Explore Uganda-Rwanda Safari

Summary

This 10 days Uganda-Rwanda safari takes you to top best interesting destinations where you will carry out different activities. Your safari will be conducted in two countries, Uganda and Rwanda. Uganda, the Pearl of Africa has many astonishing attractions some of which this safari is taking you through. Besides, it is a home to the highest population of mountains gorillas in the world. Rwanda also known as the “land of a thousand hills” will be your next country destination, it is a few degrees south of the Equator boarded by Uganda, Burundi and DRC with its capital Kigali. It’s also one of the two countries having the remaining population of the Mountain gorillas not forgetting other wonderful attractions making it worth this visit.

Activities

City tours
Canoeing
Batwa cultural experience
Gorilla trekking
Ibyiwacu cultural encounter
Game drives
Boat cruise

Highlights

Day 1: Pickup-Kampala City tour

Day 2: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

Day 3: Canoeing-Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest national park

Day 4: Gorilla trekking-Batwa Cultural Experience

Day 5: Transfer toVolcanoes national park

Day 6: Gorilla trekking – Ibyiwacu cultural encounter

Day 7: Transfer to Akagera national park – Evening game drive

Day 8: Morning game drive – Boat cruise

Day 9: Travel to Kigali – City tour

Day 10: Transfer to Kigali International airport

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival-Kampala City tour

Upon your arrival, you will be picked by our safari driver who will brief you about this safari. You will commence with your journey with a city tour which will be conducted in Kampala the national and commercial capital of Uganda. During the city tour, you will explore the Gaddafi Mosque which was initiated by Idi Amin and here you will have the opportunity to learn about the Islamic religion as well as view the 7 hills at an angle of 360 degrees since it is the focal point for Kampala city. Later, head to the Ndere cultural center. the word Ndere initially comes from the word “Endere” meaning “flute”. In fact, it symbolizes universal unity to the people of the world that have flute in their cultural music instruments. While here you will be able to enjoy the home of all cultures in Uganda as you enjoy different traditional dance performances like the Amagunjju for the Baganda, Ekitaguriro for the Ankole, etc. You are free to take photos and videos of this wonderful performances for memories and once the performance is done you will head back to the lodge for dinner and a night stay.

Accommodation

Kabira Country club

Day 2: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

Very early in the morning after breakfast, you will check out of the lodge and proceed to Lake Bunyonyi. The name generally means “the place of many little birds” since it hosts number of bird species. It is as well a home to 29 islands such as the Akampene, Bwama and Bucaranuka. Additionally, it is the second deepest Lake in Africa after Lake Tanganyika in Tanzania. Along the way you will have lunch and on upon arrival you will just check into your lodge because of the long distance.

Accommodation

Lake Bunyonyi Rock resort

Day 3: Canoeing-Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest national park

After breakfast, check out of the lodge and head to your canoeing activity and here you will have an opportunity to explore the islands. Here, you will learn more about their interesting historical background, you will as well as have wonderful views of this beautiful lake. Afterwards, transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest national park also known as the “Ultimate gorilla experience”. The Park is basically a home to over 400 mountain gorillas with over 14 habituated families which are open to the 4 sectors of the park namely; Buhoma, Nkuringo, Rushaga and Ruhija. Check into the lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation

Gorilla Close-up

Day 4: Gorilla trekking-Batwa Cultural Experience

Early in the morning after breakfast, you will proceed to the park headquarters for a briefing about the dos and don’ts before heading for this wonderful gorilla trekking experience. Later, hike into the forest with a ranger as you search for these gorgeous apes who are believed to be our closest relatives. Once you encounter the gorilla family, you are given 1 hour in their presence as you enjoy them carry out their day-to-day activities. Some of these include; feeding and playing, etc. You will later be awarded with a certificate of appreciation for being brave on choosing this wonderful activity. Later you will head back to the lodge for lunch and a powernap as you wait for another interesting activity. Afterwards, head for the Batwa cultural experience and here you will have a chance to encounter with the Batwa people also known as the. In fact, the “Twa” used to live in the forest in harmony with the mountain gorillas until they were evicted out of the forest. You will also get to know more about their cultural norms, background as well as listen to their fork stories not forgetting the amazing performances of music and dance as you get entertained. Feel free to participate in the dances if you are interested as well as take photos for remembrance. Later, head back to the lodge for dinner and a night stay.

Accommodation

Gorilla Close-up

Day 5: Transfer toVolcanoes national park

After having breakfast, you will check out of the lodge and travel to Volcanoes national park in Rwanda. This Park is found in the heart of central Africa so high up that you shiver more than you sweat a statement wrote by the Eminent primatologist Dian Fossey. The Park is a true paradise filled with lush green forest and mountain vegetation making it a comfortable home to the endangered mountain gorillas. On arrival you will check in the lodge in preparation for the next days’ gorilla trekking adventure.

Accommodation

Eagle View lodge

Day 6: Gorilla trekking – Ibyiwacu Cultural encounter

Early in the morning after breakfast, you will head to the park headquarters for a briefing about the dos and don’ts of this adventure. Afterwards, you will hike into the forest in search of these mountain gorillas. Note that, you will spend 1 hour in their presence as you watch them carry out their daily activities. Later you will head back to the park headquarters where you will be awarded with a certificate of appreciation for completion of your gorilla trekking activity. You will head back to the lodge for lunch as well as prepare for the cultural encounter. This activity will give you an opportunity to interact one on one with the Ibyiwacu people as you get to know about their customs and tradition as well as get entertained by their performance through drama and dances. You are free to participate if you wish as well as buy some of their art crafts as souvenirs. Head back to the lodge for dinner and a night stay.

Accommodation

Eagle View lodge

Day 7: Transfer to Akagera national park–Evening game drive

Have breakfast, check out of the lodge and transfer to Akagera national park the most visited in Rwanda characterized with savannah woodland and has an exceptional level of biodiversity and forms the largest protected wetland in central Africa. Upon arrival, you will check in the lodge and have lunch as you prepare for the evening game drive. During the drive, you follow the different tracks as you come across different wildlife such as elephants, antelopes, buffaloes, etc, as they roam the savannah plains of this park, you are free to take photos and videos of these wonderful creatures. Later, head back to the lodge for dinner and a night stay.

Accommodation

Akagera Game lodge

Day 8: Morning game drive–Boat cruise

You will have breakfast and later head for your morning game drive where you will spot different mammal species like the lions, leopards, zebras, wild dogs, elephants, etc. You will as well spot some different bird species such as the red-faced barbet, grey crowned crane, not to mention but a few. While here, you are free to take photos and videos for remembrance back home. Later, you will have lunch as you prepare for your afternoon boat cruise activity. This activity will be conducted on Lake Ihema and here you will have a chance to view different bird species such as birds like the malachite kingfisher, papyrus gonolek, African pied kingfisher, grey heron, African fish eagle, etc. You will as well as come across water mammals like the hippopotamus and crocodile as you enjoy the cruise. Dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation

Akagera Game lodge

Day 9: Transfer to Kigali–City tour

You will have breakfast, check out of the lodge and travel to Kigali city the capital of Rwanda, sparklingly clean and highly organized with tarmac roads. While there, you will visit the Kigali memorial museum that bears witness to the genocide against the Tutsis. Later, you will have

lunch and also visit the Niyo art gallery since it is a beautiful place where you will enjoy different master pieces drawn by artists in the Great Lakes region. Afterwards, head to the lodge and check for dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodation

Grand Legacy hotel

Day 10: Transfer to Kigali International airport

This is the saddest day as you end your safari. You will have breakfast and transfer to Kigali International airport the aviation hub for the gorilla highlands region. Here you will catch up with your flight back home.

End of the safari

Includes