TOUR DESCRIPTION
This Wildlife & Trekking holiday is obviously among the most recommended Safaris to Uganda & Rwanda because there are a number of interesting activities that you are about to experience. Starting the trip in Jinja with Rafting on the Nile River, these grade 3 & grade 5 trips will leave you soaked wet in the water, a perfect adrenaline activity you could ever try. There on you visit Uganda’s most popular destination – Queen Elizabeth Park , set against the backdrop of the Rwenzori Mountains with sprawling savannah, crater lakes and a number of other attractions.
A lot of interesting things to enjoy here including game drives, launch trips, Crater Lake hikes etc. Moving south to Bwindi, you will encounter one of the world’s endangered species – the Mountain gorilla, living in the forests. The trekking experience is an overwhelming activity as it will leave you excited. This trekking holiday will take you through Uganda’s most scenic landscapes and Lakes before a community tour to the Batwa people. In Rwanda you visit the Volcanoes national park for another gorilla trekking experience. Finally visit the genocide memorial center before heading to Kigali airport.
Wildlife & Trekking Holiday
Start/End: Kampala/Kigali
Duration: 9 Days
Activities: Rafting, Game Drives, Launch trips, Community tours, Birding, Gorilla trekking
Destinations: Jinja, Queen Elizabeth Park, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Lake Bunyonyi, Volcanoes national park
An exciting opportunity to tour Uganda’s outstanding wildlife attractions and Rwanda’s rich Savannah & geography with our trekking holiday.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Kampala
- Source of the Nile & Jinja City
- Queen Elizabeth national park
- Bwindi Impenetrable forest – gorillas
- Lake Bunyonyi
- Volcanoes national park
INCLUDED
- Transport in a 4WD vehicle with pop-up roof.
- All fuel for the tour
- English speaking Ugandan driver/guide.
- Accommodation and Meals on Full Board (Breakfast Lunch and Dinner)
- Park-entrance fees for all National parks
- All activities described in the itinerary
- Drinking water throughout the safari.
NOT INCLUDED
- International air fares
- Entry visa Uganda
- Meals that are not part of your accommodation.
- A porter for during the gorilla tracking’s (someone who carries your daypack).
- Personal (medical/travel) insurance
- Tips and gratuities to rangers, driver/guide, porter, hotel staff, etc.
- All expenses of personal nature (e.g. drinks, laundry, optional activities, souvenirs etc.)
TOUR ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive in Uganda at Entebbe airport.
Your tourist guide/ driver will pick you up from Kampala and begin a panoramic drive north-west passing through the fOur local driver/guide will be at Entebbe Airport to pick you up from your flight. He will bring you to Kampala.
Accommodation at Cassia Lodge (Comfort), Serena Hotel (Luxury)
Meal plan: Lunch & Dinner
Day 2: Rafting experience in Jinja
Today you will start with an early morning game drive, on the northern bank of the River Nile. Your tour guide will help Today you will transfer to Jinja and visit the source of the Nile, go Rafting on the Nile and see a number of falls. Later visit Jinja town, with a lot of craft centers, shops and restaurants. In the evening, you will be transferred back to Kampala for dinner & overnight stay.
Accommodation at Cassia Lodge (Comfort), Serena Hotel (Luxury)
Meal plan: Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Kampala to Queen Elizabeth Park
Early morning, we set off from Kampala to Queen Elizabeth national park in western Uganda, which is about a 5 hours’ drive. Stop-over in fortportal town, such a cozy place for lunch then proceed to the park. On the way to your lodge, which is located inside the park, you will have a chance to spot some of the animals like, elephants, kobs, etc accompanied by the Rwenzori mountains in the background.
Accommodation at Kasenyi Safari Camp (Comfort), Mweya Safari Lodge (Luxury)
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Game drive & launch trip today
After an early breakfast, your guide will take you for an early morning long game drive at 6.30 a.m. You will be in time to see the sunrise, perfect opportunity for most photographers. You will across the Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, Waterbuck, Leopard, Uganda Kob, Warthog, etc. Later head back to your lodge to relax and have lunch. In the afternoon, you will be transferred for a launch trip (Boat trip) on the Kazinga channel. A lot of hippos, birds will be seen on this trip as others like buffaloes, crocodiles will be seen on the banks. Drive back to the lodge after your launch trip.
Accommodation at Kasenyi Safari Camp (Comfort), Mweya Safari Lodge (Luxury)
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Queen Elizabeth to Bwindi
Drive tEarly morning, drive to the south-western part of Uganda – Bwindi forest which is close to the borders i.e Rwanda and DRC. Your journey south will make you cross a beautiful part of the country often referred to as the Switzerland of Africa. You will see a great country-side, bamboo forest and have great views over the Virunga Mountains. In the evening check-in to your lodge.
Accommodation at the Bunyonyi Overland Camp (Standard), Rushaga Gorilla Camp (Comfort), Silverback Lodge (Luxury)
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Bwindi forest national park
Today we enter the gorilla sanctuary with a spectacular rain-forest with a dramatic steepy landscape. You will be in a Today you prepare yourself for an encounter with the Mountain gorillas which live in the Bwindi forest. You will be briefed by authorities from Uganda wildlife authority before starting your trekking. In groups of 8, you will be assigned a gorilla family to track. Be ready to see one of the world’s endangered species, also make sure you have carried the right gear with you. The trekking will last around 2 – 7 hours depending on how far the gorillas are in the forest. You will also have a chance to see over 360 bird species, other primates, butterflies etc. This exciting journey through Uganda’s ancient forest is exciting as you will come face to face with the gorillas. After the trekking, your guide will take you for a village walk to the communities living around the forest. Great cultural encounters you will find in these local people. Later transfer to Lake Bunyonyi.
Accommodation at the Bunyonyi Overland Camp (Standard), Birdnest @Bunyonyi Resort (Luxury)
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Lake Bunyonyi – Ruhengeri, Rwanda.
Lake Bunyonyi is surrounded by terraced hills, a perfect opportunity to spend the day while relaxing. Enjoy Bilharzia – free swimming, dug out canoeing, sunbathing, and also visit the Batwa community on one of the Islands. In the Early evening transfer to Ruhenjeri across the border in Rwanda.
Accommodation at Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge (Comfort)
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8: Volcanoes national park
Lake Bunyonyi is surrounded by terraced hills, a perfect opportunity to spend the day while relaxing. Enjoy Bilharzia – Early morning after breakfast, your guide will drive you into the park about 30 minutes to the Office Rwandais du Tourisme et Des Parc Nationaux (ORTPN). After the briefing from the park authorities, you start the trekking in the Volcanoes to the Gorilla family allocated to you.
Accommodation at Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge (Comfort)
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 9: Volcanoes national park – Kigali
Lake Bunyonyi is surrounded by terraced hills, a perfect opportunity to spend the day while relaxing. Enjoy Bilharzia – After Breakfast, we depart from the volcanoes national park to Kigali – Rwanda’s capital. Visit the Genocide Memorial, a place for remembrance in Rwanda visited by large numbers of people from all corners of the world. Later transfer to the airport in time for your Flight. This marks the end of your holiday.
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
