The Ultimate 16-Day Adventure: Uganda, Rwanda and Congo Safari
Embark on an extraordinary 16-Day Adventure through the heart of Africa, where you’ll discover the breathtaking landscapes and diverse wildlife of Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo. This thrilling safari will take you through some of the most renowned national parks and pristine wilderness areas, offering you the opportunity to encounter iconic species like the Big Five, chimpanzees, mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, and the elusive Eastern lowland gorillas. Along the way, you’ll immerse yourself in the rich culture and traditions of local communities, making this adventure an unforgettable experience.
Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe, Uganda
Your incredible journey begins with your arrival at Entebbe International Airport. Our friendly driver guide will greet you and provide a briefing about the upcoming adventure. You’ll then be transferred to a comfortable hotel in Entebbe, where you can relax, enjoy a delicious dinner, and prepare for the exciting days ahead.
Day 2: Journey to Murchison Falls National Park via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
After a hearty breakfast, your adventure officially begins as you depart for Murchison Falls National Park in northwestern Uganda. This scenic drive takes approximately 5 to 6 hours, offering spectacular views of Uganda’s countryside, farmlands, and more. En route, you’ll make a stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a thrilling rhino tracking experience. After this exciting encounter, continue to Masindi for lunch before proceeding to Murchison Falls National Park. Here, you’ll be treated to magnificent vistas of the falls, abundant wildlife, and a variety of bird species. Upon arrival, settle into your lodge for a well-deserved dinner and a peaceful night’s sleep.
Day 3: Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Boat Cruise
Get ready for an action-packed day as you begin with an early morning game drive. Murchison Falls National Park is home to diverse wildlife, including elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, lions, leopards, and more. Capture incredible moments and spot numerous bird species as you explore the park’s lush savannah plains. Return to your lodge for a delicious lunch. In the afternoon, embark on a captivating boat cruise along the Nile River, which takes you to the base of the falls. Witness elephants, buffaloes, hippos, and crocodiles gathering along the riverbanks. The boat trip also offers excellent birdwatching opportunities, with kingfishers, fish eagles, and cormorants gracing the skies. After this memorable experience, return to your lodge for a relaxing evening, dinner, and overnight stay.
Day 4: Transfer to Kibale National Park
Enjoy breakfast and then bid farewell to Murchison Falls National Park as you head to Kibale National Park. This full-day journey promises breathtaking views of the Rwenzori Mountains, terraced tea plantations, Lake Gorge, and picturesque crater lakes. After reaching Kibale National Park, check in at your lodge and unwind. Dinner will be served at the lodge, providing an opportunity to rejuvenate for the next day’s adventures.
Day 5: Chimpanzee Trekking and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
An early start is essential for your exciting chimpanzee trekking experience. After breakfast, make your way to Kanyachu Visitors Centre for a comprehensive briefing. Here, you’ll be grouped with fellow travelers, assigned to a chimpanzee family to trek, and accompanied by an expert park guide. Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours, depending on the chimpanzees’ location. Along the way, you may also encounter other primates like grey-cheeked mangabeys, black and white colobus monkeys, and red-tailed monkeys, as well as various bird species and unique flora. Spending an hour with these intelligent creatures will provide invaluable insights into their behavior, feeding habits, and social interactions. Capture the magic of this encounter through photographs and videos before returning to the park headquarters and then to your lodge for lunch. After lunch, depart Kibale National Park for Queen Elizabeth National Park, taking in the scenic beauty of the landscape, crater lakes, and tea plantations en route. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch and later embark on an afternoon game drive. Keep your camera ready to capture the stunning African wildlife, including elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, and more. Return to your lodge for dinner and a well-deserved night’s rest.
Day 6: Morning Game Drive or Lion Tracking and Afternoon Boat Cruise
Start your day with either a thrilling morning game drive or a captivating lion tracking experience in the Kasenyi plains. The game drive promises incredible sightings of large herds of elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, bushbucks, waterbucks, and warthogs. If you’re fortunate, you might even spot elusive predators like lions and leopards. This morning adventure is a photographer’s dream, with an abundance of wildlife and diverse bird species to capture. Return to your lodge for a delicious lunch before embarking on an afternoon boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, which connects Lake George and Lake Edward. The two-hour cruise offers fantastic opportunities to view elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks, and warthogs along the shoreline. Witness the impressive congregation of hippos and Nile crocodiles in the water, and keep an eye out for various water birds, including martial eagles, African skimmers, cormorants, and fish eagles. Watch as local fishermen go about their daily routines along the riverbanks. After the boat ride, return to your lodge for an evening of relaxation, dinner, and a peaceful night’s sleep.
Day 7: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Following breakfast, check out of your lodge and prepare for a journey to the captivating Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Along the way, you’ll pass through the Ishasha sector in the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park, renowned for its tree-climbing lions. Enjoy a game drive in this area to catch a glimpse of these unique felines lounging in the branches of fig trees. Savor lunch and continue your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, an area known for its lush forests and thriving gorilla populations. Upon arrival, check in at your lodge, where you can relax, dine, and reflect on the day’s adventures.
Day 8: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Prepare for a once-in-a-lifetime experience as you embark on a thrilling gorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. After an early breakfast, gather your packed lunch and head to the park headquarters for a comprehensive briefing on gorilla trekking rules, regulations, and expectations. You’ll be divided into groups of eight people, each assigned to a specific gorilla family. Accompanied by a knowledgeable park guide, embark on your trek through the dense forest. The duration of the trek can vary from 30 minutes to 7 hours, depending on the gorillas’ location. Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for forest birds, other primates such as l’hoest monkeys, baboons, and unique plant and tree species. Once you encounter the magnificent mountain gorillas, you’ll have a precious hour to observe them in their natural habitat. This incredible opportunity allows you to gain insights into their behaviors, habits, and daily routines. Capture the magic of the moment through photographs, witness their feeding, playing, and interactions, and create lasting memories. After this unforgettable encounter, trek back to the park headquarters, where you’ll receive a certificate for participating in gorilla trekking. Return to your lodge for an evening of relaxation, dinner, and a peaceful night’s sleep.
Day 9: Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
Bid farewell to the gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park after breakfast and embark on a journey to Lake Bunyonyi, Uganda’s deepest lake and the second deepest in Africa after Lake Tanganyika. The scenic drive takes approximately 4 to 5 hours, offering breathtaking views of the terraced farmlands, rolling hills, and picturesque landscapes. Upon arrival at Lake Bunyonyi, check in at your lodge and enjoy a delicious lunch. After lunch, embark on an enchanting boat cruise or a serene canoe ride on the tranquil waters of Lake Bunyonyi. Explore some of the lake’s 29 islands, spot local wildlife, and soak in the stunning views of terraced farmlands and the surrounding natural beauty. Following the boat cruise, return to your lodge for a relaxing evening, dinner, and overnight stay.
Day 10: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park with a Twin Lakes Visit
Today, your adventure takes you to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. After breakfast, check out of your lodge and meet your driver guide for the journey ahead. Cross the border, either through Cyanka in Kisoro or Katuna in Kabale, and enjoy breathtaking views of rolling hills, lush countryside, and terraced farmlands. Upon reaching Volcanoes National Park, explore the fascinating twin lakes of Lake Burera and Ruhondo, marveling at their crystal-clear waters and the stunning landscapes that surround them. After this captivating visit, head to your lodge for dinner and a well-deserved night’s rest.
Day 11: Golden Monkey Trekking and Ibyi’wacu Cultural Tour
Kickstart your day with an early breakfast and then meet your driver guide for an informative golden monkey trekking briefing at the park headquarters. Following the briefing, set out on a trek through the forest in search of the charming golden monkeys. The trek can last anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours, depending on the monkeys’ location. Along the way, you may encounter other primates and witness the golden monkeys in their natural habitat. Spend a precious hour observing their playful antics, feeding habits, and acrobatics in the treetops. Return to your lodge for a delightful lunch, and then immerse yourself in the local culture with a visit to the Ibyi’wacu Cultural Village. Here, you’ll gain insight into the traditions, customs, and way of life of the local people. Savor traditional dishes, enjoy captivating cultural performances, and create memorable interactions with the community members. After this enriching cultural experience, return to your lodge for a restful evening, dinner, and overnight stay.
Day 12: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park
After breakfast, check out of your lodge and embark on a journey to Nyungwe Forest National Park. Along the way, savor an en-route lunch and take in the picturesque scenery. Upon reaching Nyungwe Forest National Park, check in at your lodge and unwind. Dinner will be served at the lodge, providing an opportunity to relax and prepare for the adventures of the following day.
Day 13: Isumo Waterfall Hike and Canopy Walk
Begin your day with a nutritious breakfast and then meet your driver guide for an exhilarating nature walk through the forest. The Isumo Waterfall Hike promises the soothing sounds of a flowing river, opportunities to spot various wildlife species, and birdwatching in a stunning natural setting. After the waterfall hike, return to your lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, embark on an adventurous canopy walk. This remarkable experience offers breathtaking views of the forest’s wildlife, primates, treetops, and a myriad of bird species. Capture the beauty of the forest from a unique perspective as you traverse the canopy walkway. After this thrilling adventure, return to your lodge for dinner and a peaceful night’s sleep.
Day 14: Transfer to Kahuzi Biega National Park
On day 14, after an early breakfast, check out of your lodge and meet your driver guide for the journey to Kahuzi-Biega National Park in Congo. Cross the border and complete necessary formalities at the tourism office in Grande Barrier. Continue your journey to Bukavu town, the nearest town to Kahuzi-Biega National Park. Upon arrival, check in at your lodge for dinner and a comfortable overnight stay. Please note that your Rwanda visa expires immediately upon crossing into Congo, so ensure you reapply for a new visa at the border and have it ready for the remainder of the tour.
Day 15: Lowland Gorilla Trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park
Today’s adventure is dedicated to lowland gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park. After breakfast, prepare for an unforgettable experience as you set out to encounter these magnificent creatures. The lowland gorilla trek typically lasts from 1 to 4 hours, depending on the gorillas’ location. These gorillas are larger and live in larger family groups compared to mountain gorillas.Once you find the gorillas, spend a precious hour observing them in their natural habitat. Witness their interactions, behaviors, and daily routines. Capture this remarkable experience through photographs and create lasting memories. After this extraordinary encounter, trek back to your lodge for dinner and a peaceful night’s sleep.
Day 16: Departure to Kigali
On your final day, enjoy a leisurely breakfast before checking out of your lodge. Meet your driver guide for the journey back to Kigali, Rwanda. Savor an en-route lunch and, upon arrival in Kigali, your driver guide will drop you off at Kigali International Airport for your departure flight or at a location of your choice, marking the end of this incredible 16-day Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo adventure.
