12 Days Uganda Rwanda Congo Gorilla, Chimpanzee & Wildlife Safari – Overview

12 Days Uganda Rwanda Congo Safari with Double Mountain Gorilla Trek, Nyiragongo Volcano, Chimpanzees & Game drive starts from Entebbe International Airport Uganda and features Kibale NP Chimpanzee trekking, Queen Elizabeth NP game drive including the tree climbing lions of Ishasha and Kazinga Channel boat safari, Double Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi and Volcanoes National Parks, Nyiragongo Volcano hike and drive back to Kigali.

12 Days Uganda Rwanda Congo Gorilla, Chimpanzee & Wildlife Safari – Highlights

• Day 1: Arrive Entebbe International Airport – Uganda & transfer to the Hotel
• Day 2: Transfer to Fort Portal, visit the Amabere g’ Nyinamwiru caves, Fort Portal crater lake hike & connect to Kibale National Park.
• Day 3: Kibale National Park Chimpanzee trekking & afternoon Bigodi wetland walk
• Day 4:  Transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP, explore Ruboni Community on the foothills of Mount Rwenzori & game drive in the afternoon
• Day 5: Kasenyi sector game drive, Kazinga Channel boat safari & channel track game drive in the evening
• Day 6: Ishasha sector game drive in search of tree climbing lions & proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
• Day 7: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park & slope to Lake Bunyonyi for relaxation. Sightseeing of the fascinating Kigezi Highlands en route
• Day 8: Relaxed breakfast, motorized canoe ride & transfer to Volcanoes National Park
• Day 9: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park & proceed to Gisenyi Lake Kivu for relaxation
• Day 10: Nyiragongo Volcano hiking adventure
• Day 11: Descend from Nyiragongo Mountain and drive back to Gisenyi
• Day 12: Transfer to Kigali, Gisozi genocide museum and departure

12 Days Uganda Rwanda Congo Gorilla, Chimpanzee & Wildlife Safari Tour – Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Entebbe International Airport – Uganda & Transfer To The Hotel

You arrive at Entebbe International Airport, meet our representative and then transfer to the Hotel for relaxation and overnight

Accommodation: Budget / Basic: Airport Guesthouse Entebbe, Midrange / Standard: Boma Hotel Entebbe, Luxury / Upmarket: Protea Hotel Entebbe

Day 2 : Transfer to Fort Portal, Visit The Amabere g’ Nyinamwiru Caves, Fort Portal Crater Lake Hike & Connect to Kibale National Park.

After breakfast, drive to Fort Portal Area 300km about 6 hours transfer enjoying the views of en route landscapes such as the Inselbergs of Mubende, the swampy areas of Kyegegwa and the lush tea estates close to Fort Portal town.

Enjoy lunch in Fort Portal after which you take up a cultural tour to Amabere g’ Nnyinamwiru Caves and the adventure hike to the Fort Portal crater lake field – one of the four explosion crater fields in Uganda with incredible sightseeing experience.

Accommodation: Budget / Basic: Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse – Main house room, Midrange / Standard: Kibale Forest Camp – Safari Tent, Luxury / Up market: Crater Safari Lodge – Luxury Cottages

Day 3: Kibale National Park Chimpanzee Trekking & Afternoon Bigodi Wetland Walk

At Kanyanchu Tourism Center – the starting point for Chimpanzee trekking starts briefing at 8am. You go through briefing and eventually head to the forest for the 2 – 5-hour trek in search of these endangered species with nice views of lush flora, birds and other primate species.

Upon reaching Chimps, spend 1 hour with them enjoying them as they forage, mate, patrol among other behaviors.

From the activity, settle for lunch and later visit Bigodi wetland walk for Eco-community experience. The swamp has lush flora, birds like the Great Blue Turaco and swamp animals like Sitatunga.

Accommodation: Budget / Basic: Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse – Main house room, Midrange / Standard: Kibale Forest Camp – Safari Tent, Luxury / Up market: Primate Lodge – Luxury Cottages

Day 4:  Transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP, Explore Ruboni Community On The Foothills of Mount Rwenzori & Game Drive in The Afternoon

Depart the lodge at 7am after breakfast for a relaxed drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park 157km about 3 hours excluding the stop at Ruboni community exploring incredible views of Ndali Kasenda Crater field which is one of the four explosion craters in Uganda.

Branch off towards Kasese and take up an exploration to the Ruboni community on the foothills of Mount Rwenzori inhabited by the Bakonzo people for over 300 years past.

Learn about their way of life, livelihood and traditions. From the activity, proceed to Queen Elizabeth NP for an afternoon game drive in Kasenyi sector.

Accommodation: Budget /Basic: Pumba Safari Cottages, Midrange / Standard: Enganzi Game Lodge, Luxury / Upmarket: Mazike Valley Lodge

Day 5: Kasenyi Sector Game Drive, Kazinga Channel Boat Safari & Channel Track Game Drive in The Evening

Game drive starts at 7am in Kasenyi sector with impressive views of Savannah landscape and possibilities of spotting a range of wild game including; Lions, Leopard, Buffalo, defassa waterbuck, Kobs, Elephant among others.

The activity lasts 3 – 4 hours. Drive through Mweya peninsular, settle for lunch and later gather at Mweya jetty at 2pm for the afternoon Kazinga boat safari.

The boat safari lasts for 2 hours with possibilities of spotting aquatics like Nile crocodiles, Hippos and birds like the African skimmers, Cormorants among others.

The wild game drinking on the channel shores may not be missed. Upon return, do an evening game drive along the channel track for game viewing possibilities.

Accommodation: Budget /Basic: Pumba Safari Cottages, Midrange / Standard: Enganzi Game Lodge, Luxury / Upmarket: Mazike Valley Lodge

Day 6: Ishasha Sector Game Drive in Search of Tree Climbing Lions & Proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Set off for the game drive in Ishasha sector to the south of Queen Elizabeth National Park where there are possibilities of exploring the tree climbing lions and other wild game.

Proceed southwards to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation: Midrange: Gorilla Mist Camp, Luxury: Haven Lodge Buhoma

Day 7: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park & Slope to Lake Bunyonyi For Relaxation. Sightseeing Of The Fascinating Kigezi Highlands En-route

Breakfast at the lodge, gather at the briefing point at 8am for registration and general briefing after you embark on an adventure trek through the rugged landscapes of Bwindi with steep hills and narrow valleys in search of the Mountain Gorillas that are known to be Critically endangered world over.

The gorilla trek lasts 2 – 8 hours depending on how far the allocated gorilla family has moved and actual viewing time is limited to one hour for purposes of conservation.

Enjoy amazing sights of these great Apes, the lush flora and birds. Retire from the activity and slope to Lake Bunyonyi driving through the fascinating Kigezi Highlands and spend the evening at leisure.

Accommodation: Midrange: Bunyonyi Rock Resort, Luxury: Birdnest @Bunyonyi Resort

Day 8: Relaxed Breakfast, Motorized Canoe Ride & Transfer to Volcanoes National Park

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast, take up a thrilling motorized canoe ride exploring the beauty of Lake Bunyonyi popularly known as the Lake of a thousand Islands because of its 29 Islands.

Learn about their history after which you set off for the drive to Gisenyi Lake Kivu enjoying nice views of Virunga Volcanoes.

Accommodation: Budget: Muhabura Hotel, Midrange: Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, Luxury: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge

Day 9: Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park & Proceed to Gisenyi Lake Kivu For Relaxation

Gather at Kinigi Park headquarters at 7am for registration and briefing before heading to the forest in search of Mountain Gorillas in their natural habitat.

Volcanoes National Park is the only gorilla habitat in Rwanda and is part of the greater Virunga massif where 604 Mountain Gorillas are known to thrive.

The gorilla trek lasts 2 – 8 hours depending on how the Gorilla family has moved but with 1 hour with the Gorillas.

Enjoy their sights as they forage and socialize. Retreat from the activity and transfer to Gisenyi Lake Kivu for relaxation and beach experience.

Accommodation: Midrange / Standard: Hotel Paladis Malahide, Luxury / Upmarket: Serena Resort Lake Kivu

Day 10: Nyiragongo Volcano Hiking Adventure

Cross Congo boarder – Goma at 7:30am, go through the immigration and drive to Kibati Patrol post for briefing and the start of the adventure hike.

Nyiragongo Volcano is recorded to be the world’s largest and most violent lava lake which at one time erupted and caused serious damage including the half of Goma town.

The trek lasts 5 – 6 hours offering nice views of Virunga Volcanoes, Lake Kivu and later the red lava after the dark.

Accommodation: Mountain Shelter

Day 11: Descend From Nyiragongo Mountain And Drive Back to Gisenyi

Early wake up to take sunrise photo shoots, breakfast before embarking on the descent to the starting point.

From there, you will drive to Gisenyi Lake Kivu for relaxation. Spend the evening by the sandy beaches of Gisenyi Lake Kivu.

Accommodation: Midrange / Budget: Hotel Paladis Malahide, Luxury / Up market: Serena Resort Lake Kivu

Day 12: Transfer to Kigali, Gisozi Genocide Museum And Departure

Depart after breakfast for the drive to Kigali 358km about 4 hours’ drive. Enjoy incredible views of Rwandan hillsides and upon arrival in Kigali, you take up a city tour to explore the city landscapes including the Gisozi genocide memorial – a living testimony for what transpired in the 1994 ethnic conflict. Settle for lunch after which you will transferred to the Kigali International Airport for the flight back home.

End of The 12 Days Uganda Rwanda Congo Gorilla, Chimpanzee & Wildlife Safari

Safari Inclusions

• Gorilla Permit (for gorilla trekking safaris)
• Chimpanzee Permit (for chimpanzee trekking safaris)
• Full Board Accommodation on Safari
• Transportation in either 4X4 Safari Van or 4X4 Safari Land Cruiser all with Pop up roof & AC
• Fuel
• Professional English Speaking driver guide. Any other foreign language speaking guide can be arranged on request.
• Entrance fees to the tourist sites including Protected areas mentioned
• Activity fees of the tourist activities mentioned
• Bottled water while on safari
• Border crossing fees (for cross border safaris)

Safari Exclusions

• General tips for the driver guide, site guides and service staff at the lodges
• Laundry Services
• Other Beverages / drinks of personal nature like Alcohol
• International Flights (Arranged on request)
• Domestic Flights (Arranged on request)
• Visas
• Optional Activity fees
• Other extras not mentioned in the Itinerary
• Airport Transfer (Arranged on request)
• Accommodation in Kampala or Kigali unless it is part of the Itinerary (Arranged on request)