16 Days Uganda Congo Rwanda Safari Wildlife Tour Trip – Overview

16 Days Uganda Congo Rwanda Safari Wildlife tour trip, 16 Days Uganda Rwanda Congo Primate, Mountaineering & Wildlife Safari starts from Entebbe Uganda and features Big five experience in Murchison Falls NP & Queen Elizabeth NP, Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale NP, Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable NP, Golden Monkey trek in Volcanoes NP, Nyiragongo Volcano adventure hike, Eastern Lowland Gorilla Trek in Kahuzi Biega National Park, Nyungwe canopy walk and Kigali city tour before drop off at Kigali International Airport.

16 Days Uganda Congo Rwanda Safari Wildlife Tour Trip – Highlights

• Day 1: Drive to Murchison Falls National Park. Rhino Trekking en route at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
• Day 2: Game drive in northern Murchison, Nile boat safari in the afternoon & top of the falls hike
• Day 3: Drive to Kibale National Park. Sightseeing of countryside landscapes
• Day 4: Kibale National Park Chimpanzee Trekking & drive to Kasese
• Day 5: Rwenzori Mountains day hike & transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP
• Day 6: Do Kasenyi sector game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kazinga Channel boat safari & channel track game drive in the evening
• Day 7: Ishasha sector game drive in search of tree climbing lions & proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
• Day 8: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Mountain Gorilla trekking & drive to Volcanoes NP
• Day 9: Golden Monkey tracking in Volcanoes NP & slope to Gisenyi Lake Kivu for relaxation
• Day 10: Nyiragongo Volcano hiking adventure
• Day 11: Descend from Nyiragongo Volcano & relax on Lake Kivu shores
• Day 12: Speed boat cruise to Bukavu – Kahuzi Biega National Park
• Day 13: Eastern Lowland Gorilla Trekking & drive to Rwanda’s Nyungwe Forest NP
• Day 14: Nyungwe Forest NP Chimpanzee Trekking & Nyungwe canopy walk in the afternoon
• Day 15: Nyungwe Forest NP Colobus Monkey tracking & drive to Kigali.
• Day 16: Kigali city tour & depart

16 Days Uganda Congo Rwanda Safari Wildlife Tour Trip – Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Drive to Murchison Falls National Park. Rhino Trekking En-route At Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Set off for the drive to Murchison Falls National Park 311km about 5 hours passing through interesting countryside scenery.

A stop en route will be made at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to trek the resident population of southern white Rhinos for 2 hours.

Explore them as the forage and take incredible photo-shoots to mark the beginning of your Big 5 experience. Proceed to the park for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation: Budget / Basic: Twiga Tales Lodge, Midrange / Standard: Murchison River Lodge – Thatched Safari Tent, Luxury / Up market: Paraa Safari Lodge – Deluxe rooms

Day 2: Game Drive in Northern Murchison, Nile Boat Safari in The Afternoon & Top Of The Falls Hike

Enjoy a lasting game drive experience in the northern sector of Murchison marked with rolling open Savannah grassland with beautiful scattered borassus palms and patches of thicket towards the Delta Area.

The 3 – 4hour drive offers likely chances of exploring the four of the Big five namely; Lions, Leopard, Elephants and Buffaloes and then other interesting wild game such as Rothschild Giraffes, Oribis, Kobs, Hartebeest among others.

The boat to the bottom of the falls starts at 2pm from Paraa Jetty presenting nice sights of the Nile River – the longest in the world and then aquatic species like Nile Crocodiles, Hippos and birds.

You take on the adventure hike to the top of the falls following a narrow path viewing the Nile River as it flows through a less than 7m ravine before plummeting below 43m below the Devil’s Cauldron as its popularly known generating a plume of spray characterized by a thunderous roar and a trademark rainbow.

Accommodation: Budget / Basic: Twiga Tales Lodge, Midrange / Standard: Murchison River Lodge – Thatched Safari Tent, Luxury / Up market: Paraa Safari Lodge – Deluxe rooms

Day 3: Drive to Kibale National Park. Sightseeing of Countryside Landscapes

Drive to Kibale National Park 366km about 8 hours’ drive with good views of local villages and interesting physical landscapes.

Enjoy lunch en route. The lush Fort Portal tea estates will offer you a great welcome to the area.

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: Kibale National Park Chimpanzee Trekking & Drive to Kasese

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, transfer to Kasese 135km about 2 hours’ drive driving through the scenic Ndali Kasenda Crater field.

Accommodation: Midrange / Budget: Sandton Hotel Kasese, Luxury / Upmarket: Equator Snow Lodge

Day 5: Rwenzori Mountains Day Hike & Transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP

Gather at Nyakalengija Park station for briefing and setting off for a day walk in the Rwenzori Mountains. You explore the foot hills of the Mountain covered with lush tropical forest which is habitat to a range of birds and other fauna like the three-horned Chameleon.

Rwenzori Mountains is Africa’s third highest Mountain rising to 5,109m above sea level with snow capped peaks.

It is noted to be the tallest Mountain range since Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya are free standing. Enjoy picnic lunch and return in the late afternoon for the 2 hours drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park for relaxation, dinner and overnight.

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

Day 6: Do Kasenyi Sector Game Drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park, 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 7: 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 8: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Mountain Gorilla Trekking & Drive to Volcanoes NP

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 and transfer to Volcanoes National Park enjoying the views of fascinating Kigezi Highlands and the Virunga Volcanoes.

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

Day 9: Golden Monkey Tracking in Volcanoes NP & Slope to Gisenyi Lake Kivu For Relaxation

Engage in an exciting golden Monkey trekking encounter exploring these endangered species known to thrive only in Uganda Rwanda and Democratic of Congo.

The Golden Monkey Trekking starts from Kinigi park headquarters at 7am and lasts for around 4 hours. You trek to the slopes of Mount Sabyinyo where are known to thrive and enjoy their sights as they forage and play. Their golden patch on the bark gives them an outstanding look.

From the activity, transfer to Gisenyi Lake Kivu 110km about 2 hours’ drive to spend the evening at leisure relaxing by the beach.

Accommodation: Midrange: Hotel Paladis Malahide , Luxury: 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 Volcano & Relax on Lake Kivu Shores

Early wake up to take sunrise photoshoots, breakfast before embarking on the descent to the starting point. From here, you drive to the shores of Lake Kivu for relaxation

Accommodation: Midrange: Lac Kivu Hotel

Day 12: Speed Boat Cruise to Bukavu – Kahuzi Biega National Park

Transfer by speed boat to Bukavu – South Kivu province where the famous Kahuzi Biega National Park is located. Enjoy the amazing views of Lake Kivu and its Islands.

Accommodation: Budget / Basic: Panorama Hotel, Midrange / Standard: Hotel Elizabeth, Luxury/ Up market: Orchids Safari Club

Day 13: Eastern Lowland Gorilla Trekking & Drive to Rwanda’s Nyungwe Forest NP

Connect to the park headquarters for briefing and eventual start of the Gorilla Trekking activity. The search for the habituated group of Eastern lowland Gorilla is a memorable one as it provides for a special encounter with these Eastern Gorilla sub species.

The trek lasts 2 – 8 hours providing for 1 hour with Gorillas – an opportunity to view them and take lasting photoshoots.

Retire from the activity and cross to Rwanda – Nyungwe Forest National Park via Ruzizi 1 for relaxation, dinner and overnight

Accommodation: Budget / Basic: Gisakura Guesthouse, Midrange / Standard: Nyungwe Hill Top View Hotel, Luxury/ Up market: One & Only Nyungwe

Day 14: Nyungwe Forest NP Chimpanzee Trekking & Nyungwe Canopy Walk in The Afternoon

Set off from the lodge at 5:30am for the drive to Cyamudongo forest where Chimpanzee trekking takes place.

You explore them as they forage, patrol and socialize for 1 hour. The entire trek lasts between 2 – 5 hours after which you return to the starting point and return to the lodge for lunch.

In the afternoon, gather at Uwinka visitor centre for an exciting canopy walk. It’s the first of its kind in East Africa stretching for 200m through lush Afro montane forest canopy with likely sights of birds and primates. The canopy walk lasts about 2 hours.

Accommodation: Budget / Basic: Gisakura Guesthouse, Midrange / Standard: Nyungwe Hill Top View Hotel, Luxury/ Up market: One & Only Nyungwe

Day 15: Nyungwe Forest NP Colobus Monkey Tracking & Drive to Kigali.

Take up another great adventure in the Afromontane forest of Nyungwe to explore the great counts of Black and white colobus Monkeys.

The park is recorded to have the largest grouping of Black and White colobus Monkey on the continent of Africa with a minimum of 400 individuals.

Their black and white coats are beautiful while the young ones are completely white. From the trek, you transfer to Kigali 268km about 6 hours’ drive enjoying the views of Rwandan hillsides.

Accommodation: Budget: Hotel Chezlando- Standard room, Midrange: Hotel Chezlando – Bungalows, Luxury: Hotel Mille Collines – Garden room

Day 16: Kigali City Tour & Depart

Take up the city tour of Kigali exploring the Art centres like Ivuka, Markets like Nyamirambo and then, the Genocide memorial at Gisozi after which you will be dropped off at Kigali International Airport for the flight back home.

End of The 16 Days Uganda Congo Rwanda Safari Wildlife tour trip

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)