15 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari

Arrive in Entebbe and transfer to your hotel. Relax and enjoy the views of Lake Victoria.
Entebbe is a city on the shores of Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa and the source of the Nile River. Entebbe is the gateway to Uganda, as it hosts the international airport and several attractions, such as the Uganda Wildlife Education Center, the Botanical Gardens, and the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary.

 Kidepo Valley National Park is one of the most remote and spectacular national parks in Uganda, located in the far northeastern corner of the country, bordering South Sudan and Kenya. Kidepo is a true wilderness, with rugged and semi-arid landscapes, sweeping plains, and mountain ranges. Kidepo is home to over 77 mammal species and 475 bird species, some of which are rare and endemic to the park, such as cheetahs, ostriches, bat-eared foxes, aardwolf, caracal, greater and lesser kudus. Kidepo is also one of the best places to see lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, antelopes, hyenas, jackals, and many more.
You will board a scheduled or chartered flight from Entebbe International Airport to Kidepo Valley National Park, which will take about 1-2 hours, depending on the aircraft routing. During the flight, you will enjoy the scenic views of the rugged and semi-arid landscape of Kidepo, which is one of the most beautiful and unspoiled wildernesses in Africa. You will also see the sweeping plains of Kidepo and Narus Valleys, overshadowed by Mount Morungole, the sacred peak of the Ik tribal people. You will land at the airstrip near the park headquarters, where you will be welcomed by your driver guide and transferred to your lodge or camp.
After checking in and having some refreshments, you will embark on an exciting game drive in the park, which is home to over 77 mammal species and 475 bird species. You will explore the Narus Valley, which is the main game viewing area of the park, where most of the wildlife congregates around the permanent water sources. You will have a chance to see lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, antelopes, hyenas, jackals, and many more. You will also look for some of the rare and endemic species that are only found in Kidepo, such as cheetahs, ostriches, bat-eared foxes, aardwolf, caracal, greater and lesser kudus. You will enjoy the stunning scenery of the savannah and the mountains, and the sunset over the horizon. You will return to your lodge or camp for dinner and overnight.

 Kidepo Valley National Park is not only a wildlife paradise, but also a cultural treasure, as it is home to two indigenous ethnic groups, the Karamojong and the Ik. The Karamojong are pastoralists who live in the lowlands of Kidepo, while the Ik are hunter-gatherers who live in the highlands of Mount Morungole. Both groups have unique and fascinating cultures, traditions, and lifestyles, that have been preserved for centuries.
You will have another game drive in the park, this time visiting the Kidepo Valley, which is the second game viewing area of the park. You will drive along the seasonal Kidepo River, which is lined with borassus palm trees, and see more wildlife and birds. You will also visit the Kanangorok Hot Springs, which are located near the border with South Sudan, and enjoy the views of the Lotukei Mountains. You will have a chance to see more lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and other animals, as well as some of the cultural and historical sites of the park, such as the Kidepo Stone, which is believed to have spiritual powers by the local people.
In the afternoon, you will visit the Karamojong community and learn about their culture and history. You will be welcomed by the elders and the warriors, who will show you their traditional homesteads, called manyattas, which are made of mud and grass. You will also see their cattle, which are their main source of wealth and pride. You will learn about their customs, beliefs, rituals, and ceremonies, such as the initiation, the marriage, and the dances. You will also have a chance to interact with the women and the children, who will show you their crafts, such as beads, baskets, and pots. You will also enjoy some local food and drinks, such as milk, sorghum, and honey wine. You will have a memorable and authentic experience of the Karamojong culture, which is one of the most ancient and unique in Africa.
You will return to your lodge or camp for dinner and overnight.

 Murchison Falls National Park is the largest and oldest national park in Uganda, located in the northwestern part of the country, along the Nile River. Murchison Falls is famous for its namesake, the Murchison Falls, where the Nile squeezes through a narrow gorge and plunges 43 meters into a thunderous roar. Murchison Falls is also home to over 76 mammal species and 451 bird species, including the big five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino), giraffes, antelopes, hippos, crocodiles, and many more. Murchison Falls is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with a variety of habitats, such as savannah, forest, wetland, and riverine, that host a diversity of birds, such as the shoebill stork, the goliath heron, the saddle-billed stork, and the malachite kingfisher.
You will board a scheduled or chartered flight from Kidepo Valley National Park to Murchison Falls National Park, which will take about an hour. During the flight, you will enjoy the scenic views of the Nile River and the surrounding landscape. You will land at the airstrip near the park headquarters, where you will be welcomed by your driver guide and transferred to your lodge or camp.
After checking in and having some refreshments, you will enjoy a boat cruise on the Nile, which is one of the best ways to see the wildlife and the scenery of the park. You will cruise upstream to the base of the falls, where you will see the magnificent sight of the water crashing down with a deafening sound. You will also see a variety of animals and birds along the riverbanks, such as hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants, giraffes, antelopes, and many more. You will also have a chance to see the rare and elusive shoebill stork, which is one of the most sought-after birds in Africa. You will enjoy the views of the sunset and the reflections of the water. You will return to your lodge or camp for dinner and overnight.

Murchison Falls National Park is divided into two parts by the Nile River, the northern and the southern banks. The northern bank is the main game viewing area of the park, where most of the wildlife can be found. The southern bank is the main scenic area of the park, where the falls and the forest can be seen.
You will go for a morning game drive on the northern bank of the park, which is accessible by a ferry crossing. You will explore the different sectors of the park, such as the Paraa, the Delta, and the Buligi, and see more wildlife and birds. You will have a chance to see the big five, especially the lions, leopards, elephants, and buffaloes, as well as giraffes, antelopes, hyenas, jackals, and many more. You will also look for some of the rare and nocturnal species, such as the serval cat, the aardvark, the pangolin, and the honey badger. You will enjoy the views of the savannah and the river, and the sunrise over the horizon. You will

Drive to Kibale Forest National Park and stop at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary on the way. Track the endangered white rhinos and learn about their conservation.
Kibale Forest National Park is one of the most biodiverse and beautiful national parks in Uganda, located in the western part of the country, near the Rwenzori Mountains. Kibale Forest is famous for its primates, especially the chimpanzees, which are the closest relatives to humans. Kibale Forest is home to over 13 primate species and 375 bird species, as well as other animals, such as elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and duikers. Kibale Forest is also a hotspot for butterflies, orchids, and medicinal plants.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is a private reserve that protects and breeds the endangered white rhinos, which were wiped out from Uganda in the 1980s due to poaching and civil war. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is the only place in Uganda where you can see the white rhinos in the wild, and it is also home to other animals, such as hippos, crocodiles, antelopes, and birds.
You will drive from Murchison Falls National Park to Kibale Forest National Park, which will take about 7-8 hours, depending on the road conditions and the traffic. On the way, you will stop at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, which is about halfway between the two parks. You will join the rangers and track the white rhinos on foot, which is a thrilling and rewarding experience. You will see the rhinos up close and learn about their behavior, ecology, and conservation. You will also see other animals and birds in the sanctuary and enjoy a picnic lunch. You will resume your drive to Kibale Forest National Park and check in at your lodge or camp.

Experience the thrill of seeing them in their natural habitat. In the afternoon, visit the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary and see more birds and monkeys.
 Kibale Forest National Park is the best place in the world to see the chimpanzees, which are the most intelligent and social animals on the planet. Kibale Forest has the highest density and diversity of primates in Africa, with over 1,500 chimpanzees and 12 other primate species, such as the red colobus, the black and white colobus, the blue monkey, the red-tailed monkey, the grey-cheeked mangabey, the L’Hoest’s monkey, the olive baboon, and the bushbaby. Kibale Forest is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 375 bird species, including the African grey parrot, the green-breasted pitta, the crowned eagle, and the great blue turaco.

Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary is a community-based conservation project that protects and manages a swampy area near Kibale Forest. Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary is a haven for wildlife and birds, especially the primates and the wetland specialists. Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary is home to over 8 primate species and 200 bird species, such as the black and white colobus, the red colobus, the blue monkey, the sitatunga, the papyrus gonolek, the white-winged warbler, and the great blue turaco.
You will have an early breakfast and drive to the park headquarters, where you will meet your guide and join a group of up to 8 people for the chimpanzee trekking. You will be briefed on the rules and regulations of the trekking, such as keeping a distance of 7 meters from the chimps, not using flash photography, and not eating or drinking in front of them. You will then enter the forest and follow the trails and the sounds of the chimps, which can be heard from a distance. You will have a chance to see other animals and birds along the way and enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the forest. You will eventually find the chimps and spend an hour with them, watching them feed, play, groom, and communicate with each other. You will be amazed by their intelligence and personality and learn more about their behavior and ecology. You will return to the park headquarters and drive back to your lodge or camp for lunch and relaxation.
In the afternoon, you will visit the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, which is about 6 kilometers from the park headquarters. You will be welcomed by the local guides and join a guided walk around the swamp, which will take about 2-3 hours. You will see a variety of animals and birds in the wetland, especially the primates and the wetland specialists. You will also learn about the plants and the medicinal uses, as well as the history and the culture of the local people. You will also have a chance to visit the community projects, such as the crafts shop, the school, and the women’s group, and support their livelihoods. You will return to your lodge or camp for dinner and overnight.

Look for the famous tree-climbing lions and other animals. In the evening, relax at your lodge and enjoy the views of the savannah.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the most popular and diverse national parks in Uganda, located in the western part of the country, along the Rift Valley. Queen Elizabeth National Park is famous for its wildlife and scenery, with over 95 mammal species and 600 bird species, as well as various ecosystems, such as savannah, forest, wetland, and lake. Queen Elizabeth National Park is also known for its volcanic features, such as the crater lakes, the salt lakes, and the hot springs.
Ishasha sector is the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park, which is famous for its tree-climbing lions, which are a unique and rare phenomenon in Africa. Ishasha sector is also home to other animals, such as elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, hyenas, leopards, and many more. Ishasha sector is also a scenic area, with open plains, acacia woodlands, and the Ishasha River, which forms the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo.
You will drive from Kibale Forest National Park to Queen Elizabeth National Park, which will take about 3-4 hours, depending on the road conditions and the traffic. You will enter the park through the Ishasha sector, which is the southern gate of the park. You will enjoy a game drive in the Ishasha sector, which is the best place to see the tree-climbing lions, which are usually found resting on the branches of the fig trees. You will also see other animals and birds in the sector, such as elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, hyenas, leopards, and many more. You will enjoy the views of the savannah and the river, and the border with the Congo. You will check in at your lodge or camp, which is located near the river or the park boundary. You will have dinner and overnight at your lodge or camp.

Kasenyi plains are the northern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park, which is the main game viewing area of the park, where most of the wildlife can be found. Kasenyi plains are home to a variety of animals and birds, such as elephants, warthogs, kobs, lions, leopards, hyenas, jackals, and many more. Kasenyi plains are also a scenic area, with open grasslands, acacia trees, and crater lakes.
Kazinga Channel is a natural waterway that connects Lake Edward and Lake George, which are two of the major lakes in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Kazinga Channel is one of the most biodiverse and productive water bodies in the world, with over 60 mammal species and 550 bird species, as well as fish and reptiles. Kazinga Channel is especially famous for its large concentration of hippos, which are estimated to be over 4,000 in number. Kazinga Channel is also home to other animals and birds, such as crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants, antelopes, pelicans, flamingos, kingfishers, and many more.
You will have an early breakfast and go for another game drive in the Kasenyi plains, which is the best place to see the predators, especially the lions, leopards, hyenas, and jackals. You will also see other animals and birds in the plains, such as elephants, warthogs, kobs, and many more. You will enjoy the views of the grasslands, the trees, and the crater lakes, and the sunrise over the horizon. You will return to your lodge or camp for lunch and relaxation.
In the afternoon, you will enjoy a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, which is one of the best ways to see the wildlife and the scenery of the park. You will cruise along the channel till sunset and see a variety of animals and birds along the banks, such as hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants, antelopes, pelicans, flamingos, kingfisher and many others. Return to your lodge for dinner, relaxation and overnight.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Uganda’s most famous national parks.

The park is renowned for its exceptional biodiversity and is a sanctuary for colobus monkeys, chimpanzees, and many birds such as hornbills and turacos. The park is home to about 400 Bwindi gorillas, which make up roughly half of the global population of the endangered mountain gorillas
The drive from Kampala to Bwindi takes about 8 to 10 hours, depending on the traffic and road conditions. You will cross the border at Katuna and enter Rwanda, where you will need to present your passport and visa. You will also need to adjust your clock, as Rwanda is one hour ahead of Uganda as well as convert your money to Rwanda Francs.

Along the way, you will enjoy the scenic views of the Birunga Mountains, a chain of eight volcanoes that straddle the borders of Rwanda, Uganda, and the D.R.C. The volcanoes lie on a branch of the East African Rift, the Albertine Rift. They have a rich biodiversity and many species that are found nowhere else in the world.
You will spend the night at one of the lodges or campsites near the park, where you can relax and prepare for the next day’s adventure.

Trek the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park and have a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with these gentle giants. Spend an hour with them and observe their behavior and interactions. In the afternoon, visit the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village and learn about the Rwandan culture and history.

Volcanoes National Park is one of the oldest national parks in Africa, established in 1925 as a sanctuary for the mountain gorillas.The park spans 160 square kilometers (62 square miles) and includes five volcanoes of the Virunga Mountains: Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga, and Sabyinyo.

The park is famous for its role in the conservation of the mountain gorillas, thanks to the pioneering work of Dian Fossey, an American primatologist who dedicated her life to studying and protecting these endangered animals. She founded the Karisoke Research Center in 1967 and was unfortunately murdered in 1985 by unknown assailants. The film “Gorillas in the Mist” depicted her work and life.

The park is home to about 400 mountain gorillas, divided into 10 habituated groups that can be visited by tourists. The gorilla trekking experience is a highlight of any trip to Rwanda, as it offers a rare opportunity to encounter these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. The trekking can be challenging, as it involves hiking through steep and muddy terrain, sometimes for several hours, depending on the location of the gorillas. The effort pays off though, because you can watch them for an hour and see how they behave and interact with each other.
In the afternoon, you will visit the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, a community-based initiative that showcases the traditional rural life of Rwandans. You will have the chance to meet local people and learn about their culture and history. You will also enjoy various activities, such as traditional Intore dances and music, pottery making, basket weaving, banana beer brewing, and visiting the king’s hut. The village provides livelihood opportunities for ex-poachers and their families, who have abandoned hunting and embraced conservation and tourism as a way of earning income.

You will spend another night at your Safari lodge or campsite near the park.

Trek the golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park and see these rare and beautiful primates. In the afternoon, drive to Lake Kivu and enjoy the beach and the lake activities.

The golden monkey is a subspecies of the blue monkey, endemic to the high-altitude forests of the Virunga Mountains. This animal has a long tail, cheek whiskers, and fur that is golden orange in color. Habitat loss and fragmentation have endangered its survival, according to the IUCN.
The park has two habituated groups of golden monkeys, each with about 80 to 100 individuals. The golden monkey trekking is similar to the gorilla trekking, but usually less strenuous and shorter, as the monkeys tend to stay near the bamboo forest at the base of the volcanoes. The trekking permits are also cheaper, at $100 per person. For an hour, you can observe the monkeys’ feeding, playing and jumping activities among the trees.
In the afternoon, you will drive to Lake Kivu, one of the great lakes of East Africa, situated between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The lake covers an area of 2,700 square kilometers (1,040 square miles) and has a maximum depth of 475 meters (1,558 feet). It is part of the Albertine Rift and is fed by the Ruzizi River, which flows from Lake Tanganyika. The lake also contains large amounts of dissolved methane gas, which could be exploited as an energy source in the future.

You will stay at one of the towns along the lake shore, such as Gisenyi, Kibuye, or Cyangugu. You will enjoy the beach and the lake activities, such as swimming, boating, kayaking, fishing, or relaxing. You will also admire the scenic views of the lake and the surrounding hills.

In the afternoon, go for a canopy walk and see the forest from above. See more monkeys and birds along the way. Nyungwe Forest National Park is one of the oldest rainforests in Africa, and the largest expanse of forest in Rwanda, covering 1,019 square kilometers (393 square miles) of dense Afromontane forests, bamboo-covered slopes, grasslands and wetlands. The park feeds two of the world’s largest rivers, the Congo and the Nile, and provides a significant portion of Rwanda’s freshwater.

The park is a biodiversity hotspot, with more than 1,000 plant species, including 200 types of trees and 104 species of ferns. It also hosts 13 primate species, 85 mammal species, 310 bird species, 32 amphibian species, and 38 reptile species.

The drive from Lake Kivu to Nyungwe takes about 4 to 5 hours, depending on the road conditions and the stops along the way. You will pass through the towns of Kibuye and Cyangugu, where you can stop for lunch or a break.

In the afternoon, you will go for a canopy walk, one of the main attractions of the park. The canopy walk is a 200-meter (656-foot) long suspended bridge, 50 meters (164 feet) above the ground, that offers a thrilling and panoramic view of the forest from above. You will see the different layers of the forest, the birds, the butterflies, and the monkeys that live in the treetops. The canopy walk is an unforgettable experience that requires a moderate level of fitness and a good head for heights. You will spend the night at one of the lodges or campsites near the park.

Experience the excitement of seeing them in their natural habitat. In the afternoon, drive to Kigali and for a city tour with visits to the Genocide Memorial, the Kimironko Market, and the Inema Arts Center, then head for serious chimp business.

The chimpanzee is the closest living relative of humans, sharing about 98% of our DNA. It is one of the most intelligent and social animals, capable of using simple and complex tools, communicating, and expressing emotions.

Nyungwe Forest is one of the best places to see chimpanzees in Africa, as it has a population of about 500 individuals, divided into two habituated groups that can be visited by tourists. The chimpanzee trekking is a challenging but rewarding activity, as it involves walking through steep and slippery terrain, sometimes for several hours, in search of the chimps. Once you find them, you will have an hour to watch them as they feed, groom, play, and vocalize.

Transfer back to your hotel for refreshment, relaxation, dinner and overnight.

Say your good-byes to the friendly hotel staff, check-out and transfer to Airport for your departing flight home or to your next destination.

Thank you for choosing us, we look forward to hosting you in “The Pearl of Africa” and in the “Land of a Thousand Hills.