Day 1: Arrival in Kigali – Rwanda
Upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, you will be welcomed by our company representative. He will introduce you to your professional driver guide. You will then be transferred to your hotel in Kigali.
Depending on your arrival time, you may relax at the hotel and enjoy dinner. Kigali is clean, safe, and organized, giving you a peaceful start to your adventure.
Accommodation Options:
Luxury – Kigali Serena Hotel
Mid-range – Park Inn
Budget – Five to Five Hotel
Day 2: Transfer to Nyungwe Forest National Park
After breakfast, you will check out and begin your journey to Nyungwe Forest in southwestern Rwanda. The drive is scenic, passing through rolling hills, tea plantations, and rural villages.
On the way, you will visit the Rwanda National Museum to learn about Rwanda’s culture and history. After the visit, continue to Nyungwe Forest.
Nyungwe is one of Africa’s oldest rainforests. It is home to many primates, colorful birds, butterflies, and tall ancient trees such as mahogany and ebony. Upon arrival, check in at your lodge and relax.
Accommodation Options:
Luxury – Nyungwe House
Mid-range – Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel
Budget – Gisakura Guest House
Day 3: Canopy Walk and Transfer to Lake Kivu (Gisenyi)
After breakfast, you will head to Uwinka Park Headquarters for a briefing before the canopy walk. The Canopy Walkway is built high above the forest floor. As you walk across the suspended bridge, you will see beautiful views of the forest canopy, birds, and monkeys.
After the walk, return for lunch and then drive to Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s most beautiful lakes. The journey offers great views and photo stops along the way.
Arrive in Gisenyi and relax at your lakeside lodge.
Accommodation Options:
Luxury – Lake Kivu Serena Hotel
Mid-range – Gorillas Hotel Gisenyi
Budget – Paradise Malahide
Day 4: Kayaking on Lake Kivu and Transfer to Volcanoes National Park
In the morning, enjoy kayaking on Lake Kivu. As you paddle on the calm waters, you may see fishing boats, hot springs, birds, and local life along the shores.
After lunch, drive to Volcanoes National Park. On arrival, visit the Ibyi Iwacu Cultural Village. Here you will learn about traditional Rwandan culture, dance performances, and local lifestyles. This community project supports former poachers by giving them alternative income.
Accommodation Options:
Luxury – Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
Mid-range – Virunga Hotel
Budget – Villa Gorilla
Day 5: Golden Monkey Tracking and Transfer to Bwindi (Uganda)
Wake up early for breakfast and go for a briefing at the park headquarters. Golden monkey tracking starts in the morning. You will walk through bamboo forests searching for these active and playful monkeys. You will spend one hour observing them.
After tracking, drive to the Rwanda–Uganda border for immigration procedures. Then continue to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda. Check in at your lodge and relax.
Accommodation Options:
Luxury – Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge
Mid-range – Nkuringo Bwindi Lodge
Budget – Buhoma Camp
Day 6: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
After early breakfast, go to the park headquarters for briefing. You will be assigned a gorilla family and a guide. Then enter the forest to begin your trek.
The trek may take between 4 to 8 hours depending on the location of the gorillas. When you find them, you will spend one hour observing their behavior, taking photos, and enjoying this special moment.
After trekking, return to the lodge for relaxation.
Accommodation: Same as Day 5
Day 7: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park (Ishasha Sector)
After breakfast, drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park through the Ishasha sector, famous for tree-climbing lions. You may spot lions resting in fig trees, elephants, and other wildlife.
Check in at your lodge and enjoy dinner.
Accommodation Options:
Luxury – Mweya Safari Lodge
Mid-range – Katara Lodge
Budget – Simba Safari Camp
Day 8: Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Early morning game drive in the park. Look out for elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, lions, and many bird species.
In the afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. This channel connects Lake Edward and Lake George. It has one of the highest concentrations of hippos in Africa. You will also see crocodiles, elephants, and many water birds.
Accommodation: Same as Day 7
Day 9: Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
After breakfast, drive to Kibale Forest via Kasese town. Enjoy scenic views of crater lakes and the Rwenzori Mountains.
Arrive at your lodge, check in, and relax.
Accommodation Options:
Luxury – Primates Lodge
Mid-range/Budget – Kibale Forest Camp
Day 10: Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Wetlands
After breakfast, go to Kanyanchu headquarters for briefing. Then enter the forest to track chimpanzees. Kibale is known as the primate capital of East Africa. Besides chimpanzees, you may see other monkey species and birds.
After lunch, visit Bigodi Wetlands for bird watching and a community visit. This area is rich in birdlife and local culture.
Accommodation: Same as Day 9
Day 11: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
After breakfast, begin your journey to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest national park.
Arrive and check in at your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation Options:
Luxury – Paraa Safari Lodge
Mid-range – Pakuba Lodge
Budget – Fort Murchison
Day 12: Game Drive and Boat Cruise to the Bottom of the Falls
Early morning game drive to search for giraffes, elephants, lions, buffaloes, and antelopes.
In the afternoon, take a boat cruise on the Nile River to the bottom of Murchison Falls. You will see hippos, crocodiles, and many birds. The highlight is seeing the powerful waterfall where the Nile squeezes through a narrow gorge.
Accommodation: Same as Day 11
Day 13: Transfer to Kampala
After breakfast, drive to Kampala. Along the way, you will pass through local communities and towns.
Arrive in Kampala and check in at your hotel. Spend the afternoon relaxing.
Accommodation Options:
Luxury – Lake Victoria Serena Resort
Mid-range – Le Petit Village
Budget – Hamura Resort
Day 14: Transfer to Kigali International Airport
Depending on your flight time, you will be transferred back to Kigali International Airport for your departure flight.
This marks the end of your unforgettable 14 Days Rwanda and Uganda Adventure Safari.