12 Days the great Apes of Uganda And Rwanda
12 Days the great Apes of Uganda And Rwanda commencing in Entebbe, Uganda, and concluding in Kigali, Rwanda. Throughout these 12 Days the great Apes of Uganda And Rwanda, you will engage in mountain gorilla tracking in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, observe wildlife in Murchison Falls National Park, participate in lion tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park, trek for chimpanzees in Kibale National Park, and experience golden monkey trekking in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.
Highlights of the 12 Days the great Apes of Uganda And Rwanda
- Day 1: Pickup in Entebbe and transportation to Kampala.
- Day 2: Journey to Murchison Falls with Rhino Tracking at Ziwa
- Day 3: Morning Safari Expedition and Afternoon Nautical Excursion
- Day 4: Journey to Kibale National Park
- Day 5: Chimpanzee Expedition and Optional Bigodi Swamp Walk
- Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Evening Safari
- Day 7: Lion Tracking, Morning Game Drive, and Afternoon Boat Cruise
- Day 8: Transfer to Bwindi National Park
- Day 9: Gorilla Trek and Optional Batwa Cultural Experience
- Day 10: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park – Optional Visit to Karisoke Centre.
- Day 11: Golden Monkey Trek, Ibyi’wacu Village Tour and Return Drive to Kigali.
- Day 12: Urban Excursion and Airport Delivery to Kigali
Comprehensive Itinerary for 12 Days the great Apes of Uganda And Rwanda
Day 1:Pickup in Entebbe and transportation to Kampala.
Upon your arrival in Uganda, your driver guide will be awaiting you at Entebbe International Airport for your journey to your hotel in Kampala, with the option of a city tour that includes visits to the craft village, National Museum, Bahai Temple, Acacia Mall, and Kingdom Kampala. Evening meal and overnight accommodation at Forest Cottages (Economical)/ Fairway Hotel (Moderate)/ Serena Hotel (Premium)
Day 2: Journey to Murchison Falls with Rhino Tracking at Ziwa
Your driver-guide will greet you at your hotel and transport you to Murchison Falls National Park, with a stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for rhino tracking and lunch in Masindi town. Travel to Murchison Falls, arriving in the afternoon.
This is Uganda’s largest park, encompassing about 4000 km², and is among the most magnificent parks in Africa. The park features remarkable waterfalls that provide it its name, rough terrain, lush forests, and extraordinary fauna. Ascend to the summit of the falls for an intimate perspective of the world’s most formidable waterfalls, Murchison Falls. Check into your accommodation, unwind, dine, and spend the night at Parkside Safari Lodge (Budget), Pakuba Safari Lodge (Midrange), or Paraa Safari Lodge (Luxury).
Day 3: Morning Morning Game Drive and Afternoon Nautical Excursion
A comprehensive day of wildlife observation in Murchison; commence with a morning safari, searching for elephants, buffalo, giraffes, antelopes, lions, leopards, and jackals. If fortune favors us, we may come across one of Murchison’s rare cheetahs.
In the afternoon, you will go on a boat excursion to the base of the 43-meter high waterfall. This is an excellent opportunity to observe several of Murchison’s 460 avian species, including the shoebill stork and goliath heron. One will also observe one of Africa’s most concentrated groups of hippos and crocodiles. Evening meal and overnight accommodation at Parkside Safari Lodge (Budget), Pakuba Safari Lodge (Mid-range), or Paraa Safari Lodge (Luxury) as previously mentioned.
Day 4: Journey to Kibale National Park
You will have breakfast and subsequently drive to Kibale, with an optional visit to Amabere Ga Nyina Mwiru and a stroll to the crater lakes. Have lunch and then go to Kibale, arriving in the evening. Evening meal and overnight accommodation at Isunga Lodge (Budget), Chimpanzee Guesthouse Lodge (Mid-range), or Chimpundu Lodge (Luxury).
Day 5: Chimpanzee tracking and Optional Bigodi Swamp Stroll
Have your breakfast in the morning, attend the briefing and commence chimpanzee trekking. Kibale Forest National Park is a premier safari site in Africa for chimpanzee tracking. Kibale’s 795 km² National Park encompasses one of the most exquisite and diverse expanses of tropical forest in Uganda. The area is home to much woodland fauna, particularly 13 kinds of primates, including chimpanzees.
Following the trip, you will eat lunch and enjoy the remainder of your afternoon at your convenience. If you desire further exploration, you may choose for a visit to Bigodi Swamp, where you will participate in a guided tour through the wetland. Bigodi Swamp is a prominent avian observation location, ideal for ornithology aficionados. You will have the chance to observe various bird species, including the ancient Shoebill Stork. Subsequently, return to your resort for dinner and an overnight stay as previously mentioned. Isunga Lodge (Economical) / Chimpanzee Guesthouse Lodge (Moderate) / Chimpundu Lodge (Premium)
Day 6: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park – Evening Safari
Partake in breakfast at your accommodation and convene with your driver guide. You will subsequently undertake a four-hour journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park in Kasese District, the second largest savanna park in Uganda, with lunch along the way. Arrive in the afternoon and register at your resort. You will embark on an evening game drive in the park to observe wildlife, including elephants, buffalo, impala, lions, leopards, cheetahs, waterbucks, reedbucks, Uganda kobs, hippos, and several others. Subsequently, return to your accommodation for dinner and an overnight stay at Pumba Safari accommodation (Budget), Elephant Hub Lodge (Midrange), or Elephant Plains Lodge (Luxury).
Day 7: Lion Tracking, Morning Game Drive, and Afternoon Boat Cruise
Following breakfast, you will embark on a morning game drive in the Kisenyi sector for a lion tracking experience, where you may encounter diverse wildlife, including buffalo, topi, waterbuck, reedbuck, elephant, hyena, kob, and, if fortunate, lions. You will be escorted by a team of experts while tracking a pride of lions in the park. The action commences around 5 AM and lasts approximately 4 hours or longer, contingent upon the lions’ location within the park. A brief game drive in the Kasenyi part of the park will subsequently occur. Anticipate a diverse array of fauna, including elephants, lions, buffaloes, waterbucks, warthogs, and Uganda kobs, among others.
In the afternoon, you will go on a boat excursion around the Kazinga Channel for more outstanding wildlife observation. You will observe several hippos, buffalos, and a diverse assortment of birds, maybe including the African Fish Eagle and shoebill stork. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation at Pumba Safari Lodge (Budget), Elephant Hub Lodge (Mid-range), or Elephant Plains Lodge (Luxury).
Day 8: Journey to Bwindi National Park (Approximately 4-5 hours)
On the eighth day of your 12 Days the great Apes of Uganda And Rwanda, you will embark on a morning game drive in the park, aiming to observe additional lions and the elusive leopard. Subsequently, bid farewell to Queen Elizabeth and go to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, with lunch throughout the journey, arriving in Bwindi in the late afternoon. Check in, relax, dine, and stay overnight at Buhoma Community Rest Camp (Budget), Buhoma Haven Lodge (Mid-range), or Mahogany Springs (Luxury).
Day 9: Gorilla Trek and Optional Batwa Cultural Experience
Following an early morning meal, you will depart with your packed lunch and proceed to the park headquarters for a briefing before embarking on gorilla trekking in the forest. Your child can utilize that time in the hotel or accompany the guide during the visit. Gorilla trekking may last from one to four hours, contingent upon the gorillas’ movements.
After visiting the gorillas, the remaining time can be utilized for relaxation and reflection on the trek, hiking in the foothills, or optionally visiting the adjacent Batwa community. This visit offers an opportunity to engage with the amiable Batwa people (Pygmies) and gain insights into their captivating culture while observing traditional dance and singing performances by the local troupe. Evening meal and overnight accommodation at Buhoma Community Rest Camp (Budget), Buhoma Haven Lodge (Mid-range), or Mahogany Springs (Luxury) as previously mentioned.
Day 10: Transfer to Volcanoes National Park – Optional Visit to Karisoke Centre. Approximately a five-hour drive.
Consume breakfast in the morning and subsequently rendezvous with your driver-guide. Will you commence in around 5 hours? Travel to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, arriving in time for lunch at your lodge. Conclude your evening by unwinding at the lodge in anticipation of your golden monkey excursion the next day. If you’d like to explore more in the evening, you may opt for a visit to the Karisoke Centre, where you may see the Dian Fossey Museum and view her tomb. Evening meal and overnight accommodation at Muhabura Hotel (Budget), Tiloreza Volcanoes Eco Lodge (Midrange), or Virunga Resort Inn & Spa Hotel (Luxury).
Day 11: Golden Monkey Trek, Ibyi’wacu Village Tour and Return Drive to Kigali. Approximately three hours? Return to Kigali
Following breakfast, you will embark on golden monkey tracking. This activity likewise requires approximately 2-3 hours in the Virunga forest. Following your golden monkey hike, you will visit Ibyiwacu village, also referred to as the Gorilla Guardians Village. You will tour the former king’s palace, don traditional Rwandan garb, and enjoy performances of folk dance and singing by the local Intore dance team. Subsequently, return to your accommodation for an early lunch before transferring back to Kigali city, arriving in the evening. Evening meal and overnight accommodation at Step Town Hotel (Budget), Des Milles Collines Hotel (Mid-range), or Four Points by Sheraton Hotel (Luxury)
Day 12: Urban Excursion and Airport Departure to Kigali.
Following breakfast, your driver guide will conduct a tour of Kigali city, contingent upon your return flight schedule. You will visit sites such as the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre, Kimironko Market, Caplaki Craft Village, and Nyamirambo Women’s Centre, before being dropped off at Kigali International Airport or a hotel of your preference in Kigali, as you will indicate. Conclusion of Tour!